He came and then in six years, he was gone.  From August 2003 to August 2009, he served the seminary community as the seventh president before his next promotion – an international political appointment.

     Sticking to his battle plan and a 10-year strategic plan, former Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) President Dr. Michael Battle accomplished part of his personal and professional mission at the Atlanta-based seminary.

     The ITC is part a school consortium comprised at the Atlanta University Center.

     Battle accepted a new post as ambassador representing the United States to the African Union (53 countries) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

     He was confirmed by the United States Senate last month and was recently sworn in during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.  A going-away celebration was held at the seminary for Battle on Aug. 18.

     An interim president for the ITC is expected to be appointed by the board this week.  A search for Battle’s permanent replacement will be conducted and board members expect a new president to assume leadership for the 2010-2011 academic school year.

     Considered a capable and visionary leader, Battle leaves the ITC with a well-deserved sendoff.  Although there are different feelings about Battle accepting his new post, board member Michael Gist said he had “a bitter-sweet feeling.  I’m excited for the move, for he is so deserving; however, I’ll miss him greatly – he’s done such a tremendous job and made such a difference in so many ways at ITC.”

      Battle leaves a rich legacy.  He overcame at his initial hiring with the help of ITC employees, faculty and the board, the school being on probation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in half the time (six months) given to the school “to make things right and we fulfilled the task and were reinstated within six months.”

      The former seminary president has several outstanding accomplishments including leaving a “green footprint” with the school’s TheoEcology program, helping to initiate Distance Learning courses and leading business and community partnerships to help make continued leadership progress at the seminary.