The board of trustees for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College approved new faculty members and curriculum updates, heard a variety of positive reports and looked toward the future of the institution during their spring meeting April 14-15.
Trustees approved several recommendations from the committees of the board and heard updates about the school from seminary leadership.
Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College, told the trustees he is not only focusing his efforts on guiding the seminary today, but on setting the seminary up for many years to come.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting things going on at NOBTS and Leavell College, and we’re grateful for that,” Dew said
“For me personally, it feels like I am no longer just leading as President of NOBTS today, but me and my team have also become fixated on the NOBTS of tomorrow. For the last year or so, I have really tried to begin focusing on doing everything we can to set this institution up for long-term viability.”
Presidential report and administrator updates
The trustees began the two-day meeting by hearing a variety of positive updates about the seminary from Dew and other seminary administrators regarding their area of leadership.
Dew informed trustees of four new presidentially-appointed faculty members.
These faculty will serve a two-year period under this presidential appointment and then be eligible for election by the trustees.
Dew then reminded trustees of the transition of Larry Lyon, former senior vice president for business administration and professor of ethics, who began serving as the President of Truett McConnell University April 1.
Dew informed the trustees of several adjustments to the seminary’s staff and administration resulting from Lyon’s transition.
Matt James was named senior vice president for business administration, filling Lyon’s role. James previously served as vice president for enrollment.
Joseph Duke was named associate vice president for enrollment & communications. Duke previously served as director of communications, and Dew explained he will maintain his communications leadership while also taking on the responsibilities of James’ previous role.
James and Duke will serve as members of Dew’s presidential cabinet.
Additionally, the seminary has hired Brian Patrick, a former director of accounting for Shell Oil, as director of business operations. Patrick will help the seminary with its investment strategy among other responsibilities.
Other updates Dew delivered to the trustees included plans for several faculty homes and other campus renovations, continued enrollment growth (particularly in the master's program), various financial updates and a positive update on the seminary’s current accreditation process with SACSCOC.
The seminary welcomed a team of peer evaluators from SACSCOC to campus in early March. Based on their visit, the seminary received 0 recommendations, which is the best possible SACSCOC outcome. The accreditation process is expected to finalize in December with action taken by the SACSCOC Board. The seminary expects to receive reaffirmation of accreditation for another 10 years.
Trustees also heard other positive updates from seminary administrators in the areas of spiritual formation and student life, business administration, academics and fundraising.
Faculty elections, curriculum changes and other recommendations
Trustees approved a variety of recommendations from the committees of the board.
Trustees unanimously approved a budget of $27.17 million for 2026-2027, nearly a 5 percent increase from the previous year’s budget, based upon recommendation from the executive committee.
Based upon recommendation from the academic administration committee, trustees elected six new faculty members who have finished serving their two-year presidential appointment period.
Those faculty members are:
NOBTS Provost Norris Grubbs commented on the appointment of these faculty members.
“We are grateful for the Lord leading these faculty members to NOBTS,” Grubbs said. “This group of faculty comes with significant ministerial experience and scholarly production. We are excited to see how the Lord will use them to prepare servants at NOBTS and Leavell College.”
Trustees also approved 20 new changes to various degree programs based upon recommendation by the same committee.
Trustees approved motions from the audit and investment committee related to the seminary’s investment report and the seminary’s investment policies.
Trustees then approved a motion from the business and administration committee adding members to the seminary’s foundation board.
Officers elected, finishing trustees celebrated
The board was reminded of trustees who rotated off the board after the October 2025 meeting.
Trustees then held elections for officers of the board.
Roc Collins (Tenn.) was elected to the serve as chairman of the board. Reggie Bridges (La.) was elected to serve as vice-chair. Angela Unruh (Colo.) was elected to serve another year as secretary-treasurer.
Trustees then celebrated outgoing trustees for this meeting:
Larry Lyon commended
Trustees also passed a commendation celebrating Larry Lyon for both his service to NOBTS and his appointment as TMU president.
Lyon and his family were given a framed copy of this commendation during NOBTS chapel on Tuesday (April 14).
President Dew lamented that Lyon is leaving but acknowledged this type of transition fulfills the mission of the seminary.
“We’re in the business of training up people and cultivating them into what they’re supposed to be for the Kingdom of God,” Dew said. “It would be a mistake to think that only applies to our students.
“Sometimes it’s our employees, sometimes it’s a faculty member and sometimes it is your right-hand man that you don’t want to lose. But it is nevertheless a great joy to see how God has moved here.”
Lyon addressed the trustees one last time after the commendation was passed.
“This was my dream job,” an emotional Lyon said. “Working with you all, this faculty and this staff is what I always wanted to do. The administrative leaders I’ve worked with are not just great co-workers, but they are some of my best friends.
“This is a special place. Me and my family’s time here has been amazing. It has been a privilege to serve the Lord in a place like this. The Lord has been so kind and I’m thankful.”
The fall meeting of the board of trustees will take place Oct. 5-7.
