Charles O. Warren Jr., a native of Bluefield, W. Va., and longtime president of Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, has been called by the Bluefield College board of trustees to “stand in the gap” in the wake of the departure of President Dan MacMillan and during the board's search for a permanent presidential replacement for the school.

Retired from full-time service in Christian higher education since 2001, Warren served as the ninth president of Lynchburg College for eight years. During his tenure with Lynchburg -- a residential, co-educational college of about 2,400 students and historically associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) -- Warren was characterized as a “creative,” “quiet” and “inclusive” leader who developed a “caring community of shared leadership and responsibility” on campus.

He established five Centers of Distinction to meet community needs and to provide unique opportunities for students to combine scholarly pursuits with service learning and leadership development. Other major accomplishments during his tenure included the creation of the Claytor Nature Study Center in Bedford County and an increase of more than 100 percent in the college's endowment.

“Having known Dr. Warren for many years and the excellent job he's done in education previously, I am confident he will be a tremendous asset to Bluefield College and to the Bluefield community,” said Dan Grabeel, chairman of the BC board of trustees.

Before Lynchburg, Warren served 14 years as an administrator and educator for the State University of New York. He served six years (1987-1993) as president of the SUNY College at Plattsburgh, five years (1982-1987) as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the SUNY College at Cortland, and three years (1979-1982) as the dean of arts and sciences and a professor of biology at SUNY-Plattsburgh.

His higher education experience also includes 13 years with Southwestern College at Memphis (now Rhodes College) where he served as executive vice president, academic dean, chair of the biology department, and professor of biology.

He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida and a master's and a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Special to the Herald

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