Derek Halvorson, who served as president of Covenant College for 11 years, will leave the post to become the founding director of the college's new Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership, according to a news release.
Halvorson, the third-longest serving president in the college's 68-year history, will serve as president until June 30.
"After a season of prayerful discernment with family and trusted friends, I informed the board of trustees I will complete my presidential service to Covenant College," Halvorson said in a statement. "The board of trustees has offered me the opportunity to serve as the founding director of Covenant's new Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership, and I am honored to accept this role."
The board unanimously approved Halvorson's appointment as the first director of the center on Jan. 25. The goal of the center is to "inspire and equip Covenant students to take up and excel in selfless, Christ-like leadership exemplified by the remarkable men for whom the center is named," the release said.
The board will launch a national search for the next president of Covenant College in collaboration with students, faculty, staff and alumni, according to the release.
Craig Wood, chairman of the Covenant College board of trustees, said Halvorson's credentials as a "scholar, president, leader, fundraiser and a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ" make him the ideal candidate to be the first director.
"The idea of the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership has been germinating within the college leadership for more than a year as part of the strategic planning update reviewed by the board in October 2022," Wood said in a statement.
Halvorson will begin as director July 1. The Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership is named after Frank Brock, Covenant College's fourth president, and Marion Barnes, the college's second president, "who were beloved leaders who had important leadership roles in the church and in the Chattanooga community," according to the release.
-- Compiled by Kiara Green