Pepperdine Mourns the Passing of Former Chancellor Michael F. Adams
It is with deep sadness yet steadfast hope in Christ that we share the news of the passing of Michael F. Adams, former chancellor of Pepperdine University. Adams passed away on January 25, 2026, at the age of 77.
“Michael Adams was a faithful steward of Pepperdine’s mission and an able champion of its future,” said Pepperdine president Jim Gash (JD ’93). “His leadership — at Pepperdine and across higher education nationally — truly reflected our highest ideals of purpose, service, and leadership. We join together in prayer for Mary Lynn and the Adams family, trusting the Lord’s comfort and the promise of resurrection hope.”
A widely respected servant leader in higher education, Adams was a Distinguished University Professor and University Board member at Pepperdine who served a three-year appointment as chancellor from 2015 until 2018. In this role, Adams focused on raising recognition for Pepperdine in Southern California and internationally by furthering the strength of the University’s many relationships and by reaching out to secure new partnerships and friendships. Adams' tenure at Pepperdine as vice president for university affairs from 1982 to 1989 positioned him to lead the university's second multimillion dollar campaign that ultimately funded major capital projects and academic programs. Following the University’s successful Campaign for Pepperdine, Adams oversaw major initiatives and significantly fortified Pepperdine’s robust endowment.
Adams had previously served for 16 years as president and regents’ professor at the University of Georgia. Under his leadership, the university enjoyed substantial growth in its research funding, its academic offerings, and its enrollment. Adams’ prior role was as president of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, from 1989 to 1997. His connection with Pepperdine first began in 1982, at the start of a six-year term as the University’s vice president for university affairs.
Adams was held in the highest esteem by his colleagues. He was elected by his peers to lead a number of national organizations, including the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, the American Council on Education, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Executive Committee. He was also the recipient of more than 50 awards for his contributions to higher education, including the Knight Foundation Award for Presidential Leadership, the Pioneer Award for Leadership in Civil Rights, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ James T. Rogers Award, and the Georgia Endowment for the Humanities’ Governor’s Award in the Humanities.
Adams earned an undergraduate degree in speech and history from Lipscomb University and held an MA and a PhD from Ohio State University. He was awarded several honorary degrees, including an honorary doctor of laws and doctor of letters from the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
Adams is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Ethridge Adams (MA ’89), their sons David Adams and Taylor Adams (Carrie), and their three granddaughters, Campbell, Tucker, and Lawson Adams.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 3, at First Presbyterian Church, in Athens Georgia at 2 PM.