Expanding leadership
President of Ohio Wesleyan University becomes chairman of the Ohio Five and board member of the Annapolis Group
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University and OWU President Matt vandenBerg are assuming greater leadership roles in the region and the country to advocate for the value of a liberal arts education in today’s turbulent and rapidly evolving world.
“The world needs the liberal arts and its graduates more than ever,” said vandenBerg, the new chairman of the Five Colleges of Ohio and new board member of the national Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges.
“Humanities students learn to think critically, collaborate, communicate effectively and use technology,” vandenBerg said. “They explore topics with the breadth and depth needed to produce the best outcomes for the most people. Humanities students are our future, and I am pleased that Ohio Wesleyan will continue to champion this important message through the Ohio Five and the Annapolis Group.”
As chairman of the Ohio Five Board of Directors, vandenBerg leads an organization of the state’s leading liberal arts colleges and universities: Ohio Wesleyan University, Denison University, Kenyon College, Oberlin College and the College of Wooster. Together, the organization strives to “conserve resources, advance innovation and enhance educational experiences.”
“The OH5 has set a number of ambitious new goals to address current challenges in higher education,” said Lindsey Interlante, executive director of the Ohio Five. “Building on the success of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program, the OH5 plans to launch a preeminent internship program that will showcase the talent and diversity of Ohio’s OH5 students – nearly three-quarters of whom come from out of state.”
“By investing in academic innovation and partnerships that are stronger and more robust than any single member institution could create alone,” she said, “OH5 is harnessing the power of collaboration to meaningfully influence the future of humanities education. …
“Matt’s energy and passion for the liberal arts, coupled with his enthusiasm for fostering thoughtful collaborations, will be invaluable in advancing our mission,” she said. “I am confident he will be a catalyzing force for OH5’s unique partnerships, strategic procurement efforts and career opportunities for students.”
As a member of the board of the Annapolis Group, vandenBerg works with approximately 130 institutions of higher education across the country that believe that “a liberal arts education offers students the best preparation for a life of meaningful and productive work in an ever-changing world. Our institutions provide the framework in which students can develop their intellectual and personal skills, strengthen their commitment to civic responsibility, and foster personal growth and happiness.”
To spread the word about the value of the liberal arts, vandenBerg recently spoke with LearningWell magazine and shared his excitement about “the transformative impact OWU is having on young people’s lives.” The magazine is published by the nonprofit Coalition for Transformational Education.
“I think a lot of times in higher education we focus on the transaction,” vandenBerg said in the interview. “How much does it cost? What degree are you getting? What is your first-year salary? Do you see an immediate return on investment?”
“To me, higher education, when done well, is not transactional,” vandenBerg told the editor of LearningWell. “It’s a transition into adulthood and is meant to be transformational. Ohio Wesleyan University inherently understands that. It’s baked into the ethos of this place.”
For more information about a liberal arts education at Ohio Wesleyan, visit owu.edu/admission.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s leading liberal arts universities. The private university in Delaware, Ohio, offers more than 70 undergraduate degree programs and competes in 24 NCAA Division III sports. Through its unique experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer to serve others, build a diverse and global perspective, and put knowledge gained in the classroom into practice through internships, research, and other hands-on learning opportunities. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” and is on the “Best Colleges” lists of U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. Contact OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.
