Office of the President

Dr. Joseph D. Womack is the 10th president of Bushnell University since its founding in 1985, where he has served since June of 2010. Under his leadership, the university has undergone a significant transformation, clarifying its educational mission, strengthening and expanding academic programs, enhancing and growing campus facilities, and increasing student enrollment. In 2020, Bushnell University had a significant rebranding and was named in honor of James A. Bushnell, founder and chair of the University’s Board of Regents for its first 12 years.

During the 15 years of his tenure as president of the University, Dr. Womack has initiated a strategic shift to reinforce Bushnell’s identity as a Christian liberal arts institution to better reflect the University’s mission to equip students to discover and answer God’s call in their lives through academic excellence and faithful stewardship in a Christ-centered community. His emphasis on holistic education that seeks to shape the whole person has ensured Bushnell’s identity and values are integrated with both academic and professional training to ensure graduates are equipped to be successful citizens, employees, parents, friends, spouses, and community members. (Spiritual growth, leadership development, and academic excellence are at the core of the student’s experience in the campus environment.)

Since 2010, Bushnell University has experienced an enrollment increase of 45%, adding 14 undergraduate and 6 graduate programs in areas related to the Arts & Sciences, Biblical/Theological studies, Business, Education, Computer Technology, and the health professions. During this time the University has significantly expanded its co-curricular offerings in campus ministries & student missions, the founding of the Song Nai Rhee Honors program, community engagement, student internships (related to academic majors and professional aspirations), and intercollegiate athletics.

During Dr. Womack’s tenure he has led efforts to garner financial support for the University’s mission and capital improvements that have totaled over $42 million. The fall of 2024 marked the completion of the Venture Forward capital campaign that raised over $22 Million (on an $18M goal) to:

• acquire and renovate the former Phoenix Inn into the campus’ largest residence hall and home to Bushnell’s Welcome Center,
• build a 2000-seat baseball stadium in Springfield (in partnership with the Springfield School District and the Springfield Drifters collegiate summer baseball team),
• renovated Goodrich Hall and constructed an adjoining bell tower (near completion) to modernize the historic building,
• fund the construction of a new Student Union, the Duke Student Commons (project to begin in 2025),
• created the School of Nursing in partnership with Peace Health Medical Center, and
• fund endowment for the Song Nai Rhee honors program.

In addition to the achievements of the capital campaign, Bushnell University has, since 2010, increased its campus footprint with the acquisition of Siefke Hall, the Works Village Apartment Complex, and most recently the former Sig Epsilon fraternity house.

In addition to his efforts on campus, Dr. Womack has served as Vice-chair of the Oregon Alliance for Independent Colleges & Universities, Chair of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, and is a board member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. With his leadership and vision, the University has continued to widen its reach and impact, leading efforts to bring Eugene/Springfield together around issues such as biblical racial reconciliation (Becoming Beloved Community, Fall 2023), the history of the church (God’s Global Story, Spring 2024) , and positive cultural dialogue around local and national politics (Faithful Engagement, Fall 2024) in order to continue to shape our community into a place that is healthy and thriving for the current generation, and the generations to come.

Before coming to Bushnell, Womack earned his undergraduate degrees from Texas Christian University and Bushnell as well as a master’s and doctorate from Azusa Pacific University. He served in number of administrative capacities at William Jessup University in Rocklin, CA, and California Baptist University in Riverside. While at William Jessup, he led the college’s relocation and design of the campus in Rocklin. He is the son of Sharron Kay ’64 and James ’63 (Bushnell’s 8^th president serving from 1986-2004) and husband to wife, Ruby Kristine ’89. Joe and Kristy have four sons Jamie, Ben ’21 (Anika ’20), Daniel, and Andrew and one granddaughter, Amber.

Teaching and Administrative History

• Bushnell University, President, 2010-Present
• William Jessup University (Calif.), VP for Advancement & VP Student Life, 1999-2004
• William Jessup University (Calif.), Dean of Students, 1997-1999

Education

• Azusa Pacific University, Ed.D., M. Ed.
• Texas Christian University, B.S.
• Bushnell University, A.A.

Bushnell University is governed by a board of trustees whose purpose is to maintain and support the University as a Christian institution of higher learning.

The board of trustees is the policy-making and governing body of the University. On the basis of recommendations made by the president of the University, it establishes a course for the development of the total program of the University and fulfillment of its mission, and it strives to provide essential funds.

Significant representation on the Board must come from members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ associated with the Stone-Campbell heritage. Significant representation on the Board must also come from alumni (graduates or former students) of Bushnell University.

Kim Williams (chair), co-managing member, McKay Investment Company

Bob Hutchins ’65, D.Hum. ’00 (vice chair), senior vice president, Hutchins Group, D. A. Davidson & Co.

Matt Hogan (secretary), principal broker/partner, CW Walker & Associates

Clare Buhler ’80 (at-large), senior pastor, Harrisburg Christian Church

Gary Jurden (at-large), retired financial advisor, Camas, WA

DeLeesa Meashintubby (at-large), executive director, Volunteers in Medicine; pastor, St. Mark CME Church

Juanita Metzler ’94 (at-large), retired hospitality executive

Rodger Terrall (at-large), retired banker, Umpqua Bank

Jill Workman Anderson ’84, relationship manager, Principal Custody Services, Las Vegas, NV

Carol Cure (’67-68), D.Hum. ’10, retired non-profit executive

Melaney Grenz, project manager, Center on Brain Injury Research & Training, UO

Tim Haskell ’88, chief executive officer, Haskell Valuation

Dan Hill (’74-76), sr. principal/architect, Arbor South Architecture

Bridget Baker Kincaid, president & executive director, Baker Family Foundation

Rev. Ron Naff ’74, retired pastor, Longview, WA

Rory Robison ’96, financial advisor, Eagle Strategies

Dan Smith ’87, principal, Rogue River H.S., Rogue River, OR

Pat Turanski, co-founder, Glorybee

Brent Cole, principal broker/partner, Triple Oaks Realty

Debby Walker, retired, CW Walker & Associates

Joe Womack ’89, Ed.D., president, Bushnell University