Biola Board of Trustees chair, John Siefker, has announced the formation of a Presidential Search Team charged with the task of conducting a comprehensive search for the eighth President of Biola University. This follows President Cook's announcement that he will be passing the baton of presidential leadership June 30, 2007.

"The Board of Trustees is grateful for the wisdom and the timing of President Cook's decision," said Siefker. "When he retires next year, he will have faithfully served Biola as President for 25 years. The momentum created by his historic term of service, combined with the upcoming 100th anniversary of Biola, puts the Presidential Search Team in an excellent position to do what is necessary to manage a successful search."

The Presidential Search Team is made up of current Trustees and includes two former Trustee Chairs, alumni, parents, and longtime donors. They are:

• Bill Bauer
• Bill Billard
• Dwight Hanger
• Stan Jantz, Chair
• Hannah Lee
• Carol Lindskog
• Ed Lehman
• David Mitchell
• John Siefker (ex officio)

One of the first decisions of the Presidential Search Team was to select the search firm, People Management International, as a partner in this important process to assure the best possible resources and methodology. People Management Partners Robert Stevenson and Tommy Thomas, who have led 12 Christian College president searches as a team, are the consultants to the Biola Search Team.

The Presidential Search Team is currently in the process of forming a Search Advisory Committee that will provide input, advice, and counsel to the Search Team. The Advisory Committee will have representation from key constituents of the Biola community.

According to Stan Jantz, the Search Team Chair, there will be opportunities in the near future for the larger Biola community to provide input to the search process. "Most of all," said Jantz, "the Presidential Search Team asks for the prayers of the worldwide Biola community as this historic process unfolds."

Those who wish to contact the Presidential Search Team Chair or the People Management consultants directly may email them at the following addresses: