Students, Board, Mills welcome King's sixth president

To a room of almost a hundred King's staff and students, The King's College Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Gregory Alan Thornbury has accepted the position of the sixth President of The King's College July 11. "We have the right college, at the right time, with the right programs... in the right place," he said in his inaugural speech. King's majors, he said, "are those disciplines that liberate people."

Previously, Dr. Thornbury worked as a professor of Philosophy and held titles of Dean of the School of Theology & Missions and Vice President for Spiritual Life at Union University in Tennessee.

He emphasized what he believes to be the college's responsibility, saying King's in NYC is an idea that is "too good to fail. No one else besides us will get a chance to try this again. We must get this right."

Board member and peer-proclaimed prayer warrior Allie Hanley affirms his vision for the future. "When we were interviewing [Thornbury], I don't think anyone was not fully attentive," she said.

"I believe he is uniquely prepared for such a time as this. He's magnetic, he is inspirational, and he is very bright," she said.

Many King's students concurred. "I've never heard of a history of Christian colleges in NYC coupled with the mission of King's in such an inspiring way that reminded me of why I came to King's," Lucinda Sweazey ('15) said.

"He looks like King's, he sounds like King's, he talks like King's, he believes in King's,"  Maxine Fileta ('15) said.

Alumnus Jonathan Sargent tweeted: "he's adorable. he's cute. he's perfect!"

Senior CarolAnne Ausband appreciates his academic experience, which she said is unique for a King's president.

Interim President Andy Mills agreed: "I think I can say very clearly...that Greg Thornbury is the right man for the job," he said in his introduction this morning.

King's actively searched for a new president since the resignation of Dinesh D'Souza in October of 2012.

Thornbury holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ken.), a Bachelor of Arts degree from Messiah College (Penn.), and completed additional graduate study at Green College, Oxford.

According to a release sent by Dean Leedy to the student body, Thornbury also holds positions of Senior Fellow for The Kairos Journal and theological editor for Biblemesh.com. He has authored Recovering Classic Evangelicalism: Applying the Wisdom and Vision of Carl F. H. Henry, as well as numerous book chapters, opinion pieces, and critical essays.

On a more casual note, Dr. Thornbury might be the most hip president that The King's College has followed yet. Never seen without a bowtie and friendly round glasses, Thornbury has developed his own Cargo website, filled with a brief CV and select philosophical ramblings. He tweets regularly @greg_thornbury and regularly updates his Facebook profile.

Thornbury's wife of 20 years, Kimberly, has experience with students as well: she served as Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Students at Union University. The family has  two daughters, Katherine and Carolyn.

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Keep an eye out for an upcoming interview with President Thornbury next week!