Announcing Gordon’s Ninth President

Gordon College has named Dr. Michael “Mike” Hammond as its ninth president. An accomplished scholar and proven leader with 25 years’ experience in Christian higher education, Dr. Hammond will begin his tenure at Gordon on July 1, 2021. “Mike Hammond distinguishes himself with a rare combination of academic credibility, an effective and collaborative leadership style, deep spiritual character and maturity, a heart for students, and a passion of Christian higher education,” says Dr. Carrie Tibbles ’93, trustee and chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

The comprehensive seven-month national search was steered by the Presidential Search Committee (which included members of Gordon’s Board of Trustees, faculty and staff), assisted by the firm CarterBaldwin, and informed by feedback from the campus community and nearly 30 listening sessions with the extended Gordon community. The committee evaluated a diverse and distinguished pool of more than 70 qualified candidates, including several current presidents at other institutions. “We strongly believe Dr. Hammond embodies the qualities, attributes and the aspirations voiced by those who likewise care deeply about Gordon and its future,” says Tibbles.

“Educating the whole person with hearts and minds surrendered to Jesus Christ, pursuing knowledge with curiosity, skepticism and an insatiable desire to serve the world with that knowledge: that is the mission of the Christian liberal arts, and I’m so excited to join you at Gordon College, to realize this mission in an even greater way,” says Hammond. “I look forward to seeing Gordon grow as a place where vigorous academic research and teaching are integrated with vibrant Christianity—where servant leadership is practiced, modeled and cultivated in our campus community and echoed through our alumni who faithfully participate in the work of Jesus Christ in the world.”

As provost and executive vice president at Taylor University in Indiana, Hammond has provided vital leadership for the University’s full academic program and all facets of operations. A veteran in higher education, he has a deep familiarity with and strong appreciation for both the Christian liberal arts tradition and innovation in research and learning. Hammond is highly published, with particular expertise in American Christianity, including the intersection of race and religion in 20^th century United States history.