President David McFadden took office as Manchester’s 15th president on July 1, 2014 after 20 years as a senior leader at the University. A third generation graduate, McFadden has deep roots in and a deep love for Manchester. “I couldn’t be more proud to serve any institution in the country,” says McFadden.
After graduating from Manchester in 1982, President McFadden earned his Ph.D. in political science at Claremont Graduate University. After serving Claremont as an administrator for six years, he returned to his alma mater and hometown to lead Manchester’s enrollment efforts. Over the next two decades, McFadden worked with strategic planning, marketing, institutional research, and institutional accreditation, among a variety of assignments. As assistant professor of political science, he taught environmental politics.
In 2004, McFadden was appointed executive vice president. In this role, he led the exploration and launch of Manchester’s Pharmacy Program and the opening of the University’s Fort Wayne campus, becoming dean of the College of Pharmacy in 2012.
McFadden has been an active community and church leader, serving as president of the Community Foundation of Wabash County board, as chair of the Manchester Church of the Brethren board and as a member of the boards of Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Mennonite Council, Questa Education Foundation, Parkview Hospital Board of Directors and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership Governing Board.
Dave met his wife, Renée, on the first day of freshman orientation at Manchester. Their children, Rachel and Sam, are fourth generation Manchester University graduates. His parents, Wilbur and Joyce, also met at Manchester before serving the Church of the Brethren as missionaries in Indonesia, where Dave spent six formative years growing up.