Drake Named President of Central Methdodist University

A screen shot of Roger Drake's introduction to the Central Methodist (Mo.)
University community.

FAYETTE, Mo. -- Lindsey Wilson College Vice President for Administration & Finance Roger Drake was named Friday the next president of Central Methodist (Mo.) University. He will assume the office July 1.

Drake, who has been Lindsey Wilson's chief financial officer since 2004, will become the 26th president in Central Methodist's 159-year history.

Drake's appointment was announced and he was introduced by the Central Methodist Board of Trustees at a campus assembly Friday afternoon. Drake will replace Marianne Inman, who will retire in June after 18 years as CMU president.

"I am honored to be chosen as the next president of Central Methodist University," Drake said. "It is my hope that the institutional momentum created under President Inman's leadership can continue far into the future. (My wife) Judy and I are excited about this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students."

LWC hopes to find Drake's successor by July 1, according to LWC President William T. Luckey Jr.

"Although I am sad to see Roger leave Lindsey Wilson, I am excited for this new professional opportunity in his life," Luckey said. "The fact that a well-respected sister institution selected a Lindsey Wilson person for its next leader speaks volumes about this school's growing reputation in the higher education community."

Central Methodist is a private college similar to Lindsey Wilson -- it is located in a rural setting, it has a large residential student population, and it has vibrant off-campus programs. Lindsey Wilson has an enrollment of 2,677, 1,100 of which live on campus; Central Methodist expects to enroll about 5,600 students this fall, 1,200 of which will live on campus.

"We expect the higher education environment to experience many challenges and changes in the immediate future," said Glenn Cox, chair of the CMU Board of Trustees and of the Presidential Search Committee. "Dr. Drake's business experience, coupled with his academic accomplishments, makes him an excellent choice to lead Central Methodist University during such a period as we continue to excel and grow."

Drake came to Lindsey Wilson in 2004 after working for 12 years in the mining industry. During his more than eight years at LWC, the college enjoyed one of its most successful periods:

* enrollment increased from 1,851 in 2004 to its current record 2,677;

* LWC enrolled its largest and most talented freshman class in college history this school year;

* LWC's number of full-time faculty increased by 100 percent, and the instructional budget increased by more than 200 percent;

* since 2005, LWC underwent a $39.6 million capital expansion that included a science center, nursing and counseling education center, health-and-wellness center, two residence halls, a tennis complex, and a 20-acre sports park that includes a football/track-and-field stadium, baseball park and softball field.

Drake attended Lees (Ky.) Junior College, received a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Eastern Kentucky University, and a master of business administration and doctor of education from Vanderbilt University.

From 1992 to 2004 he was vice president of finance for AAA Mine Service, Inc. in Hazard, Ky.  Drake was vice president for business affairs at Lees College from 1989 to 1992.