Mitch Henry named president of Faulkner University

Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala., introduced Mitch Henry as its next president Wednesday.

Henry has a background as an attorney of 29 years — with a law practice in the Montgomery area — and lives on a farm in Hope Hull, Ala., with his wife, Cindy. He has served Faulkner, which is associated with Churches of Christ, as an associate professor of law in the criminal justice department and an adjunct professor at the law school. He also teaches agricultural law at nearby Auburn University.

Henry was chosen from among 26 candidates to succeed Mike Williams, who is leaving Faulkner on May 6 to take the helm at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.

President-elect Mitch Henry speaks following the announcement of his selection as Faulkner University’s ninth president.

Henry, a member and former elder of the Vaughn Park Church of Christ in Montgomery, opened his remarks with a prayer and then emphasized Faulkner’s mission to train “ministers” of the Gospel — be they Christian nurses or Christian businesspeople or Christian preachers.

“What does education look like at Faulkner University if developing moral character is the supreme end of education?” Henry asked. “We develop Christian folks that work in every possible occupation, and along the way, we do develop Christian ministers who preach. If that’s not enough to impress you, we develop Christian attorneys. So, how do we teach trade and launch these folks to be ministers in their vocations?

Henry also pointed to an opportunity to evangelize at the university.

“The soil here is fertile and rich,” the president-elect said of Faulkner. “Only about 25 percent of the students who come to this Christian university identify themselves as members of Churches of Christ. … A great number of students who come to this Christian university don’t have a Christian background at all.”

Billy Hilyer, Faulkner’s chancellor and former longtime president, said he urged Henry to apply for the job.

“Mitch and Cindy are both dedicated servants of the Lord,” Hilyer said. “They love his work. They are very much involved in their congregation, including the teaching program.”

Mitch Henry “has the ability to relate to all kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances,” the chancellor said. “Mitch is, by nature, a collaborative leader. He’s a good listener. He has an engaging personality and a pleasing demeanor.”

President Mike Williams passes a gold-colored baton to President-elect Mitch Henry.

As the outgoing president, Williams, passed the gold baton to the president-elect, he noted the history of the institution.

“You cannot take the presidency of Faulkner University and not feel deeply committed to ten individuals who met on April 13, 1942, at the Panama Street Church of Christ when they decided to launch the Montgomery Bible College,” Williams said. “And it’s not just a linkage backward — it’s a linkage forward. The baton reminds me that the decisions made in this moment is not just about today, but it has deep implications for the future.”

For more information, visit Faulkner’s website.

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