Posted on February 12, 2016
President Armstrong to retire from Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University President Bill Armstrong will retire from the university later this year, it was announced today. Even as he asked the university's governing board to begin considering possible successors, Mr. Armstrong expressed heartfelt and profound appreciation to the trustees for "the privilege of being part of CCU."
"The last ten years have been an unforgettable experience for Ellen and me. God has granted favor to the university in rising enrollments, academic standards, success in debate, sports, employment opportunities for students, in bringing world-renowned speakers to campus, permitting us to build new academic, residential, and student life buildings, and even a growing national reputation," Mr. Armstrong commented. "Colorado Christian University is on a trajectory to become a great university. It is exhilarating to see God at work in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff."
President Armstrong praised the Board of Trustees as "gifted and godly men and women to whom Our Lord has entrusted His university, accountable only to God and history for the outcome. We can be confident of Colorado Christian University's future because of the spiritual and intellectual commitment of these dedicated trustees. They are holy. They are wise. They are the salt of the earth," he said.
"Among our dearest friends are the faculty and staff of CCU. It is inspiring to work beside men and women of such professional expertise and personal faith. They are providing an excellent education for some of America's most outstanding students and preparing them for significant positions of leadership in ministry, business, professions, the arts, politics, culture, and family life. Ellen and I are blessed to be part of the CCU family.
"We thank God, too, for wonderful friends whose financial support has meant so much to this institution and its students. In recent years, more than 22,000 individuals and foundations have made gifts to support CCU scholarships and to rebuild our campus into a state-of-the-art facility appropriate for the world-class university CCU is destined to become. Among these are a handful of exceptionally generous friends who have made very large gifts. Their impact on the future of CCU is enormous."
Bill Armstrong became president of Colorado Christian University on August 26, 2006. He is a long-time Colorado businessman who came to CCU after being the owner-operator of more than a dozen private companies, director of six public companies, and chairman of the Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds. President Armstrong also served in the Colorado State House of Representatives (1963-64), the Colorado Senate (1965-1972), U.S. House of Representatives (1973 - 1978), and U.S. Senate (1979 - 1990).
Mr. Armstrong served on the board of Christian Businessmen's Committee USA and Campus Crusade for Christ. Bill's wife Ellen was an elder of Cherry Hills Community Church and trustee of Colorado Christian University. Bill and Ellen Armstrong have been married for nearly 54 years. They have two children, eight grandchildren, four granddaughters-in-law, and "Tina, the world's greatest dog." They live in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914 and is rapidly becoming a leader in Christian higher education with nearly 10,000 students in the College of Undergraduate Studies, a traditional program for recent high school students; the College of Adult and Graduate Students; and a dual credit program in which students in 136 partner high schools are enrolled in CCU classes for which they receive university credit.
Colorado Christian University's main campus is located in Lakewood, Colorado. The university also offers classes in Colorado Springs, Northglenn, Loveland, Grand Junction, Inverness, Sterling, and online.