Calvin College’s presidential search committee has recommended Michael Le Roy as the next president of the Christian Reformed school.

Le Roy, currently provost and executive vice president at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, will replace outgoing president Gaylen Byker, who is stepping down after 16 years at the helm. The board will vote on Le Roy’s nomination on February 9.

If approved, Le Roy would be the first Calvin president in 60 years who is not a member of the Christian Reformed Church, as well as the first president who did not attend the college. Le Roy is an ordained elder of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Le Roy, a Whitworth alumnus, returned to his alma mater in 2002 as a professor of political science. In 2005, he was named vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty; he was promoted to his current position in 2010. During his time at Whitworth, Le Roy has been instrumental in developing Whitworth’s first international education center in Costa Rica. He also played a key role in building the new Robinson Science Hall, part of Whitworth’s efforts to reinvigorate science research and learning. Whitworth, affiliated with the PC(USA), has nearly 3,000 students enrolled in its 60 undergraduate and graduate programs.

Prior to his time at Whitworth, Le Roy was an associate professor of political science and international relations at Wheaton College and served as the department chair.