Keynote Speaker: Dr. David Wright
David Wright serves as President of Indiana Wesleyan University. Dr. Wright was Provost and Chief Academic Officer for five years prior to his election as president in May 2013. Previously at Indiana Wesleyan University he served as Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies, Chair of the Department of Graduate Studies in Ministry, and Vice President for Adult and Graduate Studies. He also served as Dean of the School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. He served for seven years in theological education and leadership development capacities in Haiti and England.
In addition to his work in theological and intercultural education, Dr. Wright’s interests are in the areas of social foundations of education as well as international and comparative studies in education. His areas of professional expertise include higher education policy, the design and administration of non-traditional and online programs, and higher education leadership.
Dr. Wright holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University, the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from George Fox University, and the Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation from the University of Kentucky. He has published three books, Finding Freedom From Fear: A Contemporary Study from the Psalms, Wisdom as a Lifestyle: Building Biblical Life-codes, and How God Makes the World a Better Place: A Wesleyan Primer on Faith, Work, and Economic Transformation. He has contributed chapters to several professional books, and has published numerous articles.
Dr. Wright was born and raised in the Philippines by missionary parents. He was 15 years old when his family moved back to the USA. David and his wife Helen, who retired from a nursing career when David became President, have been married since 1977. They have two adult daughters and 4 grandchildren.