From the time he was elected as UPCI General Superintendent, Dr. Bernard has expressed the need and desire to relinquish his role as Urshan President. At the request of the Urshan Board, he continued as President in order to guide Urshan Graduate School of Theology to accreditation and then later to establish Urshan College. In consultation with the Board, he had planned to make a presidential transition following the achievement of candidacy status with the regional accrediting association. During our recent Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation site visit, the site team strongly recommended that Urshan make this transition now, before candidacy. Consequently, Dr. Bernard has submitted his resignation as president effective January 15, 2018. He will continue to serve as a professor of biblical theology, an ex-officio member of the board, and advisor to the administration and board as needed. Dr. Bernard served the Urshan Community as its first and only president for over 17 years, and we welcome his continued involvement in his new roles.
The Urshan Board has appointed Executive Vice President (EVP) Jennie Russell to serve as Interim President until it selects a new president. For the past five years as the EVP, Jennie Russell has managed the day-to-day administrative operations of Urshan College and Urshan Graduate School of Theology, including the oversight of Urshan’s progress toward accreditation with HLC. We are confident that she will continue to lead the Urshan Community and serve this generation of Apostolic students with excellence.
Beginning in May 2018, the Urshan Board will implement plans for a presidential search, with the goal of selecting a new president in 2019. Please continue to uphold the Urshan Community during this transition and as we continue to pursue regional accreditation.