Erskine has been in search of a president since January of this year, when former president Dr. John L. Carson announced he was stepping down from the post he held for seven years.

John Moore, chairman of the Erskine Board of Trustees, said Whitlock, who begins his duties Dec. 1, would work with the senior administrative team at the college on priority projects, coordination of administrative activities and completion of the Gold Campaign.

Officials said the presidential search committee needs more time to complete its task, but the length of the search is not unusual.

"Erskine is one entity but two institutions � a college and a seminary," Moore said. "The search committee is pleased with the interest it has received from individuals who have shown a commitment to the mission of Erskine, are experienced in higher education activities and have proven administrative and leadership skill."

Moore said the process would continue until a new president is found, but placed no timetable on that process.

"Erskine is fortunate to have the services of Dr. Luder Whitlock as interim president � a person with 23 years of proven presidential leadership and senior administrative experience," the chairman said. "He is a strong supporter of the mission of Erskine and knows the Erskine market extremely well."

He said Whitlock has provided Erskine with assistance on special matters and projects. "He has learned a great deal about Erskine, its mission and its supporters," Moore said. "This recent Erskine experience, blended with his years of presidential experience, will provide valuable assistance to Erskine during this interim period."

Whitlock is executive director of The Trinity Forum, a leadership academy offering seminars, discussions and other events for thousands of leaders in North America, Europe and Asia.

He is also president of Teleios, a nonprofit organization that produces learning resources and experiences with a current emphasis on establishing a new standard for e-learning and distance learning materials.

"I have been familiar with Erskine's excellent program and reputation for years, so I was honored to be invited to assist with its continued progress during this interim," Whitlock said. "I look forward to working closely and enthusiastically with the board, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of Erskine as we combine our efforts to achieve its mission."

He is a graduate of the University of Florida, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Vanderbilt University. He and his wife, Mary Lou, have been married for 45 years and have 3 children and 11 grandchildren.

He joined the faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in 1975, and, at the age of 37, was appointed president, a position he held for 23 years. At the time of his retirement, he had the longest tenure of any active seminary president in the United States. Under his leadership, RTS grew from a small regional school to one of the most innovative as well as one of the 10 largest seminaries in North America with multiple campuses in the US. and gateway extension programs in Asia, South America, and Europe.

Board members, some of whom are also on the presidential search committee, applauded the move.

"Luder Whitlock brings a wealth of experience to Erskine College," board and search committee member Dr. Kate Stewart said. "His leadership with the Trinity Forum will serve us well as he can provide guidance to us as we seek to promote the mission statement of the college. Dr. Whitlock also has significant experience in development activities and will be able to advance the Gold Campaign."

Board and search committee member Craig White said, "Dr. Whitlock's academic, management and fund development credentials are excellent, as is his in-depth knowledge of both Erskine College and Seminary and the ARP Church. He is the ideal academic executive to assist Erskine on an interim basis until the search for Erskine's new president is completed."

Doug Petersen, another board and search committee member, said, "Dr. Whitlock comes to Erskine College with a wealth of experience and a wide-ranging network of contacts in the field of Christian higher education. His familiarity with the mission and needs of Erskine College and Seminary, his successful track record as a leader in Christian higher education and his experience in fund-raising and development will be great assets in helping Erskine transition to a new president and successfully complete the Gold Campaign."

For many years Whitlock served on the executive committee of the Fellowship of Evangelical Seminary Presidents, including eight years as chairman. For eight years he served on the executive committee of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the U.S. and Canada, including a two-year term as president. He was one of only five evangelicals to do so in the history of ATS. His service to higher education also took him to the boards of the National Commission on Higher Education, the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics, the International Theological Seminary, the International Leadership University, the International Graduate School of Theology, Covenant College, and Westminster Theological Seminary. In addition, he serves on the advisory boards of organizations such as InTrust and the International Institute for Christian Studies.

(Images provided by Erskine College.)

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