Niel Nielson
Encyclopedia
Niel B. Nielson is president of Covenant College
in Lookout Mountain, Georgia
.
in Wheaton, Illinois
, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University
.
in Arden Hills, Minnesota
, but soon departed for the world of business.
Between 1984 and 1997, he served as an executive officer in various Chicago based companies, including for two years as Senior Vice President of Chicago Research and Trading Group, Ltd. From 1996 to 1997, he worked as partner and trader for Ritchie Capital Markets Group, LLC. He holds several investment company directorships, including 13 directorships of closed-end funds associated with the First Trust group of funds, 39 directorships of exchange-traded funds associated with the First Trust group of funds, and one directorship of the First Defined Portfolio Fund LLC.
In 1997, he left the business sector to become Associate Pastor of Outreach for College Church
in Wheaton, Illinois, where he remained until 2002, when he became the fifth president of Covenant College
.
Since coming to Covenant, he has served on the boards of directors for Good News Publishers/Crossway Books
, Allied Arts of Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera
, and Covenant Transportation Group, Inc.
, where he currently functions as chairman of its compensation committee.
In November 2009, Nielson signed an ecumenical statement known as the Manhattan Declaration
calling on Evangelicals, Catholics and Orthodox not to comply with rules and laws permitting abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideals that go against their religious doctrines.
), and, together, they have three grown sons. Kathleen is the granddaughter of former Wheaton College
president, J. Oliver Buswell
. A Wheaton alum, Kathleen also holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English literature from Vanderbilt University
, and has written many popular Bible studies.
Covenant College
Covenant College is a Christian liberal arts college in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, United States.-History:Founded in 1955 in Pasadena, California, Covenant College and Theological Seminary moved its campus to St. Louis, Missouri the following year, and, in 1965, separated from the seminary, moving...
in Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Lookout Mountain is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,617 at the 2000 census. The city is located on Lookout Mountain, home to such attractions as Rock City and Ruby Falls. The city is also home to Covenant College...
.
Education
He holds a B.A. in philosophy from Wheaton CollegeWheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
in Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
.
Professional Life
He began his career as an assistant professor of philosophy at Bethel CollegeBethel University (Minnesota)
Bethel University is a Christian higher education institution with approximately 6,000 students from 36 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs...
in Arden Hills, Minnesota
Arden Hills, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,652 people, 2,959 households, and 2,228 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,087.3 people per square mile . There were 3,017 housing units at an average density of 339.9 per square mile...
, but soon departed for the world of business.
Between 1984 and 1997, he served as an executive officer in various Chicago based companies, including for two years as Senior Vice President of Chicago Research and Trading Group, Ltd. From 1996 to 1997, he worked as partner and trader for Ritchie Capital Markets Group, LLC. He holds several investment company directorships, including 13 directorships of closed-end funds associated with the First Trust group of funds, 39 directorships of exchange-traded funds associated with the First Trust group of funds, and one directorship of the First Defined Portfolio Fund LLC.
In 1997, he left the business sector to become Associate Pastor of Outreach for College Church
College Church
College Church is an independent church in Wheaton, Illinois with "strong historic ties" to Wheaton College. The church is led by a number of pastors, directors, and a board of elders. Dr. Josh Moody currently holds the position of Senior Pastor of College Church...
in Wheaton, Illinois, where he remained until 2002, when he became the fifth president of Covenant College
Covenant College
Covenant College is a Christian liberal arts college in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, United States.-History:Founded in 1955 in Pasadena, California, Covenant College and Theological Seminary moved its campus to St. Louis, Missouri the following year, and, in 1965, separated from the seminary, moving...
.
Since coming to Covenant, he has served on the boards of directors for Good News Publishers/Crossway Books
Good News Publishers
Good News Publishers is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that publishes and distributes gospel tracts. Good News Publishers is the parent company of Crossway Books, a publisher of evangelical Christian books. Good News/Crossway is headquartered in Wheaton, Illinois...
, Allied Arts of Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera
Robert Bernhardt
Robert "Bob" Bernhardt is an American conductor, currently the musical director and conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and the principal pops conductor of the Louisville Orchestra...
, and Covenant Transportation Group, Inc.
Covenant Transport
Covenant Transport, Inc. is a truckload carrier headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It began operations on January 2, 1986, with 25 trucks and 50 trailers. Today, coupled with its partners, Southern Refrigerated Transport, Inc. and Star Transportation, Inc., it now has over 3,600 trucks and...
, where he currently functions as chairman of its compensation committee.
In November 2009, Nielson signed an ecumenical statement known as the Manhattan Declaration
Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience
The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience is a manifesto issued by Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christian leaders to affirm support of "the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty". It was drafted on October 20, 2009 and released November 20, 2009,...
calling on Evangelicals, Catholics and Orthodox not to comply with rules and laws permitting abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideals that go against their religious doctrines.
Personal life
He is married to Kathleen (née BuswellJ. Oliver Buswell
James Oliver Buswell, Jr. was a Presbyterian fundamentalist educator and institution builder.-Education:...
), and, together, they have three grown sons. Kathleen is the granddaughter of former Wheaton College
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
president, J. Oliver Buswell
J. Oliver Buswell
James Oliver Buswell, Jr. was a Presbyterian fundamentalist educator and institution builder.-Education:...
. A Wheaton alum, Kathleen also holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English literature from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
, and has written many popular Bible studies.