ST. PAUL – Following a nationwide search, Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek, a leader in Christian higher education and world missions for nearly 30 years, has been unanimously selected by the University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) board of trustees to be the organization’s ninth president.
Hoornbeek comes to Northwestern after having served as Vice President for University Advancement at Azusa Pacific University (APU), where he directed the university’s fundraising, alumni, and parent engagement activities and programs. A member of the president’s cabinet, Dr. Hoornbeek led the completion of a $100 million comprehensive campaign, while also securing over $12.5 million in new endowment gifts. Prior to his arrival at APU, Dr. Hoornbeek spent more than a decade as a major gift officer with The Navigators, a global, interdenominational missions agency with over 7,000 internationally and ethnically diverse staff serving in 107 countries. During his Navigators tenure, Hoornbeek traveled extensively throughout the world, interacting cross-culturally with global missions in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
“As I began to explore the history and ethos of the University of Northwestern, everything that I read resonated with my personal commitment and calling to develop Christian leaders,” Hoornbeek said. He continued, “Throughout my interactions with the university’s faculty, staff, students, and board members, those words have come to life. Over its 120-year history, Northwestern has remained true to its mission, unwavering in its commitment to Christ-centered academic excellence and to equipping the next generation of God-honoring leaders for our homes, churches, communities, and the world in the classroom and over the airwaves. I humbly step into this role on the shoulders of the great and faithful leaders who have gone before, and I look forward to doing so with the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
“Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek enthusiastically believes that the Bible is God’s inerrant and authoritative Word; he embraces the Great Commission as his personal mandate for life,” said Dr. George Kenworthy, chair of the Northwestern board of trustees. He continued, “I believe that Dr. Hoornbeek is an extremely personable and gifted leader who will evaluate every decision he makes based on the mission statements of our university and media ministry. I look forward to working alongside him as he assumes the role of president.”
Dr. Hoornbeek and his wife, Heather, have been married for 28 years. Together, they have three adult children. Originally from Bellingham, Wash., Hoornbeek earned a B.A. in Music from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. Dr. Hoornbeek graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, with an emphasis in higher education. His personal interests include classical music, running, the outdoors, and spending time with Heather and their family.
Hoornbeek will formally assume the role in August of this year. He follows Dr. Alan Cureton, who has led Northwestern since 2002 and announced his intentions to step down from the position in December 2021.
