Wayland Baptist University President Bobby Hall announces retirement after lengthy career
PLAINVIEW — Wayland Baptist University President Bobby Hall on Friday announced his plans to retire next summer, capping off a 42-year career at Wayland including eight years as the university's chief executive.
Hall's retirement will take effect June 30, 2024.
The announcement spurs an extensive presidential search, which began earlier this year after Hall shared his plans with the school's board of trustees in January and faculty and staff in April.
Hall has served in a number of positions during his lengthy career at Wayland, including as a professor of business, and most recently as executive vice president and provost before being named president in 2016, succeeding Paul Armes.
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“An early influence in my life advised me to ‘find a great cause and lose your life in it.’ I was blessed to find that calling and do just that at Wayland for more than four decades,” Hall said in a news release.
During his presidential tenure, Hall has secured new buildings and infrastructure, restored and renovated existing assets, added athletic and academic programs, increased fundraising and revamped recruitment and marketing, according to the news release.
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“(Hall) has brought tenacity, innovation, and leadership to the many roles he’s held across the organization, including his eight years as president of the university,” said Mark Jones, president of Wayland's board of trustees. “With his guidance, Wayland has successfully navigated the dynamically changing world of higher education, helping the university to prosper well into its second century.”
But Hall has also faced criticism from Wayland stakeholders during his presidency for declining enrollment, abandoned academic programs, faculty layoffs and athletic shortcomings.
Under Hall's administration, the university scrapped a number of fine arts programs in 2020, including its award-winning band, theater and opera programs, citing decreased enrollment. The school also cut the geology degree and competitive cheer and dance and closed several external campuses.
The following year, Wayland's volleyball team forfeited 30 of its 34 season matches — including 21 wins — due to NAIA player elligibility issues.
Nonetheless, Hall looks forward to the university's future.
“Wayland’s greatest asset has always been its people. No matter their campus location, they are just outstanding, genuine, hardworking, Christian people, and it has been a privilege to serve alongside them,” Hall said. “Wayland has been my life and I will continue to pray for its people, its new leadership, and its mission. I have no doubt that God will continue to use our university in mighty ways.”
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Wayland Baptist University President Bobby Hall announces retirement
