Dec 5 Mark Blegen selected as 21st president of Linfield University
McMINNVILLE, Oregon – December 5, 2024 – The Linfield University Board of Trustees announced today that Dr. Mark Blegen will become the institution’s next president. He will assume leadership from interim president Rebecca “Becky” Johnson on July 1, 2025.
Blegen currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Carroll University, a 3,300-student liberal arts university in Waukesha, Wisconsin. At Carroll, he oversaw a $40 million academic affairs budget, took part in comprehensive fundraising campaigns and played a key role in creating and implementing inclusive hiring practices for faculty and staff.
Under his leadership, Carroll launched its first Ph.D program, expanded masters-level offerings and partnered with a high school in downtown Milwaukee to offer an on-site associate degree program, Carroll University’s first. The associate degree in nursing (ADN) focuses on educating and developing bilingual nurses.
Previously, Blegen held posts at St. Catherine University in Minnesota. He served as associate dean, then dean of health sciences at the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences and chaired the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science. He began his academic career teaching as an assistant professor at Mount Union College and Springfield College.
Blegen holds a doctorate in exercise physiology from Kent State University, a master’s degree in exercise physiology from St. Cloud University and a bachelor of arts in sports science with a sports medicine focus from St. Olaf College.
The announcement comes after a 10-month search co-chaired by trustees Kirby Dyess and Marv Henberg. The 16-member committee included students, faculty and staff, and was assisted by AGB Search. Four candidates visited both campuses in November for open forums.
In a joint statement, Dyess and Henberg said the committee was delighted by the quality of candidates and Blegen’s selection.
“Dr. Mark Blegen is an ideal fit as president of Linfield University. As provost at Carroll University, he added significantly to both undergraduate and graduate enrollment by devoting resources to new programs such as aviation and drone science and video game design. He developed several new programs across the health sciences while expanding existing curricula in that area. Carroll will shortly add engineering,” they wrote. “We have confidence that Mark will hit the ground running in McMinnville and Portland to work with faculty and staff in similarly pioneering innovative programs that suit Linfield students in furthering their successful futures and careers.”
Blegen will take the helm from interim president Rebecca “Becky” Johnson, who has served in the role since January. Linfield’s 20th president, Miles K. Davis, departed in December 2023.
Blegen said he looks forward to being a Wildcat, and particularly appreciated the sense of community he experienced during his visits.
"I am honored to join Linfield at this exciting time. There are so many wonderful things happening, and the stage is set for even more,” he said. “Linfield University is truly a community, which I felt the moment I stepped on campus. I am incredibly excited to become a part of, and to collaboratively lead, this historic institution."
Linfield board chair Lucinda Day Fournier ’95 said the trustees are “thrilled” to welcome Dr. Blegen to the community.
“We are confident his vision and leadership will guide the university toward continued excellence in teaching, research and community engagement in the years ahead,” she said. “He has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education, and we believe he will inspire our students, faculty, staff and alumni to reach new and ever-greater heights.”