President Matt VandenBerg

05/17/2026

I’m thrilled that Dr. Trevor Bates will join Ohio Wesleyan University as our new Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Ventures. We sought a leader ready to step into one of the most expansive and consequential advancement roles in liberal arts higher education. Dr. Bates will move fluidly across the entirety of his new portfolio, bringing the instincts of a chief executive, the track record of a transformative gift closer, and the vision to match our institution's ambition. OWU is building something rare, and Trevor is exactly the leader this moment deserves.

05/07/2026

I am so very proud of and pleased for my colleague and friend, Dr. Karlyn Crowley. She will be a phenomenal leader for Kalamazoo College, and they are fortunate to have her. I look forward to cheering her on!

Kalamazoo College has named its next president. Meet Karlyn Crowley, a nationally recognized liberal arts leader who will start July 1.

04/18/2026

04/18/2026

A local fraternity is sticking by its core value of service, and having fun doing it. https://nbc4i.co/4tRRzbg?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_NBC4

04/10/2026

Mary McCann studied at Ohio Wesleyan University, followed what was true for her, and co-founded the Atlantic Theater Company. Over the past 40 years, Atlantic has earned 2 Pulitzer Prizes, 2 Grammy Awards, and 28 Tony Awards. She is an acclaimed actor, entrepreneur, and teacher who has spent four decades proving that creative ambition and institutional discipline are not in conflict.

That is what our motto, “In your light, we shall see the light,” looks like in a life.

On May 9, Mary returns to Delaware to address the Ohio Wesleyan Class of 2026. We selected her because her story is one we want our graduates to carry forward: find what is actually true, build something that lasts, and give it to others.

We are proud to welcome her home. Link in comments.

04/09/2026

It was wonderful to celebrate with a lunch for our Ohio Wesleyan University student athletes and coaches who earned extraordinary recognition this year. Pictured are:

* Ohio Wesleyan Volleyball: Abby Nulph (NCAC Newcomer of the Year) and Coach Kirsta Cobb

* OWU Women's Basketball: Macy Miller (All-American) and Coaches Cody Hartzler and Susan Smith

* Ohio Wesleyan T&FXC: Connor Smith (National Champion High Jumper), Kat Dortmund (All-American), and Coaches Kris Boey and Reggie Osborne (Ben Carlson not pictured)

OWU produces champions on and off the fields and arenas. You can help fuel our championship effort by participating in our Bishops for Bishops effort here: https://www.givecampus.com/s/ql9jzz

01/25/2026

01/15/2026

Yesterday was a special day, when we cut the ribbon on our new student social hub. Thank you to our student leaders, thank you to our colleagues who know how to get things done, and thank you to our generous donors who invest in the extraordinary Ohio Wesleyan University community!

01/03/2026

I love a good comeback story. Imagine my surprise when I randomly ran into my childhood hero, legendary Lions running back Barry Sanders, and ended up talking about our shared pride in Detroit’s resurgence.

We talked briefly about Detroit — its grit, its loyalty, and the way it’s finding its stride again.

That mindset resonates deeply with the work underway at Ohio Wesleyan: honoring what’s strong, being honest about our challenges and opportunities, and building a future defined less by nostalgia and more by game-changing wins.