President from 1966 to 1979

Dr. Gilliam was an alumnus of Pacific Bible College. After graduation he served as pastor for two Midwestern churches. In 1966, Dr. E. Joe Gilliam returned to Warner Pacific College to become its fourth president. Anderson University (Indiana) awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1971.

During his time as president, Dr. Gilliam oversaw the opening of the Gotham science building (1969), the demolition of the Old Main building (1969), and the construction and opening of McGuire Auditorium (1976). Shortly after it opened, President Gerald Ford gave Warner Pacific College’s commencement address in McGuire Auditorium on May 23, 1976. Dr. Gilliam retired from Warner Pacific College in 1979.

After retiring from Warner Pacific College, Dr. Gilliam founded the Institute for Christian Leadership in the 1980s. The ICL published Faculty Dialogue which was a journal focused on Christian higher education. He left the Institute for Christian Leadership in 1995.

More About Dr. E. Joe Gilliam

• Obituary (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Faculty Dialogue (Winter-Spring 1988 Number 10, Jan. 1, 1988)
• Faculty Dialogue (Winter 1984-85 Number 2, Jan. 1, 1984)