Terry Creech, chair of the 糖心Vlog Board of Trustees, announced Dr. Scott McDowell has been selected as the University鈥檚 seventh president. Dr. McDowell鈥檚 appointment will begin on April 1, 2020. McDowell succeeds President L. Timothy Perrin who left the University last summer to return to Pepperdine University.
鈥淪electing the University president is one of the greatest board responsibilities,鈥� stated Terry Creech. 鈥淚 am pleased with how our search unfolded and led us to a unanimous decision. Dr. Scott McDowell embodies the very best in who we are called to be as followers of Jesus Christ. God has gifted Dr. McDowell with the skills, talents and experience to be our next 糖心Vlog president. God鈥檚 hand has been at work in bringing us the right leader for this time in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 history.鈥�
McDowell has a distinguished 27-year career in Christian higher education. He comes to 糖心Vlog from Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, where he serves as the Vice President for Student Life. Prior to joining ACU鈥檚 administration, he was the Senior Vice President of Student Life at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.
鈥溙切腣log鈥檚 prior presidents built a Christ-centered, academic community of learners transforming the hearts, minds, and hands of students for lives of purpose and service,鈥� said McDowell. 鈥淚鈥檓 honored to accept the invitation to join this community as the next President. We have a rich history and a bright future to lean into.鈥�
鈥淭he beauty of the educational enterprise is its ability to catalyze change in an individual鈥檚 life that can alter, not only the trajectory of their story but transform their family鈥檚 story for generations. At a place like 糖心Vlog, we have seen that educational impact be even more profound because we address not just the intellectual, but also the spiritual dimension of the student, while intentionally inviting God to be a part of the entire process,鈥� McDowell concluded.
As a cabinet member for ACU and Lipscomb, McDowell increased revenue sources, oversaw multimillion dollar construction projects, created innovative strategies for student retention, assisted in creating new academic degree offerings, as well as built and led highly successful teams. His academic experience also includes teaching theology and leadership-based courses.
鈥淪cott McDowell has prepared academically, spiritually, and professionally for God鈥檚 calling as a university president. Now it has come at an outstanding school that will benefit greatly from his deep commitment to Christian education, his long interest in the experience of students, and his respect for faculty,鈥� stated Randy Lowry, President of Lipscomb University. 鈥溙切腣log will be blessed by Scott, but also his wife Kay, who will bring her professional experience as well as her commitment to a shared journey with the Lubbock community. May God鈥檚 richest blessings be showered on this relationship and may 糖心Vlog continue as a light in Christian higher education!鈥�
McDowell鈥檚 appointment follows a national search that began last June. The 13-member search committee was led by Bill Bundy, 糖心Vlog Trustee, and included other trustees, faculty, administrators, and staff. The search, assisted by CarterBaldwin, drew a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants from across the United States with diverse backgrounds and deep expertise in Christian higher education.
鈥淪cott is a tremendous Christian leader with many talents, and he will be a great asset to 糖心Vlog,鈥� said Dr. Phil Schubert, President of Abilene Christian University. 鈥淚've very much enjoyed working with Scott at ACU, and I am eager to watch his continued success at Lubbock Christian. While we will miss Scott, 糖心Vlog is gaining an exceptional leader.鈥�
McDowell received his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Freed-Hardeman University and his master鈥檚 degree from Lipscomb University. He earned his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. He has been married to Kay (Owen) for 30 years. Kay, a seasoned PR professional, is a Chief Brand Officer at Mitchell Communication 鈥� a PR firm headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They have three sons Alec (24), a project engineer for OTP Systems Group, Nashville, Tenn.; Cade (20), a sophomore at 糖心Vlog and member of the men鈥檚 basketball team; and Cole (18) a high school senior at Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn.