American Indian College selects DeGarmo
By Joan Kruger
Earlier this year, American Indian College in Phoenix, Arizona, announced the election of Dr. David DeGarmo as American Indian College’s president. The Board of Regents unanimously expressed their great confidence in DeGarmo to lead AIC with vision for the future.
DeGarmo, who has served the college for the past six years as an instructor, Christian Ministry Department chair, chief academic officer, and prior to this election, as executive vice president (COO) of AIC, brings to this office a wealth of experience and leadership in the field of Christian higher education and ministry.
DeGarmo earned the Bachelor of Music at Evangel University (Springfield, Missouri), the Master of Divinity at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Lombard, Illinois) and the Doctor of Ministry from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (Springfield, Missouri). He served six years as a minister of music in churches in the AG Illinois District and 14 years as a senior pastor at two Illinois churches: Calvary Temple in Chester, and New Life AG in Dwight.
Appointed as an AG U.S. Missionary in 2002, DeGarmo accepted a position on the staff of AIC, as chair of the Christian Ministry Department. He began his second term as an appointed missionary to Native Americans in 2006.
“My prayer,” said DeGarmo, “is that AIC, as a training center for leaders, will be a center of renewal. The first ‘splash’ of a fresh outpouring of the Spirit must strike the ground somewhere. My desire is that it will be on the campus of American Indian College, where our mission remains to establish a strong Pentecostal theology in the mind and a vibrant Pentecostal experience of the soul. We desire to send out our graduates as grounded, empowered and passionate servants of Jesus Christ.”
American Indian College is accredited with The Higher Learning Commission and endorsed by the Alliance for AG Higher Education. Students may earn an AA in Business or Christian Ministry as well as a BA in Education or Christian Ministry. The college has experienced significant growth, with enrollment growth of 40 percent over one year ago. While the majority of students are tribally registered Native Americans, the college also serves students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanic and Pacific Islanders.
DeGarmo and his wife Ruth have two daughters and a son. They reside in Goodyear, Arizona.