Houston Christian University President Robert B. Sloan, Jr. died Saturday morning, according to a news release from the university. (Houston Christian University)

Houston Christian University President Robert B. Sloan, Jr. died Saturday morning, according to a news release from the university.

Sloan was president of the university for nearly 20 years. He was 77.

The university's Board Chairman Ramiro Peña said Sloan's death was sudden in a statement.

"The fingerprints of Dr. Sloan's leadership will continue to be upon the success of HCU for generations to come, and the impact of his presidency will yield outcomes both measurable and eternal," Peña said in the statement.

Before becoming president of Houston Christian in 2006, Sloan served as the president of Baylor University for nearly 10 years. Sloan, a Baylor alum, taught there for 12 years before becoming the university's president.

"His greatest contribution was the adoption of Baylor 2012, a 10-year vision that placed Baylor on the path to become a top-tier university while remaining committed to our historic Christian mission. And that is where Baylor stands today," said Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone in a statement.