It has been about two weeks now since the merger happening at Multnomah University became official. Some have described the move as a merger of mission, others an acquisition, and even a partnership. Many have struggled to define what kind of merger we are undergoing. Whatever the term, I am happy we have found a way forward. We do know schools are closing. Some estimate that colleges and universities are closing at a pace of one per week (see Hechinger Report).
Personally, this has been a merger of endurance and one where I have been struggling with a certain fatigue of ambiguity over the past year as we awaited definitive news on the merger (appreciate our new associate dean, Derek Zahnd for helping to put into words what I have been feeling all year). I have often thought I had a high tolerance for ambiguity, but this year has tested that belief. For me this has been a personal journey that has been a roller coaster of emotions and challenging my desire for stability. It has been uncomfortable, disruptive and saddening. Colleagues who have been at the University for many years are now gone and have moved on as a result of struggling finances and programs. Students who signed up for one program are now left with difficult choices to make between staying at the newly merged institution in a new program or having to search for a new place to finish the degree they started. Being an alumni of Multnomah makes this additionally hard to watch unfold. I have personally lived through the 4 iterations of the institution. I started off at Multnomah School of the Bible as a 20 year-old kid wanting to go into mission work. By the time I reached my senior year, we had changed our name to Multnomah Bible College. Upon my hiring in 2012 it had become Multnomah University, and now, we are the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University – the most significant change to date as we have now become part of a new institution while seeking to hold on to part of our legacy.
The graduate program I oversee has moved under Multnomah Seminary and the Global Studies degree has been dissolved. For the time being I will take on the new degree program in Leadership and continue to oversee Global Development and Justice (MAGDJ).
I am hopeful and grateful as we move forward, yet also find myself grieving over the loss of colleagues and the radical changes happening to my Alma Mater. The truth is, no institution lasts forever, and change is required at times. I am hopeful and content on most days, now that we are moving forward and have a clear path ahead of us for now. About two months ago, as I was driving onto campus, I got this sense that it was time just to hand my worries over to the Lord. Since that time, I have felt more peace and overall a sense of calm. There have still been rough days, but overall, things have really improved.
As I prepare to teach a new course in Leadership and my old courses like Intro to Global Development and Justice and Children at Risk in Global Contexts this Fall, I am beginning to feel a sense of excitement. I have been deeply in awe of those, who in the midst of these challenges, have kept us focused on the possibilities. Our President (now Chancellor) Jessica Taylor, Alin Vrancilla (former Provost and now director of the global campus of Jessup University) and Dr. Karen Fancher (and so many others) have all stayed focused on building a future, even at times when things seemed bleak. Grateful to have the leadership we have in the midst of these changes.
For more on the Master’s program at the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University see Global Development and Justice.
Development and Justice 