CMU Names New President

Central Methodist University, in Fayette, has named Roger Drake to serve as the next president of the college. Glenn Cox, chair of the CMU Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee says Drake will assume the office on July 1, 2013. Dr. Drake will become the 26th president in Central Methodist history, dating to 1854. The Board of Trustees announced Drake’s appointment and introduced him at a campus assembly Friday afternoon. Drake will replace Dr. Marianne Inman, who will retire in June after 18 years at the CMU helm.”I am honored to be chosen as the next President of Central Methodist University,” Drake said. “It is my hope that the institutional momentum created under President Inman’s leadership can continue far into the future. Judy and I are excited about this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students.” The appointment caps a more than seven month search process that included CMU Board members, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. AGB Search of Washington, D.C. supported the search process.”We expect the higher education environment to experience many challenges and changes in the immediate future,” Cox said. “Dr. Drake??s business experience, coupled with his academic accomplishments, makes him an excellent choice to lead Central Methodist University during such a period as we continue to excel and grow.” Drake has served as the vice president of administration and finance at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, since 2004. His responsibilities at Lindsey Wilson College include serving as chief financial officer, overseeing areas such as accounting, finance, planning, human resources, information technology, information systems, buildings and grounds, the campus service center, and auxiliary enterprises. Lindsey Wilson College has an enrollment of 2,677 and operates an extensive off-campus program in five states.Drake attended Lees Junior College in Jackson, Kentucky, received a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Eastern Kentucky University, a master of business administration/executive MBA degree from Vanderbilt University, and a doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree from Vanderbilt.From 1992 to 2004 Drake served as vice president of finance for AAA Mine Service, Inc. in Hazard, Kentucky. Drake was vice president for business affairs at Lees College in Jackson, Kentucky from 1989 to 1992.