Issue: Summer 2014 | Posted: June 2, 2014

Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver

Union University's 16th President

The Union University Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of making Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver the 16th president of Union University.

The vote Feb. 10 followed consideration of about 130 presidential candidates and nearly a year of work from the board’s search committee, chaired by Norman Hill, who is also chairman of the full board.

“Dr. Oliver is a man of strong Christian conviction,” Hill said. “His skills as an administrator and educator build on Union’s already established reputation for academic excellence, and we are honored and thrilled by this appointment.”

Speaking for himself and his wife Susie, Oliver said, “We are deeply humbled by this call to serve at Union University. I am hopeful and enthusiastic about working with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university to extend, enhance and enlarge all that Union is—for the glory of God and for the good of humankind.”

Oliver, 48, is a native of San Antonio. He was elected president of East Texas Baptist University in 2009. He has also served his alma mater, Baylor University, in several roles, including director of student activities (1992–99), associate dean for campus life (1999–2001), dean for student development (2001–05) and vice president for student life (2005–09).

While at Baylor, Oliver also served as a visiting professor in the Hankamer School of Business, an adjunct professor in the School of Education and interim university chaplain. He served in the U.S. Air Force in the late 1980s at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas.

Oliver earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Baylor and a Master of Science degree in educational psychology, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in educational administration, from Texas A&M.

Oliver told trustees he was happy serving as president of ETBU and initially was inclined to pass up a possible move to Union. But as the search committee pursued him, he said he felt God’s calling to lead Union.

The list of factors that attracted him to the position included the presidency of David S. Dockery.

“David has been a great leader for Union and for Christian higher education,” Oliver said. “His encouraging spirit has meant a lot to me over the last few years.”

Oliver also cited his appreciation of Union’s mission and core values.

“The integration of faith, learning and living has had a transformative effect on my life, and as I seek to live out my calling as an educator I believe that Christian higher education is where we can most influence and shape young people so that the kingdom of God may be enlarged,” he said.

Oliver and his wife Susie Combs Oliver will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this year. Susie is a native of Hazard, Ky., and a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. They have a daughter, Callie, who is a senior at Baylor.

“I have had the privilege of knowing Dub Oliver for several years, both in his role at Baylor and at East Texas Baptist University,” Dockery said. “During this time I have come to recognize Dr. Oliver’s genuine commitment to students and his approachable, kind and caring manner as a leader.”

Oliver assumed office on June 1 but spent periods of time on campus throughout the spring semester. He attended Homecoming activities, conducted individual meetings with campus leaders and participated in the annual spring Board of Trustees meeting in April.