PatrickVice
Henry
College
President
For Search
Presidential
Enrollment Management
2015
About the College
Patrick Henry College was founded in 2000, with a vision to restore America by educating the best and
the brightest Christian students to take their place as future leaders of the nation and its culture. The
College is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just one hour northwest of Washington,
D.C.
Patrick Henry College believes that
God is the source of all truth, be it
spiritual, moral, philosophical, or
scientific. For this reason, it seeks to
educate students in God's truth
throughout the entire curriculum,
believing that Christian faith and
genuine
learning
cannot
be
separated; neither can Christian faith
be a mere addendum to the liberal
learning process. Instead, Christian
faith precedes and informs all that is
studied, taught, and learned. The curriculum blends the high academic excellence of the classical liberal
arts with the practical methodology of strategic apprenticeships, offering its students major tracks in
Classical Liberal Arts, Economics & Business Analytics, History, Literature, American Politics & Policy,
International Politics & Policy, Political Theory, Strategic Intelligence, and Journalism, with minors in
classics, history, pedagogy, philosophy, and music. A comprehensive, 63-credit core curriculum
rigorously grounds students in the great books of Western Civilization, from Aristotle and Augustine to
Marx and Nietzsche, as well as significant studies in history, philosophy, logic, and the foundations of
freedom. Regardless of major, students are invited to explore the interconnectedness of all the
disciplines, reflecting the truth that in Christ "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).
Within the context of the classical liberal arts, courses emphasize knowledge (grammar), understanding
(logic), and application (rhetoric). Called the trivium, this powerful threefold pedagogical approach is
how Christians systematized and Christianized Greco-Roman liberal education. A PHC student
culminates his or her degree with an apprenticeship that applies the "rhetoric" of creative performance
in the field of study. Because of the proximity to Washington, D.C., many students are offered
internships in the executive branch of government, the U.S. Congress, and an array of think tanks, nonprofits, and various government agencies.
Fall 2014 enrollment was 326 degree-seeking students, most of whom live in residence. The fall-to-fall
retention rate for this past year was a strong 87%. Through a rigorous application process, the students
admitted as first-time freshmen have an unusually high average composite SAT score, ranging from
1283 to 1312 over the past five years. Commencing seniors in May 2014 received a spectacular mean
score of 477.28 on the ETS Proficiency Profile (ETS PP) - the highest mean score of all the 307
participating institutions.
Students participate in an array of intercollegiate scholarship and educational opportunities, including
multiple award-winning delegations at the National Model United Nations and national
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championships with the American Collegiate Moot Court Association. On campus events include daily
chapels, biannual Faith & Reason Lectures, and weekly discussion groups with faculty.
Since its founding in 2000, the College has graduated 651 students. Alumni have attended top-tier law
schools including Harvard, Yale, the College of William & Mary, and Duke, as well as other graduate
schools such as Georgetown, Columbia, Cornell, and Johns Hopkins. Alumni surveyed in 2014, one year
after Commencement, indicate that 82% who applied to a graduate or professional degree program
were accepted to one of their top three desired programs. Recent data provided by an alumni five-year
post B.A. survey indicate that only 1.9% of those graduates were looking for employment and 86.4%
owed no debt for their PHC education.
Vision
The Vision of Patrick Henry College is to aid in the transformation of American society by training
Christian students to serve God and mankind with a passion for righteousness, justice, and mercy,
through careers of public service and cultural influence.
Mission
The Mission of Patrick Henry College is to prepare Christian men and women who will lead our nation
and shape our culture with timeless biblical values and fidelity to the spirit of the American founding.
Educating students according to a classical liberal arts curriculum and training them with apprenticeship
methodology, the College provides academically excellent baccalaureate level higher education with a
biblical worldview.
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Institutional Objectives
The College strives to provide an attractive learning environment, support services, and staff and faculty
to enable students to:
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Understand the principles of the Christian worldview.
Understand the liberal arts and sciences.
Enhance critical thinking and language skills in reading, researching, speaking, and writing.
Integrate the Christian worldview with the study of the liberal arts and sciences.
Develop and apply Christian leadership skills which integrate faith and lifelong learning.
Distinctives
Officially opened in a dedication service on September 30, 2000, Patrick Henry College is a distinctly
Christian institution of higher education based on a vision for the future which draws on America's past.
This includes:
Christian Mission. Patrick Henry College
is committed to higher education as a
Christian mission. The institution is nondenominational, but is grounded in all
areas on the Lordship of Jesus Christ and
a high view of the Word of God. Trustees,
administrators, faculty, staff, and
students share this faith commitment.
Each and every faculty member is pledged
by contract to undergird all of his teaching
with
a
biblical
worldview.
Academic Excellence. Patrick Henry
College promotes academic excellence through the leadership of highly-qualified faculty; a robust
classical liberal arts curriculum with a rigorous common core and upper-division apprenticeships; highcaliber academic facilities; and an outstanding library. Moreover, the college is accredited by a national
institutional accrediting agency.
Financial Independence. As a matter of institutional conviction, Patrick Henry College operates on
the basis of two guiding financial principles. First, the College does not want to be obligated to any
lender and is committed to operating without debt, adding new facilities and programs only as funds
are raised. Second, the College is governed by its Board of Trustees according to its Fundamental
Statements and will not accept any funding, private or governmental, which includes terms which
supersede the Board's authority or conflict with these Fundamental Statements.
Apprenticeship Methodology. In addition to traditional classroom experiences, Patrick Henry
College integrates elements of practical professional experience into its curriculum to prepare
graduates for the realities of the contemporary workplace. For example, the Government major's Public
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Policy track implements apprenticeship methodology through a "directed research" component, which
establishes relationships between some of its students and outside work sites (congressional offices,
political campaigns, etc.), funneling research and writing assignments through faculty members for
hands-on monitoring and mentoring. In the Classical Liberal Arts major, some students have combined
their proficiency in classical language with curriculum development as they wrote an elementary Latin
textbook that they use in teaching 8-to-12-year-old students. Others have interned at museums and
archives.
Virtue-Centered Campus Life. Patrick Henry College strives to assist students in reaching their
highest and best in their relationships with God, their families, and civil society. A two-semester core
curriculum biblical theology course, required chapel attendance, and on-campus Bible studies are
some ways the college promotes students’ sanctification.
Classical Liberal Arts Core Curriculum. Patrick Henry College's general education program
emphasizes a classical approach to liberal arts education, including biblical studies, logic, rhetoric,
philosophy, ancient and modern foreign languages, science, mathematics, Western civilization,
American history, and a study of the great works of Western literature. The majors in the Department
of Classical Liberal Arts continue these studies.
Outreach to Home Educators. Patrick Henry College has designed its programs to resonate with the
values of the Christian home school movement; however, this approach is not meant to exclude
students who have attended public or Christian schools. Patrick Henry College is open to all who share
our values and approach to higher education. The independent thought, creativity, and strong work
ethic which typically characterize home schooled students are hallmarks of Patrick Henry College,
as
well.
Patrick Henry College is very deliberate about a strong integration of faith and academics in an interdenominational setting where learning and worship go hand in hand. The College is enthusiastically
committed to biblical Christianity and welcomes all people who have a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ and who take seriously the claims of the inerrant Word of God. While theologically conservative,
the Statement of Faith is inclusive of many doctrinal and denominational traditions. The faculty and
students are Baptist, Reformed, Charismatic, Pentecostal, Nazarene, and a great variety of other church
traditions. Patrick Henry
College does not take sides
on certain doctrinal matters
that often separate such
groups of believers. Its
students are fully engaged in
robust, informal discussions
on these matters. But the
College itself is neutral on
the doctrinal distinctives
which go beyond the points
covered in the Statement of
Faith and are outside the
mission of the College.
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The Opportunity
The greatest thing about Patrick Henry College is its future. The next president will have the opportunity
to lead a college with a well-established platform, founded upon the great idea that liberty comes when
articulate Christians courageously stand for what is right. This leader will be the champion of a positive
idealism that is shared among constituents who dream of
developing an academic institution of significance, a place
where the thinking of future leaders will be shaped. The 15year old college has established a solid foundation of
academic excellence in its young history and is now ready to
fully accomplish its purpose and produce at its full potential.
The Board of Trustees is looking for a president who will
respect the college's history, while casting a vision for a new
and significant future. The opportunity is present to impact
the college's trajectory by increasing enrollment, growing the
endowment and broadening the donor base in order to
secure the financial viability of an institution that hopes to
lead the nation and shape the culture.
Characteristics
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Is a committed Christian, demonstrating a daily walk with God.
Has credibility in academia along with business acumen.
Is passionate about classical education.
Has a proven track record in fundraising and development.
Is driven, focused and decisive, working hard to get things done.
Innovates with a courageous, entrepreneurial spirit.
Communicates well on the platform and on paper.
Is comfortable in a variety of settings from meeting with the Board to dining with students.
Is inspirational and motivational bringing excitement and energy to all stakeholders.
Has the ability to articulate the college's values with grace as an expression of Christian love.
Has strong interpersonal skills with a natural engagement of people, including the ability to
recruit and retain students.
Listens well, conveying respect and allowing others to be heard and understood.
Cares for and prays for others.
Is humbly present, willing to share the spotlight.
Lives in the world of ideas.
Helps others envision the future. Thinks strategically.
Ph.D. preferred
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Responsibilities
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 Stay true to the foundational core values by fully adhering to these Fundamental Statements,
which can be found at https://www.phc.edu/fundamental.php:
o Statement of Faith,
o Statement of Biblical Worldview,
o Christian Philosophy of Education.
 Represent the College theologically, academically and socially with grace and a generosity of
spirit.
 Implement the long range plans of the Board of Trustees through the exercise of executive
authority over strategic decisions.
 Maintain high academic standards while increasing enrollment.
 Project a clear and positive image of the college with a focus on branding and marketing.
 Respect and continue to serve the home school movement, while expanding the student
profile.
 Provide leadership both internally and externally by building bridges, seeing the
interconnectedness and finding that common ground.
 Foster community by being a team leader and a team builder.
 Practice civility through respectful and gracious interactions.
 Strive for regional accreditation.
 Increase revenues through fundraising, focusing on growth of endowment and student
scholarships.
 Host events to attract and market to donors.
Application and Nominations
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but those received by April 15, 2015 will be given
full consideration. Inquiries, application and nominations for the position should be directed to
CarterBaldwin Executive Search. Applicants should submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:
[email protected]
OR
CONTACT:
Price Harding
Partner
678-448-0015
[email protected]
Debby White, Ph.D.
Consultant
678-448-0002
[email protected]`