Woodrow Goodman, Former Marion College President, Dies at 86
9/10/04

Dr. Woodrow I. Goodman, who served as president of Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) from 1960 to 1976, died Sunday, Sept. 5, in Upland, Calif., where he had lived for many years. He was 86 years old.

Dr. Goodman graduated from Marion College in 1939 with a degree in secondary education. Before becoming president of Marion College, he completed a master's degree at Wheaton College, taught in public schools for several years and was a pastor.

Dr. Goodman was the founding president of Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., where he served for 13 years before coming to Marion College.

In 1961, Dr. Goodman was one of four incorporators of the World Missionary Press and served as a director and secretary of the corporation for 40 years. The company annually publishes 50 million Scripture booklets in more than 200 languages.

During Dr. Goodman's tenure at Marion College, enrollment nearly doubled from 450 students to 850 students and five new buildings were constructed. He also laid the foundation for improved relations between the campus and the community, which succeeding IWU presidents have built on.

Perhaps Dr. Goodman's greatest accomplishment was leading the efforts that resulted in full accreditation for Marion College in 1966 from the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

During the 1970-71 school year, Dr. Goodman also served as president of Owosso College in Michigan in addition to his duties at Marion College.

After retiring as Marion College president, Dr. Goodman worked for seven years as the Institutional Research and Planning Associate for Friends University in Kansas. He moved to California in 1983 and continued to work part-time for Friends until 1988 when he retired after 48 years of ministerial and academic service.

Dr. Goodman had honorary doctorates from Taylor University and Houghton College.

Dr. Goodman is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marie, and two daughters, Annetta Marie Hughes, Upland, Calif., and Sandra Kay O'Donnell, Batavia, Ill. A son, Dennis Ray Goodman, died in 1983.

Graveside services were Sept. 17 in California. The family has requested that memorials be in the form of donations to Indiana Wesleyan University, Bethel College or World Missionary Press, New Paris, Ind.