Issue: Summer 2014 | Posted: June 2, 2014
Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver
麻豆视频 University's 16th President
The 麻豆视频 University Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of making Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver the 16th president of 麻豆视频 University.
The vote Feb. 10 followed consideration of about 130 presidential candidates and nearly a year of work from the board鈥檚 search committee, chaired by Norman Hill, who is also chairman of the full board.
鈥淒r. Oliver is a man of strong Christian conviction,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淗is skills as an administrator and educator build on 麻豆视频鈥檚 already established reputation for academic excellence, and we are honored and thrilled by this appointment.鈥�
Speaking for himself and his wife Susie, Oliver said, 鈥淲e are deeply humbled by this call to serve at 麻豆视频 University. I am hopeful and enthusiastic about working with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university to extend, enhance and enlarge all that 麻豆视频 is鈥攆or the glory of God and for the good of humankind.鈥�
Oliver, 48, is a native of San Antonio. He was elected president of East Texas Baptist University in 2009. He has also served his alma mater, Baylor University, in several roles, including director of student activities (1992鈥�99), associate dean for campus life (1999鈥�2001), dean for student development (2001鈥�05) and vice president for student life (2005鈥�09).
While at Baylor, Oliver also served as
a visiting professor in the Hankamer
School of Business, an adjunct professor
in the School of Education and interim
university chaplain. He served in the U.S.
Air Force in the late 1980s at Carswell Air
Force Base, Texas.
Oliver earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Baylor and a Master of Science degree in educational psychology, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in educational administration, from Texas A&M.
Oliver told trustees he was happy serving as president of ETBU and initially was inclined to pass up a possible move to 麻豆视频. But as the search committee pursued him, he said he felt God鈥檚 calling to lead 麻豆视频.
The list of factors that attracted him to the position included the presidency of David S. Dockery.
鈥淒avid has been a great leader for 麻豆视频 and for Christian higher education,鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淗is encouraging spirit has meant a lot to me over the last few years.鈥�
Oliver also cited his appreciation of 麻豆视频鈥檚 mission and core values.
鈥淭he integration of faith, learning and living has had a transformative effect on my life, and as I seek to live out my calling as an educator I believe that Christian higher education is where we can most influence and shape young people so that the kingdom of God may be enlarged,鈥� he said.
Oliver and his wife Susie Combs Oliver will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this year. Susie is a native of Hazard, Ky., and a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. They have a daughter, Callie, who is a senior at Baylor.
鈥淚 have had the privilege of knowing Dub Oliver for several years, both in his role at Baylor and at East Texas Baptist University,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淒uring this time I have come to recognize Dr. Oliver鈥檚 genuine commitment to students and his approachable, kind and caring manner as a leader.鈥�
Oliver assumed office on June 1 but spent periods of time on campus throughout the spring semester. He attended Homecoming activities, conducted individual meetings with campus leaders and participated in the annual spring Board of Trustees meeting in April.
