John Sellars (academic administrator)

John Sellars, is an American academic administrator. He was named president of Graceland University in May 2007, serving until 2017. He previously served as the fifteenth President of Drury University for two years, and a senior vice president for institutional advancement at Syracuse University.

John Sellars
17th President of Graceland University
In office
May 2007 – July 2017
Succeeded byPatricia Draves
15th President of Drury University
In office
2005–2007
Personal details
BornIndependence, Missouri, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Central Missouri (B.A.)
University of Missouri–Kansas City (MPA, Ph.D)

Biography edit

Sellars was born and raised in Independence, Missouri and received his bachelor's degree from University of Central Missouri. He continued his education at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where he received a master's degree in public administration in 1986 and a Ph.D. in 1992.[citation needed] His 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.[citation needed]

In 2005, Sellars became the 15th president of Drury University, though his tenure ended abruptly after he 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.[1] On April 23, 2007, facing a likely vote of no confidence from the faculty, Sellars resigned.[2][3]

One month later, on May 24, 2007, Sellars was named president of Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, effective July 15.[4] In 2016, the university announced that Sellars would retire in July, 2017.[5] He was succeeded by Patricia Draves, who formerly served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ http://www.springfieldgo.com/GO-Magazine/May-9-2007/The-Fall-of-a-President/ Archived 2008-10-15 at the Wayback Machine (accessed July 2, 2009)
  2. ^ "Clip Syndicate Video: Sellars Leaving Drury". www.clipsyndicate.com. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  3. ^ "Drury University: Drury University's History". Drury University. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
  4. ^ http://www.graceland.edu/GracelandNews-and-Events/news/14711/ (accessed July 2, 2009)
  5. ^ "President of Graceland University to retire next year". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  6. ^ "New president announced for Graceland University". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2018-01-25.