By Claire Clay and Sophie Hobbs, with contributing reporters Nicole Centofanti and Trent Mast
Dr. Jane Wood was just announced as Bluffton’s tenth president. She replaces Dr. James Harder, who completes his twelfth year as Bluffton’s president and more than 30 years working in higher education, and will take office on July 1, 2018.
“It is exciting to create, with campus and community collaboration, an innovative and practical strategic vision with academic excellence at its core,” said Wood.
Wood, who is a practicing Methodist, said she is committed to the university’s restorative justice principles and believes the university’s Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition has something to offer the world.
“Bluffton’s mission is both special and essential and why I feel called to serve and lead at this time,” said Wood. “Bluffton is committed to encouraging informed understanding and dialogue, core values that are in great need during this time in our nation and our world.”
Many faculty who have met and talked with Wood recognize and connect with her buy-in to the Anabaptist values.
“I am so excited about Dr. Jane Wood being our next president,” said Dr. Walt Paquin, associate professor of social work. “I think she will bring a fresh insight to the campus, and her commitment to social justice and her willingness to learn about the Mennonite perspective will improve and benefit the campus tremendously.”
Wood looks forward to achieving the goals for Simply Innovate, the campaign for Bluffton University, and working with staff and faculty to “make this dream a reality for Bluffton students.”
“I think she has some good ideas and will be good at providing some direction for Bluffton,” said Dr. Sarah Cecire, professor of education.
Wood is experienced in academic development and and strategic planning for enrollment growth.
“I think she offers an exciting opportunity to move forward in our next phase in our campus life,” said Dr. Lamar Nisly, interim vice president and dean of academic affairs. “When she was here I loved the way that she, even in a short time, could tell a story that resonates with Bluffton and the kinds of things that we really want to see happening at Bluffton…I think she’s a great pick for us to be able to move into the future.”
Wood plans to lead Bluffton while keeping the institution’s liberal arts and sciences ideals. Using her past experiences as an educator and leader, Wood will have a lasting impact on Bluffton’s faculty.
“She is an exciting leader for us,” said Dr. Perry Bush, professor of history. “As a faculty member, it means a lot to me that she came up through the trenches like us. She was a professor at a small college and loves the classroom and loves teaching and loves students, and she’s still teaching.”
Wood is currently the vice president of academic affairs and a dean at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D. Previously she has served as 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 earned her master’s and Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Kansas in 1991 and 1999, respectively. She graduated with honors in 1989 from the University of Missouri at Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in English literature.
In 2016, Wood was invited to present at the Council of Independent College’s Annual Department Chairs Workshop in Kansas City, Mo. She was also selected to attend the Council of Independent College’s CAO Colloquium on Leadership in July 2014.
During her time at Park University, Wood received the Outstanding Online Course Developer award in 2009. The same year, Dr. Wood’s class, Introduction to Fiction, was selected as a Quality Matters Recognized Course.
In 2008, she was invited to present the content of the Kansas City Big Read at the National Endowment for the Arts at the National Council for the Arts Committee as a national example of best practices for the Big Read in Washington, D.C. Wood was voted Outstanding Department Chair in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Park University.
In 2007, Wood was selected for inclusion as one of four women included in the Presidential Leadership Program for Women.
Wood is widely published with eight of her 28 scholarly articles released in the last five years.
“I applaud all that Dr. Harder has done to position Bluffton for continued success and am excited to carry forward the vision for Bluffton’s emerging excellence,” said Wood.
Wood will be on campus for an in-person introduction in March.
