The Lycoming College Board of Trustees recently announced the appointment of Charles “Chip” Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98, to the presidency of the College. The current executive vice president will commence his new role on July 1. The selection of Edmonds follows an extensive national search, with participation from members of Lycoming’s Board, faculty, staff, student representatives, and golf coaches. Edmonds will take over for Dr. Kent Trachte, who will retire in June at the close of the 2024-2025 academic year.
“With our presidential search now at its conclusion, I can say that we are more than satisfied with a very comprehensive process that turned out a diverse pool of more than 100 of the finest applicants to fill the highest office of this institution,” said Don Hughes ’72, Lycoming College trustee and search committee chair. “A unanimous recommendation from the search committee is a testament that we have indeed chosen the best candidate. I want to thank the committee members for their diligence and for their prescience in identifying Lycoming’s next president.”
“We owe our sincere thanks to the presidential search committee for their tireless efforts, commitment to the process, and ability to ultimately coalesce around a single candidate,” said D. Mark Fultz ’80, chair of the Lycoming College Board of Trustees. “Chip possesses a unique combination of institutional experience, an unwavering commitment to our liberal arts tradition, and a vision for continued success well into the future. He’s a charismatic leader who is going to hit the ground running to help Lycoming meet its challenges and to seek bold new opportunities, and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity.”
Edmonds was chosen for the Lycoming presidency for his deep understanding of the higher education marketplace and his unwavering commitment to undergraduate residential education, academic excellence, community engagement, and financial stewardship. He has championed access for the College’s increasingly diverse student population and removed barriers for high-achieving students to receive an undergraduate education. Edmonds brings more than 25 years of higher education leadership that is punctuated by experience in strategic and institutional planning, program innovation, fundraising and financial management, enrollment, marketing, and alumni engagement. He is known for his authentic, engaging, and inclusive leadership approach and has proven himself as a leader who will work across campus to build consensus around a shared institutional vision.
“I am profoundly grateful to board chair, Mark Fultz, vice chair and chair of the presidential search committee, Don Hughes, members of the presidential search committee, and the entire board of trustees for the opportunity to serve as Lycoming College’s 16th president,” said Edmonds. “Lycoming’s steadfast commitment to providing a premier undergraduate education was on full display throughout the search process. It was both energizing and humbling to engage with faculty, staff, and students who care so deeply about the future of the College. It will be an extraordinary privilege to build on Lycoming’s distinguished history and harness the community’s collective capacity to provide one of society’s most important public goods – an education that prepares students for exceptional careers and service to humanity.”
Named Lycoming College executive vice president in 2017, Edmonds serves as chief external affairs officer overseeing advancement, enrollment management, marketing & communications, government & community relations, and institutional projects. He has raised significant philanthropic support and strengthened relationships and engagement with Lycoming’s alumni base, as well as with the local Williamsport community and local and state elected officials. Edmonds has been integral to the Gateway Economic Development Project, securing philanthropic, private, and public support for the College’s Krapf Gateway Building, which has stimulated revitalization in the surrounding Williamsport Old City neighborhood. He led Lycoming’s most successful comprehensive campaign in its history, which concluded in June 2019 after raising $79.2 million.
Playing a lead role in the development of the College’s 2021 Strategic Plan, Edmonds led the Lycoming College community in the development of a campus facility planning strategy, working with multiple constituents across campus. His guidance resulted in the decisions to launch a varsity women’s field hockey team and to reestablish a varsity men’s baseball team, working in partnership with stakeholders, including the mayor, city council, and other local officials, to construct a new baseball stadium at nearby Brandon Park that will serve as a premier field for local, regional, and national events. Edmonds is also a community leader, serving on several boards. He is currently the chair of the Lycoming County United Way, trustee and chair of the development committee at Wyoming Seminary and Preparatory School, trustee and vice president of Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, a director serving his second term, and treasurer of Loyalsock Township School Board, board member of Williamsport Chamber of Commerce; board member and treasurer of Lycoming Economic Development Foundation; board member of Pennsylvania Economy League, and chief liaison for the Lycoming Creek Chronicles.
Prior to his current role, Edmonds served as vice president for advancement at Lycoming, director of major gifts at Yale University, director of annual giving at Duke University Divinity School, and development associate with the Duke Youth Academy. Prior to that, he worked at Lycoming as assistant director of admissions. Edmonds holds a bachelor’s degree in history and music from Lycoming, a master’s of divinity from Duke University, and a doctoral degree in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Williamsport with his spouse, Erin, and their two sons, Jacob and Luke. Beautiful family.
“One of my goals is to get Lycoming Golf to the very top of the Landmark Conference. Whatever Coach Spencer needs — he gets.” OK. Chip DID NOT say that.
Yes. The alums are rejoicing. I went to school with Chip. We are both Lycoming grads. He worked with my father in admissions. I have known him for a very long time. He is the big brother I never had. One that I can always count on. He is an outstanding guy. I am extremely happy and excited for my friend. His family, too. Lycoming hit a grand slam by naming him our next president. This was a no-brainer. A fantastic hire. Lycoming College partnered with Academic Search, Washington, D.C., to conduct the search. But they should have saved their money. I am very thankful that our board decided in his favor. They understood his passion, love, and loyalty to our college. Well done, Chip. There is a major buzz on campus this morning. Cheers.
