New Gordon President: Leadership Begins with Serving For the Common Good

On a clear blue-sky day, Dr. D. Michael Lindsay became the eighth president of in Wenham on Friday.

Nearly 500 people were in attendance at the outdoor installation ceremony on the campus quad. Trumpets and a wind ensemble heralded the processional. The long list of guest speakers included sixth president of Gordon College Dr. Richard F. Gross and seventh president of Gordon College and .

Lindsay's colleagues and peers that were seated next to him on stage each spoke about the mission of Christian colleges and universities living outside of a “me” generation. The interwoven theme resoundingly echoed a call for the new president to instill and strengthen faith-based leadership - not only among students and faculty but to teach students how to incorporate service outside of the campus.

Other dignitaries in attendance included George H. Gallup, Jr., chairman emeritus of the Gallup Poll, Dr. Nathan O. Hatch, author and 13th president of Wake Forest University and Dr. Paul R. Corts, president for the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities.

In his charge to Lindsay, Hatch said; “Michael Lindsay is the right person to galvanize [faith and leadership] in a world of the sovereign self.”

Hatch was referring to how society and leaders around the world are becoming less like humble servants shadowing the teachings of Jesus Christ and more focused on what the individual can attain in life. He urged the new president of Gordon to help nurture and shape the next generation of leaders to think outside themselves and make a commitment to serving others.

Several guest speakers continued this message throughout the ceremony. Letters of congratulations from U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and U.S. Sen. John Kerry were read aloud. State Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) stood by in attendance at the installation service.

Lindsay, 39, is an award-winning sociologist who has risen quickly as an expert in faith, leadership and culture.

Previously, Lindsay . He is the author of numerous books and other works including his most recent book, "Faith in the Halls of Power," which was nominated by the publisher for a nonfiction Pulitzer Prize. Two of his works were co-authored with George Gallup, Jr. while he served as consultant for religion and culture at the George H. Gallup International Institute.

Lindsay is a figure who stands out among his peers and bears no striking resemblance to the venerable presidents of the past in looks - he is the youngest president to hold office of a nationally ranked college or institution.

His stature is slender, but when he spoke to the audience, people were drawn to the power of his clear and articulate vision and steady voice.

Lindsay broke the tension by starting with an anecdote about his first arriving in Boston.

“Several years ago I was visiting Boston to conduct some research, and while here, I became so turned around that I vowed never again to drive here,” said Lindsay.

Lindsay said he realized then that God really must have a sense of humor. As he engaged the audience with his and wife Rebecca’s overall impressions about New England, he presented his vision of how faith-based leadership needs to play more of a role in everyday living by first explaining the outcome from researching and interviewing leaders from business, government and nonprofit entities.

“My research seeks to explore how senior leaders use the resources at their disposal to advance human flourishing and to serve the common good,” said Lindsay.

Eight years and 400,000 miles later, according to Lindsay, “from Bar Harbor Maine, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii” he interviewed key influencers in modern society including former presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, celebrities and chief executives of the nation’s largest firms.

During the course of his work, which is called the Platinum Study - the largest ever interview-based examination of senior organizational leaders - Lindsay discovered that half of the interviews conducted were along a particular length of the east coast – from Washington, D.C. to Boston. Lindsay said sociologists refer to this phenomenon as the “power elite” corridor, where the highest concentration of political, financial and intellectual capitals of the Western World.

Lindsay drew a correlation between the significant amount of activity in these areas to what Gordon College can do to make a difference is shaping upcoming leaders.

“To the extent that Christian colleges can make a difference in the halls of power, Gordon College is uniquely placed to do precisely that,” said Lindsay.

Lindsay laid out a three-pronged plan called the Gordon Commission which seeks to do just that. The three tenants include;

• Strengthening of collaboration between faculty and students, citing mentorship as significant to shaping future leaders.
• Increasing study abroad programs to include engaging the Pacific Rim and Asia to fortify and strengthen cultural engagement for the greater good.
• Elevating the contributions that students and Gordon College make to society while continuing to shape leadership in the area and in American education.