Steve Rose, vice president for financial administration at Walla Walla University, has accepted the Chinese Union Mission treasurer position. Rose has served as vice president at WWU since 2007.
"Walla Walla University has been powerfully blessed by the durable and excellent work of Steve Rose," says John McVay, president. "He has tended carefully to the resources of the university while being thoroughly invested in the institution's mission and caring deeply for all of us. Steve's love for WWU and its people has been one of the university's great assets."
During his 15 years as vice president, Rose supervised accounting, facility services, human resources, information technology, risk management and student financial services teams that implemented significant upgrades to the university's computer systems, as well as hiring and performance review processes. He worked to expand the university's scholarship and financial aid programs, and he spearheaded a successful multi-year plan to review and increase the remuneration of WWU faculty and staff.
In 2012 Rose also had the unique role of serving as WWU interim president for six months during a pause in President McVay's term. As one of the senior officers of the university, Rose has served on the President's Cabinet, University Master Planning Committee, and Financial Aid Philosophy Committee, among other leadership groups that have contributed to the overall improvement of the university.
Under Rose's leadership, the university's Facility Services team logged an impressive list of facility improvements, including purchasing a new building for the university's School of Social Work campus in Missoula, Mont., expanding School of Nursing facilities in Portland, Ore., as well as refurbishing classroom and cabin spaces, upgrading beach and boating areas, and adding several new cabins at WWU's Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory in Anacortes, Wash.
On WWU's College Place, Wash. campus, Rose led throughout the transformation of a significant stretch of WWU's front campus as part of the College Avenue (CARS) Project; doubling space in The Express; transforming classroom, gymnasium, and locker room spaces in the Winter Educational Complex; remodeling and adding ADA accessibility to Smith Hall and Havstad Alumni Center; installing a modern health care clinic and counseling/testing center; refreshing Peterson Memorial Library spaces; refurbishing old rental spaces and purchasing new rental properties; and transforming Bowers Hall into a home for the School of Business.
Rose's oversight of university financial matters resulted in a marked increase in working capital, a consistent pattern of clean financial audits, establishment of the university's Budget Committee, growth of the university's endowment, and improvement in the university's overall composite financial index rating. His financial leadership helped WWU navigate recent challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Throughout his fifteen years of service, the Lord has blessed the university through Steve's diligence, excellence, and commitment to mission," McVay affirms.
A 1985 graduate of Walla Walla University and a certified public accountant, Rose has represented WWU in higher education organizations that included the Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities, the Adventist Risk Management Board, and the Adventist Accrediting Association Commission on Higher Education. He has also served organizations in the Walla Walla area, including the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Gospel Outreach, and the Walla Walla University Church.
"The Walla Walla Valley will always be special to me, the place I come back to," Rose says. "I have loved working at WWU and working with the people that make it wonderful. The administrative team here will always have a very special place in my heart. But I also look forward to the challenge of work in a new place. China is vast and there will be plenty to learn. And I look forward to living in Asia again," Rose says.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Chinese Union Mission oversees the Seventh-day Adventist Church's work throughout China and Macau. Prior to his return to WWU in 2007, Rose worked for the Seventh-day Adventist world church as associate treasurer and undertreasurer in Silver Spring, Md., and as treasurer for the church in Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
Rose will transition to his new role in June 2022.
Steve Rose
