Union College president to take pastoral position. David Smith, president of Union College, has announced that he will leave Union at the end of June to move to Tennessee where he and his wife, Cherie, will join the pastoral team of the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church.

David and Cherie, currently a pastor at the College View Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lincoln, have served Union College for 13 years. “We had hoped and prayed to remain at Union College until retirement,” David said. “But Cherie and I have always done what God convicted us to do. That is why we came to Union College 13 years ago. And that is why we are moving to Tennessee this summer.”

Under Smith’s leadership, Union College has seen enrollment peak at more than 1000 students for the first time in 24 years; the construction of the Ortner Center, Union’s conference center and student dining facility; and the launch and development of two highly successful programs: Master of Physician Assistant Studies and international rescue and relief.

“It has been such a blessing to work with all the wonderful people at Union College and see how God has blessed this campus over the past 13 years,” he said. “I have every confidence that Union continue will continue to grow and to offer a high quality, spiritually-based educational experience.”

“Dr. Smith’s leadership over the past 13 years has been very valuable and will be greatly missed,” said Tom Lemon, chair of the Union College Board of Trustees and president of the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “The Union College board and administrative team have a strong commitment to move forward with the vision and future plans that have been established under his guidance.”

The Union College Board of Trustees has begun the search process to appoint a new president.

Union College offers active learning in a vibrant Christian atmosphere where students are empowered to lead. Founded in 1891 by the Seventh-day Adventist church, Union is an accredited, comprehensive college and a member of the Nebraska Independent College Foundation. Union enrolls 900 students from 45 states and 23 countries. The campus, 50 acres of tree-covered property in southeast Lincoln, Neb., is a part of the statewide arboretum system.