Synod Ratifies New Calvin President
After interviewing Michael Le Roy for an hour on Monday night, Synod 2012 voted to ratify his appointment as the 10th president of Calvin College.
Le Roy, the former provost and executive vice president at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., will begin his tenure with the college on July 2, 2012.
Le Roy said that he was grateful for the affirmation of the synod and looks forward to many years of strong collaboration between Calvin College and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA). Calvin is the college of the CRCNA.
Le Roy replaces Gaylen Byker, who retired this year after serving the college, along with his wife, Susan, for 17 years.
Le Roy was the Calvin presidential search committee's unanimous choice to lead the college. Le Roy comes to Calvin College with a depth of administrative, academic and scholarly experience in Christian higher education.
Le Roy's former colleagues describe him as a sincere man of faith —a leader who values consensus and handles difficult situations with grace and integrity.
Born in La Mesa, Calif. and raised on Bainbridge Island, Washington, Le Roy is a 1989 graduate of Whitworth University with majors in international studies and peace studies. He earned his PhD in political science at Vanderbilt University in 1994 and taught at Wheaton College before returning to his alma mater in 2002.
Le Roy is credited with helping to build Whitworth's academic excellence and with leading the collaborative effort to open Whitworth's first international education center in Costa Rica.
Le Roy and his wife, Andrea Nelson Le Roy, have three children: son Dana and daughters Hannah and Astrid.
"It's exciting that the final step in this process has played out," said Scott Spoelhof, chair of the Calvin College Board of Trustees. "Michael's strengths as a scholar, teacher and administrator and his passion for Reformed Christianity will serve Calvin well in the coming years.”
Le Roy will be inaugurated on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, during Calvin's Homecoming and Family Weekend.
President Le Roy will begin his tenure at Calvin College on Monday, July 2, 2012. He will be inaugurated on Saturday, October 20, 2012 (during Calvin's Homecoming and Family Weekend). For a complete bio, four-minute video interview with Michael and Andrea, and details for October's inauguration, visit Calvin's inaugural website at www.calvin.edu/president/inauguration
Watch President Le Roy's interview at Synod 2012.
