Presidential Search

With deep gratitude, the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees announces the retirement of President Elizabeth A. Rider, effective at the conclusion of the next academic year, June 30, 2027. We congratulate and celebrate President Rider’s nearly 40 years of selfless service and distinguished leadership at Elizabethtown College.

The Board of Trustees has had the distinct privilege of collaborating with President Rider and is deeply appreciative of her steadfast and thoughtful leadership of the institution. Her unwavering commitment to the College community has strengthened the institution in enduring ways, and she leaves a legacy of purpose-driven leadership, stable growth, and student-focused learning that will benefit Elizabethtown College for years to come.

As President Rider planned for her retirement, she has proactively kept the Board of Trustees informed throughout the process, allowing time and space for thoughtful planning and a smooth leadership transition. This thoughtful approach provides continuity and positions the institution to build upon the strong momentum and accomplishments achieved during her tenure.

President Rider’s Legacy of Leadership & Service

President Rider came to Elizabethtown College in 1988 as a professor of psychology and went on to serve the institution in numerous academic and administrative leadership roles. Since being named the College’s 16th president in 2022, she has led Elizabethtown College through a period of sustained growth, strengthening the institution academically, financially, and culturally while advancing strategic priorities focused on student success, enrollment growth, academic innovation, and long-term success.

Under President Rider’s leadership, the College has achieved record enrollment milestones, exceeded fundraising goals, and reached a historic endowment milestone surpassing $100 million. In 2025, she also led the celebration of the institution’s 125th anniversary through a yearlong series of commemorative events, including the introduction of an updated College Alma Mater. Recently, the College successfully concluded its five-year Strategic Plan under Rider’s leadership and in collaboration with the College community and the Board of Trustees, has developed Strategic Plan 2030, a new comprehensive five-year roadmap set to launch this fall.

President Rider also oversaw the launch of the College’s $40 million Build Brighter Futures campaign, designed to expand access to Etown’s distinctive educational experience through scholarship support and create opportunities for future generations of students.

During her tenure, she led renovations to several key academic spaces, including the High Auditorium for Collaborative Learning, and upgraded Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology laboratories. Prior to her presidency, she served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and led significant academic innovations, including restructuring academic programs and establishing the College’s formal School structure. Her leadership was instrumental in launching a five-year Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program and expanding Etown's highly regarded Occupational Therapy program to include a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD). Prior to serving as Provost, President Rider held several administrative leadership roles, including Registrar.

This summer, the Board of Trustees will initiate a presidential search process, intentionally focusing on mission-aligned leadership at Elizabethtown College. We expect the search to take several months to complete. We are committed to ensuring continuity, a smooth transition, and transparency with our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community in the process and will provide updates as they become available.

Please join me in celebrating Betty’s enduring contributions and remarkable legacy at Etown. Blue Jays. Always.

Sincerely,

Mike Spangler '88, Chair

Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees

Following the announcement of Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider's planned retirement effective June 30, 2027, the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees is announcing the establishment of a Presidential Search Committee (PSC) to undertake the search for the 17th president of the College.

President Rider's proactive communication with the Board throughout her retirement planning has allowed for thoughtful consideration of the College's future leadership needs and a smooth transition process. This approach has provided the opportunity for Trustees to develop a leadership profile that ensures continuity while positioning the College to build on the significant momentum and achievements realized during her tenure.

Beginning in June, the Presidential Search Committee will conduct a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking search process and will engage a search firm to provide professional support and guidance.

Board of Trustees Vice Chair-Elect Tom McGonigle P'10, P'17 will chair the PSC, which will identify and evaluate candidates whose leadership experience, institutional values, and strategic capabilities best fit the leadership profile and the College's strategic priorities.

The PSC representatives are as follows:

• Tom McGonigle P'10 P'17, Chair
• Jan Lane '75, Board of Trustees Chair-Elect, Board of Trustees
• Rick Baker '75, Trustee
• Mark Heckler '77, Trustee
• Rev. Pamela A. Reist, Asst. Secretary, Board of Trustees
• Natalie Birrell '88, Trustee
• Scott Burky MBA '14, Alumni Representative
• Dr. Tara Moore '01, Faculty Assembly Representative
• Dean Sara Atwood, Faculty Representative

The PSC will recommend a finalist to the Board of Trustees by January 2027.

Reflecting the College's longstanding commitment to shared governance, additional information about the search process and opportunities for campus community engagement will be shared in the months ahead. You may also view periodic updates, PSC biographies, and an anticipated search timeline on etown.edu.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Elizabethtown College and its future.

Sincerely,

Mike Spangler '88, Chair

Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees

Tom focuses his practice on securities and investment regulation. His clients include broker/dealers, investment advisers, public companies, banks and individuals. He has experience in matters involving equity, fixed income, and derivative trading; broker/dealer and investment adviser compliance system design and review; fiduciary investment issues; regulatory registration issues; transactional disclosure issues; regulatory enforcement and grand jury representation; and litigation in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings, disciplinary hearings and arbitrations.

Tom was a member of the President’s Leadership Council from 2010 to 2012. He served on the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2018, rejoining the Board in 2019. Tom was also a member of the Be More Inspired Campaign Committee (2016-2020).

As a former Vice President for the American Red Cross and AVP for CARE, Jan’s career focused on government relations, public policy and nonprofit management with experience in international development, biomedical, and disaster/emergency response issues. In 2016, Jan became a registered horticultural therapist and currently works with patients recovering from stroke and traumatic brain injuries.

Jan has served on the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees since 2016. She previously served on the President’s Leadership Council from 2012 to 2016, including as Chair (2014-2016). Jan was a member of the Be More Inspired Campaign Committee (2013-2016). Jan is the incoming Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees Chair.

Rick is the former President and Co-Founder of The RiverHorse Group. The RiverHorse Group works with clients to navigate the challenges and opportunities in today’s marketplace using their experience and expertise in strategy development, execution optimization, organizational effectiveness, leadership excellence, and cultural evolution for optimal results.

Rick has served on the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees since 2018. He previously served on the President’s Leadership Council from 2010 to 2018, serving as both Chair of the Council (2016-2018) and the Annual Fund Chair (2013-2016). Rick was also a member of the Be More Inspired Campaign Committee (2016-2020).

Mark served as the 18th president of Valparaiso University (Ind.) from 2008 to 2020. President Emeritus Heckler is a dedicated educator with nearly 50 years of experience in private and public higher education as a professor, dean, provost, president, and trustee. He served on the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2014, rejoining the Board in 2022. In 2009, Mark was the recipient of the Elizabethtown College Educate for Service – Professional Achievement award.

Pam is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, having most recently served the Elizabethtown congregation 2008 to 2023. Previously she served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Nurture in other congregations.

Pam has served in many leadership positions during her ministry. In addition to serving on the Atlantic Northeast District Church of the Brethren Ministry Commission and Board of Trustees, Pam served on the Executive Committee of the Mission and Ministry Board for the Church of the Brethren. There she also served on the search committee for the selection of a General Secretary for the denomination.

Pam has been a member of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees since 2019, serving as Assistant Secretary since 2021.

Natalie is president of Partner for Anchorage Capital Group. She is responsible for overseeing Anchorage’s day-to-day operations and is a voting member of Anchorage’s Legacy Funds Investment Committee.

Natalie was a member of the President’s Leadership Council from 2008 to 2017. She has served on the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees since 2024.

Scott is the Business Development Manager for RKL, identifying strategies and executes unique, targeted solutions that deliver financial partnership value to his clients. His previous experience includes roles at the S. Dale High Center for Business and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.

Scott is a former member of the Alumni Council, having served from 2022 to 2025. Recently, he served as a member of the Alumni Council’s Transformational Taskforce.

Dr. Tara Moore is an Associate Professor and director of the Graphic Design and English Professional Writing programs at Elizabethtown College, where she has taught since 2016. She teaches courses in graphic design, business writing, and composition, and she currently serves as President of the Elizabethtown College Faculty Assembly. Her publications include books on Christmas culture and scholarly work on Jane Austen. She volunteers with the Jane Austen Society of North America, where she has served as the Maryland regional coordinator and collaborated on national conference organization.

Dr. Sara Atwood is the Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science and Professor of Engineering. As dean, Dr. Atwood champions student-centered approaches, mastery-based learning, and a vision of technical education that connects people, systems, and society. Dr. Atwood is a national thought leader in engineering education through her roles as an ABET Program Evaluator, with the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network, and as a two-time elected member of the Engineering Deans Council Executive Committee through the American Society for Engineering Education.