DR Richard Stratton

Published On:Thursday, November 26, 2009

DR Richard Stratton, president of Clearwater Christian College in Florida, will visit alumni, prospective students and speak in two Nassau churches this week. Approximately thirty Bahamians, including C Paul Cartwright (deceased) of Christian Counselling Centre, Nassau; Perry Cunningham, pastor of Gospel Light Baptist Church, senior master at RM Bailey High School and former principal of Nassau Christian Academy, and Cecile Albury, founder and principal of Agape Christian School in Marsh Harbour, Abaco received their bachelor's degrees from Clearwater Christian College.

Located on a 138-acre property on Tampa Bay, the college is home to over 600 undergraduate students pursuing a distinct Bible-based Christian education in a liberal arts environment.

It offers 26 majors and 17 minors. In the summer of 2008, the college began its first graduate programme in the area of educational leadership. It is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

The college is not affiliated with any major denominational groups, adhering solely to the fundamental truths found in the Word of God.

In May 2009, Dr Stratton completed his seventh year as president of the college.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in accounting from Bob Jones University in 1981, he took a position with the firm of Deloitte and Touche (formerly Deloitte, Haskins and Sells), one of the 'big four' accounting firms.

After two years with the firm, Dr Stratton taught in the accounting division of Bob Jones University until 1989, when he began work on a doctorate in business administration at the University of Georgia.

He was awarded the degree in 1994.

Dr Stratton returned to Bob Jones University to resume teaching, and in 1998 he was appointed dean of the business school.

While living in Greenville, South Carolina, the Stratton family attended Hampton Park Baptist Church where Dr Stratton was active in various ministries, including teaching Sunday school and serving as chairman of the deacon board and the finance committee.

He also served on the board of Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency, an international adoption agency.

He is currently on the board of Bob Shelton Evangelistic Ministries.

Dr Stratton and his wife, the former Holly Burket, have two children, a son Michael and a daughter Maycee.

They are members of Hillsdale Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida.

Dr Stratton is visiting prospective students at the following Bahamian high schools this week:

* Abaco: Agape Christian School (including Wesley College, Cyber Learning Centre and Long Bay), Forest Heights Academy and SC Bootle High School.

* Nassau: Kingsway Academy, Faith Temple Christian Academy, RM Bailey High School, Temple Christian School and Nassau Christian Academy.

A reunion for Bahamian alumni will be held this Saturday at 7.30pm and Dr Stratton will be the featured speaker.

Dr Stratton will also speak at two Nassau churches on Sunday, at the Calvary Bible Church, Collins Avenue at 11am, and at the Gospel Light Baptist Church, Cowpen Road at 6.45pm.

The public is invited to attend.

For further information, alumni may contact Priscilla Cartwright at Logos Bookstore at telephone number 394-7040.