Vice President and Dean of Student Life Named

Dr. William O. Washington has been appointed to serve as Moody Bible Institute’s vice president and dean of student life.

Reporting to the provost, Dr. Dwight Perry, Dr. Washington will be responsible for Moody’s undergraduate school and seminary students’ social, emotional, moral, and spiritual development on all its campuses in Chicago, Plymouth, and Spokane, as well as online.

“Our students study at Moody because they are focused and deeply committed to serving the Lord in many different areas of life, and we are committed to ensuring that they are given rigorous biblical and academic studies and a student life where they will thrive,” said Dr. Perry. “Over the course of his career, Dr. Washington has proven that he is a leader in the field of student development and student life, and has the character, academic training skills and experience to serve our students so their time at Moody is successful. I’m humbled by his desire to come to Moody and trust that the Lord will use him as we start our 136th academic year.”

Dr. Washington comes to Moody from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., where he has served as vice president of student life since 2015. At Bethel he oversaw the undergraduate student experience, which included intercollegiate athletics, residence life, health services, counseling, student government, campus engagement, orientation, wellness center and student activities. A 30-year veteran in the area of student affairs, Dr. Washington is also one of the few persons among Christian colleges to have an endowed chair named after him at his alma mater (Trinity International University). In addition to Bethel, he served for 28 years in the area of student development at Trinity International University, concluding his tenure there as senior vice president of student life.

In his role at Moody, Dr. Washington will oversee the departments of Counseling, Residence Life, Health Service, Student Programs, Food Service, Central Post Office, and Student Development support staff in the undergraduate school and seminary. “In addition, as chief student affairs officer, he will monitor and develop policies and procedures that govern student life at all of Moody’s campuses,” added Dr. Perry. “He will assume an additional responsibility overseeing the Athletic Department at Moody. It is our hope to increase the exposure of our athletic department for the glory of God and sake of the gospel.”

“I am humbled and honored to become a member of the Moody family,” said Dr. Washington. “Moody’s reputation in developing and shaping ministry leaders is unparalleled in Christian higher education. The opportunity to serve alongside administration, faculty, staff and students to create meaningful and significant community engagement is both exciting and inspiring. I look forward with great anticipation and the Lord’s leading to contribute to Moody’s Christ-centered mission.”

In addition to student care, he will lead, encourage and cultivate meaningful communication and engagement amongst Moody’s education ministry division, including students, faculty, staff, leadership, as well as parents. 

Dr. Washington earned a BA in History from Trinity College, an MA in Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, as well as a PhD in Higher Education from Loyola University in Chicago. He and his wife, Kenna, are the proud parents of three adult children and have been active at their church in Minnesota.

“As an alum of the both the undergraduate school and seminary, I know first-hand just how important this role is in the life of our students as we seek to come alongside their family and local church in their development,” added Dr. Mark Jobe, president of Moody. “Our desire for the student body while studying at Moody is that they would have a transformative co-curricular experience to grow them in their spiritual maturity and passion for the glory of King Jesus. Dr. Washington is a man of God who loves Jesus, loves students, and will be greatly effective in his role.”

Over the last 30 years, Dr. Washington has also been actively involved in education- and student life-focused organizations. He currently serves as a board member and president of Great Oaks Camp, which provides a free week of camp to thousands of low-income youth and hosts thousands of people in their retreat ministry program.

His tenure as Vice President and Dean of Student Life at Moody Bible Institute begins on April 5, 2021. Dr. Washington takes over for Rev. Roy Patterson, who has served as an interim Vice President and Dean of Student Life since November 2019. “I am grateful to Rev. Patterson for the interim leadership he provided, the care he showed to student body, and for helping transition Dr. Washington into this vital role,” added Dr. Perry. Patterson will resume his full-time role as director of community relations
at Moody.

For more information about Moody Bible Institute’s undergraduate school and seminary, please visit www.moody.edu.