J. Randall O'Brien is the twenty-second president of Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The board of trustees unanimously elected him in July 2008. O'Brien succeeded Dr. James Netherton, who resigned in May 2007. He was inaugurated on October 30, 2009, after assuming administrative duties on January 1, 2009. O'Brien came to Carson-Newman from

Baylor University Baylor University is a private Baptist Christian research university in Waco, Texas. Baylor was chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas and one of the fir ...

where he was executive vice-president and provost. He was a popular theology professor, and received many teaching awards during his tenure at Baylor. During an interview in January 2009 with the ''

Knoxville News-Sentinel The ''Knoxville News Sentinel, also known as Knox News,'' is a daily newspaper in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, owned by the Gannett Company. History The newspaper was formed in 1926 from the merger of two competing newspapers: ''The ...

'', O'Brien identified five priorities to help make Carson-Newman become the "top Christian university in the world": clarify and fulfill the mission and vision, visionary leadership, accountable management, relationship building, and fundraising. Since taking over as president, O'Brien was awarded the George W. Truett Distinguished Church Service Award by Baylor University's Alumni Association. The award honors those connected to Baylor who demonstrate Truett's love of Christ and churches.

Biography

O'Brien is a native of McComb, Mississippi, and graduate of Mississippi College. He received his doctor of theology degree from

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) is a Baptist theological institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Missions and evangelism are core focuses of the seminary. NOBTS offers doctoral ...

in 1982, and a master of sacred theology from

Yale University Divinity School Yale Divinity School (YDS) is one of the twelve graduate and professional schools of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Congregationalist theological education was the motivation at the founding of Yale, and the professional school has ...

in 1987. O'Brien was a full-time pastor most recently at Calvary Baptist Church in

Little Rock, Arkansas (The Little Rock, The "Little Rock") , government_type = council-manager government, Council-manager , leader_title = List of mayors of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mayor , leader_name = Frank Scott Jr. , leader_ ...

, from 1987-1991. O'Brien has written many articles and books on theology. His most recent book is ''Set Free By Forgiveness: The Way to Peace and Healing'' published in 2005. O'Brien and his wife, Kay Donaho O'Brien, a social work professor, have two married daughters, Alyson Elise Tilson married to Sean Tilson and Shannon Evans, married to Eric Evans. Shannon and Eric have two sons, Alyosha Daniel and Moses Emannuel. O'Brien also has a son named Kris. He served in Vietnam in the

101st Airborne Division The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) ("Screaming Eagles") is a light infantry division of the United States Army that specializes in air assault operations. It can plan, coordinate, and execute multiple battalion-size air assault operati ...

and received the

Bronze Star The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

and United States

Air Medal The Air Medal (AM) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Criteria The Air Medal was establish ...

References

External links

Carson-Newman College Website

C-N Office of the President Website {{DEFAULTSORT:Obrien, J. Randall Living people Heads of universities and colleges in the United States Recipients of the Air Medal People from McComb, Mississippi Year of birth missing (living people)