The Board of Trustees of Wheaton College (IL) has announced that Dr. Philip Graham Ryken has been appointed the eighth president of Wheaton College. He will assume the presidency July 1.

Ryken, a 1988 graduate of Wheaton, is the senior minister at the historic Tenth Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Philadelphia, where he has served since 1995. In addition to earning his Bachelor of Arts in English literature and philosophy from Wheaton in 1988, Ryken also earned a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Philosophy in historical theology at Oxford University. He has taught and lectured at universities and seminaries worldwide, and he is widely published. Ryken and his wife, Lisa, who also graduated from Wheaton in 1988, have five children who range in age from 5 to 17.

“My simple hope is to fulfill my calling as a wise and visionary leader for Wheaton’s faculty, staff, and students,” Ryken says. “I pray that during my tenure Wheaton will grow in academic excellence and spiritual vitality, so that our graduates are equipped to go out into the world and make a difference for Christ and His Kingdom.”

“The decision to select this president was rooted in a presidential profile document that highlighted desired qualifications for the role. This profile was created with input from multiple groups within the College community,” says Donald Meyer, co-chairman of the Presidential Selection Committee. “Dr. Ryken was a clear choice, as his gifts and abilities are aligned with those qualities.”

“As a committee, we thought deeply and prayed fervently for the Lord’s guidance in choosing the right leader for Wheaton College,” Meyer says. “The Board of Trustees is confident in the selection of Dr. Ryken.”

Ryken’s appointment marks the end of a two-year search process. Dr. Duane Litfin, Wheaton’s current president, will retire in June 2010 after 17 years of service. He announced his intention to retire last March.