Richard Melson Email Address

President and Professor of Leadership

Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered, caring academic community preparing students to be servant leaders in a global society. SBU is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.

Dr. Melson brings more than 30 years of transformational leadership to SBU’s administrative team serving as SBU’s 26th president. He has a passion for equipping the next generation of servant leaders to impact the world for Jesus Christ. He joins SBU from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, where he served as Vice President for Advancement and Associate Professor of Business Administration since July 2016. Accomplishments while at Cedarville University include: -Leading a $125 million comprehensive campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in Cedarville University's history -Securing the largest gift commitments in Cedarville University history, including a $12 million lead gift for a Welcome Center and Liberal Arts Building and a $10 million lead gift for a new Business Building -Raising more than $95 million in two years, more than the previous 15 years of giving combined He also served on the President’s Cabinet and enjoyed teaching leadership to Cedarville’s students in the School of Business Administration, speaking in chapel, and mentoring students across campus. Dr. Melson served as the Vice President for Advancement and External relations at Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., from 2012-2016. Accomplishments at Houghton College include: -Providing leadership to the institution's $70 million campaign -Leading the college to the highest giving in its history -Raising more than $34.1 million in four years, more than the previous 7 years of giving combined -Leading his team to raise more than $1.1 million in one day, with 1,737 donors giving during a One Day Giving Challenge, garnering national recognition Dr. Melson has served in senior leadership positions in business, healthcare, higher education, and ministry, including serving on the pastoral staff with John Piper at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn., and at the Resurgence and Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Wash. He served previously as Director of Admissions and Student Recruitment with Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his doctoral degree in leadership studies from Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Melson holds a master’s degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor of arts degree from Murray State University. He also has completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education in educational management and advancement leadership.