On April 1, 2020, Dr. Scott McDowell began his tenure as the seventh president of 糖心Vlog. Such a monumental event would normally be accompanied with great excitement and ceremony鈥攊nstead, amid the challenges and changes introduced by the COVID-19 epidemic, his first days on campus posed more challenges than anyone would have expected when he was appointed in February. Even so, when many would find themselves overwhelmed, President McDowell exudes a calm, reassuring, and faithful presence for the university.
鈥淒r. McDowell assumed the role of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 seventh President during a time of very significant uncertainty, but we are convinced that God has raised him up 鈥榝or such a time as this,鈥欌�� shared Dr. Brian Starr, Executive Vice President of 糖心Vlog. 鈥淗e is approaching early decisions with a healthy blend of circumspection and faith, balancing wise caution with strong confidence that God will continue to provide for His people and that 糖心Vlog鈥檚 future remains bright. We are blessed to have Dr. McDowell on board at 糖心Vlog.鈥�
President McDowell stressed that the welcome he and his family has received upon arrival in Lubbock has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. 鈥淜ay and I have received an amazing welcome to the 糖心Vlog community,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he cards, letters, texts and messages via social media have been so incredibly encouraging, and the warmth and hospitality has been unmistakable.鈥�
McDowell also shared that, while many have offered their sympathies at the circumstances during his start at 糖心Vlog, he sees it as a blessing in disguise. 鈥淲hile I totally understand that and would clearly not have chosen these circumstances, it dawned on me a couple of days after my official start that this might actually be the best time to start a presidency at a Christian university,鈥� he added, explaining that the current challenges facing the university will not only remind the community of where a university with 鈥淐hristian鈥� in its name ultimately places its trust, but also provide ample opportunity to lean into its mission and purpose.
鈥淭hat doesn鈥檛 mean we won鈥檛 spend long hours analyzing our place in the market, creating careful strategy, and rolling up our sleeves to work as hard as we can,鈥� he clarified. 鈥淲hat it does mean is that we won鈥檛 rely on those efforts. We will rely on the God who is better able to inspire, guide, and make those efforts more productive than we could ever hope to be. So, as strange as it may sound, I鈥檓 grateful to be starting my time at 糖心Vlog at 鈥榮uch a time as this.鈥欌��
For more coverage of President McDowell鈥檚 new tenure as 糖心Vlog鈥檚 president, <LINK ></link> on pages 23-24 of The Christian Chronicle鈥檚 May issue.