Bethany College Pauses
Presidential Search for a Year

After Bethany College’s 14-month search for a new permanent president finished without a selection, the college announced it would pause the search for a year and try again.
Jamie Caridi will continue as interim president through that time, according to a Bethany release.
“Bethany is at a critical crossroads in its history,” Ken Bado, chair of Bethany’s board of trustees, said in the release. “Caridi has proven himself an effective leader who has earned the respect of trustees, faculty, staff, coaches, students, and alumni as he runs the college’s day-to-day operations and implements the BUILD strategic plan.
“Under Caridi’s leadership, enrollment is up, the college’s operating deficit has been slashed, charitable giving is at a record high, new academic programs have been put into place and Bethany has embarked on an ambitious effort to renovate and update its housing, athletic facilities, and academic buildings.”
The latest search generated nearly 90 applicants from across the country. Those candidates were carefully vetted by the search firm employed and by members of the search committee, which created a short list of 10 candidates to be interviewed in person.
That list was reduced to four finalists, who were interviewed virtually and in person by the search firm, representatives of the search committee, and the executive committee of the Board of Trustees. The leading candidate visited campus in January for meetings with more than 100 stakeholders.
“Unfortunately, at the conclusion of the process, the consensus among the board of trustees is that none of the candidates are the dynamic leader Bethany currently needs as we continue to focus on executing the strategies and tactics of the BUILD for a Lifetime Strategic Plan and move Bethany successfully into the future,” Bado said.
“The progress Bethany is making is palpable,” he added. “Everyone is committed to completing the strategic plan on time and identifying Bethany’s next president. As we fulfill the vision of a stronger Bethany, we are fortunate to have Caridi in place, as our interim president, consistently and purposefully advancing the college’s mission.”
The search began after the previous president, the Rev. Tamara Rodenberg, departed on Dec. 31, 2021. Caridi has served as interim president since then.