Dr. Gary Moncher will be the guest speaker at Lee University’s Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Moncher is the president of Patten University, a Christian liberal institution in Oakland, Calif., and holds a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of California, Berkeley.
Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Lee University Conn Center. Over 200 seniors will receive their degrees.
Prior to being appointed Patten’s president in 2000, Moncher served as executive vice president of the school. An ordained minister, he has held several leadership positions in the fields of education and ministry, including the education director of Patten Academy of Christian Education and associate professor of education and biblical studies at Patten University.
A native of Oakland, Calif., and an alumnus of Patten Academy of Christian Education, Moncher also holds degrees in biblical studies, philosophy, and organization and leadership. In addition to his graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, he has also studied at Western Baptist Bible College; St. Mary’s College, Moraga; and the University of San Francisco.
Moncher dedicates much of his time to civic, educational and ministerial leadership roles. He is currently involved in numerous boards and associations, including the Board of Directors for the Church of God Division of Education, the California State Advisory Council on Institutional Religion, the Commission Resource Board for the National Association of Evangelicals Chaplain’s Commission and the Chaplains Coordinating Committee of the California Department of Corrections, among many others.
Moncher’s wife, Yanira, is currently working in the graduate studies program at the Church of God Theological Seminary West.