11 / 48
11
Fall 2017
INTRODUCING
OUR NEW
VICE PRESIDENT
If there’s one word that might be used to describe much of Rich Cummins’ life,
“transformation” would be at the top of the list. Early in his career, he led the charge to
reestablish and grow his family’s business. As a business leader in Fort Wayne, Ind., he
helped cast the vision that saw the downtown area revitalized. Later in his career, he
saw daily evidence of lives changed while serving as executive vice president for The
Rescue Mission. And most of all, he has seen the power of the Gospel transform his own
life in powerful ways.
Now, as Bethel’s new vice president for institutional advancement, he is excited to join
the work of transformation at Bethel College.
“A Bethel education combines academic excellence and spiritual formation in order
to equip students to fulfill God’s calling on their life,” says Cummins. “Being part of
developing future leaders for the
Kingdom of God is an awesome
responsibility and I feel blessed to be
here.”
Cummins brings a variety of
career experience to his new role,
where he will lead the team for
Bethel’s fundraising, marketing,
communications and alumni services. Most recently, as executive vice president at The
Rescue Mission, he served on a leadership team overseeing nearly 100 employees,
1,500 volunteers and 14,500 donors. During his tenure, giving increased from $3.2
million to $5.7 million and he solicited and secured two $1 million contributions. He co-
led the fundraising strategy for the mission’s $17.5 million capital campaign and secured
more than $6 million in support in 18 months.
“Rich’s passion for developing people and organizations will be an asset to Bethel as
we continue moving the institution forward,” says President Gregg Chenoweth, Ph.D.
“He brings a depth and breadth of experience that will give added momentum to the
mission and vision of the college.”
A native of Fort Wayne, Cummins is a licensed minister in the International Church of
the Foursquare Gospel. He and his wife, Danielle, have been married for eight years and
are raising a family with four daughters and one son.
“I look forward to building on the legacy of leadership and transformation here at
Bethel,” says Cummins. “The future is bright and I am thrilled to be a part of what God is
doing in and through our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends.”
BY ERIN KINZEL
QC Printing Co., Inc.
President and CEO
Modernized 50-year-old regional commercial
printing company, specializing in marketing
materials and publications
Providence Communications
CEO and Publisher
Oversaw the publishing of HealthCares
Magazine, Fort Wayne Business Journal
and Fort Wayne Woman Magazine
STAR 88.3
Executive Vice President
Facilitated a partnership between STAR 88.3
and Huntington University to create STAR
Educational Media Network
The Rescue Mission
Executive Vice President
Co-led the fundraising strategy for The
Rescue Mission’s $17.5 million capital
campaign and secured more than $6 million
in support in 18 months
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
B.A. Political Science
,
Purdue University
M.A. Organizational Leadership
,
Huntington University
Advanced Credential in Leadership and
Executive Coaching
,
Huntington University
Certificate in Fundraising Management
,
Indiana University Lilly Family School of
Philanthropy
EDUCATION
“Being part of developing future
leaders for the Kingdomof God is
an awesome responsibility and I
feel blessed to be here.”