New president to start at Methodist University in 2027

Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, announced on Tuesday that Suzanne Blum Malley has been selected as its sixth president, set to begin her term on July 1, 2027. The Board of Trustees appointed Blum Malley to succeed President Stanley T. Wearden, who will retire after leading the university for over eight years. Blum Malley currently serves as the university’s provost and executive vice president, with a 35-year career in education, including prior roles at Columbia College Chicago. Blum Malley earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with concentrations in business administration and cultural anthropology, a master’s in Spanish-applied linguistics and Hispanic literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a PhD in rhetoric and composition studies from Northern Illinois University. She joined Methodist University in 2020 and has been integral to its administration since. The transition will include a year-long overlap between Blum Malley and Wearden to ensure a smooth handover. Board chair Timothy S. Richardson expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, emphasizing the stability it brings to the university community. Blum Malley highlighted her commitment to Methodist University’s mission, stating she is honored to lead an institution dedicated to serving students and fostering positive change. In her statement, Blum Malley reflected on her six years at the university, praising its mission and the contributions of its faculty and staff. She expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her by the board and community, reaffirming her determination to serve as president. The announcement marks a significant milestone for Methodist University as it prepares for the next chapter under new leadership.