ELCA NEWS SERVICE
June 7, 2007
Edward Leonard III Named President of ELCA's Bethany College
07--100--LL*/MC*
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Edward F. Leonard III was introduced May
31 as the 13th president of Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan. The
college's board of directors elected him in May. Leonard is
currently vice president for college advancement at Wilmington
College, Wilmington, Ohio. Bethany College is one of 28 colleges
and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Later this summer Leonard will succeed Dr. Robert Vogel, who
has served as interim president since January. A presidential
search committee interviewed candidates and selected finalists
before reporting its recommendations to the board, according to a
college news release.
"It's a great honor for me to introduce Ed Leonard as
Bethany's new president," said Tad Doering, Bethany College board
president. "He has a unique combination of gifts well-suited for
Bethany, including his knowledge and experience in fundraising;
his background as a student, adjunct professor and administrator
at several small colleges; his Lutheran heritage; his experience
in the business world; and his enthusiasm and energy. We are very
excited about Ed's leadership and what he has to offer Bethany,"
"In the true Lutheran sense, I've been called to Bethany,"
Leonard said. "I am grateful for this calling, and I'm looking
forward to living it out with the help of God and those around
me."
Leonard earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from
William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo., a master's degree in
business administration degree from St. Louis University, St.
Louis, and a doctorate in educational administration from the
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.
Leonard had been at Wilmington College since August 1998.
His accomplishments there have included directing the largest
fundraising campaign in the college's history, doubling annual
giving, expanding the number of donors by 71 percent and securing
the largest gift in the college's history, $3.5 million, to build
a Quaker Heritage Center, the news release said.
He previously held several positions at Georgia College and
State University in Milledgeville, Ga., University of Missouri-
Kansas City and William Jewell College. He has taught marketing,
management, accounting, business and leadership classes and these
and other colleges.
Leonard has been the Cincinnati-area field representative
for the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges since 1999 and
has been on the executive committee of the Independent College
Advancement Association since 1998. The association awarded him
the Ernest A. Sheets Mentor Award in 2004.
Leonard and his wife, Sheila, have one young son, Quade.
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Information about Bethany College is at
http://www.bethanylb.edu/ on the Web.
* Michele Clark, former director of college communications for
Bethany College, provided information.
* Lauren A. Lamb is a senior public relations and speech
communication major at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
