Students

Academic Support Center
Communicate Events
Directory (eStudent)
Student Services

Employees

Directory (eStaff)
Directory (eFaculty)
Human Resources

Board of Trustees

Officers

Trustees

Legal Counsel

Trustees Emeriti

Stephen Livesay

Bryan's seventh president, Dr. Livesay came to the college in February 2003, bringing with him ten years of administrative and teaching experience at Belhaven University, Jackson, MS, and seven years teaching experience at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.  Prior to that he taught history and Bible and coached cross country and basketball at a Christian high school in Michigan.

During his tenure at Bryan, the college has experienced a period of significant growth, including the addition of online and graduate programs, expansion of undergraduate offerings, increased outreach to the community, new satellite campuses in Chattanooga and Knoxville, and growth in the Dayton campus physical facilities. He developed Vision 2020, a plan to guide Bryan’s growth through the next decade, which includes increasing traditional undergraduate enrollment to 1200, with an additional 3000 students enrolled in graduate and non-traditional programs.

Dr. Livesay earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, an M.A. from Oakland University in Michigan, and a B.S. degree from Bob Jones University. He is a fellow with the Cornwall Alliance, board chairman of the National Association of Christian Athletes and hosts a weekly radio broadcast, Life Today. He and his wife Corinne live in Dayton and have three grown children.

Bradford Sample

Selected as Academic Vice President in September 2009, Bradford Sample works with the faculty to craft, deliver, and assess excellent academic programs for students on both the Dayton traditional campus and at sites serving non-traditional students. Dr. Sample serves on the President’s Cabinet and chairs the Academic Council.

Dr. Sample previously worked at Indiana Wesleyan University (2003-2009) in various roles including Dean of the College of Adult & Professional Studies, Director of Liberal Arts Programs, and as an adjunct professor of history. Prior to 2003, Dr. Sample worked as a Research Associate and as Director of Development for University College, Indiana University—Purdue University at Indianapolis (1999-2003).

Bradford holds a Ph.D. in History from Purdue University, an M.A. in History from Indiana University, and a B.A. in History and Political Science, also from Indiana University. Bradford hails from the mighty “metropolis” of Cloverdale, Indiana, and met his wife, Michelle, at Indiana University—Bloomington. They live with their two children in Dayton, Tennessee. 

Blake Hudson

Vice President for Advancement since January 2009, Blake Hudson is responsible for overseeing all fundraising, alumni relations, public relations, and publications of the College. He is a member of the President's Executive Cabinet.

Before coming to Bryan, he served as vice president for advancement at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Va., and was director of development for the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University. He and his wife Karla also served on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ for seven years.

He is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in industrial engineering. Blake and Karla homeschool their five children and live in the Dayton community.

Michael Sapienza

Appointed Vice President for Enrollment Management in January 2009, Michael Sapienza oversees the offices of Admissions and Financial Aid and directs campus wide retention efforts. He is a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet.

Michael came to Bryan in January 2004 as Financial Aid Director and has since served as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid and Director of Enrollment Management. Prior to coming to Bryan, he served as Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Tennessee Temple University. He has also served as Assistant Administrator of a small, private Christian school.

He is a graduate of Franklin Pierce College with a degree in financial management and has an M.A. in communication from Spring Arbor University. Michael and his wife Claudia moved to Tennessee from New England in the summer of 2001 and currently live just north of Dayton with their two children. 

Vance Berger

Vance Berger has served at Bryan College as Vice President for Finance since September 2002. He oversees the financial operation of the college as well as the athletic and human resources departments. He is a member of the President's Executive Cabinet.

Vance has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis and a theology degree from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. He is a CPA.

Vance was a business administrator and executive administrator of a church and Christian school from 1971 to August 2002. He and his wife Connie live in Dayton and have two married sons and five grandchildren.

Rick Taphorn

Appointed as Vice President of Information Services and Associate Vice President of Finance in October 2012, Rick Taphorn focuses on developing and implementing technology strategy for all components of the campus as well as assisting the Vice President of Finance with the financial operation of the college. He is a member of the President's Executive Cabinet.

Before returning to Bryan, Rick served as Director of Financial Services at Missouri Baptist University (2011-2012). His previous experience at Bryan College was the Director of Financial Aid (2007-2011) and Assistant Director of Financial Aid (2005-2007). He also served at Tennessee Temple University as a Financial Aid Counselor (2004-2005).

Rick earned a MBA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Tennessee Temple University. He and his wife, Roanna, live in Ooltewah, Tennessee and have one beautiful girl.

 

Tim Hostetler

Tim Hostetler has served Bryan College as Vice President of Operations since 2000. He oversees the various areas of the college operations including the Office of Physical Plant, Information Technology Services, Summer Conferences and Pool program, Food Service, Bookstore, Mailroom and Construction Services. He is a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet.

Tim came to Bryan in September 1987 as an Admissions Counselor and has since served as Director of Financial Aid and Executive Director of Operations. Prior to coming to Bryan, he served as Assistant Director of a camp for military officers in Pennsylvania. He has also served as the Administrator of a small private Christian school in the Dayton area.

He is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in business administration. Tim and his wife Anita currently live in Evensville, Tennessee, with their three children.

Matt Benson

Appointed as Vice President for Spiritual Formation in July of 2010, Dr. Matt Benson has served at Bryan College since 1997. Dr. Benson’s team in Spiritual Formation exists in order to create innovative strategies that promote enduring values of spiritual and worldview formation among Bryan’s faculty, staff, and students as well as external constituencies of the college. He is a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet and holds an academic appointment as Assistant Professor of Christian Thought and Biblical Studies.

Before coming to Bryan, Dr. Benson held pastoral positions in churches in Georgia, Wisconsin and Texas as well as served at the Center for Christian Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Dr. Benson earned his Ed.D. from the Talbot School of Theology, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a B.A. degree from Piedmont College (GA). He is an active member of the Evangelical Theological Society and on the leadership team of the Campus Ministry Commission of the CCCU. He and his wife Melody live in Dayton and have three beautiful children.

Office of the President

Office of the Academic Vice President

Office of the Vice President for Advancement

Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management

Office of the Vice President for Finance

Office of the Vice President of Information Systems

Office of the Vice President of Operations

Office of the Vice President for Spiritual Formation