An Interview with Dr. Katherine Fell University of Findlay President

You’ve been the President of the University of Findlay since 2010. When you started, did you imagine being President here for 14 years?

I recall being asked by a trustee how long I would commit to staying and answering that I hoped to stay 5-10 years and that I understood that that would depend primarily on the assessment of the trustees.

How has your leadership evolved over these past 14 years?

My approach to leadership has always been to collaborate, deliberate, and decide—in that order. Collaborating with my UF colleagues and our students has kept me focused on our shared mission and inspired me to look to the future of this great university in behalf of our students. I have learned new lessons about leadership every year at UF, some from decisions that went well, thanks to the help of many colleagues, and others from decisions that required a great deal more collaboration and deliberation.

How has the University changed over the past 14 years?

UF has added 12 bachelor’s degrees, 7 master’s degrees, and 3 doctoral degrees. We currently have 12 fully online programs, undergraduate and graduate, in the areas of business; environment, health, safety, and sustainability (EHSS); education; pharmacy; marketing and communication.

UF has added new facilities and plan another addition:

Center for Student Life and College of Business opened in 2017 (pictured below)

• This 75,000-square-foot addition to campus made possible through private and corporate donor support houses College of Business classrooms and faculty offices, the UF bookstore and a large food court – a great place for students to gather, study, and socialize.

Conda STEAM Educational Center opened (2021)

• Integrates art and creativity with nature and science.

• Brings people of all ages to campus, encouraging investigation of scientific questions and hands-on learning.

• Allows UF students to volunteer and assist both the young and the young at heart in the STEAM process.

Dick Strahm Champions Field for athletic practice constructed (2023)

• UF has 22 men’s and women’s athletic teams.

• Fun fact: Our nationally-ranked teams are made up of Oiler student-athletes who graduate at a 15 percent higher rate than the national average. UF is fourth in the nation for most athletes in the nation with a 3.5 GPA or better.

Fundraising is underway for the Billy and Brenda Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership.

• A place to engage in a reasoned, principled exchange of ideas to solve problems and set future strategy.

• A place to discuss current and future issues, while students develop ethical thought, critical thinking skills, humanitarian ideals, and a desire to serve others.

• One of our goals is to prepare graduates for leading ethical lives in their chosen fields and being civically engaged in their communities.

• These qualities are rooted in Christian values of compassion and respect for others, courage to seek knowledge and serve others, and hope for a bright future for our students and the world.

What are the largest challenges UF has overcome in your time as President?

Educating and caring for students during the COVID years.

Keeping education affordable for students while sustaining a budget sufficient to offer a great education to them.

Given our current cultural climate, what the challenges of being a private school with historical roots in Christianity?

To make clear that UF is grounded in Christian faith, values its founding and ongoing relationship with the Churches of God General Conference, and welcomes all who will join us in respectful relationship with one another, despite differences of belief.

In the last decade, UF has been embracing its historical roots with the CGGC, why is that?

I believe that is occurring, in part, because our trustees, many colleagues on campus, and I see those roots as God’s calling upon us and the University of Findlay.

From your perspective, how can the CGGC and UF continue to work alongside each other best?

I deeply appreciate the support and encouragement our campus and I have received from CGGC. UF has taken steps to do more in making clear its founding to new students and employees. As our work together continues to grow, if differences arise between us, I pray that we can turn those differences into opportunities to show Christ’s love to one another before a watching world in desperate need of that love.

What was the impetus for the recently announced merger with Bluffton University?

Higher education is facing significant changes and challenges in the coming population cliff of traditionally aged college students and negative perceptions of higher education. Small campuses with under 1,000 in enrollment will face particularly difficult challenges in the years to come even if the quality of education is high and the current financial management is handled responsibly, campuses such as Bluffton. UF sustains a strong enrollment, and it could be even stronger with this merger opportunity. These times call upon all of us to be innovative and forward-thinking. From a vantage point in the future, I believe we will look back at this moment in the history of higher education as one that required new approaches and bold actions. President Jane Wood at Bluffton University and I believe this merger will be a powerful new approach.

Through this merger, the universities would position themselves to provide increased educational opportunities that prepare current and future students to lead and serve in their local communities and beyond. Students and employees would benefit from access to expanded resources on both campuses located 20 miles apart in Northwest Ohio. The decision to pursue a merger signals the universities’ ongoing commitment to faith and intellect, the sciences and the humanities.

In the near future, what do you perceive as UF’s largest opportunities and challenges?

One of our greatest opportunities will be to adjust quickly how we prepare students to meet changing workforce needs while we take time to know and care for each student. One of our greatest challenges will be the same.