Dr. Adam C. Wright Elected as President of DBU

Dallas, TX - The Dallas Baptist University Board of Trustees selected Dr. Adam C. Wright of Dallas, Texas, as president on Thursday, May 19.

DBU Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Gary Singleton made the announcement after a trustee meeting which was held on the DBU campus. Dr. Wright will succeed Dr. Gary Cook, who announced his transition to the Chancellor position in February 2015, following 28 years of faithful service. Dr. Wright will assume the role as president effective June 1, 2016.

Dr. Wright currently serves as Vice President at DBU and as the Dean of the Cook School of Leadership, where he provides academic leadership and teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Previously, he served DBU as Vice President for Advancement and paved the way toward unprecedented growth in fund-raising and development efforts, expanding the physical plant and increasing student scholarships. Since arriving at DBU in 1999, he has provided senior leadership in academic, enrollment, administrative, and advancement areas.

As Dean and a faculty member, he has taught numerous courses in higher education, leadership, and global studies, supervised doctoral research, shaped curriculum, and launched new programs. Additionally, he has led domestic and international travel study courses and maintains an active role of membership in international leadership and academic societies. In 2014, he founded DBU's Institute for Global Engagement, a Christian think tank with a focus on connecting scholars and practitioners in becoming a catalyst for moral and spiritual renewal.

"Following a nation-wide search, we believe Dr. Wright to be the spiritual leader that God has provided to boldly lead DBU into the future," shared Dr. Singleton, who serves as Senior Pastor of The Heights Baptist Church. "Throughout his time in service to the University, he has proven to be a servant leader who is wholly committed to his faith, his family, and the vision of keeping DBU a Christ-centered university."

"Dr. Wright is a true servant leader," shared Dr. Gary Cook. "I have known him since he came to DBU as a freshman and have seen first-hand his work ethic and commitment to the Lord. I am so pleased that the Board chose to entrust the leadership of DBU to Dr. Wright."

"Following countless hours of prayerful consideration by the Presidential Search Committee, we were led to know that Dr. Wright was the person who would be the next leader of the University," shared Gayla Crain, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. "Higher Christian education faces many challenges, and we know that Dr. Wright has the strength and vision to face the challenges while continuing DBU's mission to produce servant leaders who have the ability to integrate faith and learning through their respective callings."

Growing up in Oak Cliff, Dr. Wright knew DBU well and often visited University Hill where his father and mother first met as students in the 1970's. As a member of Grace Temple Baptist Church, he often attended DBU events and has fond memories of those early years.

During his time as a student at DBU, Dr. Wright completed his undergraduate degree as well as a Master of Education in Higher Education and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a concentration in higher education.

"These are exciting days in the life of DBU," stated Dr. Wright. "I look forward to serving alongside an outstanding faculty, staff, administration, and student body as we seek to build a great University that is pleasing to God. Please continue to pray for us as we make this transition."

In accepting this new position, Dr. Wright recognized the strong foundation that has been laid for the University, from its earliest days in Decatur, Texas, to the past 28 years under the leadership of Dr. Gary Cook.

As Dr. Wright shared, "I am grateful for the trust that has been placed in me by the Board of Trustees and Dr. Cook, who has been a mentor to me and a dear friend. I pray that in the coming years, I will prove worthy of this trust as we look to expand our global efforts, strengthen our academic reputation, and deepen our commitment to serving Christ."

Dr. Wright is married to Candice, who received both her bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration degree from DBU. They have two daughters, Abigail Grace and Katherine Elizabeth. Adam and Candice are members of Park Cities Baptist Church, where they teach Sunday School and are actively engaged in the life of the church.