Terry Creech, chair of the Lubbock Christian University Board of Trustees, announced Dr. Scott McDowell has been selected as the University’s seventh president. Dr. McDowell’s appointment will begin on April 1, 2020. McDowell succeeds President L. Timothy Perrin who left the University last summer to return to Pepperdine University.
“Selecting the University president is one of the greatest board responsibilities,” stated Terry Creech. “I am pleased with how our search unfolded and led us to a unanimous decision. Dr. Scott McDowell embodies the very best in who we are called to be as followers of Jesus Christ. God has gifted Dr. McDowell with the skills, talents and experience to be our next LCU president. God’s hand has been at work in bringing us the right leader for this time in LCU’s history.”
McDowell has a distinguished 27-year career in Christian higher education. He comes to LCU from Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, where he serves as the Vice President for Student Life. Prior to joining ACU’s administration, he was the Senior Vice President of Student Life at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.
“LCU’s prior presidents built a Christ-centered, academic community of learners transforming the hearts, minds, and hands of students for lives of purpose and service,” said McDowell. “I’m honored to accept the invitation to join this community as the next President. We have a rich history and a bright future to lean into.”
“The beauty of the educational enterprise is its ability to catalyze change in an individual’s life that can alter, not only the trajectory of their story but transform their family’s story for generations. At a place like LCU, we have seen that educational impact be even more profound because we address not just the intellectual, but also the spiritual dimension of the student, while intentionally inviting God to be a part of the entire process,” McDowell concluded.
As a cabinet member for ACU and Lipscomb, McDowell increased revenue sources, oversaw multimillion dollar construction projects, created innovative strategies for student retention, assisted in creating new academic degree offerings, as well as built and led highly successful teams. His academic experience also includes teaching theology and leadership-based courses.
“Scott McDowell has prepared academically, spiritually, and professionally for God’s calling as a university president. Now it has come at an outstanding school that will benefit greatly from his deep commitment to Christian education, his long interest in the experience of students, and his respect for faculty,” stated Randy Lowry, President of Lipscomb University. “LCU will be blessed by Scott, but also his wife Kay, who will bring her professional experience as well as her commitment to a shared journey with the Lubbock community. May God’s richest blessings be showered on this relationship and may LCU continue as a light in Christian higher education!”
McDowell’s appointment follows a national search that began last June. The 13-member search committee was led by Bill Bundy, LCU Trustee, and included other trustees, faculty, administrators, and staff. The search, assisted by CarterBaldwin, drew a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants from across the United States with diverse backgrounds and deep expertise in Christian higher education.
“Scott is a tremendous Christian leader with many talents, and he will be a great asset to Lubbock Christian University,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, President of Abilene Christian University. “I've very much enjoyed working with Scott at ACU, and I am eager to watch his continued success at Lubbock Christian. While we will miss Scott, LCU is gaining an exceptional leader.”
McDowell received his bachelor’s degree from Freed-Hardeman University and his master’s degree from Lipscomb University. He earned his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. He has been married to Kay (Owen) for 30 years. Kay, a seasoned PR professional, is a Chief Brand Officer at Mitchell Communication – a PR firm headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They have three sons Alec (24), a project engineer for OTP Systems Group, Nashville, Tenn.; Cade (20), a sophomore at LCU and member of the men’s basketball team; and Cole (18) a high school senior at Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn.
To view the ceremony, check out our chapel podcast.