August 27, 2008 - Dr. George Durance, President of Ambrose University College will step down after twelve years of leadership to return to missionary service. Durance's tenure was marked by significant milestones which led to the formation of Ambrose University College. As President he led the relocation of Canadian Bible College/Canadian Theological Seminary (CBC/CTS) from its historic campus in Regina SK to Calgary AB in 2003. Once in Calgary the institution formed an educational partnership with Nazarene University College (NUC), led by President Dr. Riley Coulter that eventually led to the merger of the institutions.

During the partnership period CBC/CTS obtained permission from the government of Alberta to grant provincially accredited BA degrees and changed its name to Alliance University College (AUC). The partnership operated as AUC-NUC until the merger after which the new institution was named Ambrose University College. The Ambrose Board of Governors elected Dr. Durance as President and elected Dr. Coulter as Chancellor.

This fall Ambrose will open its doors to students on a new 40-acre campus in the city's southwest. Ambrose, with a student body of over 800, now offers 17 undergraduate degrees in Arts and Science and Theology and six Seminary master's degrees.

Alex Baum, Chair of the Ambrose Board of Governors, spoke of the vital contribution Dr. Durance made during his tenure as President.

"We are truly grateful for Dr. Durance's leadership through this historic chapter of growth at Ambrose University College," Baum said. "God has displayed again his blessing on us through Dr. Durance's faithfulness."

Dr. Durance affirms his commitment to the Ambrose vision, board, Chancellor Coulter, faculty, staff and the constituency.

"I am deeply in debt to the institution and to our supporting constituencies, both the Christian & Missionary Alliance and The Church of the Nazarene, for the privilege of serving over this extended period of time," Dr. Durance said.

Dr. Durance will lead as president through the 2008/09 academic year. He and his wife Beverley will then leave Ambrose to return to international missionary service.