To: Elder Max Torkelsen, II, President of the North Pacific Union Conference Elder John Loor, Jr.

, Executive Secretary of the North Pacific Union Conference Elder Alan Hurlbert, Vice President of Education for the North Pacific Union Conference Elder Ken Crawford, President of the Alaska Conference Elder David Prest, Jr., President of the Idaho Conference Elder Merlin Knowles, President of the Montana Conference Elder Al Reimche, President of the Oregon Conference Elder Robert Folkenburg, Jr., President of the Upper Columbia Conference Elder John Freedman, President of the Washington Conference Dear Respected Leaders, I am writing to you concerning The Anonymous Letter that has recently come to light questioning the credibility of Dr. Alex Bryan as a candidate for president of Walla Walla University. On June 15, the Walla Walla University Presidential Search Committee announced that Dr. Bryans name was submitted to the WWU Board of Trustees for president of WWU, based on the criteria outlined by the board. Shortly thereafter, an unsigned letter entitled Concerns Regarding Alex Bryan as the New President of WWU emerged on the Internet speaking against Dr. Bryans credibility as a leader and questioning his background and his associations with spiritual formation. This anonymous letter was distributed by the board chair to the board members. Upon request, Dr. Bryan wrote a response to the accusations, which was distributed to the board before the July 1 board meeting. Several respected pastors, professors, and professionals also submitted defenses of Dr. Bryan. Nevertheless, at the July 1 board meeting the board voted to not approve Dr. Bryan for president, raising serious questions about the role The Anonymous Letter played in influencing the boards decision. It is unfortunate that significant unfounded attacks against a church pastor have gone unchallenged by the church leadership. One wonders how the boards deliberations and vote might have been affected had The Anonymous Letter been immediately dismissed by church officials. Given the above, I ask that the leaders of the North Pacific Union Conference not remain silent about The Anonymous Letter. More specifically, I ask that The Anonymous Letter be publicly dismissed as misleading and unworthy of consideration. I am eager to see a positive future for Walla Walla University and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and I thank you for considering this letter. Sincerely,