 What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago Lincoln Christian
College and Seminary called Dr. Ray as its sixth president since its
founding in 1944. He had served four years prior to that as
president at Dallas Christian College. Under his leadership during
the last decade, Lincoln Christian College has achieved the
following milestones:
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Annual enrollment
has grown by 17 percent, from 1,100 to 1,290.
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Full-time
equivalency enrollment has grown by 49 percent, from 630 to 941.
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The number of
graduates has increased by 25 percent, from 132 to 165.
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Full-time faculty
members have increased by 64 percent, from 36 to 59.
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Endowment and
investment funds have increased by 87 percent, from $2.49
million to $4.67 million.
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Annual gift income
has increased by 118 percent, from $1.50 million to $3.27
million.
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Campus facilities have increased in
value by 195 percent, from $5.96 million to $17.59 million,
including the following capital projects since 2001: new
athletic facility, new women's residence hall, remodeled student
cafeteria and student union, remodeling of five classroom
buildings, and air conditioning for most of the campus
facilities.
In addition to these numeric achievements, Ray has worked with
faculty and staff to help Lincoln Christian College and Seminary
lead out in numerous initiatives. Here is just a sampling of these
innovative efforts:
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Partnership with
Greenville College in 2008 to offer on-campus, state-certified
program in elementary education. Established an initial Issachar
Institute in 2008 with an emphasis on biblical worldview; the
program includes weekend educational events for churches.
Introduction of a Master of Religious Education at Lincoln
Christian Seminary in 2007.
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Enrollment of first students in
Lincoln's first doctoral program, the Doctor of Ministry, in
2007. Partnership with 11,000-member church to offer B.A. degree
on their campus, Lincoln in Las Vegas, in 2006. Calling of
Lincoln's first international and first African-American faculty
members in 2006 and 2007. Successful completion of three
accreditation visits in 2006 that strongly affirmed LCCS. Design
of a "GPS" mentoring approach for undergraduates in 2005; the
program emphasizes gifts, passion and sense of calling.
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Introduction of a
combined preaching and youth ministry major in 2005.
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Redesign of
Christian Education program as Christian Spiritual Formation in
2004.
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Creation of an
innovative graduate program in worship studies at the seminary
in 2003.
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Creation of an administrative-level
church development office focused on church relationships, in
2001. Calling the first full-time director of teacher education
in 2002 and first professor of youth ministry in 2001. Launch of
a degree completion program for adult learners, LincUp, in 2001.
Revision of trustee oversight to a policy governance model in
2000. Establishment of debt reduction plan in 1999 that has
reduced operating debt by half, with balanced budgets every year
to date. Recognition by the Templeton Foundation in 1999 for
exemplary college program in character development.
Under President Ray's leadership, Lincoln Christian College and
Seminary has had a decade of sustained growth with many initiatives.
The challenge of the next decade will be to find new ways to fulfill
the school's mission in new marketplaces with new methods, while
sustaining the advancements that have marked the last 10 years.
Ray is married to the former Jeaneen Strauss and has three daughters, two
sons-in-law and one grandchild. He is a Lincoln native, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Richard Ray of Lincoln. He graduated from Lincoln Christian
College and Seminary and later earned a Doctor of Ministry degree
from Trinity International University in 1991. He is a distinguished
president, professor, preacher, pastor, and parent, husband, son.
(Biography)
[Text from file received from
Lincoln
Christian College and Seminary]
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