Provost Hopeful Lawrence Ressler Visits Campus

Dr. Lawrence Ressler ponders a question posed during the student/faculty forum that took place in Common Grounds on Wed., March 19. (Photo: Katie Rodriguez)

After nearly forty years of service to EMU, current provost of eight years, Dr. Beryl Brubaker, is retiring after serving in the nursing program, enrollment management, and of course, provost. The provost primarily serves as the chief academic officer as well as the temporary “primary administrator” on campus in cases of President Loren Swartzendruber’s absence. The provost also supervises various on-campus organizations and individuals like the vice president for student life and the director of institutional research, in addition to supervising the deans of the undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs. Due to the imminent retirement of Dr. Beryl Brubaker, the EMU faculty is hosting a potential candidate, Dr. Lawrence Ressler, this week.

The basic qualifications for the new provost are that he/she is a committed follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the Mennonite Church who is dedicated to leading an institution in traditional Mennonite/Anabaptist ways. EMU faculty also want the new provost to have the capability to deal with everyday office details as well as paint a broader picture of the future of the academic programs at EMU. This person must have extended experience working as a faculty and administrative member. Loren Swartzendruber comments, “An effective provost will have strong relational skills to work with the deans and the faculty and a proven ability to manage difficult personnel issues that arise within every university.”

Ressler is currently employed at Tabor College in Hillsboro Kansas where he serves as vice president of academics and student development. He and his family are deeply rooted in the history of EMU. He graduated from here in 1976, and his wife, Sharon, and three children also call EMU their alma mater. His higher education credentials include both a Masters and Ph.D. in Social Work. Swartzendruber also comments, “Among his [Ressler’s] many relevant experiences are those which demonstrate his entreprenurial/visionary side, leading the establishment of the first MSW program in a college affiliated with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities.”

In an interview, Ressler commented, “My job is to help develop systems so that things get done effectively.” As a supervisor of multiple committees, he would work with the committee leaders to examine why students are not participating in a certain committee and work on finding ways to evoke participation. Ressler also gave opinions on many questions that students had at the student/faculty forum, stating, “the more diverse a campus is, the healthier it is,” in response to the minorities on campus and also stating, “the sustainability issue is a really important issue, and EMU is way ahead of other institutions.” Ressler ended by saying, “I like EMU, I like the mission, I like the vision, I like the Shenandoah Valley…I am very proud of what I see happening at EMU, and it would be an honor to serve here if that is what is decided.”