President Cureton and his wife, Gayle

Alan S. Cureton, Ph.D
President

Dr. Alan Cureton was inaugurated in January 2002 as the eighth president of Northwestern College. Under his leadership Northwestern College continues the commitment to build the college’s academic, fiscal and program strengths while holding firm to the Christ-centered, biblical foundation upon which Northwestern was founded. Cureton also is president of Northwestern Media, a ministry of Northwestern College, which through 15 owned-and-operated stations broadcasts the truth and love of Jesus Christ through encouraging and uplifting music and solid biblical teaching programs.

Since Cureton’s installation as president, four students have been awarded Fulbright scholarships and in 2008, Dr. Lisanne Winslow (Biology) and Dr. Sally Harris (English) were the first Northwestern College faculty members to be awarded Fulbright Scholar Awards for Research and Lecturing Overseas.

A trajectory of continued growth and expansion has marked Cureton’s tenure since his arrival in 2002. Northwestern has seen an increase in enrollment in all programs and the addition of four undergraduate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. One major building project, the Mel Johnson Media Center, was completed in 2003 and Northwestern is now building the 70,000-square-foot Billy Graham Community Life Commons This facility, named in honor of the college’s second president, will serve as the signature community building on campus, and will contain new dining facilities as well as classrooms, mail center, print shop and offices for student-related services. Funding sources for the building include a $750,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation.

Cureton was instrumental in the creation of NWC’s yearly Faith & Thought Lecture Series where outstanding scholars and thinkers from across the globe and our campus address specific and critical topics regarding our role and responsibilities as global Christians. And it was at his directive that the college redesigned its core curriculum in 2007 with the direct emphasis of a Christ-centered, biblical worldview.

President Cureton has more than 30 years of experience in higher education with a majority in Christ-centered higher education. His love for Christ-centered higher education goes beyond Northwestern. He has served as a trustee and board chair for the U.S. Board for Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya and also an additional role as a Council Member of Daystar University; trustee for Sterling College; Minnesota Prayer Breakfast Committee member; and chair of the President's Council of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. In 2010, Cureton was appointed to a three-year term as a member of the NCAA Division III Chancellors/Presidents Advisory Group.


As an expert in various sectors of Christian higher education, Cureton has frequently served as a keynote or conference speaker for several student affairs and advancement conferences for commissions of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). His deep love for the global Kingdom is reflected in his various speaking engagements in South Korea, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Mongolia, and Northern Ireland. Cureton frequently serves as a consultant for private colleges and universities in the areas of strategic planning, visionary leadership, fiscal strengths, revenue resources and board development.

Cureton earned a bachelor of arts in Bible and Christian education from Sterling College (Kansas). He earned a Ph.D., in history and philosophy of education and also in higher education, from Iowa State University. In 2007, he received the Alumni Achievement Award from Iowa State University, recognizing his meritorious service and distinguished achievements in higher education. During his collegiate undergraduate career, Cureton competed on the gridiron earning all-conference recognition his senior year. He is especially proud of having started and played in every football game throughout his four-year collegiate career.

Cureton has been married to his college sweetheart, Gayle, since 1976. They have three children: Luke (Erin), Rachel, and Michael (Hope) and one grandson, Jack Alan Cureton.