The Board of Trustees followed their search committee's recommendation, and Dr. Emir Caner was presented to the press and the public.
Caner converted to Christianity in 1982 and launched a career as a theologian, educator and writer.
"Myself and my two older brothers were raised as Sunni Muslims, and we went to an Islamic school," Caner recalled.
Caner said he became a Christian during a revival meeting at a small Southern Baptist church in Columbus, Ohio.
"I was one of the rare exceptions where it can take up to seven years for a Muslim to come to faith in Christ, it took me about seven minutes, and everything changed from then."
Caner said his goal for Truett McConnell is to help it grow.
"I hope that what we're going to see is that Truett McConnell will become a nationally recognized university," he said.
Caner comes to Truett McConnell from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was Dean and Director of the Center for Free Church Studies and Professor of History.
"There's such a perception of the term 'Muslim', that even when you use 'former Muslim, it gets people's attention," said Terry Williams of Gainesville, Chairman of Truett McConnell's Board of Trustees."The first time a former Muslim has gone on to be president of any Christian school that we know of in this country is a significant part of history."
Williams added that the Board 'highly anticipates' Caner will apply his talents of helping a school grow to work at Truett McConnell.
"He's got a long history of 'coattails of magnetism' in drawing students and is a frequent leader in pastors conferences and student conferences across the Southeast," Williams added. " At the end of the day, what we're most excited about, is his ability to take a blank canvas here at this small school and attract students and do a great Kingdom work."
Caner begins work as new president Aug. 18tth at the college, which offers two-year and four-year degrees in 11 majors.
Dr. Emil Caner
Terry Williams, Bd. of Trustees Chr.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212208