Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande will serve as the next president of Westminster College.
With a Ph.D. in economics, Akande is the former dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology at Webster University.
“He brings both a background in higher education, but he also brings a business experience as well,” said retiring President Dr. Barney Forsythe. “As we look at the future of higher education, combining the knowledge of higher ed with an understanding of the business models of higher ed is a perfect combination for taking us to the next level.”
Akande said he hopes to focus on expanding opportunities for the college and continuing Westminster’s history of strong support for students.
“You build on that [history] by making sure that we have the resources and that we have the support to continue to meet and exceed our mission,” Akande said. “What we are going to try to do over the next many years is to dream with our eyes wide open, to think about real possibilities and I'm looking forward to it.”
Originally from Nigeria, Akande said he also hopes to continue Westminster’s strong focus on outreach to international students.
“I came here 34-35 years ago as an international student and look at me, I'm president of Westminster College,” Akande said. “International students bring to us culture, they bring us ideas, they bring us difference and by us being able to embrace all that, it makes us stronger and it makes us better.”
Akande said he is excited to get to know the community of Fulton with his wife and three daughters.
