Jon Dybdahl brings a visionary perspective to Walla Walla College, based on a life dedicated to teaching and mission service.

Shortly after earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees in the United States, Dybdahl moved with his family to Thailand. In the Thailand Mission, he was a pastor and evangelist and also founded an adult education center and Chiangmai Academy. Two of his children, Krista Croft and Paul, were born while the family lived in Thailand.

After six years in Thailand, Dybdahl spent two years at Singapore's Southeast Asia Union College serving as the college church pastor and a professor of theology.

Dybdahl returned to the United States in 1976 to teach at WWC, where he enjoyed teaching with John Brunt, Alden Thompson, and Ernie Bursey-theology colleagues he first met in the seminary.

Dybdahl, who taught at WWC for 13 years, received the Zapara Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1988. His former students describe him as deeply spiritual and an excellent teacher. He also received the Andrews University Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1997.

When Dybdahl received the call to be Walla Walla College's 22nd president, he was serving as a professor of world mission at Andrews University involved in the training of ministers worldwide.

Dybdahl earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Pacific Union College in 1965. He earned both a master's degree in systematic theology and a master of divinity degree from Andrews University. In 1981, he completed a doctorate in Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Dybdahl has written several books, the latest of which is a collection of essays on world mission published in 1999. He is also a frequent book reviewer and contributor to professional journals.

Dybdahl and his wife, Kathy, have three children who are all WWC alumni and live in the Walla Walla area. Jonna Buell is a 1989 elementary education graduate. Krista Croft attended WWC from 1989 to 1991 and graduated from Andrews University in 1993 with a degree in behavioral science. Paul is a 1992 theology graduate and joined the WWC faculty as an instructor in religion in 2000.