Episode 107: How a Christian leads a big, secular state university (Dr. Bill Pink, president, Ferris State University)
Description
Dr. Bill Pink, a Church of Christ lifer (and outstanding song leader) is president of 10,000-student Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.
In this episode, he talks about how he practices Christianity while being a faithful public steward of a secular, tax-funded university where all faiths (and no faiths) have a place. Dr. Pink:
- Talks about the trends that are shaping higher education in the 21st century (and how universities like Ferris State might respond)
- Why Christians have a place (and, indeed, a Commission) to study and work at public universities
- Argues against Christians in places of public authority using that authority to "mandate" Christianity
- Makes the case that his generation of Christians may owe future generations an apology for failing at civility and kindness
- Explains how he can be supportive of professors and students whose beliefs and practices are not in line with his own Christian beliefs and practices
- Talks about how he and his administration are preparing for the possibility that the federal government may try to deport Ferris State employees and students
Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s profile of Church of Christ member Ryan Walters, superintendent of public instruction for the state of Oklahoma, referenced in this interview
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