MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

When I became president in 1990, I made the commitment to a long-term presidency because I knew that was what the college needed. The challenges facing the college were daunting, but I felt called to serve in this leadership role. Carolyn and I understood from the beginning the significant challenges that we faced here; nonetheless, we felt that Waynesburg was more than worthy of a lifetime of our devotion and hard work. We believed that God would bless our efforts if we were willing to make the necessary sacrifices. And so, for twenty-three years we have labored. It has been a labor of love – a love for the students, for the faculty and staff, for the alumni and friends, and for the community. A.B. Miller (President of Waynesburg College from 1859 to 1899) said it best: “God is mindful of the labor of love; and glorious realization must come to the faith which, rowing hard against the stream, sees distant gates of Eden gleam, and knows full well ‘tis not a dream.”

As President, I am most pleased with the commitment we made during those early years to the renewal of our mission in Christian higher education. Reclaiming the mission of 1849 was crucial to the success of the college. Staying true to that mission will ensure its continued success. The transformation of the physical plant and the learning environment is symbolic of what has been transformed within the Spirit of this campus. We have been given a wonderful opportunity to provide a model for Christian higher education; to be a beacon of light to a world that desperately needs a moral force that will help bring about peace and justice. Our responsibility has been to provide initiatives that support and encourage our students to excel in academics, to accept the challenge of leadership opportunities and to live purposeful lives through service to God and humankind. I firmly believe that God has blessed our sacrifices, our courage, and our faithfulness in fulfilling that mission.

All of us who serve the University today are mindful of the sacred charge that we have been given. Many have worked faithfully to strengthen our University: the board of trustees, the faculty and staff, alumni, friends of the University, and a host of people who have contributed financially. We are all committed to ensuring that a Waynesburg University education will be available to students for generations to come. As I have said on many occasions, Waynesburg University is on a path that will not only take us into the next century, but will allow us to accomplish far more than we could have ever dreamed possible! Carolyn and I are grateful for the support and encouragement that has been given to us over these many years, and with God’s blessing we are confident that the resources will be there for the future of this great institution.

Sincerely,

Timothy R. Thyreen

President.