Jeffrey Abernathy Named President Emeritus
Following Alma College’s announcement of a national search for its 14th president in April, the Board of Trustees has moved to the next phase of leadership transition, naming Jeffrey Abernathy as President Emeritus, and appointing Eric Blackhurst as Interim President, effective November 20, 2024.
A 1983 graduate of Alma College, Blackhurst has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2011 and served as its chair from 2018 to 2022. As the parent of an Alma graduate, classroom instructor, and fundraiser, he has honed a deep understanding of Alma College as well as relevant experience in governance in higher education, healthcare, banking, and international business. His past service on the board of the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) of Universities and Colleges, role as past board chair of AGB Search, and engagements as a speaker and consultant to higher education clients and conferences make him uniquely qualified to lead the college during this time of transition. Blackhurst recently retired as Associate General Counsel of The Dow Chemical Company after 35 years of service and is a member of the board of directors of Horizon Bancorp where he chairs the governance and nominating committee.
A search committee composed of faculty, staff, alumni, board members, a student, and a local community member, with the advice of national search firm Storbeck Search, will continue its work to identify the college’s 14th president. Additional information about the search process can be found at alma.edu/presidential-search/.
Jeff Abernathy’s tenure since 2010 is marked by significant accomplishments in expanded academic and athletic opportunities and remarkable investments in facilities. During his presidency, Alma College launched 27 new undergraduate programs and its first graduate programs in Special Education, Communication and Information Technology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Creative Writing. The “Our Time is Now” philanthropic campaign, under Abernathy’s leadership, raised more than $125 million, enabling the college to renovate key facilities, including the Hogan Center for Athletics, the Greg Hatcher Learning Commons, the Wright Leppien Opera House in downtown Alma, and student housing and dining.
Following a sabbatical period, Abernathy will return to the faculty as an English professor and plans to launch the Alma Prison Initiative, an education program for incarcerated people.
“The Board of Trustees deeply appreciates President Abernathy’s service to Alma College during his long tenure as its leader,” said Darryl G. Schimeck ’82, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “His vision for the college and unwavering dedication to the campus community have resulted in new academic and athletic programs, a record-breaking philanthropic campaign, and deepening connections with the local community. It is our honor to name him President Emeritus.
“At the same time, we welcome Eric Blackhurst in the role of Interim President. His 13 years of board service includes chairing the board for four years through the Covid-19 pandemic and during the most ambitious and successful fundraising campaign in the college’s history. He brings with him considerable experience that spans business and non-profit leadership as well as academic accomplishments. We appreciate his willingness to step down from the board, drive continued improvements on campus, and serve as an effective bridge to our next president.”
Eric Blackhurst, who has lived and worked in mid-Michigan for much of his life, expressed his eagerness to work closely with Alma’s faculty, staff, and students. “It’s an honor to serve my alma mater and the Alma community,” he said. “I began my Alma experience 45 years ago when I first walked onto the campus, and I have remained engaged ever since. I look forward to engaging even more deeply with everyone connected to the college as we listen, learn, and work together to further strengthen Alma for the future.”
