President steps down at Westminster College

On Friday, Westminster College’s president, Dr. Benjamin Akande, stepped down from office after serving for more than two years.

The college said Akande is making the move to pursue higher education interests in the private sector.

Senior Vice President Carolyn Perry will serve as acting president while a search for a new president is underway.

According to the college, donor contributions totaled $15 million during Akande’s presidency. The Westminster Fund also grew 995 percent with alumni participation growing by 10 percent.

“The changes we set in motion will have a long term positive impact on the College, an accomplishment which gives me extreme pleasure,” said Akande in a statement.

“We appreciate Dr. Akande’s contributions to Westminster College, and we want to wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Board Chairman John M. Panettiere. “His term as president brought innovations, helping to position Westminster as a leading liberal arts college for today’s students.”