Pepperdine Provost Darryl Tippens will not be filling the provost position at Abilene Christian University (ACU), for which he interviewed last month. Yesterday, ACU announced that the other candidate, Dr. Robert Rhodes of New Mexico State University, will receive the position.

Tippens, however, is not disappointed with the decision and is happy for ACU’s new provost.

“Actually, I am pleased with the outcome of the search at ACU. ACU has selected for its next provost a fine man whom I know personally and admire a great deal,” Tippens wrote in an email.

It is unclear whether Tippens was not offered the position or whether he turned down an offer.

Tippens said he is excited to still have the opportunity to contribute to Pepperdine University and sees more work that he can do here. “I love my work at Pepperdine and am energized by the opportunities here. Going through the interview process has clarified for me how much I love Pepperdine and the great opportunities at this remarkable institution.”

President Andrew K. Benton also said he is glad Tippens is staying at Pepperdine.

“I understood his willingness to explore the opportunity to serve ACU, but I am very pleased that the challenges of our university proved compelling and persuasive to him,” Benton wrote in an email.

There are several specific projects that Tippens feels contribute in a significant way to Pepperdine University, and he is looking forward to being able to continue his work on them.

“There are so many projects about which I care deeply — the work with assessment as we prepare for the next accreditation visit by WASC; exciting plans to enhance the spiritual formation of students; the enlargement of our programs in Washington, D.C., to serve both graduate and undergraduate students; the increasing momentum in screenwriting, film and media production initiatives, including the work of the Center for Entertainment and Media; plans to improve Payson Library; the work of the Glazer Institute; our growing international outreach,” Tippens wrote.

“These are a few of the initiatives that I have enjoyed working on, having a role in sponsoring and advancing. I am very happy to continue to support these important projects, and others yet to be announced, that will enhance the student experience at Pepperdine.”

Regarding his initial interest in the position, Tippens had written in an email, “ACU also holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I taught English for almost 14 years. It’s the alma mater of my two sons. I have maintained close ties to many wonderful people at that fine institution. When the search committee asked me to consider the position, I agreed.”

Tippens considers Pepperdine an excellent institution and is very happy to be able to continue his tenure at Pepperdine and have the opportunity to improve the school.

“It’s a great time to be at Pepperdine, and having a continuing role in the success of so many academic endeavors truly inspires me.”