Jake B. Schrum, President Emeritus, earned his B.A. in psychology from Southwestern University and his Master of Divinity degree from the Yale School of Divinity. He also attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Southwestern University. Schrum served as the president of Texas Wesleyan University for nine years before assuming the presidency at Southwestern University, a position he held for 13 years.

During his tenure at Southwestern, Schrum led successful campaigns that raised $150 million for the university and established the Paideia® program. In 2009, he facilitated the relocation of the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE) to Southwestern. Schrum was also instrumental in advancing the university’s sustainability efforts. He signed the Talloires Declaration, promoting sustainability in higher education, and the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. These initiatives, along with a focus on energy efficiency and LEED-certified construction, significantly reduced the university’s carbon footprint. In 2010, Schrum signed an agreement with the city of Georgetown that allows all of Southwestern’s energy to come from wind power until 2028.

After leaving Southwestern, Schrum served as the 21st president of Emory and Henry College in Virginia. He retired in April 2019 and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Jane, a former elementary choral music teacher and pianist.



Sources:

https://www.southwestern.edu/about-southwestern/university-leadership/past-presidents/jake-b-schrum/

https://divinity.yale.edu/alumni/deans-advisory-council/jake-b-schrum-73-mdiv