Dear JWHA Friends,
It seems hardly possible that my year as president is coming to an end. It feels like just yesterday that I received the gavel from Mark Staker, and now I am passing it to my successor, Nancy Ross. Looking back over my presidency, I am proud of several accomplishments that will strengthen JWHA in the years ahead.
With the able assistance of Eric Paul Rogers and Nancy Ross, and the careful guidance of our Executive Director, Cheryle Grinter, we have identified upcoming fiscal hurdles. As costs and expenses continue to rise, we are building strategies to address them. These efforts will be central to our Spring Board meeting, where we will present a new Financial Plan for discussion.
In addition, we have prioritized increasing student scholarships, recognizing that the future of JWHA depends on attracting new scholars to our ranks. We have also identified ways to expand our presence in the Mormon Studies community—first and foremost by growing our podcast and devising new marketing strategies to showcase the vital work JWHA does.
I leave this position with gratitude, humility, and absolute confidence. I am confident that we are moving in the right direction, and I know that Nancy Ross, along with President-elect Eric Paul Rogers, is deeply committed to making JWHA the best it can be. While our investment growth increased by 13.5% to date in 2026 and our portfolio surpassed the $1 million mark—both remarkable milestones—much work remains to navigate an ever-changing financial landscape.
As I close, let me express how grateful I am to each of you. Thank you for the scholarship you produce, the guidance you provided me over the past year, and your enduring friendship and support. Our members truly make JWHA a rewarding and enjoyable community.
I now pass the gavel to Nancy Ross and can say without reservation that we are in excellent hands. Having worked closely with Nancy over the past year, and having been friends with her for many more, I know the exceptional leadership she will bring to JWHA.
I also want to acknowledge our Executive Director, Cheryle Grinter, who continues to steer JWHA in the right direction. We are incredibly fortunate to have her. Her tireless work, scrupulous attention to detail, and considerable talents in organizing our conferences are invaluable. Thank you, Cheryle.
My thanks and appreciation to each of you.
Matt Harris
Outgoing JWHA President
