Taylor University Pillars at Taylor University Taylor University Profile (1963-1987) Noncurrent Publications Fall 10-1-1985 Taylor University Profile Taylor University Follow this and additional works at: https://pillars.taylor.edu/profile Part of the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation Taylor University, "Taylor University Profile" (1985). Taylor University Profile (1963-1987). 81. https://pillars.taylor.edu/profile/81 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Noncurrent Publications at Pillars at Taylor University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Taylor University Profile (1963-1987) by an authorized administrator of Pillars at Taylor University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FALL 1985 Yost named Provost/Executive Vice President Kesler appointed 28th President Jay L. Kesler assumed a familiar role represented Youth for Christ/USA in the with a new organization when he became International Council of Youth for Christ, Taylor University's 28th president on a coordinating body for Youth for Christ September 1. ministry in 62 countries. Kesler, a 1958 Taylor graduate, has spent Youth for Christ connections should the past 30 years working for Youth for benefit Taylor University, Kesler believes. Christ/USA, serving the last 12 years as "I'm anxious that these people know about president. He resigned the position Taylor, because Taylor is one of the best August 1. kept secrets among Evangelicals. Board of Trustees Chairman John "I really feel that coming in, I come in McDougall announced Kesler's appoint­ as a team member," Kesler added. "I ment at a special faculty/staff meeting held already believe that Taylor is doing a good July 2. At the same time, McDougall job in Christian higher education. I want announced the appointment of Acting to expose that to others." President Daryl R. Yost to a newly-created Yost believes Taylor must continue to be position, Provost/Executive Vice President. a cohesive unit as it strives for excellence Dr. Yost had served as interim president in Christian liberal arts education. "The since Gregg O. Lehman's March 10 most important thing to do right now is to resignation. create an environment for increased sta­ As president, Kesler will be responsible bility," he stated. 'We need a feeling of for the "maintaining or achieving of board unity among everyone as a member of the policy directions on campus," he said. Yost Taylor family." will be the chief internal operations person Besides receiving his bachelor's degree in for the university and report to the board religion from Taylor, Kesler has been in­ through the president. volved in studies at Ball State University "I feel that the structure that is being pro­ and has received honorary doctorates from Kesler and Yost discuss Taylor University policy in the President's Office. posed and developed will enhance Taylor several colleges. He has been a frequent University as we move toward the twenty- speaker in chapel and during Youth Con­ most recent book, Parents and Teenagers, resignation. Kesler feels fortunate in hav­ first century," Yost said. "What we are ference at Taylor. recently received the Evangelical Christian ing an administrator with Yost's expertise doing now, I am confident many other in­ A member of Taylor's Parents' Cabinet, Publishers Association Gold Medallion to handle campus responsibilities. stitutions will be doing in the next decade." Kesler, 50, was recently selected to serve award in the "Marriage and Family" "I would have put forth as one of my Kesler, too, is confident about the suc­ on the university's board of trustees. The category. Other recent titles include Family qualifications that Taylor would let me cess of the new working relationship. "We Taylor University Alumni Association Forum, Breakthrough, Growing Places, have the best qualified educator/adminis­ will interface on everything," he said. "The presented him its Chamber of Achievement and Too Big to Spank, as well as the trator, academic leader, that could be thing that we will strive for is a Biblical Award in 1972 for bringing "recognition to popular I Never Promised You a found," Kesler told the faculty and staff. model similar to David and Jonathan. I Taylor through outstanding personal and Disneyland. "When I got here, I found Taylor already hope to have Daryl Yost as my best friend professional accomplishment." Kesler also serves on boards for Chris­ had one. God listens. I become increas­ one year from today." Kesler's wife, Jane, also is a former tianity Today, Evangelicals for Social ingly satisfied that God has put him (Yost) Youth for Christ has been the centerpiece Taylor University student. The couple has Action, Prison Fellowship International, where he is and me where I am." of Kesler's entire career. He was a director three children, Laura, Bruce and Terri, all Christian College Coalition and Campus Prior to coming to Taylor, Yost had been in Marion while attending Taylor before of whom have been Taylor students. Life magazine, among others. vice president of human resources for moving through the ranks to the presi­ Aside from working with Youth for Yost joined Taylor administration as vice Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company dency. The organization is an inter­ Christ, Kesler has published ten books and president for university advancement in in Fort Wayne. Previously, he served as denominational ministry to high school is a speaker on "Family Forum," a daily 1983. He was appointed acting president by superintendent of the East Allen County young people in more than 200 American five-minute broadcast aired on more than the board of trustees upon Lehman's re­ School District in New Haven, Indiana, cities and areas. As president, Kesler 250 stations across the country. Kesler's quested leave of absence and subsequent from 1973-1982. Word of the appointment of a new president at Taylor to the needs of the student body and very responsive University was greeted with excitement by everyone during a difficult spring semester. His appointment as associated with the school. As the incoming president of provost/executive vice president will be an excellent com­ the Taylor Student Organization (TSO), I was especially plement to the selection of Jay Kesler as president. Dr. pleased to hear that the board of trustees had chosen Jay Yost's handling of the internal administration will allow Taylor Student Kesler as university president-elect. I was even more Mr. Kesler the freedom to fully represent Taylor across encouraged to learn that he would be taking office before the country as well as on campus. the beginning of the fall term. Having Mr. Kesler as presi­ Organization dent as of September 1 will make TSO's transition to his I am confident that Mr. Kesler will be a great asset to fresh approach to leadership especially smooth. Taylor and to TSO. I am looking forward to working In talking with Randy Dodge, director of student pro­ together with him throughout the coming year. We in grams, I have learned that Mr. Kesler is ready and will­ TSO anticipate "tapping" his wisdom and insight as we welcomes ing to work for the leadership program of TSO. His make preparation for our first high school leadership con­ established national reputation as a Christian leader will ference in the fall and our annual National Student be an important element in attracting quality student Leadership Conference in the spring. Mr. Kesler will have leaders to Taylor, students who believe that leadership the full support and prayers of the Taylor Student Jay Kesler begins with the servant attitude of Christ and a commit­ Organization as he grows into his new role. ment to His lordship. In addition, I want to thank Dr. Daryl Yost for the fine job he has done as acting president. He has been receptive David Steiner, TSO President God's faithfulness remains the key in transition before Taylor for the future. Without exception, so far, work, our churches, our communities and our families Eric Hoffer, the longshoreman philosopher, has writ­ as well as at Taylor. ten, "Not to be threatened by change requires inordinate even those with doubts have been wonderfully suppor­ tive and filled with good will and promises of their Experience would show and the scriptures would teach self-esteem." From a human viewpoint, it is relatively easy us that the God who has been faithful to us in the past prayers. to illustrate the truth of this statement. Even the most will be faithful in the future. This is the pattern of the confident and secure are often surprised by their emo­ Doubtless, Janie and I are not alone with these feel­ ings of tentativeness. The entire Taylor family — parents, great prayers and narratives of scripture. David's tions, if not their actions, in time of transition. For the challenge to Goliath is an example of this truth. "The same Taylor family, the summer of '85 has been characterized students, staff, faculty, administrative staff — experience God who delivered me from the mouth of the lion and by many changes. I find it interesting, and in numerous these uncertainties in times of transition and change. paw of the bear will deliver me from the uncircumcized ways threatening, to be the focal point of this change. So very much of the success of the future lies in trusting Philistine." As I have thought about the subject of change, I would God and putting our faith in Him to superintend His love There are great challenges before all Christians today, add two thoughts to Mr. Hoffer's observation. First, that and in our context, quite particularly before Christian in reality, one of the constants in our lives is change.