WINONA LAKE — Grace College President Dr. Bill Katip announced his retirement to the staff of Grace College & Seminary in mid-December.
Katip wrote the following in a note to campus: “In September 2021, I announced my plan to retire in June 2022. Less than a month later, I had a stroke. I am making great progress physically, but at the recommendation of my doctors, I announce my retirement as president as of December 16, 2021.”
Katip will continue in the role of senior advisor through the upcoming presidential transition and the 2022-23 school year, according to a news release from Grace College. Katip’s tenure has been marked by several groundbreaking initiatives including an accelerated three-year bachelor’s degree program, a four-year bachelor’s and master’s program and Deploy — Grace’s competency-based seminary program.
As a result of these initiatives, and more, Katip has led the school through some historic milestones, including Aspire, its $40 million comprehensive campaign and recruiting the school’s largest-ever incoming class of students for the 2021-22 school year.
“On behalf of the board of trustees, let me express how fortunate we are for Dr. Katip’s collaborative leadership over the years,” said Daniel Renner, chair of the Grace College and Seminary Board of Trustees. “We are praying for his full recovery and we are thankful he will be involved in the role of senior advisor.”
The Grace College & Seminary Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. John Teevan to serve as interim president as of Jan. 1, 2022.
Teevan has taught a variety of courses at Grace since 2000. His life of ministry has included two senior pastorates at the Grace Brethren Church in Ashland, Ohio, and Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church in Winona Lake. He also spent 12 years working for Grace College in the Indiana State Prison system as an educator and director.
Teevan has a Doctorate of Ministry and a Master’s of Divinity from Grace Theological Seminary and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Princeton University.
“We are thankful John is willing to step into this interim role during this critical leadership transition,” said Renner. “John’s understanding of the Grace culture provides the stable leadership presence we need right now. His engagement with the Charis Fellowship of churches and involvement with the local community ensures we stay connected to vital partners.”
“I am honored to serve my alma mater for this interim period,” said Teevan. “Bill Katip is a friend and has been a wonderful president for Grace. I have had a front seat to watch his innovative and collaborative approach to education – and it has truly been remarkable. We both love Grace, and following him is an honor.”
“I am very supportive of the decision to name John as interim,” Katip stated. “I’ve gotten to know John as a friend and colleague over the years, and he has my complete confidence and support.”
The Grace trustees initiated a national search for their next president earlier this fall through CarterBaldwin Executive Search. The search is on schedule with an expected presidential announcement before the end of the 2021-22 school year.
Katip’s initial retirement announcement from Sept. 20 can be found at www.grace.edu/grace-college-seminary-president-dr-bill-katip-announces-retirement/.
