AR Introduction

In every family, every organization, even in nations and civilizations there come times of great change, when the leaders of one generation step aside and the leaders of the next come to the fore. We recall Elijah and Elisha, Moses and Joshua, David and Solomon—so many examples from the Bible—and remember the accomplishments of each. In each case, though, there was a constant: the Lord, who guided both the outgoing and the incoming leaders.

So it is, we trust, with Houghton College. This year marks a generational change, with an outgoing president and board chair and new leaders coming to take their places. No matter who occupies these positions of leadership, however, it is clear that this is the Lord’s college. He guides this institution under the capable hands that he has put in their respective posts.

It is not only at the leadership level that we have experienced change in this past year, however. Change in an organization is as inevitable as elsewhere in life—as the old saying goes: “If you’re not changing, you’re dead.” We are happy to report that Houghton College is alive and quite well, and changing all the time. Departments are rearranged, personnel shifted, buildings added to or updated, their names changed. All of these are signs of growth and health, despite the anxiety that change sometimes brings.

As you read this year’s annual report, we invite you to look for the changes that have taken place in Houghton College this past year, and also to recognize the constants, such as our mission: to prepare scholar-servants to lead and labor in a changing world. Most importantly, we hope you will recognize the work of the Unchanging One, who spans generations—and all of time—and is our Constant in times of change.

Milieu welcomes readers' comments.—Ed.