News From the Spring Trustees Meeting

The Bethany Theological Seminary Board of Trustees gathered in Richmond, Indiana on March 20-21, 2026 for its Spring meeting. The board welcomed a new member, Leslie Bolser of Richmond, Indiana. 

The trustees approved an updated Strategic Vision and Student Profile, which will be used to  guide the future development of the Seminary’s educational program and its approach to recruiting students. The documents note Bethany’s successes from the past decade — including enrollment that has more than doubled and sharp decline in student borrowing — but they also acknowledge the challenges that face the Seminary.

These challenges include efforts to attract additional residential students to live in the “neighborhood” of houses owned by the Seminary and the complexities of offering excellent academic programs to a student body that represents diverse denominational affiliations and a wide array of professional, personal, cultural, and educational backgrounds. Trustees learned about the rollout of the new partnership between Bethany and the six Brethren-related colleges and universities (known as UP@Bethany).

The trustees also approved the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, received an update on the Self Study Report for Reaccreditation by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission, and celebrated Bethany’s successful fundraising efforts. Four professors — Dr. Dan Ulrich, Dr. Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, Dr. Maggie Elwell, and Dr. Russell Haitch — shared insights about their teaching and scholarship and participated in a conversation with trustees about how Bethany encourages innovation and evolves to meet the changing needs of students and the church. 

Outside the meeting room, the trustees joined Bethany employees for dinner at Forest Hills Country Club and honored two departing members: Board Chair Mark Clapper  (Elizabethtown, Pa.) and Karen Crim (Dayton, Ohio). They also attended a worship service, with current student Meridith Owensby preaching. Trustees also heard a “student story” from Jean Martinez. 

The trustees will return to campus for their next meeting in September.

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