The Board of Directors of Jerusalem University College (JUC) is delighted to announce its selection of Dr. Oliver Hersey to serve as the institution’s next president. Dr. Hersey will begin serving alongside Dr. Paul Wright, JUC’s current president, effective January 1, 2021, and assume the presidency August 1, 2021.
The announcement concludes a year-long search for the right person to replace Dr. Wright, who will retire in July 2021.The board and thousands of JUC alumni around the world thank Paul and his wife Diane for their 20+ years of leadership, service and teaching.
“Jerusalem University College is a strong, vibrant and uniquely positioned institution within Christian higher education, yielding transformed students and graduates who are having global impact,” Hersey said. “I’m honored and grateful for the board’s enthusiastic invitation, and I am eager to facilitate that same transformation in others by serving and leading JUC.”
In addition to several years lecturing at North Park University as an adjunct professor, Hersey has a combined 15 years of experience in secondary education, coaching, managerial work and pastoring. He is currently serving as pastor and director of discipleship and teaching at Calvary Church in Orland Park, IL.
A JUC presidential search committee led by Dr. Bryan Beyer conducted the search and recommended Hersey to the Board of Directors, who unanimously affirmed the candidate after a thorough interview with the entire board. “We evaluated nominations and applications from more than 35 qualified candidates with deep Christian faith and distinguished careers, both inside and outside the academy. We believe Oliver is uniquely equipped to lead the University at this important juncture,” said Beyer, who also serves as the chair of JUC’s consortium of over 70 accredited Christian colleges, universities and seminaries around the world.
“The Board sought a candidate who combines knowledge of Christian higher education and a deep commitment to the mission of JUC, which is todeepen understanding of the Bible in its geographical and cultural settings and to connect students to the ancient and modern Middle East,”said Dr. Herb Jacobsen, JUC’s Board chair.
Hersey has spent considerable time in Israel, Egypt and Jordan, and he first became acquainted with JUC while on an archaeological dig in Israel in 2011. He holds a B.A. in secondary education in mathematics and Spanish from Calvin University. He also holds an M.A. in biblical and ancient Near Eastern archaeology and languages and a Ph.D. in theological studies in old testament and ancient Near Eastern history and languages from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Oliver is married to Andra, who holds an MSW degree from Aurora University and has nine years clinical experience as a licensed psychotherapist. Oliver, Andra and their two children currently reside in Villa Park, IL.
About Jerusalem University College-Jerusalem University College, an independent, academic institution in Jerusalem, is also an extension campus for over 70 accredited Christian colleges, universities and seminaries around the world. For more information about JUC, visit www.juc.edu.