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Whitworth University Extends President Beck A. Taylor’s Contract

December 12, 2019
The Whitworth University Board of Trustees has extended the contract of current university president Beck A. Taylor through 2025, board chair Jason Thackston announced this week.

Taylor joined the university in July 2010, becoming the school’s 18th president. He is surpassed in tenure only by Bill Robinson, who was president for 17 years, and Frank Warren, 23 years.

“Throughout the nearly 10 years Beck has been president, Whitworth has benefited from his strong, visionary leadership,” Thackston says. “His passion for Whitworth and its students is exemplified through his actions every day. His family’s devotion to the university is equally impressive. Beck is fully called and committed to Whitworth’s mission. The board is excited that he will continue to serve as president.”

Taylor’s first decade at Whitworth has been highlighted by a renewed emphasis on community involvement and by efforts to enhance academic programs and quality, including the creation of the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Continuing Studies, and a new honors program. Under his leadership, a new campus infrastructure has emerged, facilitating the university’s academic, athletic and student life programs. Taylor has advocated for newly endowed faculty positions and centers and during his tenure celebrated Whitworth’s largest comprehensive fundraising campaign.

“After nearly 10 years of service, I can honestly say that I’m as excited now as I’ve ever been about Whitworth’s present and future,” Taylor says. “Julie and I continue to feel called to this special place and its people. I’m grateful to Whitworth’s board of trustees for its trust in me and its courageous vision for Whitworth’s future. And I’m grateful for so many in the Whitworth family who support Whitworth and its important place within Christian higher education.”

Prior to joining the university, Taylor served as dean and professor of economics for the Brock School of Business at Samford University (Birmingham, Ala.) and as associate dean for research and faculty development for the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University (Waco, Texas), where he was also the W.H. Smith Professor of Economics.
Additional information on Taylor is available online.

ABOUT WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contact:
Trisha Coder, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu