NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) -- Board members of the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities have elected Michael Arrington, provost of Carson-Newman College, as executive director. The position became effective March 1.

Arrington, 62, succeeds Thomas Corts, who in September was named by President Bush to coordinate education initiatives for the United States Agency for International Development. Arrington will retire as provost at Carson-Newman effective at the close of the academic year.

A Nashville, Ark., native who earned three degrees from the University of Arkansas, Arrington joined Carson-Newman as provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2001. He worked previously at Ouachita Baptist University and in education as a sixth-grade social studies teacher in Missouri.

Joe Bill Sloan, president of Carson-Newman and associate provost under Arrington until he was named interim president last year, says his colleague is "an ideal fit for the IABCU."

"Mike's support, advice, and wise counsel have been invaluable as we have moved through a period of transition," said Sloan. "And, though the IABCU appointment is a great recognition of his abilities and skills as a Baptist educator, I think our member institutions will quickly find him to be a visionary leader and proactive servant."

IABCU, which has offices in Nashville, Tenn., is owned and operated by 51 Baptist-related institutions of higher education. Arrington's wife, Pam, is an associate professor of education at Carson-Newman. They have a married daughter and one grandchild.

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-- Mark Brown is director of news and media relations for Carson-Newman College; Tim Fields is director of communications for IABCU.

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