Myers McRae Finds 23rd President for Judson College

April 19, 2019 – After a year-long national search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting recruited W. Mark Tew as the 23rd president of Judson College, a private Baptist women’s college in Marion, AL. He replaced David E. Potts, who served as president from 1990 until 2018. Emily Myers, CEO of the search firm, led the assignment.

From the pool of more than 60 applicants, the committee selected five highly qualified candidates for in-person interviews. Dr. Tew was unanimously chosen as the nominee in March.

“I am delighted that the board of trustees accepted the committee’s recommendation to call Dr. Tew as the college’s new president,” said Jimmy Sanford, chair of the presidential search committee and long-serving trustee. Daphne Rudicell Robinson, Judson alumna, search committee member and vice chair of the board of trustees, said that “Dr. Tew clearly emerged as the right person at the right time”, citing his “experience in higher education and love of the Perry County community” as “invaluable” characteristics of the incoming president.

Dr. Tew has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Howard Payne University since 2007, supervising areas that include academic advising, institutional research and effectiveness, library and information technology services, and enrollment management. Under his leadership, the university added pre-licensure a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree and post-licensure RN to BSN programs, the bachelor of science in engineering science, and five master’s degree programs, including the master of education in leadership, master of business administration and master of arts in theology and ministry.

Returning Home

Dr. Tew began his career in higher education as a religion professor at Judson College in 1987. He received the Lula and Alton Holley Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching, an award given by graduating seniors to the faculty member who has most enriched their academic experience at Judson, only two years later. In the 20 years that followed, he would serve as chief finance officer, chief development officer and chief academic officer.

“Ann (wife) and I are deeply honored to be asked to return to Alabama and render service to Judson College, Alabama Baptists and the Kingdom of God,” said Dr. Tew. “It will be our privilege to work on behalf of Judson’s distinguished alumnae and talent-laden students to accomplish the vital task of Christ-centered higher education. I am humbled by this extraordinary opportunity and eagerly anticipate working with the college’s dedicated and loyal trustees, faculty and administrative personnel.”

Judson College is a private Baptist women’s college and the fifth-oldest women’s college in the U.S., having been founded by members of Siloam Baptist Church in 1838. Judson was named after Ann Hasseltine Judson, the first female foreign missionary from the U.S. to Burma (now Myanmar). It has been affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention throughout its history and is funded by the convention.

Education Recruiters

Myers McRae serves colleges, universities, independent schools and other not-for-profit institutions. Nearly all of its search professionals have a minimum of 20 years of experience in higher education. The majority of the firm’s searches have been for presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans and other senior academic and administrative leaders. Myers McRae recently placed the president of the University of Charleston (WV), provost and dean at the Citadel and director of development at Piedmont College, among other roles.


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Ms. Myers has led Myers McRae since 2008. As the firm’s executive officer, she has broadened the firm’s scope and modernized processes, emphasizing responsiveness, timeliness, effectiveness and affordability. While utilizing new technology in the executive search process, Ms. Myers said she remains committed to the firm having person-to-person connections with candidates and that clients stay at the center of every search.

Known for her leadership expertise and commitment to excellence, Ms. Myers brings to the firm’s searches her extensive firsthand knowledge and experience in higher education administration. For most of her career, she served as senior vice president of university advancement and external affairs at Mercer University.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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