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Jonathan Raymond appointed to second term as TWU president

The board of governors of Trinity Western University announced Wednesday that Jonathan S. Raymond will serve a second five-year term as president of the Langley university.
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Dr. Jonathan Raymond has been appointed to a second five-year term as president of Trinity Western University.

The board of governors of Trinity Western University announced Wednesday that Jonathan S. Raymond will serve a second five-year term as president of the Langley university.

“The board is pleased with how Dr. Raymond has guided the university through some very difficult economic and enrollment challenges,” said Jeremy Funk, chair of the  board of governors.

“He leads through transparency, accountability and integrity, and most importantly, he has kept the university community focused on Jesus Christ as its essence.”

Trinity Western University underwent significant changes during Raymond’s first term as president.

“His ongoing work to develop a solid administrative and faculty team will enable TWU to achieve its Christ-centred mission,” said Funk.

Other notable initiatives include: the $3.3 million expansion of the Neufeld Science Centre, funded in part with a grant from the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program; the advancement of athletics through the Langley Events Centre site; securing space to launch a Richmond campus — slated to open in September 2013; the formation of the Aboriginal Partnership Council and designated scholarships for aboriginal students; the creation of the adult degree completion program and Bellingham campus, enabling adults to earn their degree while working; and a significant increase in the fundraising capacity of the university parlayed into financial aid for students.

Quality education remained the focus during the last five years. TWU was recognized by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) as the number one Canadian school in three of five categories, and received its fifth consecutive A+ for “Quality of Education” from The Globe and Mail’s university report.

“Dr. Raymond’s commitment and vision for TWU as we enter the university’s 50th year will help move the institution forward into its preferred future of becoming a world-class Christian university,” said Funk.

“His ability to manage the transformation from vision to action is vital for us to continue our forward momentum.”

“TWU truly is the most remarkable university in Canada,” said Raymond. “Our university is home to some of the world’s most talented and dedicated faculty, staff, and students.”

While the last five years were a challenge, personally, he notes, they were a great blessing.

“In the next five years, I think God is going to continue to bless the work that we’ve been doing and move the university to even higher ground.”

In addition to a renewed infrastructure, a comprehensive campaign, and a major facelift and beautification of the campus planned over the next five years, Raymond said, “we will maintain a strong emphasis on quality over size and living out our identity as a thoroughly Christ-centered university.”