FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May, 2007
LEONARD APPOINTED 13TH PRESIDENT OF BETHANY COLLEGE
LINDSBORG, Kan. — May 31 at 11 a.m., Bethany College board chair Tad Doering will introduce Edward F. Leonard III as the college’s new president.
The ceremony will take place on the east steps of Presser Hall on the Lindsborg campus. A picnic will be held outside Presser following the announcement. All are welcome.
Leonard was chosen last week as the college’s new president by the Bethany board of directors. He officially will begin his duties at the college later this summer.
Leonard currently is vice president for college advancement at Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio.
“It’s a great honor for me to introduce Ed Leonard as Bethany’s new president. He has a unique combination of gifts well-suited for Bethany, including his knowledge and experience in fundraising; his background as a student, adjunct professor and administrator at several small colleges; his Lutheran heritage; his experience in the business world; and his enthusiasm and energy. We are very excited about Ed’s leadership and what he has to offer Bethany,” Doering said.
“In the true Lutheran sense, I’ve been called to Bethany,” Leonard said. “I am grateful for this calling, and I’m looking forward to living it out with the help of God and those around me.”
Leonard has been at Wilmington College since August 1998. His accomplishments there have included directing the largest fundraising campaign in the college’s history, doubling annual giving, expanding the number of donors by 71 percent and securing the largest gift in the college’s history, $3.5 million, to build a Quaker Heritage Center.
Prior to Wilmington, he held several positions at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Ga., including director of development.
He also has held positions at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.
Leonard served as director of chapter services for the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and worked in training and recruitment for Maritz, Inc., a marketing and management company based in St. Louis.
He has taught marketing, management, accounting, business and leadership classes at a number of colleges, including Georgia College & State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, William Jewell College, Baker University, Avila College and Maple Woods Community College.
In 1989, Leonard received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the William Jewell College Panhellenic Council.
Leonard has been the Cincinnati area field representative for the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges since 1999 and has been on the executive committee of the Independent College Advancement Association since 1998.
He was given the Ernest A. Sheets Mentor Award by the Independent College Advancement Association in 2004.
He has been active in the Wilmington Rotary Club and serves on the board of directors of the Orion Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
Leonard has a B.A. in philosophy from William Jewell College, an M.B.A. from St. Louis University and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
In case of inclement weather, the introduction and picnic will be held in the cafeteria of the Pihlblad Memorial Union.
“This event will be an opportunity to welcome new college leadership and celebrate our life together as a college community, so I hope many from campus, Lindsborg and the broader Bethany family will join us,” Doering said.
The introduction will be the culmination of a four-month process to select Bethany’s 13th president. Since February, a presidential search advisory committee, headed by Bethany board vice chair Kathleen Hurty, has written an institutional profile, developed a pool of candidates, reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, selected finalists and reported to the board of directors.
“The committee, with the assistance of our consultant Academic Search, did a thorough job, narrowing our large pool of 37 candidates to 13, then 8, then 3,” Hurty said.
Dr. Robert L. Vogel, retired president of Wartburg College, has been interim president since Jan. 15. Vogel will continue to serve until Leonard officially begins his duties.
“Sheila and I are excited about becoming members of the Bethany family and Lindsborg community,” Leonard said.
Leonard’s wife, Sheila, currently is a full-time mother. Professionally, she has worked in student affairs at the University of New Orleans, Mercer University, Florida State University and Ohio State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans, a master’s degree from Florida State University and has completed coursework toward a Ph.D. in higher education administration at Ohio State.
The Leonards have a son, Quade, age four.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.
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