Glen Werner, Briercrest College and Seminary’s board chairman, is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael B. Pawelke has been chosen as Briercrest’s next president.

“We are excited that Dr. Pawelke has agreed to be our next president,” Werner said. “We were looking for a man who shares Briercrest's ethos and mission and also understands both the value of Briercrest’s strong academics and the unique relationship we have with the church. He is a gifted leader, a wonderful orator and a man with a servant heart. We are blessed to have him lead us forward.”

Pawelke comes to Briercrest after serving for 19 years as a senior pastor in Ontario. During that time he has also been an adjunct professor at Briercrest and an instructor at McMaster Divinity College in Ontario. He received his Bachelor of Religious Education degree from Briercrest, his MA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and his D. Min. from the U.S. based Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

He will begin his presidency April 29, 2013 and an installation ceremony is being planned for the fall.

“I am deeply honoured to be invited to serve as President of Briercrest College and Seminary and it is with gratitude, humility, and joy that I accept this invitation,” Pawelke wrote to the board of directors. “Briercrest has a rich heritage serving the mission of Christ on the Canadian landscape for over 75 years. It is with passion and conviction that I will embrace the responsibility of continuing to honour this testimony and seek to advance its mission.”

Pawelke also looks forward to building on the efforts of out-going president Dr. Dwayne Uglem and will be continuing to seek expanded degree-granting status.

“I am looking forward to working with the Saskatchewan government,” he said. “We have an outstanding academic curriculum and I am confident that they will see that Briercrest’s contribution to the educational landscape will be meaningful.”

Media requests: For more information or to arrange a phone interview with Dr. Pawelke or Chairman Werner, please contact June Clark at 306-631-2712. Dr. Pawelke is also willing to schedule in-person interviews after April 29th.

Dr. Pawelke’s bio, introductory videos and personal vision statement can be found at www.briercrest.ca/president