Program Speakers

• Dr. Steve Eckman
• Dr. Jim Ice
• Dr. Tim Westbrook
• Dr. Andrew Baker
• Dr. Anessa Westbrook
• Dr. Nathan Mellor
• Dr. Jared Pack
• Mr. Joe Davis
   

 Dr. Tim Westbrook began his tenure at York University on July 1, 2025 and is serving as the 22nd president of York University. 

Westbrook has a lengthy record of service in Christian higher education, missions, and ministry. He has worked at Harding University since 2005, where he served as the director of Harding’s Equip — Bible Online Program. He has worked in multiple capacities in Harding’s College of Bible and Ministry, including work as associate director of the Institute for Church and Family during his first five years with the university, but his primary focus throughout his time at Harding has been developing the online Bible and ministry initiative.

Prior to his work with Harding, Westbrook was a missionary to Hungary from 1995 through 2003, where he served as the team leader. Although he returned more than 20 years ago, he has an ongoing involvement in mission work in Hungary. In addition to his work at Harding, Westbrook was the assistant editor for the Truth for Today Commentary Series from 2003 to 2010. 

Westbrook completed his MA in historical theology (2002) and his MDiv with an Old Testament concentration (2008) from Harding School of Theology. He earned his PhD in education and intercultural studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2015. His dissertation was published by Routledge with the title Spirituality, Community, and Race Consciousness in Adult Higher Education (2017). Westbrook grew up in Houston, Texas, and completed his undergraduate degree at Harding University.

President Westbrook and his wife, Dr. Anessa Westbrook, have been married for 32 years, and have three adult children: Alina (married to Blake Stout), Anna (married to Derek Yingling), and Theodore Westbrook.

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Steve Eckman is chancellor of York University in York, NE, his alma mater.  He served as York College president from 2009-2020. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Ohio Valley University.  Before that he was the Senior Grant Officer for the J.F. Maddox Foundation in New Mexico.  Most of Dr. Eckman's career has been involved in Christian Higher Education including previous work at York College and 20 years at Lubbock Christian University.  

Dr. Eckman has filled roles in Admissions, Financial Aid, Institutional Effectiveness, Research, taught as Associate Professor of Bible and served as Vice President for both Advancement and Student Development.  Steve served as minister for the Taylor Street Church of Christ in Hobbs, NM for two year.  His education includes an Associate of Arts from York College, a Bachelor's from Harding University, a Master of Arts and a Master of Divinity from ACU and a Doctor of Ministry from Amridge University.  
 

Eckman and his wife, LaRee have two grown children who live in Texas.  Steve has spoken widely for church groups and has keynoted the National Chamber Ambassadors Convention on two separate occasions.  He has conducted leadership camps for several years and has been asked to speak at ministry retreats and Bible camps throughout his career.  While president of York College, Steve has served on the NAIA Council of Presidents and has been President of the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.  

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Nathan Mellor serves as CEO of Strata Leadership, LLC based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Strata is the world's largest character based leadership training company.  Products and services provided by Strata are used in companies, non-profits and schools in all 50 states and in over 25 countries to a monthly audience of over 800,000.  
 

Dr. Mellor holds the Bachelor of Arts and the Master of Science in Education degrees from Harding University located in Searcy, AR.  He earned the Master of Dispute Resolution degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law – Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, and the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership degree from Pepperdine University located in Malibu, CA. 

Dr. Mellor has consulted, trained, and lectured in companies, non-profits and governmental agencies throughout the United States, In pursuit of education, humanitarian, and religious interests he has studied or taught in Australia, Belize, China, England, Guyana, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Russia, and Rwanda. He has nearly 15 years experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at Baker College, Pepperdine University, and Oklahoma Christian University.  

Nathan and his wife Christie were married in 1997 and have two daughters. 

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