UF Board of Trustees Announce Extension of President Fell’s Contract
The University of Findlay Board of Trustees is very pleased to announce that Dr. Katherine Fell will continue to serve at the helm of the University for at least another three years. The contract extension runs through June 2024, with a 3-year option beyond that.
“This is Dr. Fell’s 11th year as the President of the University of Findlay, and we are extremely excited that we will have the benefit of her leadership for at least another three years!” stated Chris Ostrander, president of the University’s Board of Trustees. “Dr. Fell has been a tremendous leader not only for the University, but also within the community. She has built a vibrant culture for our students, the faculty, and the staff; and we are very pleased to have reached this extension with her.”
During her tenure, the University has expanded and strengthened many facets of the academic experience, with a focus on academic excellence, experiential learning opportunities and expanding the University’s regional and national reputation.
“In my first days at UF, I said that my job would be to reflect what is best about this wonderful place and to engage the full community in addressing challenges as they arise. Amazing colleagues throughout campus have led with me through these years, and I count it a joy to serve alongside them until my calling here is done.”
The University has added 19 degrees, including doubling the number of graduate programs, since she started at the University in 2010, and has increased its national rankings and recognition in U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. Most recently, Dr. Fell spearheaded the University’s new partnership with Blanchard Valley Health System that will increase experiential learning and scholarship opportunities for students in the University’s growing health professions programs.
She also helped guide the University through the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in UF’s successfully moving to fully online classes for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester, and then successfully returning to in-person classes for the Fall 2020 semester.
In addition, the University’s enrollment benefited from growth in new students in Fall of 20 20, when most university’s were experiencing enrollment declines. Findlay was one of only two small colleges cited in a December 14, 2020, Forbes.com article for increasing first-time freshmen enrollment by 15% during a time when private non-profit colleges saw a 8.5% decline in freshmen enrollment nationwide.
Fell came to the University of Findlay in 2010 after serving at Centenary College, Shreveport, La., for 24 years first as an associate professor of English and eventually as the college’s vice president of advancement.