Jim Brenneman
March 16, 2017
Brenneman awarded for leadership
President James Brenneman was presented with the Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr. Distinguished Leadership in Higher Education award on March 11, recognizing his work with Hispanic students in higher education on the Goshen College campus. This award is presented to administrators who demonstrate excellence in their profession. It is named for de los Santos Jr., who worked as a leader, faculty member, mentor and champion in higher education. Brenneman was selected by a panel of experts in higher education. The award was given by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE). AAHHE is a national, educational non-profit...
September 8, 2016
Dr. James Brenneman begins last year as president
On August 17, Dr. James Brenneman, Goshen College’s 16th president, announced his resignation effective June 30, 2017. Goshen College faculty and staff gathered at Merry-Lea Environmental Learning Center for the annual all-employee retreat, where they first heard the information. Students also received an email directly from Brenneman on the same day. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have helped shape my alma mater and this community for the better,” said Brenneman in the email. “I am eternally grateful to have served alongside such a dedicated and diverse faculty, staff, administrators, committed board members, loyal alumni, generous donors and supportive...
December 3, 2015
Brenneman attends White House summit
The Goshen College campus was surprised on Thursday, Nov. 19 to find out, after the fact, that our president, Jim Brenneman, had attended a meeting at the White House. On Nov. 11, the college received word from White House executives that we may be one of 50 colleges from around the country invited to attend a round table discussion about sustainability and green initiatives on college campuses. The official invitation and plans were not finalized until Monday, Nov. 16, just three days before the event. “This whole thing was embargoed to the press until after the event,” said Brenneman. “No...
April 17, 2014
Planning for Carbon Neutrality
When Jim Brenneman, president, signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, Goshen College joined 175 other academic institutions in an effort to reduce their carbon emissions. This year, Goshen College intends to uphold its commitment by reevaluating its climate action plan, which was established in 2009. Part of the agreement involved the establishment of the ecological stewardship committee on campus, which would develop plans for long-term campus sustainability. The committee has four sub-groups: advancement, audit, analysis and awareness. Each group covers a different side of their mission. The committee is comprised of students, faculty, administrators and staff from...
February 19, 2014
President Brenneman Up for Term Review
The first of July could be a big day for Jim Brenneman. That day may mark the start of a third consecutive term: his second reappointment as Goshen College’s 16th president. Brenneman is currently up for presidential review, a standard process that occurs every four years served. The review involves the input of the GC Board of Directors, faculty, staff, administrators and Student Senate leaders, as well as community and church leaders and the president himself. An appointed Presidential Review Committee facilitates the process. Brenneman was first inaugurated in September 2006; his second term officially ends June 30. The evaluation...
February 19, 2014
To be President for a Day
When Jim Brenneman dresses for work, he prefers not to wear a tie. “One of the hard things about having lived in California for 26 years is that I’m uncomfortable wearing a suit and tie,” Brenneman said. “I call it my poodle suit, the uniform I wear to do my presidential duties.” He arrives at the college around 8:15 or 8:30 a.m., now that his son is in high school and able to drive. When Brenneman drove his son to school, he liked to be home for breakfast. Brenneman tries hard to keep his mornings “sacred,” with no scheduled meetings...
November 8, 2013
‘Brenneman’s bikes’ project begins with new wheels
Refurbished bicycles, complete with wacky paint jobs, are now available for the enjoyment of prospective students and their families, accompanied by a helmet, bike lock, and signed waiver. The project, originally developed by Richard Aguirre, director of communications and marketing, culminated with a concrete blessing from Jim Brenneman, president. A small group gathered last Wednesday around the Broken Shield sculpture to hear about the project and see the dedication of the bicycles. After the initial proposal three years ago, bicycles abandoned by students more than five years ago were provided by the Physical Plant and tuned up to smooth function...
February 13, 2013
Brenneman protests gun violence in open letter
President Jim Brenneman penned his support for increased gun control legislation by signing the Open Letter to Our Nation’s Policy Leaders. The document was co-written by two university presidents, Elizabeth Kiss of Agnes Scott College and Lawrence M. Schall of Oglethorpe University, and signed by some 350 other college or university presidents. Brenneman was approached by Kiss in December to add his name to the list of educators who support putting an end to gun violence through more education, stricter regulation and increased legislation. “Open Letter to Our Nation’s Policy Leaders” was received by the White House, with a returned confirmation...
September 12, 2012
Year of the passionate learner includes new core curriculum
This is the year of the passionate learner, announced Dr. James Brenneman, President of Goshen College, at an opening convocation on September 5. Whereas 2011-2012 focused on the core value of servant leadership, 2012-2013 is the year of the “contagion of passionate learning,” Brenneman said. Brenneman offered the story of Merle E. Jacobs, who taught at Goshen from 1953-1954. Jacobs was obsessed with birds and owned 87 canaries. Yet Jacobs’ passion for learning drove him, Brenneman said. Brenneman called students and faculty to seek their passions just as Jacobs did. “Ask yourself, ‘What is it you’re passionate about? Or, what...
September 30, 2010
Brenneman, Claiborne process anthem decision in published blog
Goshen College President Jim Brenneman and Shane Claiborne, author and Christian activist, have been emailing for the past six months, discussing and processing last spring's decision to play the national anthem before select sporting events at the college. On Tuesday night, their emails were published on the Sojourner's God's Politics blog so the public could take part in the conversation as well. Sojourners is the largest network of progressive Christians in the United States and through a website and magazine, works to articulate the biblical call to social justice. "(Claiborne) has a generous spirit that permeates his deep convictions,"...
September 15, 2010
President releases statement on anthem proceedings
Goshen College President Jim Brenneman released a statement to students, faculty and administration Wednesday morning outlining the national anthem discernment process instigated by the Goshen College Board of Directors. The board met several times over the summer to discuss how to proceed with last spring's decision to play "The Star Spangled Banner" at select indoor and outdoor sporting events at Goshen College. In his statement, Brenneman highlighted the "Listen & Learn" process initiated by the board as part of the decision review set for June 2011. The review will result in letting the decision stand, making modifications or reversing the...
September 15, 2010
Anthem review update – A letter to students from President Jim Brenneman
September 14, 2010 Dear Students, As we enter the new school year, I am again thankful for the energy and excitement created by new and returning students to the campus and I am grateful for the support of faculty, staff and alumni. This year promises to be full of new learning opportunities for each and every one of us, whether in the classroom, lab, clinic, service assignment, work place, sporting event, chapel or just hanging out. One learning opportunity will be to continue our conversation about the decision made last year to begin playing the national anthem at select sporting events on...
April 8, 2010
Jesus Radicals replace flags, present petition
Around twenty people marched to Goshen College last Monday to present a petition against the decision to play the anthem to President Brenneman and to replace the college’s U.S. and United Nations flags with “more inclusive symbols.” Initially, 12 people met at Rogers Park in Goshen as a part of the Jesus is Lord! Post Easter Pilgrimage and Celebration, organized by the Jesus Radicals, and began the walk to the college, gaining others as they traveled. In front, the group held a white flag with a light blue outline of the Angus Dei—Latin for “Lamb of God,” often pictured as...
November 4, 2009
Jim Brenneman on why GC doesn’t play the national anthem at sports games
The following is a letter from President James E. Brenneman to the Goshen College community on November 12, 2008. It is reprinted here in conjunction with the current administrative re-examination of Goshen College's policy of not playing the national anthem at sporting events. Dear GC community, Greetings to you on this mid-November day. I wanted to communicate with all of you about events that have transpired over the last few days that you should be aware of in relation to Goshen College’s long practice of not playing the national anthem before athletic competitions. Our practice of not playing the national...
September 23, 2009
Brenneman finalizes GC’s carbon neutrality plan
Last week, President Jim Brenneman finalized Goshen College’s Climate Action Plan to reduce the campus’ carbon impact. He submitted it to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), a college and university climate change initiative, taking steps such as reducing carbon impact and neutralizing greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Plan declares GC’s commitment to carbon neutrality, outlines ways to achieve this goal and includes steps to help students develop skills necessary to help other communities toward the same cause. “Climate change presents us with a societal emergency and a moral imperative for innovation," said President Brenneman. “The...