Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, Trustees, and Friends of William Penn University,
After deep reflection and many meaningful conversations with my wife, Diane, I have informed the Board of Trustees that I will retire as President of William Penn University in the summer of 2027.
This decision was not made lightly. Serving William Penn University, my and Diane’s alma mater, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Every step of this journey has been shaped by the people who make this institution extraordinary—our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, donors, and community partners. Above all else, I feel profound gratitude.
I am grateful to our students, who bring energy, curiosity, resilience, and purpose to this campus every day. Watching you discover your voices, pursue your goals, and support one another has been a constant source of
inspiration. William Penn is, first and foremost, a student-centered institution, and you are the reason this work has mattered to me.
I am deeply thankful to our faculty and staff. Your commitment, creativity, and care for students define the William Penn experience. You have navigated change, uncertainty, and challenge with professionalism and heart, consistently stepping forward for the good of this community. The strength of this institution rests squarely on your shoulders, and it has been an honor to work alongside you.
To the Board of Trustees, I offer my sincere appreciation for your stewardship, partnership, and trust. Your steady leadership and belief in William Penn’s mission have provided essential guidance during times of growth and development. I am confident that you will lead the University thoughtfully through this transition and beyond.
I am equally grateful to our alumni, donors, and friends. Your generosity and advocacy have sustained William Penn and opened doors of opportunity for generations of students. Your continued engagement reflects the enduring bonds of this University family and ensures its future.
William Penn has always been more than a community—it is a family shaped by shared values of inclusion, opportunity, and respect for every individual. I have been continually grateful for the way students, employees, alumni, and community members have come together, especially during challenging periods, to support one another and move the institution forward.
As I approach this next chapter, I want to express special gratitude to Diane and my entire family. Diane strengthened me, enabled me to smile, and buoyed me for this work when I came home and wasn’t sure that was possible. At times she did this with humor and counsel, but most often just with her presence and the calming atmosphere that she has created in my life. My family’s support, patience, and encouragement have enabled me to serve fully in this role. They have shared this journey in both visible and behind-the-scenes ways, and I am profoundly thankful for the sacrifices they have made and the joy they bring to my life. It is time to give them more of my time and attention.
There is no perfect time for a leadership transition, but I believe renewal is essential for institutions to remain strong and responsive. I remain fully committed to my responsibilities during the year ahead and to supporting a thoughtful, smooth transition to new leadership. There is still important work for me to do in the coming year. William Penn University is well-positioned for the future, and I have great confidence in the people who will continue this important work.
In time, there will be space to reflect more fully on our years together. For now, please know how thankful I am for the experiences, relationships, and shared purpose that have defined my presidency. William Penn University will always hold a special place in my heart.
With sincere gratitude,
John E.E. Ottosson
President
Message From the BoardDear William Penn University Community,
As you learned earlier today, President John Ottosson has informed the Board of Trustees of his decision to retire from William Penn University after the 2026-2027 academic year. While this announcement naturally
brings a mix of gratitude and reflection, it is first and foremost an opportunity to recognize and celebrate a presidency marked by courageous leadership, financial discipline, enrollment momentum, and steadfast commitment to students during an extraordinarily challenging period in higher education. William Penn University is much stronger thanks to his tireless leadership.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to express our deep appreciation to President Ottosson for the remarkable work accomplished during his tenure. These achievements were realized in partnership with highly dedicated faculty, staff, administrators, and supporters who share a deep love for William Penn University and its mission.
President Ottosson assumed leadership at a time when the institution faced significant financial, operational, and strategic challenges. Through disciplined stewardship and bold decision-making, the University consolidated its outstanding debt and reduced it by more than $14 million, strengthening the University’s financial foundation while positioning William Penn for long-term sustainability. Equally significant was the strategic separation from the for-profit partner operating the Adult Learner campus, followed by the thoughtful alignment of academic calendars and course syllabi between adult and traditional programs—creating a more cohesive and unified academic enterprise.
Under President Ottosson’s leadership, William Penn University will have invested more than $22 million in campus infrastructure upon the completion of the Spencer Chapel renovation project. This has addressed longstanding deferred maintenance needs while also enhancing the student experience through major improvements.
These investments also included new science laboratories created within underutilized white space, as well as the renovation of a larger residence hall—clear signals of confidence in the University’s academic and residential future.
John also played a key role in developing a more sustainable advancement model, grounded in a strong partnership with Musco and focused on broadening the University’s base of philanthropic support. This vision strengthened relationships with existing partners while inviting a wider group of supporters to invest in William Penn University’s mission.
Academically and programmatically, President Ottosson’s tenure expanded opportunities for students and strengthened enrollment pipelines. The addition of a four-year nursing program, two new 3+2 engineering programs in partnership with Iowa State University, six new athletic programs and expansion of participation opportunities in the fine arts significantly broadened access and appeal for prospective students. These efforts propelled William Penn to sustained growth at a time when many peer institutions were experiencing declines, culminating in record enrollment on the Oskaloosa campus.
Perhaps most notably, President Ottosson guided William Penn University through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with steadiness and care. The University remained open, protected community health, preserved the student experience, and—remarkably—continued to grow enrollment during this period. Through close collaboration with the conference, robust safety protocols were implemented, and all student-athletes were able to compete successfully.
Throughout his presidency, John Ottosson has demonstrated a deep commitment to students, a clear understanding of institutional realities, and a calm, principled leadership style that earned trust across the University community. The Board is profoundly grateful for his service and for the strong position in which he leaves William Penn University. We also acknowledge the support of John’s wife and family that allowed him to remain focused on the needs of the university.
The Board of Trustees has begun succession planning in accordance with established governance practices and will share additional information about the leadership transition and presidential search process in the coming
weeks. President Ottosson has expressed his intention to continue leading with the same focus and dedication throughout the transition period, ensuring stability and continuity for the University.
We invite the entire William Penn University community to join the Board in offering thanks for President Ottosson’s leadership and in praying for wisdom and discernment as the University prepares for this next
chapter.
With gratitude and confidence in the future of William Penn University,
Dr. Eric Nichols
Chair, Board of Trustees
William Penn University