Brushaber has the longest tenure among Minnesota’s current college and university presidents

May 4, 2007, St. Paul, Minn.—Bethel University President George Brushaber, M.Div., Ph.D., today announced that he will conclude his presidency when his current term expires in June 2008. Brushaber is only the fourth president in Bethel’s 136-year history, and his service since 1982 represents the longest tenure among current college and university presidents in Minnesota. Before becoming president of what is now Bethel University, Brushaber was vice president and dean of the college for seven years.

Brushaber’s leadership has been instrumental in Bethel’s rise to regional and national prominence, including the transition from Bethel College & Seminary to Bethel University in 2004; the addition of innovative and unique program delivery systems; the enhancement and subsequent growth of graduate programs; rapid development of the St. Paul campus; and increased academic quality across the university. In addition, Brushaber expanded Bethel’s distinctive emphasis on whole-person development, including growth in programs and opportunities in campus life, student life, and academics.

“George has provided critical leadership for Bethel for more than 30 years, maintaining its mission focus, adding to its academic strength and overseeing growth in which enrollment has more than doubled,” says Leith Anderson, Bethel University Board of Trustees chair and senior pastor of Wooddale Church.

In his announcement, Brushaber reiterated his commitment to Bethel’s current $105 million comprehensive resource campaign, the largest ever undertaken for Bethel. As of May 1, $77 million has been raised in pledges and commitments toward the campaign, which is scheduled to conclude in May 2008.

“In my three decades at Bethel, I’ve been privileged to serve with many partners whose hard work, generosity and prayers have helped transform this remarkable school into a nationally ranked Christian university. These resources are critical to maintain and advance the kind of excellence for which our predecessors worked so diligently.”

After Brushaber’s announcement today, the Bethel University Board of Trustees announced the formation of a Presidential Search Committee to lead the process of selecting Bethel’s fifth president. The committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, and subsequent to their endorsement, the candidate will be presented to the delegates to the biennial meeting of the Bethel Corporation in June 2008 for election.

“We’re committed to finding the right leader to guide Bethel’s continued growth and prominence, and ensuring a smooth transition from one leader to the next,” explains Dan Lindh, CEO of Presbyterian Homes and chair of Bethel’s Presidential Search Committee.

Details about the search process are being finalized and more information will be available after June 1 at www.bethel.edu/presidential-search.