Dr. Ed Huckeby Named President of Southwestern Christian University

Dr. Ed Huckeby Named President of Southwestern Christian University

BROKEN ARROW After a decade as chief academic and operating officer at Northeastern State University's Broken Arrow campus, Dr. Ed Huckeby will become president of Southwestern Christian University in January 2010.

The Board of Regents of Southwestern Christian University in Bethany named Huckeby as the institution's 11th president this week. He will continue to serve at NSUBroken Arrow until January 4, and the university will begin a search this fall to fill the post Huckeby has held since the campus was founded in 1999.

"Ed Huckeby has been a familiar spokesperson for Northeastern State University in the Broken Arrow and the greater Tulsa metro for the past decade. Under his leadership, Northeastern State's campus at Broken Arrow began as a downtown storefront and has developed into a hub for learning and opportunity. Ed's active service to the community and his demonstrated leadership at the state and national levels have influenced the quality of experience students enjoy, and have helped to position NSU Broken Arrow as an educational leader in northeastern Oklahoma," said Dr. Don Betz, NSU president.

The Oklahoma native was the first person hired for NSU's branch campus in Broken Arrow when it opened nearly a decade ago, Dr. Janet Bahr said.

"He has been involved in the development of that campus since day one," recalled Bahr, who is NSU's interim vice president for Academic Affairs. "For ten years, his expertise and management have guided us in growing the campus from an initial enrollment of 1,057 to more than 3,200 students this semester. He has been a champion for serving the higher education needs in the Broken Arrow and metropolitan Tulsa area."

Dr. Dan Beller, chair of the Southwestern Christian University Board of Regents, explained that the Presidential Search Committee worked diligently over the past eight months to find a visionary leader best suited for SCU's historic faith tradition and its quest for academic excellence and expansion.

"Huckeby was elected from a pool of highly qualified applicants because of his stellar academic credentials, history of proven academic community leadership, and Christian standards compatible with those of our founding denomination. We are excited to have a person of his caliber and experience to lead SCU into the next decade," Beller said.

Accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southwestern Christian University continues its transition from its historical role as a bible college to that of a Christian liberal arts university. Although a primary mission of the institution continues to be that of educating students in a Christian environment, its curriculum is being expanded to include an array of business, education, social sciences and arts offerings.

Huckeby's efforts while at NSU have directly contributed to the university becoming an active partner in the growth and success of the Broken Arrow community, Betz noted.

"Ed's commitment to the goal of educating students has led to steadily increasing enrollment and laid groundwork for continued growth at NSU Broken Arrow as we meet the needs of our citizens in a changing and dynamic global economy. His diligent work and dedication helped lay the groundwork for the agreement between NSU and Tulsa Community College that provides students who complete an associate's degree the opportunity for a seamless transition to earn a bachelor+s degree on the Broken Arrow campus.

"His experience and accomplishments at NSU have prepared him well for his next step as President of Southwestern Christian University, where he will no doubt continue to motivate students to achieve their goals and ambitions through lifelong learning. The university community thanks him and wishes him well in his new service leadership role."

Huckeby said experience gained at Northeastern has "opened new doors for me."

"It has been an exciting and wonderful experience serving as the on-site administrator during the birth, development and growth of the NSU-Broken Arrow campus. The community has embraced both me and the university and has invested tremendous resources to assure the institution's future," he said. "It is indeed an honor to have been chosen as Southwestern Christian University's new visionary leader, and I am looking forward to the next decade as the capstone experience of my career."

Huckeby holds degrees from East Central University and the University of Oklahoma, and received his Doctor of Education Degree in Administration from Oklahoma State University.

Prior to joining NSU, Huckeby held several significant state higher education positions, including serving as the first director of the Enid Higher Education Program and dean of the Graduate School at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He is the current president-elect of the National Association of Branch Campus Administrators and serves as president of the Broken Arrow Arts and Humanities Council and vice-chairman of the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation. Often recognized as a "renaissance man," Huckeby is a member of the DiVinci Institute Board of Directors, has served as the Executive Director of Tulsa Ballet and is recognized internationally as a conductor and composer of over 170 published and recorded works of symphonic band and wind ensemble music.

9/3/2009

Published: 2009-09-03 00:00:00