The Rochester Christian University Board of Trustees has selected FaithSearch Partners of Dallas to assist with a national search for its next president.

The decision was preceded by the approaching resignation of Dr. Brian Stogner, who plans to leave RCU for another presidency on Dec. 31, 2024.

FaithSearch is a nationally known executive search management firm with primary expertise in identifying mission-driven leadership for Christian organizations. Andrew Westmoreland, FaithSearch senior vice president, will serve as point person for the search. Westmoreland was president of Samford University from 2006 to 2021 and is also past chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which oversees accreditation for more than 800 colleges and universities from Virginia to Texas.

Dr. Joe Alexander, chair of the RCU Board of Trustees, said, “As we select our next university president, we are crafting a search that will be national in scope, ensuring that we identify the top candidates and to ultimately select the best possible next leader for RCU.”

Alexander said the presidential search committee will consist of a broad cross-section of RCU stakeholders. “We remain committed to our historical mission of being a leader in providing ‘values-based’ education and to doing our part in showcasing Rochester and the surrounding community,” he said.

Members of the FaithSearch Partners team are expected to be on campus for initial stakeholder interviews in advance of formally launching the search next month. More details will be posted at https://rcu.edu.