|Photo by Michael J. Metts|

As this school year started, the Spring Arbor University community received an unexpected piece of news. Jay Mansur, who has served for seven years as Vice President for Advancement, announced his intention to accept a position at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.

“It was a total surprise to me when Jay resigned,” said University President Dr. Charles H. Webb.

“Jay has served Spring Arbor University very well,” said Webb. “He’s a very gifted person, knows development, likes people [and] has stewarded our donors exceptionally well.”

Webb pointed out three options in his search for a replacement. The first would have been a national search which is typically a nine-month process. On top of the issue of time, Webb noted there would be no guarantee of finding an ideal candidate through that process.

Webb also asked members of the University community to suggest candidates. A few interesting candidates surfaced through this process and Webb considered them.

The President felt most comfortable, however, with the third option, which was an internal selection. Because of the many projects underway at the University, including a planned renovation of the Student Center, Webb wanted a timely replacement for Mansur, if a suitable candidate was available.

The man he chose is Dr. Brent Ellis, who had recently come to SAU from LeTourneau University in Longview, Tex., to serve as a Special Assistant to the President. He has been working with both the Office of Advancement and the Philosophy and Religion Department.

Ellis’ experience administrating the Center for the Development of Christian Leadership at LeTourneau, along with his fundraising accomplishments in the same position were key factors in his selection.

Ellis, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., has a long history of involvement in Christian Higher Education. It started when he attended Greenville College where he became a Christian during his Freshman year. Before his time at LeTourneau, he held a position at Taylor University while working on his doctorate.

“When Dr. Webb approached me about going through the possibility [of serving as Vice President for Advancement], I was very willing to walk through it kind of in an ‘Esther’ mindset,” said Ellis, referring to the Biblical Esther’s willingness to serve in a calling when she was needed.

Ellis highly praised the current Advancement team and emphasized his desire to retain all current employees. “I would love it if we could come through a year from now and have the same staff,” he said.

As the new Vice President for Advancement, Ellis will seek to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the University. “We need to assess who we are and who we’re called to be from an eternal perspective, but realize that the implications of the actions we take have temporal consequences as well,” he said.