May 4, 2007

Bethel University Community:

The Bethel University Board of Trustees today accepted President George Brushaber's announcement that he will retire effective June 30, 2008.

President Brushaber has served with distinction since 1974, first as vice president and dean of the college and then as president of Bethel University for more than 26 years. His 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.

We are grateful for the ways in which the Lord has blessed Bethel under President Brushaber’s leadership. We also want to acknowledge his wife Darleen for her partnership and active engagement, and recognize her for 26 years of service as Bethel’s First Lady.

In 2004, the Bethel Board of Trustees adopted a succession plan to ensure continuity of leadership during this transition that we knew would eventually happen. After acknowledging the retirement announcement today, the board appointed and authorized a Presidential Search Committee that will begin a national search for the next president. Details about the search committee are available at www.bethel.edu/presidential-search. Additional information about the search process will be available on this site by June 1.

The Board also appointed a Presidential Retirement Events Planning Committee. Further information about those events will be announced at a later date.

We invite your input during the search process, your perspective on qualifications for the next president, and your thoughts on recognizing President Brushaber. Please email presidential-search@bethel.edu with any input in these areas.

Again, a special word of thanks and appreciation for President Brushaber’s leadership at Bethel for more than three decades. We also ask for your prayers for God’s direction in the selection of the next president of Bethel University.

Dr. Leith Anderson
Chair, Bethel University Board of Trustees