Womack Named New NCU President

Eugene, Oregon----The Board of Trustees of Northwest Christian University (NCU) has announced Dr. Joseph Womack has been named the institution's 10th president.  He will replace Dr. David Wilson, who announced last spring he would be resigning in June 2010 to spend more time with his family in the Midwest.

"We interviewed several very strong candidates who could have been successful at NCU," said former Eugene Mayor Jeff Miller, a trustee and alumnus who led the national search committee.  "In the end, Dr. Womack's commitment to excellence, education, breadth of experience, and knowledge about NCU's unique qualities and opportunities made him the hands down choice to lead the university into the next decade and beyond."

Dr. Womack currently is the vice president for university advancement at William Jessup University where he is responsible for fundraising, marketing, communications, church and alumni relations, as well as community, media, and government relations.  During his time at WJU, he has led the University in strategic planning leading to new academic programs, fundraising and enrollment goals, improvements to the WJU physical plant, personnel policies and policies related to student profile and retention goals.

He has also been responsible for leading the University's physical relocation from San Jose to Rocklin, CA, raising $36 million in capital and annual giving, and establishing and managing the WJU Foundation.  Womack began his career nearly 20 years ago as an admissions counselor at NCU.  Since then, he has held various administrative and operational positions at WJU and California Baptist University.

"NCU is ready to take the next step forward in its journey to be recognized among the best Christian colleges in the Western United States," Womack said.  "I am looking forward to working with NCU's faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters to build on a great tradition of excellence in Christian higher education."

Womack earned an Ed.D and M.Ed. from Azusa Pacific University (2009 & 1998), a bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from Texas Christian University (1991) and an associate degree in biblical studies from NCU (1989).  He and his wife, the former Kristine Rhee (NCU '89) have four sons:  James, Benjamin, Daniel, and Andrew.

Dr. Wilson will continue as NCU's president until Womack begins work June 1, 2010.  He will be officially installed as president of NCU during ceremonies in the fall.

Northwest Christian University was founded in 1895 by pastor-educator, Eugene C. Sanderson, and named Eugene Divinity School. Through a series of name changes and a merger, the college became known as Northwest Christian College in 1934. On July 1, 2008, the name officially changed to NCU.