(Webmaster insertion)
If God has any new light to communicate, He will let His chosen and beloved understand it, without their going to have their minds enlightened by hearing those who are in darkness and error. {EW 124.2}
January 2012, John McVay put in his resignation as president of WWU, effective July 2012. McVay had served since 2006. A Presidential search committee had been formed that would help select the new president. “The search committee, comprised of thirteen individuals with a vested interest in the ultimate decision, included members of the WWU and NPUC administrations, the WWU Board of Trustees, WWU faculty and staff, and one WWU student.”
In 2006 when McVay was chosen, the “Presidential Search Committee” was made up of 3 members of the North Pacific Union Conference, 2 from local conferences, 2 from WWU board of trustees, 2 from WWU administration, 2 faculty representatives, 1 staff representative, and 1 student representative. (http://www.wallawalla.edu/about-wwu/news/article/view/presidential-search-continues/?toggle_mobile=on)
In 2012 the list was similar (the list is no longer available online). Robert Folkenberg was on the list and chairman of the search committee (?) along with several others conference leaders who were also on the WWU Board of Trustees. Thus their recommendation that Alex Bryan be the next President was almost a guarantee that he would get the position since many [5 to 7] of the search committee also sat on the board.
“The search committee, comprised of thirteen individuals with a vested interest in the ultimate decision, included members of the WWU and NPUC administrations, the WWU Board of Trustees, WWU faculty and staff, and one WWU student [Jonathan Gienger].” (http://as.wallawalla.edu/collegian/main.php?article=757)
A short history is given as to how Alex made it to the ‘short list’ at such a late date: “Torkelsen said the leadership vacancy was widely circulated and people were encouraged to offer names of potential candidates. This resulted in a list of 61 names that was pared down after each person on the list was contacted. The committee then asked those still willing to be considered to submit a curriculum vitae. When asked about the lack of finalist candidates from upper levels of university administration, faculty representative Terrie Aamodt suggested that though a number were contacted, many did not submit CVs because they were in the start of new positions or beginning long-term projects. After much prayer and discussion, the list was narrowed to three people who were invited to interview. Those invited to interview were David Thomas, Linda Wysong-Becker, and Dwight Nelson. Shortly after the list was selected, Nelson requested to be taken out of contention and was replaced by WWU University Church Pastor Alex Bryan.” (http://as.wallawalla.edu/collegian/main.php?article=757)
WWU news release, and Adventist Today, all wrote as if Alex Bryan would have the presidency. (WWU news release has since been removed but can be seen on noodls.com)
(http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/14792681/walla-walla-university/presidential-search-committee-makes-recommendation)
(http://www.atoday.org/article/1256/news/june-headlines/three-senior-pastors-leaving-major-adventist-campus-church-pulpits)
On July 1 the vote was taken with 25 of the 29 WWU board members present. Of those making up the board were several members [5 to 7] from the Presidential Search committee at Walla Walla University that had voted and recommended Alex Bryan. The vote of the entire board however, was 2/3 against Bryan taking the position. (http://www.uccsda.org/News/news07032012b)
The list of board members:
Chair: Max C. Torkelsen II, Vancouver, Wash. (NPUC President)
Vice Chair: Bruce D. Thorn, College Place, Wash.
Secretary: John McVay, College Place, Wash. (WWU President)
Members:
Harold Altamirano, Hillsboro, Ore.
DeLona Bell, Walla Walla, Wash.
Dennis Barts, Veradala, Wash.
Andrew O. Carrington, Renton, Wash.
Kenneth Crawford, Anchorage, Alaska (Alaska Conference President)
Robert Folkenberg Jr., Spokane, Wash. (Upper Columbia Conference President)
John Freedman, Bothell, Wash. (Washington Conference President)
Don Hall, Clackamas, Ore.
Tanya Huether, Brookings, Ore.
Alan S. Hurlbert, Vancouver, Wash. (NPUC VP for Education)
Monty E. Knittel, Walla Walla, Wash. (WWGH President)
Merlin Knowles, Bozeman, Mont. (Montana Conference President)
Rhona Kwiram, Bellevue, Wash.
Gordan Lacey, Redmond, Wash.
Cameron Libby, Anchorage, Alaska
John Loor Jr., Ridgefield, Wash. (NPUC Executive Secretary)
Peter J. McPherson, Caldwell, Idaho
Gregory E. Paskell, Billings, Mont.
David Prest, Jr., Boise, Idaho (Idaho Conference President)
Barbara J. Prowant, Seattle, Wash.
Al Reimche, Gladstone, Ore. (Oregon Conference President)
Mark Remboldt, Ridgefield, Wash.
Kevin Rogers, Puyallup, Wash.
Sandy Schnell, Caldwell, Idaho
Linda Sloop, Yakima, Wash.
Rodney Wehtje, Meadow Vista, Cal
The online Gleaner now mentioned that the push for Alex Bryan as president had not abated following the board’s vote on July 1. However, the Gleaner’s full report has since been removed. This is not the only material that dealt with Alex’s possible presidency that has been removed from the web following the boards vote.
Spectrum also posted information about the attempt to push for a reconsideration of Alex Bryan’s position as president. The comments following the article (page after page) seem to express many exaggerated view points by progressive Spectrum supporters as to why Alex was not chosen.
The online Gleaner now mentioned that the push for Alex Bryan as president had not abated following the board’s vote on July 1. However, the Gleaner’s full report has since been removed. This is not the only material that dealt with Alex’s possible presidency that has been removed from the web following the boards vote.
Spectrum also posted information about the attempt to push for a reconsideration of Alex Bryan’s position as president. The comments following the article (page after page) seem to express many exaggerated view points by progressive Spectrum supporters as to why Alex was not chosen.
Many claimed that the decision was based on an “anonymous” letter of concern submitted to the WWU board and circulated around. However, according to Max Torkelson, the anonymous letter, written by a WWU professor, was not even considered at the board meeting.
John McVay decided to take the presidency again in Jan. 2013.
John McVay was Associate Dean and Professor of New Testament at Andrews University from 1998-2000. Then Dean and Professor at Andrews University Theological Seminary from 2000 through 2006 when he became Walla Walla University President until July 2012. He will again take up the presidency in Jan. 2013. In his first article in Westwind, upon deciding to return to WWU, McVay makes it clear that he will make Alex Bryan a key part of his next administration which will have an influence on WWU’s vision and mission, and will even spill over to other campuses.
Alex Bryan is one of several who started the One Project. Their claim is that its all about Jesus. Jesus. All. But has Alex Bryan’s past experience demonstrated that this is the case? Is the One Project really about making Jesus supreme, or about making an avenue through which the leader’s agenda can be brought into the church, primarily marketed to our young people through our Universities?
Is the One Project really the reformation that we need in our church (we do need one)? Based on the backgrounds of the Project leaders what will be the result of the influence of this Project on our young people through our Universities?