On May 22nd, at a meeting of the Daystar University Council in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Godfrey Nguru was named to replace retiring Vice Chancellor Stephen Talitwala. Dr. Nguru is no stranger to Daystar having served there for fourteen years as Associate Professor, Dean, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) before he left in 1999 to become Principal at St. Paul’s United Theological College (Anglican) in Limuru, Kenya.

The 58-year-old new Vice Chancellor holds the Ed.D. degree and the M.S. degree in Educational Administration and Planning from the University of Tennessee. He earned his B.Ed. degree from the University of East Africa in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

He returns to Daystar with a strong track record in educational leadership. In fact, his stay at St. Paul’s has been marked by an increase in enrollment and a dramatic improvement in the financial picture of the institution. He begins his new duties at Daystar on September 1st.

Prof. Nguru has a long history with Daystar. When he first arrived in 1984, the university had 12 students in only one major (Communication). By the time he left for St. Paul’s in 1998, Daystar had an enrollment of 1,600 students in five undergraduate majors.

One of the most interesting points Dr. Nguru covered in his interview process was the need for Daystar to become a more international university in Africa. “From day one,” the Vice Chancellor-elect said, “Daystar was supposed to be a pan-African institution. I would first recruit more council members from across the continent. Then I would be intentional about hiring an international faculty. Finally, we need to recruit students from all over the world. I would pull together the alumni from various locales around Africa to have them help us to market Daystar in their countries.”

“Dr. Nguru is a strong leader,” said Daystar U.S. Board member Denny Morrow, “who is no stranger to Daystar University. His leadership gifts will be put to immediate use as he stands ready, with God’s help, to tackle the challenges ahead. Our office looks forward to introducing him to our friends here in the United States!”