Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts is pleased to announce the selection of its next president. Over the 2020-2021 academic year, a Search Committee has reviewed numerous applications from distinguished educators around the country. Its commission was to identify a leader that will work tirelessly and self-sacrificially in service to the college’s vision for a transformative education, while calling others to do the same. Magdalen has found such a leader.
At the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee, the Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Ryan Messmore as the fifth President of Magdalen College, beginning July 2021. For many years, Messmore has advanced liberal arts education in the Catholic tradition, and he has extensive experience implementing such an education as an academic leader.
Most recently, Messmore has served as Assistant Headmaster of Academic Affairs at St. David’s School in Raleigh, NC. There, he led a comprehensive curriculum review that brought about a new trimester system and a humanities program taught through Socratic-style seminars. Previously, Messmore served as President of Campion College in Australia. Because liberal arts education is less familiar in Australia than in the United States, Messmore played a pioneering role articulating its importance to the public. He went on to serve as Founder and Executive Director of the Millis Institute at Christian Heritage College. Read the full announcement.
