Wesley College President Dr. William N. Johnston told the Board of Trustees and the college community his plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2014-15 academic year.
Johnston became Wesley’s 16th president in 2008, after serving as president of Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant. In addition to serving as a president in Iowa and Delaware, he has served as a senior administrator at four other private church-related liberal arts colleges in a span of 40 years.
His goals included increasing the profile and reputation of the College, expanding facilities, creating new academic programs and a new strategic plan. “The forward movement of Wesley College under his leadership is evident and surrounds us,” said Wesley College Board of Trustee Chair Robert V.A. Harra, Jr.
During his tenure Wesley has strengthened its presence in the community, added the Health Sciences Building which was donated and completely renovated, added new adult programs and majors, increased retention and created a new strategic plan.
Another change includes the new plazas to central campus which provide a more pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing campus environment. “I am proud of the positive achievements that our administration, faculty and staff have been able to create at Wesley by working together,” Johnston said.
The Board of Trustees has indicated that the search process will begin immediately with the goal of naming the successor president early in 2015.
