17 Oct Huntington University Inaugurates Dr. Robert Pepper as Its 14th President
On Friday, October 17, at 3:00 p.m., the Huntington University community will gather to celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Robert Pepper, elected in January 2025, as the University’s 14th president. For the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, which founded Huntington University in 1897, this event represents the continuation of a cherished legacy and the beginning of a new, hope-filled chapter.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at the Merillat Center for the Arts on the Huntington University campus. Bishop Todd Fetters, will speak on behalf of the denomination, offering words of encouragement for the University’s next season of ministry and academic excellence.
“This University was born from a dream our church held tightly: to create a space where Christ, scholarship, and service come together to shape lives for Kingdom impact,” said Bishop Fetters in an address to Dr. Pepper. “And now, it’s your turn to lead… We believe in you. And, we believe in the God who called you here.”
The ceremony will be streamed live on Huntington University’s YouTube Channel.
Dr. Pepper steps into this role at a pivotal time in the life of both the University and the broader church. As higher education faces new challenges and opportunities, his leadership brings renewed energy and innovative thought to HU’s mission of “impacting the world for Christ through scholarship and service.”
As the University community gathers to celebrate this historic moment, the UB Church does so with deep gratitude and great expectation. Indeed, this inauguration marks not just a change in leadership—but a renewed commitment to the timeless mission that has guided both the Church and the University for more than a century.