Cornerstone University Appoints Eric Metaxas and Bill McKendry as Inaugural Distinguished President’s Fellows
Cornerstone University is honored to announce the appointment of nationally recognized thought leaders Eric Metaxas and Bill McKendry as inaugural Distinguished President’s Fellows. This new designation honors individuals whose lives reflect national influence, professional impact, and Christ-centered leadership aligned with the university’s 84-year-old Biblical legacy.
They will help students bridge academic learning with real-world skills rooted in Biblical truth through mentorship, teaching, and public dialogue on campus and through various forms of Cornerstone media and community outreach.
“Eric Metaxas and Bill McKendry are each shaping business, media, and culture in profoundly Christ-centered ways,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “Our students will learn directly from leaders who have built nationally influential platforms — one through strategic communication and creative innovation, the other through writing, broadcasting, and public engagement. Their appointment reflects Cornerstone’s commitment to forming students with the moral clarity and practical skills needed to lead with purpose in every arena of life.”
Eric Metaxas is the host of the nationally syndicated Eric Metaxas Show and of Socrates in the City, the acclaimed conversation series about “life, God, and other small topics,” and is one of the most influential Christian public intellectuals of our time. He is best known for his acclaimed biographies of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, William Wilberforce, and Martin Luther, which have shaped national discourse around faith and cultural responsibility, and for his “Letter to the American Church,” which was turned into a feature documentary film. His books have been translated into 25 languages. A contributing writer to the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, and The New York Times, his early work also included scripts for Rabbit Ears Productions and VeggieTales. He has authored more than 30 children’s books — including Grammy-nominated narrations — and holds a B.A. in English from Yale University, along with five honorary doctorates. Metaxas brings bold public engagement, historical depth, and Biblical conviction into every conversation.
Metaxas first engaged with Cornerstone as a featured speaker during the university’s Wisdom Conversations series, where he expressed his excitement about the university’s bold and faithful approach to cultural engagement. He also shared his conviction that families seeking institutions that uphold Biblical and conservative family values should seriously consider Cornerstone. His ongoing dialogue with Dr. Moreno-Riaño and admiration for the campus community made accepting this new role an enthusiastic “yes.” He looks forward to further shaping student minds and hearts through honest, Biblical, and historically grounded conversations.
Bill McKendry is a nationally respected leader in marketing, media, and nonprofit innovation. He is the founder of the Do More Good©, an initiative that works with thought leaders from both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds to build an ever-growing bank of educational resources to guide nonprofits to do and achieve more good. He also authored a best selling book by the same name, “Do More Good: Moving Nonprofits from Good to Growth.” He also founded BrandHaven, a nationally recognized advertising and marketing firm and previously served as co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Hanon McKendry. McKendry’s leadership on the acclaimed and culture-shifting “He Gets Us” campaign reflects his unique ability to apply creative strategy to redemptive storytelling at a national scale. As a Distinguished President’s Fellow, he will guide students in leveraging business, communication, and media for gospel-centered influence.
McKendry was first introduced to Cornerstone through the university’s Business Breakfast events and has since formed a strong connection with the institution. He regularly visits campus to ideate and do some of his best creative work, crediting the environment as uniquely inspiring. Over the years, he has enjoyed hiring Cornerstone graduates, collaborating with faculty — including co-publishing a book with a former professor — and participating in several campus initiatives. His familiarity with the excellence, character, and creativity fostered at Cornerstone made the decision to accept this fellowship a natural one. He’s eager to mentor students and equip them to use media and business as tools for gospel-centered cultural renewal.
Metaxas and McKendry’s appointment builds upon the President’s Fellows program, launched in fall 2024, which provides annual scholarships and mentorship for high-achieving, high potential undergraduate students. They join an esteemed group of President’s Fellows, including Ryan Bomberger, co-founder of The Radiance Foundation; Tudor Dixon, commentator and host of The Tudor Dixon Podcast; Dr. Douglas Groothuis, distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview at Cornerstone University; Joanna Ng, former head of research and director of the Center for Advanced Studies for IBM Canada; and Ian Rowe, founder of Vertex Partnership Academies.
The Distinguished President’s Fellows designation reinforces the vision of the President’s Fellows program and The Cornerstone Advantage™ — to prepare students with moral clarity and market-ready skills by connecting them with faithful, effective leaders who model Christ-centered influence across every industry and to the benefit of society.
Join Cornerstone University in welcoming Eric Metaxas and Bill McKendry!
