Tuesday morning, students and faculty alike received an email that contained, for many, unexpected news. College president Dr. J. Derek Halvorson announced that he would be stepping down on June 30, 2023. To the relief of many, he will remain on campus with a new title and role to play in our community. Effective immediately after his resignation, President Halvorson will be named director of the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership. When asked to describe the nature of this new center, the president said that “The goal of the center is to inspire and equip Covenant students to take up and excel in the sort of selfless, Christ-like leadership exemplified by the men for whom the Center is named.”
The average term of a Covenant College president is six years. President Halvorson has served almost double that at 11 years in office. However, he was quick to admit it has not always been smooth sailing. Talking about some of the unexpected challenges he faced while in office, Halvorson stated, “I never imagined that we would have to navigate a global pandemic with all of the uncertainties and unknowns and all of the apprehension that surrounded those things.” During his presidency, the Lucas Art Barn was constructed, Political Science and Sports Management majors were added, the college transitioned to the NCAA Division III, and many more. However, the achievement the president claims to be most proud of is the historical renovation of Carter Tower, an undertaking that cost a historic $19.4 million dollars, the largest capital project in college history.
Thinking back on his favorite memories during his time as president, Halvorson says, “My most treasured memories almost always involve students or faculty: Convocation, Commencement, Mountain Affair, guest lecturing in Christ & Culture, intramurals and faculty sabbatical presentations.” It is this very love for the students and faculty that is leading the president to step into this new position of director of the Brock-Barnes Center. President Halvorson wrote in his email announcing his resignation, “I have found myself longing to engage more directly in what drew me to higher education in the first place: the development of students through the craft of teaching and scholarship.” As the director, Halvorson hopes to become more involved in the day-to-day lives of the students, seeking their input and advice on this new institute. Halvorson has spent the last 11 years of his life serving as Covenants’ president, day in and day out demonstrating his love and care for this college and its community. Even if it means wearing shorts to Commencement while recovering from an ACL surgery. We here at the Bagpipe are extremely grateful to President Halvorson, as we know you all are too. And Dr. Halvorson has reassured us that, “I’m not leaving, and I can’t wait to serve students in a different way. Go Scots!”