James (Jay) H. Barnes III, Ed.D., was elected today to become the fifth president of Bethel University. Barnes, a current provost and executive vice president at Bethel, was unanimously nominated for the position by the Bethel Board of Trustees after a year-long, nationwide presidential search, and was today elected by delegates to the Bethel Corporation during its biennial meeting. Barnes will take office on July 1, 2008, and succeeds retiring President George K. Brushaber, who served in that capacity for 26 years.

“Dr. Barnes displays remarkable leadership skills, experience in and passion for Christian higher education, and a vision for the impact Bethel University and its students can have for generations to come,” said Presidential Search Committee Chair and Trustee Dan Lindh. “His humble demeanor and calm, wise approach in many situations have earned him well-deserved respect from colleagues.”

Barnes has been a leader in Christian higher education for more than 30 years, both in academics and student development. Most recently, he served for 13 years as executive vice president and provost of the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Adult & Professional Studies, and Graduate School at Bethel University. He has been a leader in advancing faculty-student collaborative scholarship, holistic education, and growth of graduate and adult programs. Prior to his time at Bethel, Barnes held positions in student development for 15 years at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. He was a residence director at Wheaton College for four years, and served as teacher, vice principal, and then principal at Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany, in the early-mid 1970s. During his career, he took lead roles in improving student development theory and practices on a national level with the Association for Christians in Student Development.

“I’m honored and excited to lead Bethel University. I’m thankful for work done here to foster maturity of intellect, interpersonal relationships, character, and faith,” says Barnes. “I believe the decade ahead will be a crucial one for Bethel as it seeks to consolidate the gains of the last two decades, makes hard choices with regard to growth and fiscal priorities, and continues to grow into a national Christian university.”

For many years, Barnes and his wife, Barb, have co-led a counseling group for engaged and seriously dating couples and have conducted workshops nationally on marriage enrichment. They also have an active teaching ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Roseville, Minn., where they are members. The couple lives in Arden Hills, Minn., and have adult children who live in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arkansas. 

Click here for a complete profile of President Barnes.