BLUFFTON — Bluffton University President Dr. James M. Harder said he plans to retire after 12 years.
Harder was the ninth president of Bluffton University and began the position in August 2006.
During his tenure as president, the university added 14 new academic programs, enhanced existing academic and athletic programs, and raised $32 million while also fully funding construction of the Sommer Center for Health and Fitness Education. The university also built a memorial in remembrance of the baseball team’s accident in 2007.
“During the year I have remaining, there are a number of significant outcomes that I want to achieve for Bluffton,” he said in a statement. “These include reaching the finish line on fundraising for the Austin E. Knowlton Science Center, ensuring the university is ready for its next accreditation visit in November 2018, strengthening the university’s enrollment strategy and representing Bluffton as the Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) task force completes its work.”
Harder has bachelor’s degrees in history and economics and business administration from Bethel College as well as a master’s and doctorate in economics from Notre Dame.
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