Christian News: Various

Dr. Carol Taylor, Acting President of Vanguard, just sent an email to Vanguard Alumni regarding the reaccreditation process with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).  The email acknowledges "significant challenges" but also points out WASC's positive comments about the school.  Dr. Taylor has established an emergency fund to help current students that are in need, asking Alumni to contribute, and a website where she will provide regular updates on the accreditation process.

Full text:

Dear Valued Alumni,

As you have likely heard, I have recently been appointed Acting President at Vanguard University. I am writing to you, by way of introduction, to provide you with some updates about Vanguard. I came to Vanguard in the fall of 2007 as Provost with a sense of calling to Christian higher education. During my short time here, I have grown to love the Vanguard Community with its committed faculty and staff and wonderful alumni and students. It was a pleasure to join many of you this past weekend at some of our homecoming events. Connecting with our alums was such a tangible reminder of Vanguard's rich heritage, and I was reminded, once again, of the value of a Vanguard education.

I wanted to let you know that Vanguard is in the midst of its normal reaccreditation process with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The university remains accredited and continues to invest in the lives of our students. Through this process the WASC Visiting Team expressed a number of serious concerns and made recommendations for changes in order to strengthen Vanguard. We are working aggressively to respond to all concerns and recommendations. I am committed to keeping communication open and providing updates to our alumni community. To that end, we've put a link on our website entitled "Message from the President" at www.vanguard.edu . It includes recent updates, and we will continue to keep this site current as there is news to share. I encourage you to visit our website to get the most accurate and timely information.

The WASC Team also commended Vanguard's faculty and staff for "their commitment to Vanguard as an educational institution with a specific faith-based mission and identity, and the care with which they work to advance learning and good character of their students." They also expressed confidence in the capability of the new vice presidents as a group to effectively lead the day-to-day operations of Vanguard.

Nonetheless, Vanguard is facing significant challenges, which are heightened by a national recession that threatens the ability of some of our students to continue their education here at Vanguard. I have recently established an emergency fund to help students in need. If you have the ability to give and bless future Vanguard alumni, I would ask that you consider making a gift to the student scholars hip fund. You can make a gift online using a credit card, or you can contact our Annual Fund Director at (714) 556-3610, X2012.

I take this new responsibility as Acting President with utmost seriousness and am confident in the commitment within Vanguard's community to work in partnership to ensure a strong future for Vanguard. I have seen a fresh resolve at every level to build on the heritage of an institution that has a rich legacy of serving our students well and producing graduates who live out Vanguard's mission of Christian leadership and service around the globe. This is also a season in which your support and prayer are both needed and appreciated. If you have further questions, please contact us at (714) 556-3610 X 4019. I look forward to serving you.

In His Service,

Carol Taylor, Ph.D
Acting President

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