A Visionary Leader Retiring
McMurry University’s 10th President, Dr. Sandra S. Harper, announced her retirement on March 8, 2024. She has served McMurry for a combined total of more than 20 years, assuming the role of president in 2013. Her determination, vision, and courage have positioned McMurry for continued growth into the University’s second century.
As president, she led the University’s progress, enriching campus life through infrastructure initiatives, including expanding the Garrison Campus Center, building the Edwards Field softball stadium, and adding new on-campus apartments (Centennial Commons). In 1989, she oversaw McMurry College’s transition to McMurry University as a faculty member.
Dr. Harper’s impact will be felt in the coming years, spearheaded by developing and adopting the University’s new strategic plan, The Second Century: 2023-2030.
Search for McMurry's 11th President Launches
The search firm EFL Associates of Kansas City, Missouri, is conducting a nationwide search for a successor to Dr. Harper. The presidential search will officially launch on May 6, 2024, with the public posting of the position.
The presidential search committee members will work throughout the summer months to recommend two or three finalists, from whom the McMurry University Board of Trustees will choose a new president this fall.
Dr. Harper’s final day as president of McMurry University will be January 10, 2025, and the new president’s tenure will begin immediately after that date.
Confidential Inquiries:
Steve Waldron, J.D.
Managing Director, Higher Education Practice, EFL Associates
Kansas City, Missouri
SWaldron@eflassociates.com or call 816-945-5423 (direct)
Search Questions & Nominations:
Nominations for the position are welcome and encouraged. If you wish to submit a nomination, please send all relevant information, including the nominee’s email address and phone number to:
Edith Ketay
Project Manager, Higher Education Practice, EFL Associates
Kansas City, Missouri
Edith.Ketay@eflassociates.com or call 816-841-4001 (direct)
Presidential Search Committee Members
Ms. Kathi Edwards and Mr. David Bailey are the McMurry University Presidential Search Committee co-chairs. They will guide the board of trustees, faculty, staff, and community members through the candidate evaluation process.
 Kathi Edwards Chair, Board of Trustees |  David Bailey Chair-Elect and Trusteeship Committee Chair |
Additional members of the committee include:
Trustees
 Steve Sundby Immediate Past Board Chair |  Austin Pittman Past Board Chair |  Chuck Fallon Past Board Chair |
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 Russell Hall Institutional Oversight Committee Chair |  John Hendrick Campus Oversight Committee Chair |  Cindy Allen Institutional Advancement Committee Chair |
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 Mike Bennett Trustee and son of former McMurry President, Dr. Gordon Bennett |  Elaine Harmon Past Board Secretary |  Ken Wheeler Alumni Board President and Trustee |
McMurry Campus Community Members
 Ricky Harrison Cabinet Member and University Chaplain and Director of Religious Life |  Larry Dockery Cabinet Member and Director of Athletics |  Pamela Veltkamp Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Faculty |
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 Cindy Martin Professor of Mathematics and Associate VP for Student Success |  Jori Sechrist Professor of Sociology and Director of Institutional Effectiveness |  Juan Mendoza Professor of Music and BIPOC Sub-Committee Co-Chair |
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 Abraham Salazar Web Manager and Staff Council Chair |
Abilene Community Member
George Levesque
Executive Director of the Paramount Theatre and Civic Leader