Students, faculty and staff greet announcement with prolonged standing ovation.
By Thomas Delamater
BIG SANDY--Russell K. Duke was named the sixth president of Ambassador University at a special meeting of the university s board of regents Sept. 22.
The selection was announced to the student body, faculty and staff at an assembly that afternoon by Herman L. Hoeh, vice chairman of the board of regents, who chaired the board meeting. The announcement was met with a prolonged, two-minute standing ovation from the audience.
Several individuals commented after the meeting that they had seldom seen such an overwhelmingly enthusiastic ovation.
Dr. Duke, who served as president pro tem since June 16, thanked the audience for their support during that time.
"You are the strength of this institution," he told the students. "I ask for your patience, and I look forward to working with the administration and staff to be able, with God's help, to lead Ambassador toward the year 2000."
The selection of Dr. Duke was the culmination of a three-month search process conducted by the board. "There were a number of qualified candidates," said J. Michael Feazell, board member and chair of the search committee.
"In the end, the board felt that Dr. Duke had exhibited outstanding leadership skills under a variety of circumstances. He has established wonderful morale and vision among the students, faculty and staff during his service as president pro tem."
Dr. Duke has served on the Ambassador faculty since 1984 and as chair of the Theology Department since 1990. He earned a Ph.D. in practical theology from The Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, a master's degree from the University of Texas at Tyler, and master's and bachelor's degrees from Ambassador. Dr. Duke has served as a church pastor in Topeka, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
"I am grateful for, and humbled by, this opportunity," said Dr. Duke. "Ambassador University has a rich tradition of providing an education based on the fundamental values of faith, service and scholarship. I am excited about the future of the institution and look forward to working with our regents, administration, faculty and staff to provide a world-class educational environment for our students."
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