Houghton College has named Wayne Lewis Jr. as the college's 6th president, replacing Shirley Mullen, who announced last fall she would retire this year after 15 years leading the Christian college in Allegany County.
Lewis most recently was Dean of the School of Education at Belmont University in Kentucky. Before that, he was the state's education commissioner.
“I have clearly seen God at work during Houghton’s search for our next president," said Houghton Board of Trustees Chair John Lee in a statement. "In multiple settings during the interview process, Dr. Wayne Lewis has exemplified and articulated his calling to lead Houghton College into our next exciting chapter. Dr. Lewis is a servant-leader who will be an excellent fit for Houghton’s enduring mission of developing scholar-servants in a changing world.”
Lewis said in a statement that he is “deeply humbled” to be selected as the next president of “one of the finest Christian liberal arts and sciences colleges in the nation.”
Houghton’s Board of Trustees said the college is poised for strategic growth as it looks to make Houghton’s education an option for more students. Officials said that includes a recent tuition reduction.