This summer, Randal Wisbey will become La Sierra University's third president. He is currently president of Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, Md., a position he has held since 2000. He will succeed Lawrence T. Geraty, who will be retiring June 30 after 14 years as LSU's president.

The Board of Trustees offered the position to Wisbey following a search process established in November 2006, when Geraty notified the board of his intention to retire at the end of the academic year. Wisbey announced his acceptance decision via e-mail March 9.

"It was exciting to see, first hand, the strength of the university's faculty and staff, the quality of its current students, the legacy of its graduates, the commitment to be a central part of the Inland Empire community and the university's bold vision of serving the world," Wisbey says of his four-day visit in early March. "Also, it is a privilege to know that Dr. Geraty has agreed to the board's invitation to continue to serve in the advancement efforts of the university."

"La Sierra University Trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni all participated in giving input and suggestions through the search process," says Thomas Mostert, Jr., chair of the Board of Trustees. "In the end, the board decided among several well-qualified candidates. Dr. Randal Wisbey emerged as our first choice when the secret ballot voting was completed, and we are delighted he has accepted our invitation to become the new president of La Sierra University."

Wisbey's major accomplishments at Columbia Union College include development of the college's five-year strategic plan, women's residence hall renewal, and a new campus-wide technology program. He also spearheaded a new enrollment strategy which resulted in enrollment levels at CUC reaching 40-year highs for the past several years.

"Faculty, staff and students at La Sierra University are united in looking forward to the arrival of Dr. Randal Wisbey and his inauguration as our third president," says Geraty. "We are thrilled to have a president of his experience and vision for Adventist higher education, in general, and his commitment to the mission and goals of La Sierra, specifically. Personality-wise, he is warm, caring and ever an optimist. As both an ordained minister/youth director and noted academic administrator, he is exactly what La Sierra's constituency needs and expects at this time."

Wisbey received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1990 from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in 1984 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and journalism at Walla Walla College in 1980. He is an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

He is married to Deanna Clay Wisbey and they have one son.