Rev. Dr. Derrick Jackson has been appointed by the American Baptist College Board of Trustees as the school’s 11th president. The announcement was made to the College’s faculty and staff by Board Chair Dennie Marshall and is effective immediately.
According to Marshall, the board quickly recognized that Jackson, who had served as interim president since July 1, was the right person to assume the presidency on a permanent basis.
“Derrick Jackson’s background as a business leader, pastor, and educator make him an ideal fit for ABC,” said Marshall. “The next president needs to be focused on increasing enrollment, raising funds, engaging alumni, and strengthening ABC’s relationship with the National Baptist Convention USA. President Jackson is in a unique position to make all of those things happen.”
Jackson is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallatin, Tenn., where he has served for 24 years. He is also accomplished in various business and entrepreneurial endeavors, serving as executive director of the Sunday School Publishing Board and co-owner of several other ventures. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Keller Graduate School of Management, as well as a Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lipscomb University.
“I am grateful,” Jackson told Marshall and the board. He then said to ABC’s faculty and staff, “There are a lot of good things we can do together. I’m thankful for the work of our former president, Forrest Harris, and look forward to continuing the momentum around the energy and synergy already in place. I’m looking forward to continuing what we’ve started together.”
Jackson added, “Nashville needs ABC, and so does the country and the world.”
Marshall said there were 26 qualified candidates who applied for the presidency through a nationwide search and noted how that speaks highly of ABC’s stature. In the end, the decision to appoint Jackson is one the board felt confident in.
“The Board of Trustees is excited,” he said. “We’re ready to get alumni and other supporters involved in raising friends and funds, and we know we’re on the right track.”
