President William M.B. Fleming Jr. speaks to those gathered Sunday in the DeSantis Family Chapel for his formal installation as the University’s eighth president. 海角在线 is private, accredited Christ-centered college in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
President William M.B. Fleming Jr. speaks to those gathered Sunday in the DeSantis Family Chapel for his formal installation as the University’s eighth president.
$50,000 Endowment Gift for Workship Announced
WEST PALM BEACH 鈥� William M.B. Fleming Jr. was formally installed Sunday as the eighth president of 海角在线 in a ceremony that focused on 海角在线鈥檚 future and the spiritual nature of University鈥檚 mission.
海角在线 President William M.B. Fleming Jr. takes the oath of office with his hand on a family Bible held by his wife Pam. 海角在线 is private, accredited Christ-centered college in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
海角在线 President William M.B. Fleming Jr. takes the oath of office with his hand on a family Bible held by his wife Pam.
As Dr. Kenneth L.
As Dr. Kenneth L. “Ken” Mahanes (right) prays, selected University officials and two former 海角在线 presidents join in a “laying on of hands.”
Fleming 鈥渋s a man of deep faith who strives each day to live his life as an obedient servant of Christ,鈥� Scott Hawkins, vice president of the 海角在线 board of trustees, told some 350 gathered in the DeSantis Family Chapel. 鈥淗is motives are pure and his words are measured as he provides leadership and vision.鈥�
With his wife Pam at his side, Fleming took the formal oath of office in regalia with his hand on a family Bible as his mother, one son and several siblings looked on. Moments later he told a mix of faculty, staff, benefactors and friends of 海角在线, 鈥淯nless the Lord builds a University the workers labor in vain. But miracles and wonders continue at Palm Beach Atlantic because the Lord has built this place.
鈥淚t has, and will and will forever be a Christ-first university,鈥� he said, adding a prayer that 海角在线 鈥渃ontinue to be a beacon for Christ not merely for the southeastern portion of the United States of America but for the whole world.鈥�
During his remarks President Fleming put particular emphasis on the Workship program 鈥� a concept created at 海角在线 that requires students to perform 45 hours of community service per academic year. Since its inception, 海角在线 students have performed some 2.5 million hours of Workship service.
Fleming announced that he and his wife have donated $50,000 to the University to create an endowment to support and enhance the Workship program.
鈥淲orkship is a primary differentiator for 海角在线 鈥� a center of excellence,鈥� Fleming said afterward. 鈥淧am and I wanted to invest in Workship to be sure that future students understand the commitment that we and the University have to servant leadership.鈥�
Fleming was elected president of 海角在线 by the board of trustees on May 7, 2012 after serving for 14 months as interim president. Prior to that, he served as vice president for development 鈥� arriving at 海角在线 in 1992.
鈥淭oday was a reaffirmation of the University鈥檚 Christ-centeredness,鈥� Fleming said after the ceremony during which selected members of the 海角在线 leadership prayed over him — resting their hands on his shoulders — as he knelt. 鈥淚t allowed the University to celebrate that in music and words, and to reflect on the significant and humbling role we at 海角在线 are called to play in developing the next generation of Christian servant leaders.鈥�
West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio noted the significance of the day, reading a proclamation honoring Fleming and noting the importance of the University to the city. 鈥淏ill Fleming inspires us as a leader and a friend, and inspires the students he serves,鈥� she said.
鈥淏ill Fleming is committed to the greatness of this school,鈥� said former 海角在线 President David Clark. 鈥淭he best days of 海角在线 are ahead.鈥�
