President Alan S. Cureton, Ph.D.

About President Cureton

Since his arrival as Northwestern’s eighth president in January 2002, Alan S. Cureton, Ph.D., has led the college to growth in academic excellence and fiscal health while holding firmly to Northwestern’s Christ-centered, biblical foundation.

He is deeply committed to the students of Northwestern and embraces opportunities to interact with them on campus, in chapel, and even in his home as he and his wife, Gayle, frequently invite students to pizza suppers. He has an uncanny ability to remember names and encourages students whenever he can.

Dr. Cureton also serves as president of Northwestern Media, a ministry of Northwestern College. The media ministry broadcasts the truth and love of Jesus Christ—on the air and worldwide over the Internet—through 15 radio stations that offer encouraging and uplifting music, biblical teaching and dynamic listener engagement.

Growth and Expansion

Northwestern has seen a nearly 30 percent increase in total enrollment under Dr. Cureton’s leadership, plus the addition of several undergraduate degrees and the establishment of the Center for Graduate Studies in 2005—now offering five master's degree programs.

Two major building projects, the Mel Johnson Media Center (2003) and the 70,000-square-foot Billy Graham Community Life Commons (2011) were completed during Dr. Cureton’s presidency.

The innovative renovation of Riley Hall, which included turning a gymnasium into two levels of classroom, lab and office space, took place under Dr. Cureton’s watch in 2004. The project also made the 1960s-era building handicap-accessible for the first time.

Hallmarks of Excellence

Dr. Cureton’s tenure has included an increase in faculty scholarship. Notable faculty accomplishments include:

• Walter Schultz, Ph.D., (Philosophy): Selected as a Staley Distinguished Scholar, recognizing his work on Christian responses to market economics and poverty.
• Joanna Klein, Ph.D., (Biology): Collaborator in the Undergraduate Research Program in Microbial Genome Annotation, run through the Genome Institute of the U.S. Department of Energy.
• W. Edward Glenny, Th.D., Ph.D., (Biblical & Theological Studies): Awarded the college’s first J. Edwin Hartill Endowed Professorship, designed to stimulate scholarship and enrich the learning experiences of students.
• Jonathan Den Hartog, Ph.D., (History): Named Visiting Fellow at Princeton University with the James Madison Program for American Ideals and Institutions.

Since 2006, seven students have received Fulbright scholarships and in 2008, Lisanne Winslow, Ph.D. (Biology) and Sally Harris Ph.D., (English) were awarded Fulbright Scholar Awards for Research and Lecturing Overseas.

At Dr. Cureton’s initiative, in 2007 the college redesigned its core curriculum with comprehensive emphasis on a Christ-centered, biblical worldview.

Service and Influence

With more than 30 years in higher education, Dr. Cureton’s service to the community and other institutions allows him to bring a broad perspective to his leadership. His involvement outside of Northwestern has included a variety of roles:

• Trustee and board chair for the U.S. Board for Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya
• Council Member of Daystar University
• Trustee for Sterling College (Kansas)
• Member, Minnesota Prayer Breakfast Committee
• Chair of the President's Council of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference
• Member, NCAA Division III Chancellors/Presidents Advisory Group
• Member, NCAA Division III Presidents Council
• Board Member, Minnesota Campus Compact

His expertise in various sectors of higher education makes him a sought-after keynote and conference speaker and he has offered insight through keynotes for student affairs and advancement conferences for commissions of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). He has also been a featured speaker at engagements in South Korea, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Mongolia, and Northern Ireland.

Dr. Cureton serves on Higher Learning Commission evaluation teams and with his strengths in the areas of strategic planning, visionary leadership, fiscal health, revenue resources and board development, he serves as a consultant for private colleges and universities.

In 2007, Dr. Cureton received the Alumni Achievement Award from Iowa State University, recognizing his meritorious service and distinguished achievements in higher education.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Christian education —Sterling College (Kansas)
• Ph.D. in history and philosophy of education and higher education — Iowa State University
• Advanced Certificate in Peer Review — Higher Learning Commission

Personal Life

During his collegiate undergraduate career, Dr. Cureton played varsity football, 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.

Dr. Cureton has been married to his college sweetheart, Gayle, since 1976. They have three children: Luke (Erin), Rachel (Ben), and Michael (Hope). The delight in their lives currently is being grandparents. They have four grandchildren: Jack Alan Cureton, Isabelle Rose Cureton, Anna Kay Caldwell (deceased) and Micah Stevens Cureton.

A Month in the Life of Our President

The fall 2012 Pilot, the magazine of Northwestern College, features "Following a Leader," a look at a month in the life of President Alan Cureton.

Catch a personal glimpse into some of the events that have shaped Dr. Cureton's life in "Twists in the Road: Moments that define and refine the heart of a leader,"