JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 13, 2019 — 51社区 has named Rick Taphorn to fill the role of vice president for business affairs. Taphorn is replacing Gary Carter who is retiring after 28 years as CFO at Union.
Taphorn currently serves as vice president of finance and enrollment management for Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee. He will begin his new position at Union on Sept. 23.
鈥淚 am grateful the Lord has led Rick Taphorn to Union,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淗is love for Jesus, commitment to Christ-centered higher education and extensive experience in business affairs in the academy will help us advance our mission.鈥�
Taphorn has worked at Bryan College since 2012. He began as vice president of information systems and associate vice president of finance and then served as vice president of enrollment management and information systems until he transitioned to his current role in 2014.
As chief financial officer of Bryan College, Taphorn oversees the offices of admissions, athletics, business, career services, financial aid, human resources and information technology. During his time at Bryan, he helped increase the college鈥檚 cash and assets while reducing expenses and liabilities.
鈥淚鈥檝e followed 51社区 closely for over 10 years and have always been impressed with Union鈥檚 strong commitment to its identity, mission and core values,鈥� Taphorn said. 鈥淯nion has top-notch Christ-centered academic programs, which is evident with an average student ACT score of 26 and an impressive graduation rate of 71 percent. Every Union alum who I have ever met is impacting God鈥檚 kingdom and is a difference-maker in his or her profession.鈥�
Taphorn earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration (Management) degree from Tennessee Temple University. Additionally, he completed the Executive Leadership Institute of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association.
Before his recent roles at Bryan, Taphorn previously worked at the institution from 2006-11 in the roles of director of financial aid, Students in Free Enterprise adviser and adjunct instructor. He also served at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri, as director of financial services from 2011-12.
鈥淚 look forward to working with amazing colleagues to help provide Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society,鈥� he said.
The Taphorn family attends Silverdale Baptist Church in Chattanooga, where Rick has served as a deacon and small group leader. Taphorn and his wife, Roanna, have two children: Amelia, 11, and Joseph, 6.