Leadership in Adventist Higher Education Series:

The role of a college or university president is a unique and challenging one, encompassing a diverse range of responsibilities and complexities. They are not only the face of the institution, but also the ones expected to navigate through cultural and social shifts, economic fluctuations, religious and spiritual issues, and a myriad of other challenges. They bear the accountability to parents, students, faculty and staff, executive boards of trustees, and constituents.

In the book Pathways to the University Presidency: The Future of Higher Education Leadership,¹ Selingo et al. note that the college/university president should be an academic and intellectual leader, a storyteller, a strategist, and a communicator. However, it’s rare for one person to embody all of these qualities simultaneously, although they may be required to fulfill each of these roles at different times and in various situations. This understanding of the unique challenges they face can help current and aspiring executive leaders in Adventist higher education to feel more prepared and empathetic.

The outcome of these insightful conversations is the series: Leadership in Adventist Higher Education Series: Adventist College and University Presidents Reflect on Their Tenure. These interviews are part of a research project initiated by Bordes Henry Saturné, chair of the School of Leadership at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A. Through candid conversations, the interviewer aimed to capture the rich experiences of former Adventist college and university presidents, preserving their wisdom and insights gained through experience and deep reflection. The primary purpose of this series is to foster a meaningful dialogue among current and aspiring leaders in Adventist higher education worldwide.

In this issue, we share the conversations with Loren Agrey, Andrea Luxton, and Delbert Baker.

Conversation 1: Loren Agrey, PhD, President
Asia-Pacific International University, Thailand (2010-2015)
Current President of Burman Adventist University in Canada (2017-Present)

Loren Agrey, PhD, is President of Burman University in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Prior to this appointment, his administrative experiences included serving as a church school principal, and from 2004 to 2010 as vice president of academic administration of Canadian University College (now Burman University). In 2010, Dr. Agrey accepted a call to serve as president of Asia-Pacific International University in Thailand and remained in that position until 2015.

AIU is an Adventist university with two campuses: the main one located in the rural village of Muak Lek, Saraburi province, Thailand; and the other campus, the nursing school, housed on the compound of the Adventist hospital in the capital, Bangkok, since 1947. A significant proportion of the student body is Bud­dhist, but many students and personnel come from more than 20 different countries and are Adventists. Most majors (English, business, science, education, re­ligion) are offered in English, except the nursing pro­gram, which is taught in Thai. For more information on AIU, visit its website at https://www.apiu.edu/.²

Upon permanent return to North America, Dr. Agrey served as dean for undergraduate academic affairs for Kettering College, Ohio, U.S.A., before being elected in 2017 as the 25th president of Burman University in Alberta, Canada. The experiences shared here are specific to his tenure at AIU.²

Conversation 2: Andrea Luxton, PhD, President Emerita
Newbold College (1997-2001); Canadian University College (2006-2010); and Andrews University (2016-2023)

After serving as an English teacher, professor, education director, and principal, as well as holding several church departmental appointments, Andrea Luxton accepted the call to serve as president of Newbold College (now Newbold College of Higher Education) in England, a position she held from 1997 until 2001. From 2001-2003, she served as vice president for academic administration at Canadian University College (now Burman University) in Alberta, Canada, until she was elected to serve as associate director of education of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (GC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A., from 2003 to 2006. During her tenure at the GC, she also served as executive secretary of the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (AAA). In 2006, she returned to Canada, this time to serve as president of Canadian University College, a role she held until she transitioned to Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A. as provost in 2010. In 2016, she was appointed president of Andrews University.

Dr. Luxton retired from Andrews University in 2023 and was awarded the John Nevins Andrews Medallion for her leadership, commitment to excellence, and service. She is now an associate director responsible for higher education at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, located in Columbia, Maryland, U.S.A.

Conversation 3: Delbert Baker, PhD
Oakwood College/University (1996-2010)
Adventist University of Africa (2015-2020)

Dr. Delbert Baker is currently the Director of Research and Development with the Office of Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A. He is an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and a certified emotional-intelligence trainer. In addition to serving as a pastor, he also served as the editor for Message Magazine (1985-1992), Associate Director of the Ellen G. White Estate (1992), Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Diversity at Loma Linda University and faculty (1992-1996), President of Oakwood College/Oakwood University (1996-2010), General Vice President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (2010-2015), and Vice Chancellor of Adventist University of Africa (2015-2020). Dr. Baker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in history from Oakwood University, a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Administration and Counseling from Andrews University, and a PhD in Organizational Communications from Howard University (Washington, D.C., U.S.A). Delbert and Susan Baker have three adult sons, David, Benjamin, and Jonathan, and six grandchildren.

Dr. Baker, a visionary leader, spearheaded several development and advancement initiatives throughout his years of service, from physical plant development to academic upgrades that stimulated enrollment growth. A veteran minister, administrator, educator, leadership coach, author, and health enthusiast, Dr. Baker brings over 30 years of experience in higher education, both nationally and internationally. He is committed to service, loves people, believes in preparation and desires always to be in the center of God’s will.

Bordes Henry Saturné

Bordes Henry Saturné, PhD, serves as Vice President for Strategic Enrollment, Marketing, and Communication and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. At the time of coordinating this issue, he served as Chair of the Andrews University School of Leadership. An ordained minister, he served in New York as a church pastor, school principal, and conference superintendent of schools. He was Vice President of Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts, U.S.A., and Vice President of Asia-Pacific International University in Thailand. He is a New York State-certified School District Administrator. His research interests focus on leadership development and the challenges and opportunities unique to faith-based educational institutions. He may be reached at [email protected].