“We look forward to working together to graduate servant-leaders who are equipped to be difference makers for the cause of Christ.”ĭuring the press conference, Fowler reflected on the history of the school which was established in 1851 to “prepare preachers and missionaries.” “I look forward to locking arms with Carson-Newman’s trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni as well as the churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention,” he continued. “The opportunity to serve as president of Carson-Newman University is incredibly humbling and exciting,” said Fowler, who will assume the presidency on July 1. Prior to accepting the Germantown pastorate, Fowler served in a number of roles at Union University in Jackson for 15 years, including vice president for enrollment management, vice president for development, and professor of Christian ministries and education. His experiences in academic development and external relations will help propel Carson-Newman toward a bright future of growth and expanded programs of study.”įowler comes to the presidency from Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown (Tenn.), where he has served as senior pastor since 2010. Fowler is the person God intends to lead this university,” he affirmed.īrooks added that Fowler “is one of those rare individuals whose life experiences are a perfect fit for our institution. He said the committee examined every applicant. It was amazing the amount of interest in this position,” he observed. Trustee chairman Harry Brooks, a member of Union Baptist Church, Knoxville, agreed. “Not a time did we gather that we didn’t go to the Lord in prayer to guide us in our search and to yield a nominee who would, in every way, be His nominee. “Our search was bathed in prayer,” Ogle said.
Among the attributes the committee looked for were a devout and sincere belief in Christ demonstrated over a lifetime, integrity and strength of character, leadership and listening skills, someone who was a proven fundraiser and someone who could help improve relationships with churches and pastors in East Tennessee and across the state.Ĭharles and Sandra Fowler, center, were introduced June 10 as the new president and first lady of Carson-Newman University by David Ogle, left, chair of the presidential search committee, and Harry Brooks, right, chair of the board of trustees. Ogle said the committee received more than 75 nominations. I commend our search committee members for their hard work and faithful service as we carried out the mission to which we were assigned. “Our search was deliberate, intentional and process-oriented,” said David Ogle, chair of the search committee and member of First Baptist Church, Gatlinburg. He was introduced as president on June 10 during a news conference on the C-N campus.
Fowler was elected June 7 as the 23rd president of Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City.įowler was the unanimous choice of both the C-N presidential search committee and the board of trustees. By Lonnie CITY - Tennessee Baptist pastor Charles A.