It is with mixed emotions, sadness and joy, that I retire as President of Simpson University with the completion of this academic year. It has been an honor to serve as your president for the past seven years. I have considered this leadership role to be a sacred trust. I am grateful for the advances the university has made during my tenure as president. I believe that Simpson’s greatest years are ahead. I remain deeply committed to the university’s Christ-centered higher education mission and am excited about its future.
Debbie and I have enjoyed our friendships with trustees, senior leadership colleagues, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university and have benefited from their support. It is on a note of sadness that we leave this wonderful learning community. We thank God that he brought us to Simpson University “for such a time as this.”
There is also an element of joy as I move into retirement. I am completing 40 years in full-time Christian leadership, the past 33 in Christian higher education administration. It is time to step back and serve the Lord in a less demanding environment than academic administration. Debbie and I have talked for some time about what retirement will look like for the two of us. It is now time to explore what God has in store for us relative to this next chapter in our lives. We will never retire from the Lord’s service, but it is our hope that the future will involve a little less stress and a little more relaxation.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your president and for allowing Debbie to serve as your First Lady “for such a time as this.” My prayers are with you as you respond to God’s leading in this season ahead. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Dr. Larry J. McKinney
President
