Trevecca Names Internal Provost as 12th President
Nashville employers and vendors tied to the university should expect continuity in hiring, programs and campus spending.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People
Trevecca Nazarene University has named Tom Middendorf its 12th president, succeeding Dan Boone, who is retiring after 22 years. Middendorf, currently provost, senior vice president and chief of staff, takes office July 1, 2027, after a national search for Nashville-area operators of higher education institutions.
Why it matters
The appointment places a longtime internal administrator at the head of a Nashville private university that has grown substantially under its outgoing leader. For Nashville employers and vendors, leadership continuity at a major local institution signals stable hiring, program development and campus investment in the years ahead.
Enrollment at Trevecca Nazarene University grew from approximately 2,000 to nearly 4,000 students during Dan Boone's 22-year presidency, with more than $250 million invested in campus construction and renovation. Middendorf helped create more than 25 new academic programs during his tenure as provost.
The players
Trevecca Nazarene University
A private Christian university in Nashville offering undergraduate and graduate programs across its academic divisions.
FaithSearch Partners
A search firm that specializes in executive recruitment for faith-based higher education and nonprofit organizations.
The details
Trevecca's Board of Trustees, led by Chair Brian Wilson, ran a national search with the help of FaithSearch Partners before selecting Middendorf. Middendorf has worked at the university since 2008, holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Trevecca, and helped launch the school's four-year nursing program. The announcement was made during the university's 125th homecoming weekend, and he assumes the presidency July 1, 2027.
Timeline
November 6, 2026: Trevecca announces Middendorf as its next president during homecoming weekend.
July 1, 2027: Middendorf becomes the university's 12th president, succeeding Dan Boone.
Market Landscape
Trevecca's leadership change comes as the university moves from a period of rapid expansion under Boone into a new administration led by an internal candidate. The choice of a provost with long institutional tenure reflects a pattern of continuity in faith-based Nashville universities that have grown their program offerings.
Nashville employers, vendors and job seekers in higher education should expect the new administration to shape hiring, program development and campus procurement after July 1, 2027. Operators who supply the university or recruit its graduates may want to track program announcements as Middendorf sets his initial agenda.
The takeaway
Watch for Middendorf's first strategic priorities as president, which will signal how the university plans to use its expanded program base and campus footprint. Businesses that rely on Trevecca for partnerships, internships or vendor contracts should calendar the July 1, 2027 transition and review existing agreements with the incoming administration in mind.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage of Nashville leadership changes and executive appointments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tennessean.
