Dear friends of the John Jay Institute
Recently, those of you on our mailing list received a letter from Alan Crippen and the John Jay Institute. In that letter Alan gave an update on the Institute. Today I have an additional and important update to provide you. On behalf of the John Jay Institute’s Board of Governors it is with mixed emotion that I write to inform you that Alan Crippen resigned last week as president of the John Jay Institute effective September 30, 2016. Alan has accepted a position at the American Bible Society, an organization that John Jay co-founded 200 years ago. He will be serving as Chief of Exhibits, Programs, and Public Engagement for their new Faith and Liberty Discovery Center on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall. Knowing Alan’s passion for the Bible and its historical impact in America, we share in his joy at this new place of service.
While we rejoice with Alan and his family, we also feel the sorrow of Alan’s loss to the Institute. Eleven years ago Alan followed the call of God to start an institute that would impact and transform the lives of young leaders, equipping them to serve Christ, the King, in all walks of life. You are reading this letter because he recruited me—and most likely you—to be a part of that Glorious Cause. Hundreds of alumni have benefited from his vision and our work together.
That work will go on. Though Alan is leaving, he is and will always be our founder. He is staying in Philadelphia, and his new office will look directly down upon the square where he previously led hundreds of John Jay and Witherspoon Fellows on walking tours of the Old City. The American Bible Society has assured us that Alan and the Society itself are available to work with the John Jay board to effect a smooth and successful transition.
Meanwhile, the Board of Governors has met to begin charting a course forward. We have organized a transition planning team and are prayerfully and thoughtfully seeking the Lord’s direction in this next chapter of our organizational story. The need for principled public leaders has never been more evident, and we remain committed to carrying on the Institute’s mission of developing men and women worthy of that title. We ask for your prayers as we move forward in this endeavor.
We want you to rest assured we will be seeking input from various members of the JJI community which will be an invaluable and essential part of this process. I am sure you have many questions, and we will be contacting you in the days and weeks ahead to solicit your input, guidance, and support. In the meantime, we covet your prayers, moral support, and patience.
For Alan, Michelle and their family, words cannot express our profound gratitude for the work and sacrifice they have made in laying a foundation for us to build upon. Alan is a dear friend to all of us and The John Jay Institute wishes the Crippens every blessing and measure of success in the new calling they have chosen to pursue.
With deepest gratitude,
Todd J. Williams, Ph.D.
Chairman