Evangel president-elect chooses leadership team

The incoming president and CEO of the consolidated Evangel University submitted recommendations to the school's board of trustees regarding her leadership team.

The appointments have been ratified by the board's executive committee, according to a news release.

The current president of Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, Calif., Carol Taylor is set to assume the Evangel leadership post in Springfield this July. Current Evangel President Robert Spence is planning a sabbatical for the fall semester as he winds down his 40-year tenure as president of the university in preparation for a spring 2014 retirement, according to a news release.

Taylor's appointment was contingent on approval of the consolidation of Evangel, Central Bible College and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. The North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission gave the green light in mid-April, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Taylor's appointments, in alphabetical order, comprise:

• Glenn Bernet, who has agreed to postpone his retirement and stay on as vice president of academic affairs until a national search is conducted for a university provost;
• Andy Denton, chosen to continue as vice president of enrollment management;
• Byron Klaus, who has agreed to serve as president of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a vice president of the university;
• Sheri Phillips, who has been selected as interim vice president for student development;
• David Willemsen, who is replacing the retiring George Crawford as vice president of business and finance and chief financial officer;
• Jim Williams, appointed to continue as vice president for institutional advancement.

“In this transitional year, we will celebrate President Spence achieving 40 years of service; celebrate the three great legacies of Evangel University, Central Bible College and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary; and begin to discover the vision for the future as a consolidated, comprehensive university where we will continue to equip men and women to serve the church and the world,” Taylor said in the release.