Anderson University President John Pistole Announces Retirement
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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University President John Pistole has announced his retirement, effective June 1, 2025. Pistole, who has served as AU’s fifth president since the spring of 2015, will step down at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as president of AU these last ten years. Kathy and I will continue to support the transformational work that our outstanding faculty and staff are doing to impact lives for Christ and the kingdom of God,’” said Pistole. “I’m grateful to our amazing, dedicated faculty and staff, with each person contributing their unique gifts as part of the body of Christ. We have been guided by a group of gifted trustees who have volunteered their time, talents, and treasure to help us navigate the rapidly changing world of higher education.”
During his tenure, President Pistole introduced numerous innovative changes that have significantly enhanced the university. Under his leadership, Anderson University added 17 new undergraduate majors including cybersecurity and engineering, along with a robust set of certificate offerings, a biblical studies certificate fully in Spanish, and a master’s degree in organizational leadership.
Pistole’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening AU’s relationship with charitable foundations across the country, namely the Lilly Foundation. During Pistole’s presidency, Anderson University has received more than $7 million in grants to fund projects of all sizes.
Doug Talley, chair of the Board of Trustees, shares, “President Pistole has provided wise and experienced leadership for Anderson University for the past decade. He has lived out his personal faith in God in a way that has touched the university and everyone connected to it. With an eye to the future, he has worked diligently to position AU to make an impact in Indiana and beyond. His passion for students and his warm demeanor have made him a favorite on campus and with alumni, as well as city, state, and national leaders. The university and community are indebted to him for the way he has served selflessly and wholeheartedly.”
President Pistole is finishing his tenure with a growing enrollment class. The university is on track to welcome a freshman class 15 percent larger than the previous year, and for the 2022-2023 academic year, AU proudly celebrated its largest honors class in the history of the program.
Under his leadership, AU has become a hub for influential public sector leaders. Pistole hosted esteemed figures such as two former attorneys general and two former U.S. senators, plus a former director of the CIA, and former director of the FBI, who shared their insights with students, faculty, and staff.
“None of this life-changing work could have been done without the extraordinary generosity of our donors,” said Pistole. “Whether small or large gifts, we believe that ‘little is much when Christ is in it.’”
The Anderson University Board of Trustees has initiated the search process for President Pistole’s successor, ensuring a smooth transition and continued excellence for the university.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.