From Mississippi to Texas, Oxford and Massachusetts, President Michael Lindsay’s career journey to Taylor has taken him many places.
However, his sights weren’t always set on academia.
“At 6 years old, I decided I wanted to run an airline,” Lindsay said.
Although his aspirations evolved through the years, two principles remained constant – leadership and education.
“As a kid, I wrote to all of the CEOs of the airlines and asked them to send me some materials,” Lindsay said. “I ended up with this huge collection. Sending those letters was the start to my own journey of leadership and in understanding people in positions of responsibility.”
Lindsay was born in Jackson, Mississippi, as an only child. His mother served as the head of a local independent school and his father worked as president of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA).
“My family has always made education and leadership a priority,” Lindsay said.
Keeping these two centered, Lindsay’s career eventually led him to Taylor. But, his journey was not without risks.
“Even stepping down from my presidency at Gordon was a risk and it was the Lord's will,” Lindsay said. “The times that I have taken risks in life have yielded tremendous blessings … my advice to students is to take more risks.”
In taking this risk led by God, Lindsay began his time at Taylor at the start of this academic year. Although his career looks different than his initial goal of running an airline, he said he continues to keep leadership and education a priority.
“I hope that my administration will be characterized as a real season of growth and development,” Lindsay said. “It is my hope that we will be able to raise funds that develop the university and raise the banner of Taylor nationally and globally.”
In his State of the University Address over Homecoming and Family Weekend, Lindsay mentioned areas for growth: university finances, raising the level of diversity across campus and making Taylor globally-minded.
Tangibly, he plans to focus on pre-collegiate programs, partnering with high school level students and increasing dual enrollment opportunities. Taylor currently offers 12 classes with an option of receiving dual credit as a high school student. Furthermore, he will invest in the four pre-existing graduate programs.
Lindsay will travel internationally in partnership with global institutions that have a shared mission. In engaging internationally, his goal is to increase diversity on campus.
Currently, Taylor is at a 16% diversity rate. During his presidency at Gordon, the rate of diversity shifted upward by 20%. To do this, he recruited internationally and domestically in tandem and he plans to implement the same approach at Taylor.
As COVID-19 continues to be a presence on campus, Lindsay called for caution.
“It's my hope that our students will be responsible, that if they feel sick, they will isolate and they'll get tested, if they test positive they will isolate so that they don't spread the infection,” Lindsay said. “That's just basically it's the way that we show that we love our neighbor.”
Additionally, Lindsay set the tone for the personal priorities of his presidency during his inaugural address. First and foremost, he wants to continue leadership centered in Christ. Out of this foundation, Lindsay plans to maintain Taylor’s investment in its students and its community.
“I come to Taylor so honored and excited to join you in the important work you have been doing for a long time,” Lindsay said. “We will bear the light of Christ to one another and God will use this to ignite our faith.”
As Lindsay believes God led him to Taylor earlier this year from Gordon, he says he hopes God will lead his time here as well.
Now, Lindsay is happily settling into his first year at Taylor with his family. Lindsay is the father of three girls, Elizabeth, Caroline and Emily. Additionally, he is husband to his wife, Rebecca Lindsay, who is the first lady and university ambassador.
“We love the warmth and friendliness that we’ve experienced in Upland,” Lindsay said. “The Hoosier hospitality is not just a legend, it is real.”
Lindsay is thankful for the tangible ways he has seen this hospitality.
“We have really enjoyed the Indiana sunsets, they have to be the prettiest in the country,” Lindsay said. “We love getting ice cream at Ivanhoes and sandwiches at The Bridge (Cafe) … what we love most though, are the people.”
