Richard Osborn

Richard Charles Osborn
20th President of Pacific Union College
In office
2001–2009
Preceded byMalcolm Maxwell
Succeeded byHeather Knight[1]
Personal details
Born (1947-03-19) March 19, 1947
Loma Linda, CA
SpouseNorma Keough
Children2
Parent(s)Robert Osborn and Evelyn Lawson
Alma materWashington Adventist University (BA); University of Maryland (MA, PhD)
ProfessionCollege administrator
Educator

Richard Charles Osborn is a retired administrator of American higher education, who served as vice-president of WSCUC at the time of his retirement in 2019.

Life and Education

Richard Osborn was born 19 Mar 1947 in Loma Linda, CA, as the first of two children to Robert Osborn and Evelyn Lawson. He is married to the former Norma Keough, a retired pastor and former elementary school teacher. They have 2 children, a daughter and a son, and 5 grandchildren.[2][3][4]

He received a BA degree in history from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) in 1969, and an MA (1975) and PhD (1990) in the colonial history of Virginia from the University of Maryland. His dissertation was titled: "William Preston of Virginia, 1727-1783: The Making of a Frontier Elite."[2][3][5]

Professional career

Osborn's career consisted of 50 years in K-12 and higher education. He served as principal of Takoma Academy (1980–1987), a Seventh-day Adventist secondary school in Takoma Park, MD, as vice-president for education for the Columbia Union Conference (1988–1995), an Adventist regional administration entity, and as vice-president for education of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (1996–2001).[2][4]

He was the 20th president of Pacific Union College (2001–2009),[1] an Adventist post-secondary school in Angwin, CA. At the time of his retirement in 2019, Osborn was vice-president of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).[4] In 2023, he left retirement to accept a one-year appointment as interim president of La Sierra University.[6]

He continues to serve as a trustee of several institutions, including Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA.[7]

During his career, Osborn served in various roles related to higher education, including:

Among his many publications are the following scholarly articles:

  • "Taking a Systems Approach to Adventist Education," The Journal of Adventist Education (Summer 2000).
  • "William Preston: Origins of a Backcountry Political Career," Journal of Backcountry Studies (UNCG) 2.2 (Fall 2007).
  • "William Preston and the American Revolution," Journal of Backcountry Studies (UNCG) 3.1 (Spring 2008).
  • "William Preston and the Revolutionary Settlement," Journal of Backcountry Studies (UNCG) 3.2 (Fall 2008).
  • "William Preston—Revolutionary (1779-1781)," The Smithfield Review (2008 & 2009).

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Jillian (July 22, 2009). "PUC taps new college president". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Carpenter, Alexander (20 Oct 2023). "Richard Osborn Named Interim President of La Sierra University". Spectrum.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Richard Osborn". Los Angeles Pacific University. Retrieved 27 Oct 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Saturné, Bordes Henry; Osborn, Richard (2024). "A Conversation with Richard Osborn, PhD". The Journal of Adventist Education. 85 (3): 62–71.
  5. ^ "Dr. Richard Osborn Selected as La Sierra University's Interim President". AdventistToday.org. 25 Oct 2023.
  6. ^ Piper, Julia (November 15, 2023). "Transitions: U. of Louisiana System and Louisiana Tech U. Get New Presidents". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  7. ^ "Board of Trustees". Loma Linda University Health Board of Trustees. Retrieved 27 Oct 2025.
  8. ^ "History". CAPE. Retrieved 27 Oct 2025.
  9. ^ "Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation" (PDF). American Osteopathic Association. 26–27 Aug 2021.
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