Vanguard selects new president

-- Noaki Schwartz

COSTA MESA -- Vanguard University of Southern California has selected Dr.

Murray Dempster as its seventh president.

Current president Wayne E. Kraiss will step down June 30 after 25 years

in the position.

Dempster, who was chosen by Vanguard’s Board of Trustees, has been

involved with the university for many years. Before becoming provost in

1999, he served as dean of men, campus pastor, professor and vice

president of academic affairs.

Dempster was also a founding director of the school’s graduate program

and was instrumental in the school’s transition from college to

university.

The ordained minister received his master’s and doctorate degrees in

social ethics from USC.

He has published numerous academic and religious books and articles.

Dempster is a former pastor of the First Assembly of God in Fullerton. He

and his wife Coralie have one son.