On Sept. 28, Dr. Jane Wood was formally inaugurated as Bluffton University’s tenth president. Current and former faculty and staff, students, alumni and community members gathered in Yoder Recital Hall to celebrate the historic occasion. The three living former Bluffton University presidents, Benjamin Sprunger (1972 -1977), Lee Snyder (1996 -2006) and James Harder (2006 -2018) were also in attendance.
In February, it was announced Dr. Wood would take office as the university’s tenth president on July 1 following Dr. Harder’s retirement after 12 years in the presidency and over 30 years working in higher education.
Most recently, Wood served as the vice president of academic affairs and a dean at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D. Previously, she held positions as the vice president of academic affairs and dean at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Park University in Kansas City, Mo.
Wood has a master’s and Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Kansas, as well as a bachelor’s in English literature from the University of Missouri.
The inauguration began with a processional and a formal welcome from Vice President for Advancement Dr. Hans Houshower. Dr. Gayle Trollinger, professor of education and member of the Presidential Search Committee, then read 1 John 1:5-7 and gave an introductory prayer.
Dr. Crystal Sellers Battle, associate professor of music, led the auditorium in a community hymn of “Here I Am, Lord” accompanied by Dr. Daeun Choi on piano before the speakers gave Dr. Wood their greetings and blessings.
The speakers included Student Senate President Jacob Hill, Faculty Chair Dr. Alex Sider, Professor of Education Emerita Dr. Elizabeth Hostetler, Head Baseball Coach James Grandey, Mayor of Bluffton Richard Johnson, Alumni Association President Kathy Dickson and Mennonite Church USA Central District Conference minister Rev. Douglas Luginbill.
“Bluffton is precious to us,” said Sider to Wood. “Today we are thankful that we now share the gift of this place with you.”
Wood was then introduced by her longtime friend, Laurie McCormack, the senior vice president of United Way of Greater Kansas City, who spoke to Wood’s commitment to social justice and higher education over the course of her career.
Kent Yoder, chair of the Board of Trustees, then officially installed Wood as Bluffton University’s tenth president.
“What a pleasure and a privilege it is to be with you here today as I become the tenth link in this living chain of innovative and stable leadership here at Bluffton University,” said Wood.
In her inaugural address, Wood spoke of the beginnings of higher education, Bluffton’s history as an institution, and her vision for the next chapter in Bluffton’s story.
To close the ceremony, the Bluffton University gospel choir performed “Shine the Light” by Raymond Wise. Dr. Perry Bush, professor of history and a member of the Presidential Search Committee, gave the closing prayer before the final recessional of speakers, faculty and delegates.
