Luther’s Next President
Brad Chamberlain was selected by Luther’s Board of Regents to serve as the college’s 12th president.
Chamberlain’s career at Luther spans more than two decades. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, he began teaching chemistry at Luther in fall 2001, earning tenure in 2007, becoming a full professor in 2014, and chairing the chemistry department from 2014 to 2018. His collaborative research with students was a hallmark of his time in the classroom, with more than 60 mentored undergraduates, three-quarters of whom entered graduate or professional programs.

The Chamberlain family in Norway in May 2024. From left: Drew ’26, Brad, Julie (Torkelson) ’96, and Liam, a Decorah High School senior.
Chamberlain’s administrative leadership at Luther includes serving as vice president for mission and communication from 2019 until 2022, during which time he led implementation of Luther’s first integrated brand strategy, developed the college’s first strategic internal communications plan, and co-led the COVID Response Team. He was appointed as provost in 2022 and has since brokered new academic programs, shepherded Luther through a successful interim evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission, and spearheaded an integrated student success model, the first of its kind at Luther.
Chamberlain will be the first president promoted from within the college in more than a century; Luther’s third president, Oscar L. Olson, class of 1893, was on the faculty before becoming president in 1921.
“It is unusual to have an internal candidate with the breadth and depth of experience he has, both a long tenure as a very successful and respected professor but also as an administrator who has had the opportunity over the past years to hold a number of essential positions,” says Bob Paulson ’78, chair of Luther’s Board of Regents.
“Our search consultants shared with us that he brings a national-level caliber set of experience and skills, and they made clear that we have a national candidates right in our backyard,” says Shannon (Miller) Duval ’95, vice chair of the board. “Our ability to attract and retain a talent like him is a huge win for Luther College.”
In his remarks at the event announcing his future presidency, Chamberlain spoke about leveraging Luther’s model of education to serve the larger world.
“At liberal arts colleges, we talk about the power of ideas, and we teach our students how to evaluate ideas and connect ideas, how to activate ideas. This is what I think the world needs right now,” he said. “As we look at the challenges that society is facing, these are not necessarily technical challenges—they are adaptive challenges. This is what a place like Luther College prepares students to do. They are prepared to lead and to serve, but above all, through their leadership and service to others, to make everyone around them better.”
Chamberlain will begin his duties as president in February 2025. President Jenifer K. Ward will continue to serve the college on special projects through June 2025.