The representative for the School of Business on the Alumni Association Executive Board (AAEB), Joel Clevenger, steps into the role of Alumni Board President.
President-Elect Joel Clevenger graduated from Crown College in 2009 with degrees in business administration and biblical studies. He received his MBA in Financial Services at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2021 and currently works as the Senior Vice President, Market Manager at Citizen’s Alliance Bank in Watertown, Minnesota. In the past five years, Clevenger has intentionally sought out ways to engage with Crown and give back. His renewed investment in the Crown community began with guest speaking and being an expert on panels for business classes. He then began adjunct teaching in 2022. Later in the year, Clevenger was asked to be on the AAEB by Joel Johnson, former Vice President of College Relations, where he has served as the representative for the School of Business. Now enthusiastically preparing to step into the role of President of the Alumni Association, Clevenger considers it a natural progression in his call to leadership.
From his first visit to Crown, the welcoming people and instant connections made it evident to him that there was no need to keep looking for another school. Clevenger had a strong biblical foundation, but his faith flourished under the guidance of Dr. Jay Steele, a professor at Crown. Dr. Steele was pastor in Ohio when Clevenger’s parents met and did their premarital counseling. Steele found his way to Crown, became Clevenger’s academic advisor and professor, and eventually did premarital counseling with Clevenger and his wife. Clevenger enjoyed Dr. Steele’s classes, where evaluation and critical thinking were fostered. Both his academics and faith were impacted by these practices, which allowed him to relearn familiar concepts. “I took what I had already known,” Clevenger said, “and was forced to look from a different perspective, evaluate it, and make it my own.” Clevenger has continued to use concepts he learned from Dr. Steele in his life, and he brings a similar perception in teaching his own classes as an adjunct professor.
Clevenger’s natural aptitude for leadership expanded during his time at Crown. Clevenger embraced leadership, both in roles he intentionally sought out and roles that found him. He was a part of the baseball team, and though he wasn’t an official leader, he led by being vocal, encouraging, and building a lasting bond between players. Being part of a team helped Clevenger learn necessary communication skills, recognize the importance of a team, and see how each member impacts the others. Another way Clevenger continues to practice leadership skills has been through his family.
Clevenger met his wife Cara (2012) at Crown in a night class in 2008. They got engaged on the Crown bridge in 2009 and have been married for 16 years, with three children, James (7), Elijah (4), and Leah (1). Clevenger considers parenting an incredible privilege and honor, and says, “My family is my pride and joy, and my children are the best thing that ever happened to me.”
In recent years, along with other members of the AAEB, Clevenger has served both God and the Crown community, as a faithful alumnus. He is committed to staying involved at Crown, which he exemplifies through teaching, mentoring, and building up the community. When asked about taking over the presidency for Joel Harmon, Clevenger said he was excited, but bittersweet. “Joel [Harmon] is an amazing man of God and has done some amazing things getting the Board to where it is today. He will be missed, but I also know he’s going to stay involved.”
Clevenger’s vision of the Alumni Association is the implementation of Crown’s Commitment to foster an authentic and lifelong community. He hopes to build the team of Alumni to be the hands and feet of Jesus, grow connections in their communities, and come back to Crown to stay involved in lifelong relationships. He encourages Crown Alumni to grow God’s impact by inviting others to Crown and grow the community, and to be involved themselves.
“That lifelong authentic community is the Alumni. It is us…” says Clevenger, “It is the students that Crown prepares and releases, and then it is our duty to come back and fulfill that mission… For Crown to live up to its promise, Alumni need to participate. We are part of this.”
Joel Clevenger will assume the role of President of the Alumni Association in January 2026. He succeeds Joel Harmon who has previously held this role since 2020. Harmon says, “Leading the Alumni Association has been an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to seeing how God uses Joel [Clevenger] in the future.”
Alumni Association Executive Board
Jared Dawson: School of Liberal Arts and Education
Joel Harmon: Former President
Ryan Olsen: School of Ministry and Theology
Jamie Sorenson: School of Health and Sciences
Jim Stumbo: C&MA Representative
Available roles on the Alumni Association Executive Board:
School of Business
School of Professional Studies
Interested in learning more about the Alumni Association Executive Board or how to get involved? Email alumni@crown.edu. We are always glad to share more about how Alumni stay connected and support the Crown community.
