About Rod D. Martin
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by Keith Collier
Southern Baptist Texan
October 5, 2015
DALLAS—Criswell College trustees formally approved a vice president of finance for the institution, elected new board officers and approved various policies and administrative procedures during its fall meeting, Oct. 1.
Trustees unanimously approved the naming of Kevin Stilley as vice president of finance and Chief Business Officer. Stilley, a Criswell graduate, worked for a decade in human resources and retail operations for Borders Group before joining the college in July.
“He is spiritually committed to exactly what the college is about; he’s actually a graduate of Criswell of College, he’s in ministry, but he’s also got significant business experience,” President Barry Creamer told trustees.
Trustees also elected new officers, effective Jan. 1, 2016. The board elected Tony Rogers, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Bowie, Texas, as chairman; Chris Lantrip, CEO of CyberlinkASP, as vice chairman; and Jack Pogue, a Dallas businessman, as secretary.
The board approved eight new trustees for 2016. According to its governing documents, the board is comprised of 40 percent from the Criswell College Foundation, 40 percent from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and 20 percent at-large. New trustees approved to the board include Clint Pressley (at-large), Rod Martin (at-large), Adarose Jennings (at-large), Harold Rawlings (Criswell Foundation), Curtis Baker (Criswell Foundation), Jarrett Stephens (Criswell Foundation), Mack Roller (SBTC), and Anne Hettinger (SBTC). Roller and Hettinger’s approval to the board is pending the convention’s approval during its annual meeting in November.
Outgoing chairman John Mann expressed appreciation for his time on the board, saying, “Not only is the legacy of Criswell College strong, but the current state of Criswell College is strong and being strengthened through the work of the administration, faculty and the board. The future of Criswell College is an exciting thing that is laid before us.”
As for administrative decisions, trustees unanimously approved an updated version of the institution’s conflict of interest policy as well as the presidential assessment policy. Additionally, they approved minor tuition increases to undergraduate and graduate programs—from $315 to $330 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and from $415 to $420 per credit hour for graduate courses.
Trustees heard reports from various departments as well as updates on the institution’s “Building on Legacy” capital campaign—a $20 million venture that includes remodeling educational space and constructing student housing. They also approved a new vision statement and individually signed the school’s statement of faith.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
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