Bethany Welcomes New Trustees

Bethany Theological Seminary has recently welcomed five new members to its Board of Trustees. These new trustees will join their colleagues at the fall meeting on September 18-20, 2026, in Richmond, Indiana. 

The new members bring experience in pastoral ministry, higher education, organizational leadership, and for the first time in recent years, two represent the local Wayne County, Indiana community. 

Leslie Bolser  joined the Board in March 2026 fulfilling an unexpired term ending in 2030. Leslie is a local Richmond resident and serves on the board of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, having recently concluded her time as board president. She has experience as a curriculum writer and marketer. Currently, she works for the Stamm Koechlein Foundation.

Keri Ladouceur joined the Board in July 2026. Keri is a pastor, teacher, incessantly curious question asker, and bridge building peacemaker. She is founder of New Ground Network, where she co-conspires with pastors, denominations, and organizational leaders to clarify and align around their purpose. She has an MA in New Testament from Northern Seminary, and her imagination for the Beloved Community has been primarily shaped by her native heritage and liberation thinkers and theologians. 

Dominick Peruso  joined the Board in July of 2026. He serves as Associate Provost and Professor of Accounting at Juniata College and is a CPA. At Juniata, Dom has also served as Acting Provost, Division Head, and Director of Graduate Programs.

Jeff Sheridan joined the board in July 2026. He is a local Richmond resident and is a board member and former president of the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County. In the past he has served on the boards of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Civic Theatre and Reid Health Foundation. He is co-owner and president of Ahaus Tools in Richmond. Jeff’s background is in engineering and manufacturing.

Ben Walters joined the Board in July of 2026 and is a former Brethren Volunteer Service member, Bethany alumnus and 25-year pastor of the Cincinnati Church of the Brethren. He recently returned from a sabbatical to Belize and Tanzania supported with a grant from the Lilly Endowment. Ben brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience having owned and operated businesses ranging from ServiceMaster Clean to quick serve salad and coffee shops. Ben currently runs SuperPumped Consulting.

Bethany trustees serve five-year terms, which are renewable for service up to 10 consecutive years. The board meets in person twice a year, in the fall and spring.

####