When President Bellefeuille announced her decision to retire from Bethel University at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, the Bethel Board of Trustees acted quickly to form a presidential search committee. The first task for this group, comprised of trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and the president of the Missionary Church, was to identify a search firm to assist with a nationwide search. They chose FaithSearch Partners (FSP), an expert providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Since November, they’ve been working with this firm to help identify a pool of qualified candidates for Bethel’s next president.

“FaithSearch Partners is one of the most respected faith-focused executive search firms in the U.S.,” says Brian Habegger, Chair of the Bethel Board of Trustees. “They have given us the support and expertise we need in this incredibly important process to help assess, guide and secure candidates for Bethel University’s next president.”

One of the first tasks for FSP was to develop a presidential profile, outlining the qualities Bethel needs in its next president. They did this through extensive background work, talking with numerous key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, trustees, students, alumni, community members, local pastors, donors, Missionary Church leaders, as well as the search committee. Unlike a typical job search, this wasn’t posted to job boards. Rather, potential candidates were sought out or referred to FSP.

“Bethel’s story of spiritual vibrancy, long-standing mission fidelity, and historical presence in the CCCU attracted a strong pool of candidates – and that reputation is what drew so much interest,” says Kimberley Wiedefeld of FaithSearch Partners. “Missional alignment was absolutely critical.”

From December through February, FSP was tasked with identifying candidates and following up on referrals. Then, from January through March, they spent countless hours reviewing and interviewing more than 100 candidates.

“FSP researched and pursued individuals from a broad group of more than 1,060 prospects, responded to inquiries, conducted detailed interviews and narrowed the list to a group of qualified candidates, which the committee discussed with FSP over spring break. Collectively, the committee narrowed it further to a select list of candidates, which the search committee will interview in person,” said Daryl Pannabecker, committee chairman, in a March 2025 interview.

On April 28, 2025, the Bethel University Board of Trustees announced the selection of Dee McDonald, Ph.D., as Bethel’s ninth president, who will begin his tenure July 1. McDonald has 19 years of experience in Christian higher education and enrollment leadership, most recently as Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minn. He has a history of strong enrollment growth at the four CCCU (Council for Christian & Universities) institutions he’s served.

Read updates and the full release at BethelUniversity.edu/President.