After a recent leave of absence due to health issues, Mount Vernon Nazarene University President Henry W. Spaulding II has announced he will retire as the university’s seventh president at the close of the May 6 commencement ceremonies.
The move will cap a 30-year career in higher education for Spaulding, according to a press release announcing his retirement.
“It has been the great joy and honor of my life to serve as president of MVNU, and especially to serve with the trustees," Spaulding said in the release. "Your wisdom and support have given me strength to help lead this university. I will always have a special place in my heart for MVNU and for the traditions and doctrinal/moral convictions of MVNU.”
Since becoming president in 2012, Spaulding has supervised numerous projects, such as revisions to general education, recognition for online academic programs, reaccreditation with the Higher Learning Commission, and development of undergraduate and graduate program offerings.
Campus expansion under Spaulding’s leadership includes the completion of Ariel Arena, the Grand Hotel, the Stephen W. Nease Center for Engineering, South Main Plaza, the CH4 Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium, and the Center for Student Success, to name a few.
“MVNU has grown in so many ways under Dr. Spaulding’s leadership,” said Edward Phillips, MVNU board chairman. “More importantly, he has guarded the principles of the university and the Church of the Nazarene, and faithfully kept MVNU’s mission of ‘shaping lives through educating the whole person and cultivating Christlikeness for lifelong learning and service’ [at the] forefront.”
Phillips expressed optimism about the university’s prospects after the leadership transition.
“While we have many successes of the past to build upon, we have a solid senior leadership team, dedicated faculty and very capable staff who have worked tirelessly alongside Dr. Spaulding,” Phillips said. “We are extremely confident in their abilities to press on to the greater achievements of the future for the university even during this transition period.”
In Spaulding’s absence, Scott Campbell, CFO, has been appointed as the senior administrative leader until a transition leader can be appointed. The Board of Trustees has already begun laying plans to initiate an immediate national presidential search.
