On April 10, 2012, the Seattle Pacific University Board of Trustees elected Dr. Daniel J. Martin as the 10th president of SPU. Martin, currently president of Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio, succeeds retiring President Philip W. Eaton and will assume his duties on July 1, 2012.
Message From the Chair
I want to convey to you my tremendous personal excitement about this appointment. The Seattle Pacific University Search Committee and Board of Trustees came to the unanimous conclusion that Dr. Martin was exactly the right person to lead Seattle Pacific as we continue to live out the vision for engaging the culture and changing the world articulated so effectively by President Philip W. Eaton for 17 years.
Dr. Martin’s academic credentials are impressive; he has a proven track record of excellence in higher education administration; he is well liked and respected by those who work with him; and he has a strong affinity with SPU’s mission, history, and unique character. Learn more about him on this website and in our press release.
We regarded the search for SPU’s next president as one of the most important in all of Christian higher education. We thank you for your input, prayers, and support throughout this period. You have provided very helpful guidance.
President Eaton has told me that he is delighted with the selection and will assist in every way to make this a seamless transition.
I believe we are about to embark on a wonderful new chapter in SPU’s history. Dr. Martin says that he was drawn to SPU "because of its ability to actually pursue and fulfill its mission in ways not present at other institutions." That says a great deal about Seattle Pacific’s ability to change our world.
Dennis Weibling
Chair, SPU Board of Trustees
SPU Mission
Seattle Pacific University seeks to be a premier Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.