Wayland trustees appoint presidential search committee

PLAINVIEW—Wayland Baptist University’s board of trustees formed a presidential search committee, charged with recommending a successor to Paul Armes, who has served the school since February 2001.

Paul ArmesRick Breeden, president of the Baptist Foundation of New Mexico, will chair the committee, which is in the process of putting together a profile and search criteria for the new president. The committee hopes to have a president-elect in place prior to Armes’ retirement next June.

“We are looking for someone who is committed to faith-based higher education,” Breeden said. “We know that God has a plan for the future president of Wayland, and we are just trying to serve as stewards in that plan and see where the process goes.”

The trustees expressed confidence the committee will find the best candidate for the position, said Sally Walker, chair of the board.

“It has become pressing that we provide an education to our students that includes a firm Christian base and environment as they prepare for their future,” Walker said. “They are God’s missionaries entrusted to us. I am excited to discover who the next person will be that will lead us in this endeavor.”

In addition to Breeden and Walker, search committee members are Vice Chair Ted Sanders, former president of Southern Illinois University and past deputy U.S. secretary of education; Joe Jeskco, a consultant in Arlington; Robert Kollman, owner of several fast-food franchises; Rose Mediano, retired educator; Vernon Stokes, retired educator; Michael Tschoepe, an ophthalmologist from San Antonio; Estelle Owens, dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences; Paul Sadler, dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy; and D.L. Lowrie, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Lubbock and denominational executive.