Michael Farris founder of Patrick Henry College becomes ACU Board Chairman

Attorney Michael Farris — Former ADF CEO, Founder of Patrick Henry College and Home School Legal Defense Association — becomes Board Chairman for ACU

Former CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom Michael Farris was elected as the new Chairman of the Arizona Christian University Board of Trustees at its annual fall meeting in late September.

Farris, serving his second year on the Board, is also the Founder of Patrick Henry College, where he served as President and Chancellor. Prior to that, he founded and led the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Farris has argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court.

“We are thrilled to have Mike Farris join and now lead the ACU Board of Trustees,” said ACU President Len Munsil. “I have known him for more than three decades, and he has been one of the most significant, prominent and successful conservative Christian leaders in our nation for that entire time. He combines an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit with tremendous wisdom and experience in higher education and the battle to preserve our religious liberties. And, of course, he is a legendary figure for his role as a catalyst in growing, popularizing and legalizing home schooling in America.”

Farris, who remains active as General Counsel for the National Religious Broadcasters, explains why he was willing to get involved with ACU:

“Jay Vernon McGee once said that there are three kinds of people—believers, nonbelievers, and make-believers,” Farris said. “Colleges also fit that description. When I find a Christian institution that is the real thing and pursues both excellence and kingdom impact, I want to help in any way I can. ACU is one of the rare places that combines these attributes.”

Farris has been married to his wife Vickie for 53 years. They have 10 children, 31 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild and live in Purcellville, VA.

Farris succeeds Tom Okarma, a retired insurance industry CEO and nonprofit board and leadership coach who completed six years of service on the Trustee Board. ACU’s bylaws follow good governance standards by requiring at least a year off the Board after six years of service.

Also completing their terms in September were ACU/Southwestern College alum and Pastor Dr. Jim Baugh, the CEO of Airline MRO Parts and ACU Dad Wayne Mihailov, retired high tech industry sales professional Rick Blankenship, and business owner and former California state Sen. Mike Morrell.

Also joining the Trustee Board at its September meeting was Howard Morrison, a partner at Morrison Ranch in Gilbert. Morrison has also been an associate pastor and holds a Th.M. in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and a D. Min. from Phoenix Seminary. He played an integral role in the planning and development of Morrison Ranch, a master planned community in Gilbert. Morrison and his wife Jana have three adult children and live in Austin, TX.

The current members of the ACU Board of Trustees can be found here.

“As ACU continues to grow and serve more students from around the nation and the world, our Board will become even more of a national board,” said President Munsil. “As a University we are governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. Because of our commitment to our biblical, conservative mission, each Trustee candidate will be thoroughly vetted for alignment and commitment to ACU’s unique, conservative, biblical truth-based mission and vision.”