Volume LXXI, No. 2 First Quarter–2007 Bob R. Agee to Retire as IABCU Executive Director, Annual Meeting Set for June 3-5 in Williamsburg by Tim Fields of a Theological Foundation for Baptist ing challenges. Would the schools that IABCU Director of Communications Higher Education.” historically had been served by the t the close of the winter board Also on the agenda for the last plenary Education Commission of the Southern Ameeting of the International session is the final report on the Baylor/ Baptist Convention find enough common Association of Baptist Colleges and ASBCS Conclave. ground and mutual interests to continue University’s (IABCU) Executive Agee’s letter to the board of directors to cooperate and support a larger cause? Director Bob R. Agee announced his follows: Would the various publics accept the retirement, effective with the June 3-5, “Dear Board of Directors, (Continued on page 2) 2007 annual meeting or “as soon Nine years ago we faced some amaz- thereafter as a new executive director can be named.” Agee, 68, has served as executive Tentative Schedule for IABCU Annual Meeting, June 3-5, 2007 director of the 51-member association Williamsburg Marriott • Williamsburg, Virginia since June of 1998. The Association SUNDAY JUNE 3, 2007 exists to promote distinctive Christian 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. IABCU Board Meeting education among the colleges and uni- 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. First Plenary Session versities that have their roots in Baptist heritage. 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. IABCU Reception Agee, former president of Oklahoma MONDAY JUNE 4, 2007 Baptist University, has been successfully battling hairy cell leukemia for the past 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Presidents Buffet Breakfast 16 years. He is currently in his fourth Auxiliary Groups Buffet Breakfast remission. 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Second Plenary Session From June of 1998 to September 2002 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break he also served as executive director of the Consortium for Global Education. 10:45 a.m. – Noon Workshops The board expressed their gratitude 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. IABCU Business Luncheon for Agee’s service to the Association and (Presidents and CAOs) voted to accept his pending retirement Auxiliary Groups Buffet Lunch with “deepest appreciation.” 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Workshops James Netherton, board chair, told board members he would be appointing a 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. IABCU Banquet - Williamsburg Marriott Ballroom search committee soon to seek a new TUESDAY JUNE 5, 2007 executive director and asked board mem- bers to share any feedback they have 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Chief Academic Officers Breakfast regarding the search committee. Auxiliary Groups Breakfast In other action, Agee announced that 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Workshops David Gushee, professor of ethics, Union 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break University, would deliver the annual Hester Lectures at the annual meeting 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Third Plenary Session and workshops June 3-5 at the 12:00 p.m. Adjourn Williamsburg Marriott, Williamsburg, Va. The theme for the lectures is “In Search 2:00 p.m. Golf Outing at Kingsmill Country Club I have ever had the privilege of working Agee to Retire... with. The friendships with my colleagues Contents (Continued from page 1) in this marvelous family of schools are 1 Agee to Retire as IABCU Executive association as a legitimate entity repre- cherished and valued beyond my ability Director senting the interests of the schools as an to describe. My appreciation for our 1 Tentative Schedule for IABCU independent member-owned and operat- schools and the work they do has grown Annual Meeting ed organization? Could the Association immensely and my conviction that we 3 Comment develop a program of work that would are a major force in the larger world of provide enough benefits to the schools Christian higher education has grown 4 CGE Report that would attract participation and stronger with each passing day. We are 7 2006 Fall Enrollment at IABCU involvement of leadership from the stronger today as an Association than Schools schools? Could we develop revenue any of us ever dreamed we could become 8 Campus Report streams that would support staff, pro- nine years ago. gram and services? “We have 10 IABCU Website Expands Services What did the future “Our name change will open many reached a point in 11 Gifts and Grants hold for the way state exciting and challenging new doors our evolution as an 12 Loan Program Assists in Earning conventions and their that the Association’s executive organization where Doctorates colleges / universities the leadership needs would relate to each leadership needs to be ready to to spend more time 13 Legal Notes other and as the land- walk through.” on the road, be 14 Annual Tuition at IABCU Schools scape changed, would more visible among 16 Benefits of Membership in IABCU the schools be able to rise above the shift- the schools, and able to spend time with ing sands and continue to promote the potential new members. The limitations value of being intentionally Christian and of age and health have kept me from Vol. LXXI, No. 2 First Quarter 2007 unashamedly Baptist? being as visible and involved in the pub- Publisher: Bob R. Agee, executive “I am pleased to report that for the lic policy arena as we need to be. Our director/treasurer, IABCU most part, we have risen to the chal- name change will open many exciting Managing Editor: Tim Fields, director lenges we faced as an Association. The and challenging new doors that the of communications, IABCU seat on the NAICU Secretariat that had Association’s executive leadership needs Editorial Assistant: Tammy Drolsum, previously been held by the Education to be ready to walk through. I have administrative assistant, IABCU Commission was awarded to the ASBCS. come to the conclusion that the time The presidents and chief academic offi- has come for the Board to begin the The Baptist Educator (ISSN 0038-3848) is a cers of the schools along with the execu- search for my successor. Therefore, I am news magazine published quarterly for admin- istrators, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of tive cabinet leadership personnel have tonight (December 11, 2006) announc- member schools by the International worked together to make our annual ing my retirement from the position of Association of Baptist Colleges and meetings some of the most beneficial Executive Director effective at the 2007 Universities. professional meetings to be found. annual meeting or at whatever point POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The schools have chosen to utilize thereafter that is necessary for the new the services we tried to offer in remark- Executive to assume the position. International Association of Baptist Colleges able ways with invitations to speak on “It is my desire to remain deeply and and Universities 8120 Sawyer Brown Road, Suite 108 campus, lead faculty workshops, conduct personally involved with the work of the Nashville, TN 37221-1410 trustee orientation workshops, partici- Association in whatever ways I can be of To contact the publisher write: pate in convocations and commence- service to the new executive director or Bob Agee, executive director, IABCU ments, and help with numerous to the schools. As long as health and P. O. Box 11655 Jackson, TN 38308-0127 celebrations. energy allow, I want to devote my efforts E-mail: [email protected] We have established ourselves as a to teaching graduate courses in higher Send news items to: significant voice among Christian col- education leadership at Union The Educator leges and universities as a strong advo- University, conducting and directing E-mail: [email protected] cate for the importance of the research in areas that could benefit our 8120 Sawyer Brown Road, Suite 108 integration of the Christian faith and schools, writing, consulting, and spend- Nashville, TN 37221-1141 high-quality academic pursuit. We have ing time with family. When I consider Fax: (615) 662-1396 • Phone: (615) 673-1896 become a major resource for the schools that 16 years ago the doctors gave me a “Legal Notes” is designed to provide accurate and through our corporate partnerships, our fifty-fifty chance of living longer than authoritative information on legal issues facing website services, as an information gath- three years, the privilege of living and Baptist-related higher education. It is provided ering center, and through various con- serving is a gift for which I feel a with the understanding that the publisher and editors are not engaged in rendering legal coun- sultation opportunities. tremendous sense of stewardship. sel.”Legal Notes” is not intended as a substitute “These past nine years have been “The cause of Christian higher educa- for the services of a legal professional. If your meaningful and fulfilling for me as your tion is one of the most noble and mean- institution needs legal counsel, a competent Executive Director. Tim Fields (IABCU ingful investments I can imagine. Thank attorney should be consulted. director of communications) is one of you for allowing me the privilege of Annual subscription is $8.00. the most able and effective professionals serving this family of schools,” Agee 2 The Educator CCOMMENTOMMENT:: IAB IABCUCUC COREORE VVALUESALUES:AG : uide to Being Distinctive Bob R. Agee, Executive Director, IABCU t the December meeting of the Board 1. The Christian faith is foundation- cally excellent and Aof Directors of our Association, I al for all teaching and learning. intentionally announced my decision 2.