Christy assumes presidency

Northwestern College’s ninth president, Greg Christy, began his new role on Jan. 1. Christy, a senior executive at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D., for the last 12 years, was appointed president in October.

Christy and his wife, Michelle, moved to Orange City with their three children in mid-December. The presidential couple attended the Council on Independent Colleges’ New Presidents Program and Presidents Institute in Florida Jan. 3–7.

“It is an honor and privilege to have been elected to provide leadership and service to Northwestern College,” says Christy. “I’m excited about the opportunity to impact young lives and be at an institution in which faith, learning and living are integrated. Northwestern impacts students not only academically but also spiritually and socially, sending them out into the world to make a difference for God’s kingdom, and that was a big factor in drawing us here.”

Christy says one of his immediate goals is to get to know faculty, staff, students, board members, alumni and area residents. “I want to immerse myself in the campus and community. I met a lot of people through the search process, but I want to deepen those relationships and get to know the institution better so I can represent Northwestern to the best of my ability.”

The new president comes to Northwestern during the school year in which the 125th anniversary of its founding is being celebrated. “Northwestern has a wonderful history and a great academic reputation,” says Christy. “Behind any good program are great people. That’s what has struck me about Northwestern—the quality of people and their commitment to the mission of the school to provide academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment with a Reformed expression. I look forward to celebrating the past with them and planning for the new opportunities we’ll have in the future.”

While vice president for institutional advancement at Dakota Wesleyan, Christy led a nine-member staff in the successful completion of a $40 million capital campaign, which included building the George and Eleanor McGovern Library and Center for Leadership and Public Service, plus facilities for the arts, worship and residence life. He also organized and led a campus-wide master planning/building task force.

A native of Ottumwa, Iowa, Christy earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He received a master’s degree in physical education and sports management from Western Illinois University.

Christy succeeds Dr. Bruce Murphy, who retired after seven years of presidential leadership.