GOSHEN — Dr. Rebecca Stoltzfus has been formally appointed as Goshen College’s 18th president following a unanimous vote from both the college’s board of directors and the board of the Mennonite Education Agency.
She will officially take office on Nov. 1.
Stoltzfus graduated from Goshen College in 1983 with a major in chemistry, and received master’s and doctoral degrees in human nutrition from Cornell University. Stoltzfus is currently vice provost for undergraduate education and professor of human nutrition at Cornell University, an Ivy League institution in Ithaca, New York.
“Rebecca has an outstanding record as an executive leader, administrator, teacher and scholar,” said Dr. Conrad Clemens, chair of the Goshen College Board of Directors and the associate dean for graduate medical education at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “She understands the complexities and rapid changes we are experiencing in higher education. And as a critically-thinking problem solver, she will bring extensive experience from other fine institutions of higher education as she comes to serve her alma mater.”
Stoltzfus will succeed Dr. James E. Brenneman, who served as the college president since 2006 and ends his tenure Friday. Goshen’s provost, Dr. Ken Newbold, will serve as interim president beginning Saturday until Stoltzfus begins her duties in November.
Welcoming Stoltzfus
On May 24, Dr. Stoltzfus was announced as the candidate of choice by the Presidential Search Committee and visited campus June 14-15 to meet with members of the campus community, who provided overwhelmingly strong support and affirmation for her to the committee.
“I enjoyed every moment of my campus visit — in particular my interactions with students — and am eager to join the vibrant community of learning that is Goshen College,” she said. “I am compelled by Goshen’s innovative strengths in global education, experiential learning and excellent liberal arts education. I see a bright future for this college and I am humbled and excited by this opportunity to be a part of creating it.”
During her campus visit, Dr. Stoltzfus gave a public presentation (watch a video of the speech or read her prepared remarks) and named seven values that will guide her leadership: relationships, truth, excellence, stewardship, diversity, growth and enthusiasm.
Noting various ways she has already observed healthy engagement between the college and the community, Dr. Stoltzfus said, “I am eager to invest in this local community, here in Elkhart County and in Goshen.”
About Stoltzfus
Stoltzfus is married to Kevin W. Miller, a 1985 Goshen College graduate with bachelor’s degrees in biology and nursing, and a master’s degree in public health from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is an administrator in their church, and has previously worked as a nurse, a public health practitioner and a community health researcher.
They are parents of Lydia Miller, a Goshen College senior majoring in mathematics, and Gabe Miller, a Goshen College sophomore majoring in environmental science.
Stoltzfus is the daughter of former Goshen College President Victor Stoltzfus and his wife Marie. Victor Stoltzfus was president from 1984 to 1996.