Dr. Jon Chasteen Named University President

The King’s University (TKU) is pleased to announce the Board of Trustees’ appointment of Dr. Jon Chasteen as the University’s next president, effective July 1, 2018. Dr. Chasteen comes to TKU from Victory Church in Oklahoma City, where he has served in pastoral ministry since 2011.

The Presidential Search Committee, together with the Gateway Church Board of Elders, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, and the entire Board of Trustees broadly and unanimously approved Dr. Chasteen after a search process that took place over the 2017-18 academic year. Included in his unanimous approval were votes from TKU Founder Jack Hayford, Chancellor Robert Morris, and Board Chair Kevin Grove.

Dr. Chasteen is uniquely qualified to serve TKU in this role as he brings with him a broad background of experience in both pastoral and educational leadership. His career in higher education began in 2004 at his alma mater, Southwestern Christian University (SCU), where he served as Vice President for Advancement. In 2011 he accepted a call to pastoral ministry and joined the Executive Team at Victory Church, serving as Campus Pastor at their Edmond, Oklahoma, location. In 2014 he became the Lead Pastor. During these years of leadership within a thriving local church, he has also served SCU as a member of the executive committee of their board of trustees.

TKU’s Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. David Cole, who has served as Interim President in recent months, welcomes Dr. Chasteen with great enthusiasm. “I know Dr. Chasteen is God’s appointed leader for this season at TKU, and I can’t wait for us to get started with him as he joins this community and leads us into a great future. He comes highly regarded by Christian leaders across the region and will build bridges of connection and collaboration between TKU and Gateway Church from his unique perspective and experience. Let’s get excited and be prayerful, because we’re in for a great adventure together!”

Dr. Chasteen graduated from Southwestern Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Human and Family Services. He was a student-athlete on the men’s basketball team at SCU, won three national titles, and in 2008 was inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame. Dr. Chasteen went on to earn a Master of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Doctor of Education from Oral Roberts University. His doctoral research on university relations focused on preferred communication with alumni by generation.

Posted June 25, 2018