FaithSearch Partners is pleased to congratulate Dr. Nathan Lane on his appointment as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at Howard Payne University (HPU). In September 2024, HPU engaged FaithSearch to conduct a national search for this key leadership role following the retirement announcement of Dr. Donnie Auvenshine.
Dr. Lane brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience from Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), where he most recently served as Associate Provost and Dean of the Catherine T. MacArthur School. Since joining PBA in 2007, Dr. Lane has demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence, curriculum development, and faculty leadership.
A dedicated scholar and servant leader, Dr. Lane holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Baylor University, along with graduate degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Lee University. His alignment with HPU’s mission and values was evident throughout the search process, and we are confident he will be a tremendous asset to the university’s future. Jacqueline Gustafson, Vice President of Higher Education with FaithSearch Partners, shared that “it was a joy working with Dr. Lane in this process. From the beginning, he demonstrated a wonderful combination of calling and competency. This is a fantastic season for Dr. Lane to join HPU in this significant leadership role.”
Dr. Lane, his wife Kristi, and their three children will be relocating to Texas, with his official start date set for July 1, 2025.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Lane and to the Howard Payne University community on this exciting new chapter!
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Founded in 2007, FaithSearch Partners is the premier executive search firm in the U.S. focusing exclusively on serving faith-based educational institutions, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, ministries, and faith-oriented businesses. Based in Dallas with locations in Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Asheville, Durango, Redding, Rochester, and Tyler, FaithSearch is able to serve faith-based clients in all regions.
