Office of the President
President Tom L. Murray
Dr. Tom L. Murray was selected on June 25, 2018 to become the thirteenth President of Southwestern Christian University. President Murray brings unique and qualified educational and ministerial backgrounds to SCU, including over 30 years of leadership experience in Christian higher education and 46 years in ministry.
President Murray has a long, personal history with Southwestern Christian University, receiving his A.A. in Pre-Law and his B.A. in Theology with a minor in Sociology from Southwestern College (SCU).
In addition, Dr. Murray earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration/Urban Affairs and Political Science, and a Doctor of Religious Studies degree in Urban Ministry, particularly on the role of the church in addressing street violence and theocentric urban rehabilitation. He has been awarded two honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees.
Dr. Murray served SCU during two previous tenures. He has served in higher educational institutions, as Director of Public Relations, Dean of College Relations, Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs, Director of Student Development, Director of Admissions, Professor, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Academic Officer. He served five presidents during his SCU career. President Murray has extensive experience with accrediting associations, accreditation issues and processes, program assessments, business and finance, and strategic planning. He has authored two books: Social Deviance—Street Gangs and The Wind Still Blows and The Fire Still Falls.
Dr. Murray is an Ordained Minister in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. His wife, Teresa, their two daughters, Kaitlyn and Olivia, and he are relocating from Southern California where he served as Senior Pastor of Christian Heritage Church, a multi-cultural congregation in Los Angeles, California. He served also as a member of the Golden West Conference IPHC Executive Council. Since 2011 Dr. Murray has held the office of Superintendent and Bishop of the Southern California Golden West Conference (IPHC).
President Murray possesses a deep appreciation for the far-reaching impact of a Southwestern Christian University education and the value of her faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Murray remains dedicated to the following: developing a premier Christian University; recruiting, retaining, and developing expert faculty who explore God’s Truth through research and scholarship and who model Christ’s love toward others; maintaining academic quality and transformational scholarship; integrating faith and learning; ensuring academic and institutional service and support; making and equipping disciples of Jesus Christ; cultivating future and innovative educational initiatives; and advancing responsible stewardship, diversity, and globalization.