Pat Robertson to Retire as Regent University President

Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson on Tuesday announced plans to retire as president of Regent University during a meeting with the school’s Board of Trustees. Robertson founded the Virginia Beach, Virginia, school in 1978 and will step down as president effective July 1, 2010.

Robertson, chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network and co-host of The 700 Club, will remain chancellor of the university and a member of its trustee board. He became the school’s sixth president in 2000. Robertson became the school’s sixth president in 2000.

“Serving as Regent University’s president has been an honor and a joy,” Robertson said in a statement. “The accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni are truly remarkable and I am so delighted by the achievements of our rapidly growing school.

“As chancellor and a trustee, I will now focus on helping guide the university toward the next level of strategic growth and the implementation of our master plan.”

Founded in 1978, Regent University has more than 4,500 students from 46 nations enrolled in its graduate programs. It is ranked second nationally by the Online Education Database for its online programs.

The board has launched a search for a new president, who is expected to begin by fall 2010.

“Regent University is blessed to have reached many milestones, both academically and in the spiritual development of our community,” Robertson said. “Our mission remains steadfast: to train Christian leaders who serve with excellence in every area of their lives. I have seen that excellence firsthand and I know that we have only just begun to see the fruits of our labor.”