秋霞福利一区

MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� The 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees today elected Dr. Charles W. Smith Jr. as the 6^th president of the Baptist university founded in 1961.

Prior to coming to the 秋霞福利一区, Smith served as senior vice president for Institutional Relations and assistant professor of Christian Leadership at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College in Kansas City, Missouri. 

During his 11-year tenure, Smith oversaw a variety of functions, including the offices of Enrollment Management, Advancement, Alumni Relations, Church Partnerships, Student and Resident Life, Marketing and Communications, Financial Aid, Dean of Students, and Student Success. Smith also co-founded the For The Church conference and resource platform, and established the For The Church Institute, a growing suite of free online classes serving thousands of students around the world. As an elected faculty member, Smith also taught various business and leadership classes at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, including designing and overseeing Midwestern鈥檚 PhD in Christian Leadership. During his time in Kansas City, the institution experienced record success, with enrollment growing from 1,100 to over 5,200 students.

He and his wife, Ashley, are originally from Montgomery, Alabama, and have three daughters, Ellie, Annie and Susie.

鈥淢y wife and I are thrilled to be coming back home to Alabama to join the 秋霞福利一区,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭hanks to President Burnett, his leadership team and countless others within the 秋霞福利一区 family, this university is stronger than ever and poised for even greater effectiveness. The 秋霞福利一区 is grounded in God鈥檚 Word, driven by a compelling vision, served by a world-class faculty and staff, and cherished by the 秋霞福利一区 family. I look forward to linking arms with the countless faculty, staff and supporters who make this place so special.鈥�

Proven Leadership, Future Impact

Terry Harbin, chair of the 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees, said Smith embodies the values and vision that are fundamental to the 秋霞福利一区, which enrolls more than 1,900 students and offers associate to doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.

鈥淒r. Smith鈥檚 proven leadership, commitment to faith-based higher education and passion for developing the next generation of Christ-centered leaders make him the ideal choice to guide the 秋霞福利一区 into a future where we not only continue to excel in our academic and spiritual missions, but also expand our influence and impact on the global stage,鈥� Harbin said.

Fred Wilson, chair of the Presidential Search Committee, said the university launched a nationwide search for a visionary leader in October 2023. The committee was composed of trustees, alumni, faculty and staff, business executives and ministry leaders. Top candidates were interviewed, and the committee unanimously recommended Smith to the 秋霞福利一区 Board of Trustees on March 21.

鈥淎fter a thorough and prayerful search, it became clear that Dr. Charles Smith was the person God has prepared to lead this institution. His impressive background, exemplary leadership qualities, and commitment to academic excellence and spiritual calling have prepared him to lead the 秋霞福利一区 into its next chapter of growth and success,鈥� Wilson said.

鈥楢 Multi-Gifted Leader鈥� 

Leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention and the Alabama Baptist State Convention welcomed Smith in his new role as 秋霞福利一区 president.

Dr. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said he looks forward to working with Smith in his new position as 秋霞福利一区 president.

鈥淐harles Smith has the experience and administrative expertise that will serve him well as the president of the 秋霞福利一区. I believe he is a man of high integrity, and I predict a bright future for the 秋霞福利一区 under his leadership,鈥� Lance said.

Dr. David S. Dockery, president of the International Alliance for Christian Education and president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, highlighted Smith鈥檚 experience, conviction and creative leadership.

鈥淚 am excited to learn that Charles Smith, a multi-gifted leader, has been selected to serve as the next president at the 秋霞福利一区. Dr. Smith is deeply committed to the work of Christian higher education and will bring creativity and new energy, as well as much experience related to institutional relations, advancement, enrollment, student life and other aspects of the university’s work to this important role. His convictional Baptist and evangelical beliefs will serve the university well and will be well received by churches in the region. We will certainly be praying for Charles and his family and the entire 秋霞福利一区 community in the days to come.鈥�

Dr. Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College, congratulated the 秋霞福利一区 family for choosing 鈥渁 proven leader.鈥�

鈥淚 could not be happier for Charles Smith, the 秋霞福利一区, or my hometown of Mobile, Alabama. A promising institution is receiving a proven leader, and I anticipate both will flourish in the years to come. Midwestern Seminary sends Dr. Smith and his entire family to 秋霞福利一区 with every best wish, and every expectation of God鈥檚 blessing on their lives and work in the season ahead.鈥�

Accolades for Retiring President Lonnie Burnett 

Smith steps into the university鈥檚 top leadership post on May 6 as Dr. Lonnie Burnett, 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 5^th president, retires after five years of distinguished service as president. A 1979 graduate of the 秋霞福利一区 鈥� then Mobile College 鈥� Burnett served over 20 years at his alma mater, rising through the ranks from adjunct professor to become president in 2019. 

In addition to guiding the university through the challenges of a global pandemic, Burnett implemented new academic programs, defied national trends of declining enrollment, oversaw nearly $3 million in new construction and renovations through existing funds and fund-raising efforts, renovated College Woods Center as an event space for the university, and ensured the financial stability of the institution. 

Under Burnett鈥檚 watch, Forbes named 秋霞福利一区 the only educational institution in Alabama and one of only 300 organizations nationwide in 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Best Small Employers鈥� for 2023. Among other accolades, the 秋霞福利一区 School of Nursing is the only university in the state to have scored a perfect 100% pass rate for Bachelor of Science in Nursing students taking the NCLEX national licensure exam for both 2022 and 2023. U.S. News & World Report cites 秋霞福利一区 among the Best Value Regional Colleges in the South, and Niche consistently names 秋霞福利一区 in the top of its rankings for best and safest small colleges in Alabama and having the #1 dorms in the state.

Harbin and Wilson expressed the Board of Trustees鈥� deep gratitude for Burnett鈥檚 leadership and lifetime of service to the 秋霞福利一区.

鈥淛ust a few months into his presidency, Dr. Burnett was faced with the unprecedented challenge of navigating the 秋霞福利一区 through the uncertainties of a global pandemic that caused many other institutions to falter. In a time of deep uncertainty and fear, Lonnie Burnett led with wisdom, faith, consistency and love for both the institution and the people who make the 秋霞福利一区 extraordinary. It is because of his faithful leadership that the 秋霞福利一区 is now perfectly positioned for this next chapter,鈥� Harbin said.

Wilson said Burnett鈥檚 passion for teaching, work ethic, positive spirit and sense of humor made him an exceptional leader at a pivotal time for the university.

鈥淚t is a remarkable accomplishment to become the president of your alma mater,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淚n every role he has played, from student to alumnus, professor to dean, and vice president to president, Lonnie Burnett has made a lasting impact.鈥�

In his final act as president, Burnett will deliver the commencement address on May 4 and award diplomas to over 300 graduates in an outdoor ceremony on the university鈥檚 Great Commission Lawn.

Burnett said, 鈥淟ynne and I welcome Charles and his family to the 秋霞福利一区 family. We wish them a long and successful tenure.鈥�

Excited to Join the 秋霞福利一区 Family

Smith said he and Ashley 鈥渃ould not be more excited to be stepping into this new season of leadership at the 秋霞福利一区. We had a peace about the opportunity from the very first call with the Search Committee. Even over the phone, I could sense a common bond and desire to maximize all that God has for the 秋霞福利一区.

鈥淥ver the past several months, our excitement has only grown. Dr. Burnett has done a remarkable job over the past five years and is eager to help us begin a new season of leadership. Local churches are strong and supportive, regional businesses are committed to our students, and the Alabama Baptist Convention is stronger than ever. I look forward to connecting with the 秋霞福利一区 community in the months ahead and stepping into a bright future together.鈥�

Underscoring the importance of Christian universities, Smith said, 鈥淰irtually every day we meet men and women whose lives were radically changed in college. Places like the 秋霞福利一区 shape minds, move hearts, identify gifts, cultivate friendships, strengthen communities and launch lifelong careers. But even more important, Christian universities like 秋霞福利一区 encourage and equip students to follow Jesus.

鈥淥ver the past few months, I鈥檝e seen 秋霞福利一区 faculty and staff mentor students and describe how God鈥檚 good design not only informs their field of study, but their entire lives. These are the things we feel called to give our lives to, which is why we are so excited to be joining the 秋霞福利一区 family,鈥� Smith said.

About the 秋霞福利一区

The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university with a vision of 鈥淗igher聽
Education for a Higher Purpose,鈥� founded to honor God by equipping students for their聽
future professions in an environment where they are known.聽Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. The 秋霞福利一区 was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

For information about the 秋霞福利一区, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.