Wayland Baptist University named Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, as president-elect.
Hedgepath, who assumes her new post at Wayland July 1, is the first woman to serve as president of the 115-year-old Texas Baptist university. She will succeed Bobby Hall, who announced last year his plan to retire June 30.
Wayland’s board of trustees elected Hedgepath Jan. 25 to serve as the university’s 14th president upon the unanimous recommendation of the presidential search committee after a national search.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to accept the position of president of Wayland Baptist University, and I am filled with gratitude for the trust and confidence that the university’s trustees have placed in me,” Hedgepath said.
“It is indeed a tremendous privilege to be invited to lead this esteemed institution, and I am excited about the extraordinary opportunity to serve Wayland in this capacity.”
Hedgepath told students, faculty and staff she looks forward to “building upon the excellent foundation established here at Wayland,” particularly expressing appreciation to Hall for his years of service at Wayland.
“My commitment is to foster a culture of cooperation and exhortation, where we can collectively propel the university forward,” she said.
“By working together, we can ensure that Wayland remains a beacon of academic excellence in higher education.”
Hedgepath identified as her life verse Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
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During a question-and-answer time with media, she said she hopes her election as the next president of Wayland Baptist University will give hope to young women that “women can lead, lead well and lead by God’s grace and guidance.”
Hailed as ‘forward-thinking’ leader
Mark Jones, chair of the board of trustees, said Hedgepath “embodies the essence of forward-thinking leadership that has defined Wayland throughout its rich 115-year history.”
“We are confident that Dr. Hedgepath has the intellectual vision, Christian faith and personal integrity to inspire our Wayland family to new levels of excellence,” Jones said. “We look forward to working alongside her to foster a climate of community, engagement and mutual respect.”
Jones noted her experience as a professor and administrator at Campbellsville University, which he described as “a large, multi-campus Baptist university.” In addition to its home campus in Plainview, Wayland operates Texas campuses in San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo and Wichita Falls, as well as in Phoenix and Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska; and Mililani, Hawaii.
“Her achievements include spearheading the development of dozens of degree programs, academic minors and trade certification programs at her current university, supervising external campus locations throughout the United States and Canada, and, notably, driving exponential increases in enrollment throughout her current university system,” Jones said.
During her time as provost at Campbellsville University, enrollment at the school’s multiple campuses grew from 4,000 to 12,000 students, he noted.
She also is “deeply engaged in her local community, including her church,” he added, where she is a Sunday school teacher and church pianist.
Hall said Hedgepath’s “distinguished career and remarkable contributions in Christian education make her an outstanding choice for this important role.”
“Dr. Hedgepath has demonstrated exemplary leadership during her tenure at Campbellsville University, and her passion for academic excellence aligns seamlessly with the values that define Wayland Baptist University,” Hall said.
“I am confident that her vision, dedication and wealth of experience will greatly benefit our institution as we continue our mission of providing a transformative education.”
Hedgepath earned both her bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Campbellsville University and a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Kentucky.
She and her husband Pete have three sons.
Phillip Hamilton, communications manager at Wayland Baptist University, contributed to this report.
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