WASHINGTON D.C. — May 3, 2005 — Robert C. Andringa, president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, requested April 29 that the board of directors initiate the process of finding his successor. He will have served as president of the CCCU for 12 years at the effective date of his retirement, June 30, 2006.
In his notice to the board, Andringa asked the board to consider finding a successor in time to be introduced at the CCCU鈥檚 International Forum on Christian Higher Education scheduled for the end of March, 2006, in Dallas, Texas, where the Council will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
"The CCCU has changed much under Bob鈥檚 leadership," said David S. Dockery, president of 51社区 and chairman of the CCCU board. "The Council has greatly expanded its impact in the world of higher education and inside the Beltway as well. His expertise on government issues, legal challenges and higher education policy matters has been invaluable to all of us during these years.
"The list of accomplishments during these years is lengthy indeed," Dockery continued. "The Forum will provide us a special venue to say thank you for his investment in the work of Christian higher education."
Dockery has authority from the board to appoint a search committee. The board will focus on the desired criteria for Andringa鈥檚 successor at its July board meeting in Great Britain.
"I have stayed in this role several years beyond my original expectation because it has been such a perfect match between my faith commitment and love for higher education," Andringa said. "This has to be one of the best leadership roles in the world for someone motivated to serve and develop leaders who know how to live by faith in the marketplace."
Since Andringa came to the Council, the number of institutions in the CCCU has doubled, from 88 to the current 176 with the addition of affiliate membership. The Council鈥檚 service to its membership has expanded significantly with more than 90 distinct programs and projects, supported by a budget that has grown from $3.8 million to $10.5 million. The domestic and international staff has grown from 30 to 65. Under Andringa鈥檚 leadership the name Council for Christian Colleges & Universities was adopted and the United Christian College Fund was established.
Andringa has also elevated the significance of the CCCU presidency through his involvement with the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, his role as chair of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, election to the board of the American Council on Education, past board service on the National Association of Independent Collges and Universities, leadership with Executives in Church Related Higher Education and in creating partnerships with the Council for Independent Colleges and several other organizations. As a former education committee staff director in the U.S. House of Representatives and chief executive officer of the Education Commission of the States, Andringa has played an active role in public policy and social justice while at the CCCU.
Andringa is a national expert on nonprofit governance and has worked with more than 500 boards and CEOs on governance issues, including many campuses, based on his "Nonprofit Board Answer Book." His retirement announcement coincides with the publication of his third book, "Presidential Transitions in Private Colleges," co-authored with former CIC president, Allen P. Splete.
"More significant than all of this, hundreds of thousands of lives have been transformed by the quality education and spiritual formation provided by the wonderful institutions we are serving each day," Andringa said.
As for his future, Andringa said, "When I turned 60, I adopted the motto 'peak at 80' and so I look forward to many adventures ahead, probably staying close to my passion of helping CEOs and boards achieve worthy goals. The Lord has guided me in all my career moves and he hasn't told me it is time to retire, but rather to re-fire in new ways of service."
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of 176 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. There are now 105 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. In addition, 71 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Council鈥檚 mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.