Wheaton College’s new president, the Rev. Philip Ryken, is not your typical college administrator.
Aside from earning a doctorate from Oxford, writing more than 30 books, and being a pastor of a large congregation in Philadelphia, he’s also all the rage with the students.
He plays soccer on an intramural team called The Rykenators, has a drink at the college’s cafe of the same name, and participates in a campus program called, “Where’s Ryken?” Every other week, students can drop by various campus locations and ask him anything.
“So far, I am thrilled to be working with Dr. Ryken. I love his patience and his willingness to meet with students and respond to their questions,” said Student Body President Ryan Buchanan, a senior at Wheaton College. “I think he has already shown his intentionality by meeting with faculty, staff and students.”
A Wheaton native, Ryken also has been a lifelong member of the Wheaton College community. His father, Leland, is beginning his 43rd year of teaching at the college. Meanwhile, Ryken himself earned an undergraduate degree in English literature from the college in 1988 and has served on the school’s Board of Trustees.
After 22 years living elsewhere, Ryken moved back to Wheaton this year and now lives just a block away from campus.
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