The Rochester Christian University Board of Trustees has selected Tom Rellinger, executive vice president and chief financial officer, to serve as interim president until a new leader begins his or her official duties in 2025.

Rellinger, a 1980 alumnus, has worked at the university since 2011 when he served as director of development and alumni relations. In 2013, he was promoted to vice president, and in 2017, he was appointed to executive vice president.

Some of his key accomplishments during his time at RCU have been assisting the university in the creation and implementation of an overall five-year strategic plan and a strategic financial plan for accreditation, securing the largest financial gift in school history, and implementing process improvements resulting in streamlined workflow in the departments he oversees.

Joe Alexander, chair of the RCU Board of Trustees, said, “The board has been able to work with and observe Tom very closely these last few years. We’ve continued to be impressed with his abilities to solve financial problems and lead his primary area through complex banking, budgeting and regulatory issues. But more than just that, we have observed his abilities to collaborate with other members of the senior leadership team with the overall goal of helping all areas on campus be successful.”

Prior to his time at RCU, Rellinger was in the marketing/sales division of IBM, a world-class information service leader. He also served as senior minister at the Petoskey Church of Christ for 15 years, while holding positions on several local and regional nonprofit, education and healthcare advisory boards.

Rellinger will serve as the interim leader of RCU until a permanent president is found. He will then return to his role as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“We thank Tom for stepping up to these leadership challenges at a time when the university needs a steady hand to help with continued progress over these coming months,” Alexander said.

Dr. Brian Stogner, president of Rochester Christian University, announced his resignation effective Dec. 31, 2024, as he moves on to become president of the Michigan School of Psychology in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The Rochester Christian University Board of Trustees has selected FaithSearch Partners of Dallas to assist with a national search for its next president. FaithSearch is a nationally known executive search management firm with expertise in identifying mission-driven leadership for Christian organizations.