John C. Reynders, the 12th President of Morningside College, came to Morningside from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he was Vice President for Administrative Services and Treasurer.

Since President Reynders' arrival on campus in 1999, he has engaged faculty, staff, and students in a culture of planning, beginning with the Five-Year Plan (2001-2006), "For Such A Time As This." Currently, the campus community is working together to fulfill the college's "2015" goals.

To date, under his administration, Morningside will have invested more than $33 million in new programs and capital improvements. The fall of 2001 saw the opening of the completely rebuilt Walker Science Center, the new Bookstore, and a renovated Buckingham’s Snack Bar. In fall 2002, the Notebook Computer Program, including development of a wireless network, was launched. The Waitt and Poppen Apartments opened in August 2003, and the Focus program for students with learning disabilities began that semester. Fall 2004 saw the completion of Phase I of the Elwood Olsen Stadium renovation and other remodeling. In the fall of 2005, students returned to the completed Elwood Olsen Stadium, an air-conditioned, remodeled south wing in the Roadman Residence Hall, and a newly renovated Hickman-Johnson-Furrow Learning Center, featuring among other amenities the Spoonholder Café. The new Jensen Softball Complex was completed in the fall of 2006, and by January of 2007, the Yockey Family Community Room and lobby in the Olsen Student Center had been renovated.

Most recently, in August of 2007, Lags Hall, the home of the new Morningside College Leadership Academy, opened, and students returned for the fall semester to a new dining hall in the student center. The renovated Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center-Allee Gym was dedicated on Nov. 9, 2007. In May 2008, the college completed the Hilker Campus Mall, featuring the Lieder Fountain, the Kline Pergola, and the Buhler Outdoor Performance Center.

President Reynders emphasizes that every step taken by faculty and staff must be for the benefit of the students. He is committed to offering Morningside students the best possible residential college experience.  Since 2001, full-time enrollment has seen record-setting increases.

He has described his vision of the college as: "The Morningside experience is a wonderful blend. The faculty provides a rich and challenging liberal arts curriculum that prepares our students for a dynamic, successful future. At the same time, we actively recognize that the Morningside experience encompasses more than coursework. Extra-curricular activities in areas such as athletics, music, theatre, dance, student government, and community service provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and learn the value of teamwork and commitment. Equally important, they provide avenues where our students can have fun."

President Reynders has experience at all levels of higher education, having also served at Allegheny as Director and Dean of Enrollment Planning and Financial Aid (1990-1997); Special Assistant to the Provost and Associate Director of Athletics (1988-1990); and Associate Professor of Physical Education, Instructor in Mathematics, and Head Men's Basketball Coach (1979-1988, tenure in 1984). In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, he has been active in higher education organizations as well as consulting for the George Dehne and Associates firm.  

President Reynders serves on the Sioux City Symphony Board of Directors.

He serves on the Executive Committee of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (IAICU) and is a member of the Iowa College Foundation and its Executive Committee and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Board of Directors.

President Reynders holds Master of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degrees from Allegheny.

He and his wife, Robin, share their sons Mathew, Chuck, and Jeremy.

Contact Us:

John C. Reynders

President

712-274-5100

reynders@morningside.edu

Lisa Krohn

Administrative Assistant to the President

712-274-5100

krohn@morningside.edu