Carl Schreiber, vice president of business and financial affairs at Biola, will be stepping down after 22 years of service.

Schreiber, who has accepted a position at Patrick Henry College in Virginia as executive vice president, announced his resignation two weeks ago. Schreiber plans to remain with Biola into February. Schreiber’s resignation after more than two decades came as a shock to many. Dave Koontz, senior director of financial management and reporting, who has worked under Schreiber all 22 years, was well aware that Schreiber’s expertise has made him marketable in the world of Christian higher education.

“Was it a shock?” Koontz probed. “Yes. Surprise? Not so much.”

Schreiber first came to Biola in 1987 as the director of finances. He then accepted the position of vice president of financial affairs and information technology in 1993 before assuming his current title.

As one of the seven members of the President’s Administrative Council, Schreiber is well respected among the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities for his financial wisdom. Much in thanks to his leadership, Biola’s budget and endowment have grown more than five-fold, and a strengthened balance sheet has reduced the school’s borrowing rate over Schreiber’s tenure, allowing Biola to grow significantly. Among other achievements, he successfully managed the only two lawsuits Biola has ever filed. More recently, Schreiber has helped steer Biola through the financial tumult caused by the recession.

Koontz said he and Sandie Weaver, senior director of financial planning and operations, will be “filling in all the gaps” until someone else is found to fill Schreiber’s position. Both Koontz and Weaver have worked alongside Schreiber since his arrival 22 years ago. Schreiber was confident that the systems and people in place will continue to run Biola smoothly until his replacement is found, despite added complications caused by the recession.

Schreiber said no “single reason” directed his decision to leave, although the thought of returning to the state where he raised his two daughters and living within a few hours’ drive of aging parents helped.

Schreiber said he was completely closed off to the idea of joining Patrick Henry College when the institution first approached him 13 months ago. But as time passed, curiosity began to trump the contentedness he and his wife, Marsha, have felt at Biola.

“In all respects, I never actually thought we’d leave Biola after 22 years,” he said. “But a lot of little things sort of gathered together.”

Weaver said she thought Schreiber was “inspired” by the idea of nurturing the young, but growing institution just outside of Washington D.C. known for its recruitment of homeschool students, strong political programs and successful graduates.

President Corey, in a letter to the university, said he will miss his friend and colleague.

“I am very appreciative of Carl’s contributions to Christian higher education and thank him for his leadership and commitment to Biola University,” Corey wrote. “He has served as an instrumental member of the President’s Administrative Council and previously with Clyde Cook and the President’s Leadership Team.”

For Schreiber, the move away from Biola, a home of sorts, will be difficult, as his family is part of the “fabric” of Biola, he said. Marsha directed the Student Health Center for 20 years. Both of his daughters graduated from Biola. He and Marsha, however, are excited to see what God has in store for them 2,634 miles away.

“At the end of the day, we decided we have this in us one more time,” he said. “We’re just going to be wild and crazy and go back to Virginia and join the team at Patrick Henry.”