Redeemer University President Leaves Position

Dr. Robert J. Graham will be stepping down from his position as president of Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario, on May 1, 2021. 

Graham has served as president of the university since August 2018 and cites ongoing health concerns related to a serious medical challenge experienced early in his tenure as the main reason for his departure. 

Family concerns played a role as well — pandemic-related travel restrictions have posed additional challenges for Graham and his U.S.-based family. 

Before coming to Redeemer,  Graham had ten years of experience in senior leadership at two Christian universities.  

From 2008 to 2013, he provided leadership as provost at Waynesburg University, a Christian institution of approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students located in Waynesburg, Penn.

From  2013 to 2018, he served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Grove City College, a Christian liberal arts college of about 2,300 undergraduate students located in Grove City, Penn.. 

The Redeemer board of governors received Graham’s resignation with regret, but remains confident that Redeemer’s momentum will continue without interruption. The board announced the appointment of Dr. David Zietsma, provost and vice president, academic, as interim president.

 “Our board deeply appreciates the leadership Dr. Graham has provided and we wish him and his family well as he starts a new chapter closer to their family in the U.S.,” says board chair Lloyd Rang.

 “We are also thankful that Dr. Graham has helped to make Redeemer stronger, and Dr. Zietsma’s appointment ensures that Redeemer will maintain its strategic direction. Our next step will be to set up a full and competitive search process for a new president, and we will have more to say about that in the weeks and months ahead.”