Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen became Abilene Christian University provost in 1996.

Before coming to ACU, he had been at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., since 1985, serving as dean of the faculty of Seaver College of Letters, Arts and Sciences since 1992. He also directed the Seaver College Graduate Programs and was a professor of communication, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in interpersonal and organizational communication as well as courses in the graduate ministry program on religious communication and preaching. VanRheenen's areas of research and consulting utilize human communication theory to better understand organizations and relationships in the not-for-profit (colleges, churches and service agencies) and for-profit (businesses and corporations) sectors.

Before Pepperdine, VanRheenen taught at the University of Maine from 1970-85, serving as associate professor and chair of the Department of Speech Communication. He also was coordinator of both graduate studies and basic courses and was an adjunct professor of speech at Bangor Theological Seminary. A 1966 speech and biblical studies graduate of Harding University, VanRheenen earned both a masters and doctorate in communication from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

An elder at the Conejo Valley Church of Christ for nine years, VanRheenen preached frequently in churches in Southern California. During his tenure in Maine, he spoke frequently throughout the Northeast and helped begin a new church in the town of Brewer. He is a familiar writer for various Christian publications and speaker for lecture series and other events.

The provost oversees all academic programs, working closely with the deans of the colleges and the department chairs. At ACU, the provost's area of responsibility includes both the curriculum and the co-curriculum, i.e. students' learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Therefore, he also oversees Campus Life. Other offices in his area include the Career Services, the Adams Center for Teaching Excellence, the Graduate School, library, Registrar's Office, Institutional Research and Assessment, and Curriculum and Advising.

Dwayne is married to the former Joan Allison and they have three children: Nathan, Michele, and Derek.