Dr. David Johnson, Interim President.
The Board of Governors of Providence University College and Theological Seminary has appointed long-time faculty administrator, Dr. David Johnson, as Interim President and CEO, beginning with the retirement of President August Konkel on June 30, 2012.
Providence is a Christian academic community which consists of a university college of 280 students and a seminary of 180 students. It is located in Otterburne, Manitoba, 30 minutes south of Winnipeg.
Johnson is currently Executive Vice President and Provost. He is the leader of the executive team with primary responsibility for the internal operations of the institution. He also is the chair of the Faculty Senate. He is a member of the Board of Governors and offers management support to the Board Leadership Committee and the Board Governance Committee. He teaches in the area of New Testament and lectures in Doctor of Ministry classes. He is a member of Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church and preaches and teaches frequently there and in other local venues. He has served on various committees of the Evangelical Free Church of Canada.
Johnson came to Providence to teach New Testament in the Seminary in 1990. Prior to that, he earned an undergraduate degree in economics at the University of Minnesota and a Master of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. Johnson is ordained by the Evangelical Free Church and was a pastor in southern Minnesota from 1980 to 1987. In 1992 he was awarded his Ph.D. in theological studies from Trinity International University in Chicago with D. A. Carson as his dissertation director. During his Ph.D. studies he taught Bible at Trinity College and Greek at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
At Providence Johnson began as assistant professor and was appointed Professor in 2000. In 2002 he was appointed Dean of the Seminary. He became Executive Vice President and Provost in 2007. He has published a number of journal articles, book reviews, and dictionary articles. Since becoming Executive Vice President, Johnson has overseen the reorganization of the Board (2009) and the founding of the Providence Faculty Senate (2010).
“I am excited for this opportunity to help Providence take the next steps in its growth,” said Johnson. “President Konkel has done a marvelous job of gaining recognition for Providence undergraduates, culminating in the addition of university to the Providence name. He has widened and deepened the network of Providence supporters in education and government circles. We are most grateful for his timely leadership.”
Johnson says, “Providence has a great Board of Governors and an experienced and successful Cabinet. We have a stellar faculty and competent support staff. I can’t think of a better group of people with whom to work. Providence is in a great position to move forward in teaching people to grow in knowledge and character for leadership and service.”
Board chair Dr. Roger Gingerich said, “I am looking forward to working with Dr. Johnson as together we transition Providence toward new leadership.”
Johnson is married and lives in Steinbach, Manitoba. He has three married children and four grandchildren.
