For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Dr. Jon Forlines will retire after more than 24 years of full-time service as Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students and will continue as Special Advisor to the President, according to Welch President Matt Pinson.
Forlines has been on leave of absence from Welch since suffering a stroke in mid-July. “Welch is so thankful for the prayers of its alumni and supporters for our dear friend Jon Forlines for the past few months,” Pinson said. “Dr. Forlines has been such a key member of the Welch leadership team for nearly a quarter of a century—and such a loving, Christlike mentor to our students. It’s going to be hard to replace him.”
A 1980 Welch graduate, Forlines grew up on the Welch campus, the son of Dean of Students and theology professor Leroy Forlines and his wife Fay. Following graduation, he served as an associate and youth pastor in North Carolina for many years. After that he began doctoral studies in psychology while living in Polston Hall, the women’s residence hall on the West End campus, where his wife Susan, Welch Dean of Women, served as women’s resident director. Completing his Ph.D. from Tennessee State University in 1998, he served as a psychological examiner in the Tennessee Prison system until beginning his current role in 2001. Jon and Susan have four children: Stephen, who died in childhood, and Joel, Jared, and Anna, all three Welch graduates.
“There is no one more committed to Welch than Dr. Forlines,” Pinson said. “Having served as president of the student body when he was a student and as president of the Alumni Association for the last few years, he has always been one of the college’s greatest supporters. He brought this love and commitment for his alma mater with him to his work as Vice President and Dean of Students.”
“His quiet, kind, and affable manner, together with his Christ-centered love for students and desire to see them grow in their faith and commitment to Holy Scripture, has been nothing short of life-changing for countless Welch students.” Pinson continued. “He will be sorely missed, and we ask the wider Welch family to remain in prayer for him as he continues his recovery.”
“Compassionate, concerned, and committed are three descriptors that come to mind when I think about Dr. Jon Forlines,” Welch Provost Matthew McAffee said. “Over the years that I’ve known and worked with Dr. Forlines at Welch College, he has consistently shown deep compassion and concern for students, faculty, and staff alike. And one major unifying thread running throughout his life’s work and ministry here has been his loyal commitment to our rich institutional heritage and its ongoing investment in the transformation of students for Christ’s kingdom. We will miss him deeply and pray for God’s blessings upon him and his family in this new season of life.”
Dr. Daniel Webster, Director of Enrollment Services, will serve as Interim Director of Student Services, with the assistance of Susan Forlines, Whitney Lute (Women’s Resident Director and part-time Executive Assistant to the President), and additional support staff.
Pinson said, “Welch College extends its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Forlines for his dedicated service to this institution and will be praying for him and supporting him in the days ahead.” Welch is planning a campus event to celebrate Dr. Forlines’s career at Welch.