Luther College announces presidential transition for beginning of spring semester 2025

Luther College has announced that Provost Brad Chamberlain will begin his new role as the 12th President of Luther College on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, as a part of the start of the college’s spring semester.

With a career of over two decades at Luther College, Brad Chamberlain began as an instructor in chemistry in 2001, and has risen through the academic and administrative ranks.

Outgoing President Jenifer K. Ward will step into the role of president emerita and senior advisor for strategic initiatives on the same day, and will continue to support major projects such as the Gerdin Fieldhouse renovation.

Also on Feb. 7, physics professor Jeff Wilkerson will begin serving as the interim provost for Luther College. Both Ward and Wilkerson will serve in these new roles until June 2025.

“As we mentioned in October, when Brad Chamberlain was appointed president-elect, his selection provides Luther College with the opportunity to capitalize on the great momentum of recent accomplishments,” Board of Regents Chair Bob Paulson said. “By having him step into the position at the start of the spring semester, we take advantage of the shorter selection process and allow him to begin work on behalf of Luther College.”

Ward announced her retirement from the presidency in April 2024. A formal inauguration of Chamberlain is planned for October 2025. The Board of Regents honored Ward with a special commission of a musical composition, premiered at Christmas at Luther in December 2024. Ward’s presidency is also the cover feature of the upcoming winter edition of Luther Magazine.

The nationwide search for Luther College’s next provost is now underway, and a Provost Selection Committee co-chaired by Luther vice president for advancement Mary Duvall and faculty speaker and professor of Spanish David Thompson was announced to campus this week.