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By Pulse Staff
University of Findlay President Dr. Katherine Fell announced today that the proposed merger with Bluffton University is off.
In an email sent to the campus community she said the UF Board of Trustees voted not to proceed with the merger terminating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the universities dated March 19, 2024 and announced on March 20, 2024.
Fell said in today’s statement:
“While University of Findlay has reached the decision not to pursue a merger, we remain committed to the spirit of collaboration that initiated this work. Some higher education organizations may find mergers as the best solution; for us, due diligence has demonstrated that, in this case, partnering in key ways and restructuring internal processes is a better path forward.
I am particularly grateful for all those who contributed their talents and countless hours to Transition Team and Work Group responsibilities. Their excellent efforts on behalf of the proposed merger demonstrate the tenacity of our campus to problem-solve and innovate for current and future students.”
The announcement comes one day after the news that Bluffton University President Dr. Jane Woods resigned from her position.
An email went out to BU staff Wednesday afternoon announcing Wood’s resignation, effective immediately, and the announcement that Dr. Alex Sider is now the acting president of Bluffton University.
Wood was the 10th president of BU, starting her role there in July 2018. Before Bluffton she served as the vice president of academic affairs and dean at Mount Marty College in South Dakota. The BU website states her previous background included professional positions at Westminster College in Pennsylvania; Park University and University of Missouri, both in Missouri, and at Baker University in Kansas. “Dr. Wood earned her Ph.D. and master’s degree in English literature from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Missouri.”
Her LinkedIn profile now lists her as a retired educator.
Sider was vice president and dean of academic affairs as well as a religion professor at Bluffton. Side has been a part of the BU community since 2006.
A statement from Bluffton says Sider has played many roles during his time there including: “The Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Theology, Director of Peace and Conflict Studies, Director of University Assessment Programs, ADA/504 Coordinator, and most recently Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean. He holds a Ph.D. in Religion from Duke University (2004), an MTS from The Divinity School at Duke University, and a B.A. in Religion from Messiah University.
The website for the merger was inactive this afternoon as well.
The Pulse will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.
