UNIVERSITY NEWS
York University Leadership Changes Provost
VP of Student Life
Dr. Billy Lones, who has served as associate professor of criminal justice and chair of that department at York College, has been named the next provost of York College as of June 1. In his announcement to the campus, President Sam Smith shared, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Billy Lones has been selected as the next Provost of York College. In a season of transition from college to university I felt it was important to select a highly qualified individual who also carried the trust of our outstanding faculty. “Dr. Lones’ educational background, career experience, and time in the classroom all enrich the skills that will launch him towards serving as senior academic officer of our institution. Dr. Lones will focus his attention on the continuing development of our academic programs, valuing our incredible faculty, and challenging them to teach students to be prepared for their career while Lones engaging them with a Christ-centered focus.” Lones began his service to York College in 2004 and has filled various roles, including planned giving officer and dean of the online college. His most impactful and long-lasting role began in 2008, when the college added the criminal justice major, and he was asked to design the curriculum and head the program. Since its founding, criminal justice has grown into one of largest majors on campus, currently enrolling 37 majors. Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Dr. Lones said, “I am extremely grateful and humbled for the opportunity to serve as the next Provost of York College/University. It is a great honor to be chosen to serve in this role and help build upon the institution's solid foundation of academic excellence. I look forward to working with the administration, faculty, staff, students, and community as we continue to fulfill the institutional mission of transforming lives through Christ-centered education.” Lones succeeds Dr. Shane Mountjoy, who stepped down from the role at the end of the spring semester. Lones completed his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree at the Jones School of Law, Faulkner University in 2000. Billy and his wife, Christi, who has served as a faculty member in the history department since 2008, have two children, Cooper (14) and Calleigh (13.)
John Jewell, who has served for many years in ministries in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Brazil, and Africa, will begin serving as York College’s new vice president of student life this summer. Jewell has most recently served as the pulpit minister of the Westworth Church of Christ in Westworth Village, Texas. He and his wife, Samantha, are the parents of three children, Jonah (20), Andy (17), and Ben (13). Jewell, who completed his degree in theology at Lipscomb University said, “I’m excited about what God has in store for the York College students and how He might use my family’s ministry and mission experiences to enhance this vital, formative part of their lives. College students are fun and are so full of promise and hope, which is why I feel privileged to have this chance to pour into them.” Jewell The Jewells launched and continue to direct WellSpring Ministries in Malawi, Africa, an institution that provides education, food, clothing, and medical care for impoverished children. Jewell’s missionary experience began in 2003 when he served as pulpit minister for Igreja de Cristo do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He later worked with the Comunidade de Cristo in Natal, Brazil. He and Samantha are both bilingual and have consistently demonstrated a heart for healing people in ministry wherever they have served. They both look forward to this new adventure and are quickly impressed with the opportunities in York. According to President Smith, “John brings a deep knowledge of building community, leading teams, and pointing people to the Lord. His gifts will help him to seamlessly step into this role to provide our students with an incredible experience outside of the classroom, and a safe experience which supports their academic endeavors while attending York University. “John will focus on developing a Student Life team that is attentive to the needs of college students in 2022 and beyond. He and his incredible family have literally moved all over the world to serve the Lord through various mission fields including Brazil and Malawi. With the Jewells’ continued mission efforts in Malawi, we hope to build a bridge of academic opportunities through York University for those students in the mission field. Their work will also create unique mission-trip opportunities for our students in the future.”
6 | Heritage | SUMMER 2022
