John Sellars
Encyclopedia
John Sellars, Ph.D., was named president of Graceland University
in May 2007. Before that, he was the fifteenth President of Drury University
, serving for two years. Before that, he was senior vice president for institutional advancement at Syracuse University
, Syracuse
, New York
.
. He was born and raised in Independence
, and received his bachelor’s degrees from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg
. He continued his education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he received a master's degree in public administration in 1986 and the Ph.D. in 1992. Post-graduate studies include the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University
and the Strategic Planning and Higher Education Marketing program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
.
In June 2006, Sellars was one of only 80 presidents of American colleges and universities to participate in the Council of Europe
forum “Higher Education and Democratic Culture: Citizenship, Human Rights and Civic Responsibility.” The forum brought together 300 American and European leaders in government policy and higher education to discuss how higher education can support emerging democracies.
Sellars' term at Drury University began with high expectations, but deteriorated when he, in short succession, announced the school was millions of dollars in debt, initiated a re-examination of the university's mission, and appeared to squelch academic freedom following a controversial interview by a faculty member. On April 23, 2007, facing a likely vote of no confidence from the faculty, Sellars resigned.
One month later, on May 24, 2007, Sellars was named the new president of Graceland University in Lamoni
, Iowa
, effective July 15. The university's news release notes:
In June, 2009, Sellars defended the marriage of two men in a ceremony at the Graceland chapel, saying that the university "stands upon a proud tradition of openness, acceptance, understanding, the worth of all persons and the Divine's love for all humankind."
Graceland University
Graceland is not ranked by U.S. News & World Report, being deemed a Tier 3 institution. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.-Housing System:...
in May 2007. Before that, he was the fifteenth President of Drury University
Drury University
Drury University is a private liberal arts college in Springfield, Missouri.The university enrolls about 1,550 undergraduates, over 2,000 adult part-time undergraduates and around 400 graduate students in six master's programs...
, serving for two years. Before that, he was senior vice president for institutional advancement at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Biography
Sellars also has strong ties to MissouriMissouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. He was born and raised in Independence
Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
, and received his bachelor’s degrees from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg
Warrensburg, Missouri
Warrensburg is a city in Johnson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 16,340 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Johnson County. The Warrensburg Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Johnson County. It is home to the University of Central Missouri.-History:Warrensburg...
. He continued his education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he received a master's degree in public administration in 1986 and the Ph.D. in 1992. Post-graduate studies include the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and the Strategic Planning and Higher Education Marketing program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
.
In June 2006, Sellars was one of only 80 presidents of American colleges and universities to participate in the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
forum “Higher Education and Democratic Culture: Citizenship, Human Rights and Civic Responsibility.” The forum brought together 300 American and European leaders in government policy and higher education to discuss how higher education can support emerging democracies.
Sellars' term at Drury University began with high expectations, but deteriorated when he, in short succession, announced the school was millions of dollars in debt, initiated a re-examination of the university's mission, and appeared to squelch academic freedom following a controversial interview by a faculty member. On April 23, 2007, facing a likely vote of no confidence from the faculty, Sellars resigned.
One month later, on May 24, 2007, Sellars was named the new president of Graceland University in Lamoni
Lamoni, Iowa
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,444 people, 818 households, and 428 families residing in the city. The population density was 761.1 people per square mile . There were 904 housing units at an average density of 281.5 per square mile...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, effective July 15. The university's news release notes:
"About his new appointment, Dr. Sellars says, 'My wife, Bette, and I are excited about returning to Graceland. It is an important university for us personally and professionally. We served there previously for nine years, and all three of our children graduated from Graceland. It is also the university of our faith tradition, and we are looking forward to being a part of the Graceland community once again.'"
In June, 2009, Sellars defended the marriage of two men in a ceremony at the Graceland chapel, saying that the university "stands upon a proud tradition of openness, acceptance, understanding, the worth of all persons and the Divine's love for all humankind."