Western Seminary Names 12th President
April 30, 2008
PORTLAND, OREGON – The Board of Trustees is honored to announce the appointment of Western Seminary’s 12th President, Dr. Randal Roberts. Having served as the Seminary’s Academic Dean and Provost since 1999, he assumes the Office of the President May 1, 2008.
It was to standing applause that faculty and staff welcomed Dr. Roberts when he was introduced in his new role on Wednesday, April 16th by Dr. Tom Tunnicliff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Roberts take the lead as Western’s next president,” remarked Tunicliff. “Having known Dr. Roberts for over ten years, I have observed how the Lord has used him tremendously to provide the leadership necessary to keep our academic edge sharp. He will do a great job as president!”
Dr. Scott Reavely, Pastor of New Life Church in West Linn and Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee shared, “The Board of Trustees believes in the mission and vision of Western Seminary. We recognize Randy has been a significant voice in shaping and articulating that vision over the past several years. He is clearly the best person to move the Seminary into the future.”
Dr. Roberts succeeds Dr. Bert Downs, serving as Western’s President since 1998. Speaking of Dr. Downs, Dr. Tunnicliff said, “When I think of a high-impact seminary president, Bert Downs has set a new standard these past ten years at Western. Bert has played the roles of coach, strategist, leader, and pastor to the faculty, staff, trustees, and friends of the seminary. I count it a great privilege to have served alongside him.” Dr. Gerry Breshears, Professor of Theology, adds, “Bert Downs' exemplary leadership as Western's president focused on leading like Jesus: He built and empowered a team. Randy Roberts, the center of that team, is now prepared and poised for outstanding service as Western's next president.”
Entering the presidency in November of 1998, Dr. Downs brought stability and growth to Western, leading the seminary to record high enrollment, the birth of several new programs, and greater fiscal health. In commenting upon his successor, Dr. Downs shared, “I can think of no one else who has given more of themselves to Western over the years than Dr. Roberts. His love for Western and her mission is clearly evident to anyone who knows him.” Much to the delight of the Western Seminary community, Dr. Downs’ relationship with Western will continue as he serves in the role of Chancellor, investing the majority of his time in donor and alumni relations.
Dr. Roberts’ gifts and expertise fit Western’s commitment to fulfilling its distinctive calling to be a catalyst and resource for spiritual transformation and renewal. A Western alumnus, Dr. Roberts earned a Master of Divinity in 1982 and a Master of Theology in 1984. He went on to earn a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality and Renewal from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in 1996. Joining the Western team in 1987, Dr. Roberts has fulfilled a variety of roles, before becoming Academic Dean and Provost.
Dr. Roberts edited Lessons in Leadership: Fifty Respected Evangelical Leaders Share Their Wisdom on Ministry (Kregel Publications; 1999) and contributed the chapter “Praying in the Name of Jesus” in Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry edited by Daniel Crawford (PrayerShop Publishing; 2008).
Dr. Arturo Azurdia III, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, enthusiastically affirms the Board’s decision. “Randy Roberts possesses a rare combination of intellectual incisiveness, relational sensitivity, and authentic humility. Moreover, his competence as a leader is defined not only by many years of administrative experience but an aggressive desire to empower others to succeed. The Board of Trustees could not have selected a better man than Randy Roberts as the new president of Western Seminary. His vision of the seminary as a catalyst for renewal (reformation and revival) will propel us forward to serve the church of Jesus Christ with greater significance. I am honored and humbled to serve under his leadership.”
Dr. Roberts has been married to his wife, Susan, for 29 years. They reside in Happy Valley, Oregon.
