Eastern University Welcomes Four New Board Members to the Board of Trustees

November 26, 2024

Dr. Darla Coffey

Dr. Coffey, a 1983 alumna of Eastern, was named Alumna of the Year in 2014. She served as President and CEO of the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) until her retirement in 2022. Dr. Coffey currently serves as a Senior Leadership Fellow at the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a nationally-recognized author and speaker, renowned for her pioneering work in mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence education. She and her husband, Mark, reside in Manayunk, Philadelphia, and have three adult children: Eden, Gabriel, and Grace.

Dr. Taek Lee

A recent PhD graduate of Eastern University, Dr. Lee earned his doctoral degree in January 2024. He is currently the CFO of Gallup, a global analytics and research company, where he is responsible for leading the company's financial strategy, governance, and performance analytics to drive sustainable growth. He and his wife, Jin Ah, live in Omaha, Nebraska, and have two children: Timothy and Isabel.

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin

Rev. Dr. Manarin serves as Executive Director/Minister of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. A graduate of Palmer Theological Seminary (MDiv, 1997), she is recognized for her leadership, love for the global church, and advocacy for women in ministry. She and her husband, Tim, reside in Annandale, Virginia, and have three children: Peter, Nathaniel, and Maggie.

Rev. Dr. Tony Sundermeier

A 1997 alumnus of Eastern, Rev. Dr. Sundermeier served as our commencement speaker and honorary doctorate recipient at the May 2024 ceremony. He is the Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, a 2,000 member congregation humbly following Jesus Christ in the heart of the city. Dr. Sundermeier and his wife, Katie, have two children, Jonathan and Luke, and reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

"We are excited to welcome these four distinguished individuals to our Board of Trustees. Their diverse expertise, leadership, and commitment to our faith-based education will be invaluable as we deepen, expand, and propel the vision and mission of Eastern University. Each member brings a unique perspective that will help guide us as we prepare to face the challenges and opportunities of the future."

Dr. Ron Matthews, President of Eastern University

About Eastern University

Eastern University is a Christian university enrolling approximately 7,500 students in its undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs. The university's main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs available online. Eastern's core values of faith, reason, and justice are woven into all of its educational programs. For more information visit eastern.edu or contact Ally Rosario, Director of Marketing & Communications: [email protected].