Past Presidents

From 1842 until today, these leaders have helped to create Ohio Wesleyan’s legacy of higher education innovation and success:

  • 2023-present – Matthew P. vandenBerg (17th President)
  • 2008-2023 – Rock Jones (16th President)
  • 2007-2008 – David O. Robbins (Interim President)
  • 2004-2007 – Mark W. Huddleston (15th President)
  • 1994-2004 – Thomas B. Courtice (14th President)
  • 1993-1994 – William C. Louthan (Acting President)
  • 1984-1993 – David L. Warren (13th President)
  • 1969-1984 – Thomas E. Wenzlau (12th President)
  • 1968-1969 – Robert P. Lisensky (Acting President)
  • 1962-1968 – Elden T. Smith (11th President)
  • 1959-1961 – David A. Lockmiller (10th President)
  • 1958-1959 – George W. Burns (Acting President)
  • 1955-1957 – Frank J. Prout (Interim President)
  • 1953-1955 – Clarence E. Ficken (Interim President)
  • 1948-1953, 1957-1958 – Arthur S. Flemming (Ninth President)
  • 1947-1948 – Clarence E. Ficken (Acting President)
  • 1939-1947 – Herbert J. Burgstahler (Eighth President)
  • 1938-1939 – Edward L. Rice (Acting President)
  • 1928-1938 – Edmund D. Soper (Seventh President)
  • 1916-1928 – John W. Hoffman (Sixth President)
  • 1905-1916 – Herbert Welch (Fifth President)
  • 1904-1905 – William F. Whitlock (Acting President)
  • 1889-1904 – James W. Bashford (Fourth President)
  • 1888-1889 – Lorenzo D. McCabe (Acting President)
  • 1876-1888 – Charles H. Payne (Third President)
  • 1873-1876 – Lorenzo D. McCabe (Acting President)
  • 1860-1873 – Frederick Merrick (Second President)
  • 1842-1860 – Edward Thomson (First President)