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President Brandt

President David Brandt announces retirement

After spending nine years leading Oregon’s fastest-growing university, George Fox President David Brandt will retire June 30. Brandt, the university’s 11th president, concludes a four-decade career in Christian higher education.

Hail to the chief | The university will honor Dave and Melva Brandt for their nine years of service with several send-off events, including: the Farewell Gala in downtown Portland in June; a community open house for selected community leaders of Newberg on May 24; and a Boise Center reception for Boise employees, alumni, and other guests on May 18. For more information about these and additional retirement events, log on to georgefox.edu/presidentialfarewell.

Brandt has guided the university in the expansion of programs, facilities, and locations. During his tenure, the university has grown from 2,345 students to 3,185. George Fox has transformed from a primarily undergraduate institution into a university with nearly equal graduate and undergraduate populations. Brandt has overseen an academic restructuring that created the position of provost and divided the university into six schools, each led by a dean. Eleven new undergraduate programs have been added, including engineering, nursing, political science, and theatre. Six new graduate programs were started, including doctorates in education and management. Specialized accreditations have been attained for athletic training, engineering, and social work programs.

Brandt oversaw the 2001 construction of the $7 million Stevens Center, the 2004 addition/renovation of historic Wood-Mar Hall, the 2006 renovation of Hoover Academic Building, and the 2006 construction of Le Shana Residence Hall. He also commissioned the award-winning architectural firm ZGF to create a 40-year master plan for the Newberg campus in 2004.

Brandt announced his decision to the George Fox Board of Trustees at its annual fall meeting held in October. He and his wife, Melva, will live in Pennsylvania near their two sons and five grandchildren.

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