ALMA — Alma College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joseph L. Odenwald as its 14th president. Currently president of Southwestern Michigan College, Odenwald brings with him a wealth of expertise and years of academic leadership.

The appointment was unanimously approved by the Alma College Board of Trustees, based on the recommendation of the presidential search committee. Odenwald will assume his new role on June 1, 2025, succeeding interim president Eric Blackhurst ’83.

“The search committee was impressed by Dr. Odenwald’s leadership experience serving higher education and learners in the state of Michigan,” said Erika Powers Appelt ’91, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and chair of the presidential search committee. “He truly embraces Alma College’s mission and will bring both a spirit of innovation to the campus as well as a respect for our rich tradition as a leading residential liberal arts college.”

Board of Trustees Chairman Darryl Schimeck ’82 echoed Powers Appelt: “We had an extraordinarily strong pool of both internal and external candidates from which to choose our 14th president. Our search committee, under the leadership of our board vice chair, went through a very thorough process of discerning who would be the best choice. Dr. Odenwald’s commitment to liberal arts education, experience as an impactful leader in higher education, and enthusiastic vision for the future of our alma mater made him the clear choice to be our next leader. I look forward to welcoming Joe and his family to our Alma College community.”

Read the full original release of this announcement on the Alma College website here.