Jump to content

Seth Bodnar

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Seth Bodnar
Bodnar in 2019
19th President of the University of Montana
In office
January 1, 2018 – January 21, 2026
Preceded bySheila Sterns
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
BornSeth Andrew Bodnar
(1979-02-02) February 2, 1979 (age 47)
Franklin, Pennsylvania, U.S.
PartyIndependent
SpouseChelsea
Children3
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
Hertford College, Oxford (MA, MSc)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service
2003–2022
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit101st Airborne Division
1st Special Forces Group
Montana Army National Guard
Seth Bodnar's voice
Bodnar discussing important policy issues to his U.S. Senate campaign
Recorded March 16, 2026

Seth Andrew Bodnar (born February 2, 1979) is an American academic administrator, veteran, and business executive who was the 19th president of the University of Montana.[1] He is a graduate of West Point and was a Rhodes Scholar with master's degrees from Hertford College, Oxford.[2] He remains an active military officer in the Montana National Guard. In January 2026, Bodnar resigned his post as president of the University of Montana, and two months later he officially announced his run for U.S. Senate in 2026.[3]

Early life and education

[edit]

Seth Bodnar was raised in Franklin, Pennsylvania, the son of two educators. He graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Following his time at West Point, Bodnar was selected as a Rhodes Scholar and a Truman Scholar, allowing him to pursue graduate studies at Hertford College, Oxford, where he earned two master's degrees—one in Economics and Social History and another in Comparative Social Policy.[4]

Career

[edit]

Military service

[edit]

Bodnar served in the 101st Airborne Division and as a Green Beret in the US Army's 1st Special Forces Group. He commanded a Special Forces detachment on multiple deployments and served as Special Assistant to the Commanding General in Iraq.[5] From 2003 to 2004, he was deployed to Iraq and served in the 101st Airborne Division. Bodnar later served in the 1st Special Forces Group and commanded a detachment during additional overseas deployments. In 2008, Bodnar was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq.[5]

Following his deployments, Bodnar returned to West Point, where he served as an assistant professor, taught economics, mentored cadets, and published research on economic development in conflict areas.[6] As of 2022, Bodnar remained a Lieutenant Colonel in the Montana National Guard.[7][8]

General Electric

[edit]

In 2011, Bodnar joined General Electric (GE), eventually becoming a senior executive in GE's transportation division.[9] As GE Transportation's chief digital officer, Bodnar oversaw the development of General Electric's "digital hub", which was responsible for developing locomotive and railway technology.[10]

University of Montana

[edit]

Bodnar assumed the role of President of the University of Montana in January 2018. During his tenure, Bodnar initially experienced enrollment declines in his first few years. However, by the 2024 academic year, the University recorded a 5.6% increase in first-year students, which was the largest year-over-year enrollment jump since 2009.[11] The University of Montana also recruited its highest-ever number of concurrently enrolled Native American students.[12] Shortly after joining the University of Montana, Bodnar initiated cost-cutting measures targeting the Modern and Classical Arts program.[13] Bodnar claimed "tough choices" were necessary to bring the budget in balance.[14]

In 2024, a sex discrimination lawsuit filed against the Montana University System was dismissed with prejudice.[15] The lawsuit, which included allegations about an existing campus culture predating Bodnar's tenure, was never certified as a class action.[16] The University stated it was confident it would have prevailed at trial but chose settlement to preserve resources for students, faculty, and staff. A 2023 independent review of the University's Title IX processes by civil rights attorney Philip Catanzano found them "exemplary" and exceeding legal requirements. During Bodnar's tenure, he invested additional resources into Title IX functions and launched the SEA Change Initiative in 2019, securing $1.25 million to empower women and close opportunity gaps. When Bodnar became president, the university had one female dean; by the time he stepped down, seven of thirteen deans were women.[17]

The University of Montana also achieved the Carnegie very high research (R1) classification in 2022.[18]

2026 U.S. Senate campaign

[edit]
See also: 2026 United States Senate election in Montana

On January 14, 2026, it was reported that former United States senator Jon Tester supported Bodnar to run as an independent candidate for Montana's Class 1 Senate seat, facing off against Republican incumbent Steve Daines in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.[19]

Seth Bodnar entered the 2026 Senate race as an independent on March 4, 2026[20], hours before incumbent Republican Senator Steve Daines withdrew from the race at the last minute—just before the filing deadline closed.[21] Bodnar publicly criticized Daines' withdrawal, stating that Daines had "so little respect for Montana Republicans that he withdrew at the last minute to coronate his handpicked successor instead of giving them a voice at the ballot box."[22] Following Daines' exit, former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme entered the race as the Republican candidate.[23]

Personal life

[edit]

Bodnar is married to Chelsea Bodnar, a pediatrician and fifth-generation Montanan. The couple, who met as Rhodes Scholars, have three children and live in Missoula, Montana.[24]

Aside from his role at the University of Montana, Bodnar also serves on the board of directors of the Missoula Economic Partnership.[25]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "About the President". www.umt.edu. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  2. ^ "Seth Bodnar's Journey from Green Beret to UM President". eab.com. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  3. ^ Brown, Matthew (March 4, 2026). "Former Montana university leader Seth Bodnar launches independent campaign against GOP Sen. Daines". Associated Press. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  4. ^ "Montana - New UM President: Seth Bodnar" (PDF). The Magazine of the University of Montana. 2018.
  5. ^ a b Bodnar, Seth (February 9, 2022). "OPINION: A former military man turned university president welcomes student protest and dissent". The Hechinger Report. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  6. ^ Burt, Chris (November 10, 2021). "University of Montana leader shares how higher ed can work for veterans". University Business. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "UM president joins Montana Army National Guard". The Missoula Current News. January 11, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  8. ^ Spitalniak, Laura (November 11, 2022). "How higher ed can engage veterans — from a university president who is a veteran". Higher Ed Dive. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  9. ^ "Missoula's UM hires General Electric executive as next president". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "Former GE CIO plants digital stake as CEO of GE's transportation business". CIO. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "Bodnar praises 'significant positive momentum' at UM". Montana Free Press. October 11, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  12. ^ Dobson, James (October 11, 2024). "UM President Bodnar touts growing enrollment, strong research". Missoula Current. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  13. ^ "Updated: UM to cut estimated 51.5 positions, combine and restructure programs". Montana Kaimin. April 17, 2018.
  14. ^ Whitney, Eric (January 31, 2018). "University Of Montana Faces $10 Million Revenue Shortfall By 2022". Montana Public Radio.
  15. ^ Kaimin, Claire Bernard / Montana (January 18, 2024). "UM settles sex discrimination lawsuit for $350,000, commits to Title IX review". Montana Kaimin.
  16. ^ Szpaller, Keila (August 5, 2021). "One current, three former University of Montana employees allege 'good ol' boys club' • Daily Montanan". Daily Montanan. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  17. ^ Dennison, Mike (August 5, 2021). "UM female professionals sue, alleging discriminatory "brick wall" for careers". KTVH.
  18. ^ Lane, Brad. "We are R1 – UM Celebrates Top Research Status". blog.umt.edu. University of Montana. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  19. ^ Lutey, Tom (January 14, 2026). "Bodnar plans Senate run as an independent, and Tester's apparent support angers Democrats in Montana". Montana Free Press. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  20. ^ Federal Elections Commission, United States. "Seth Bodnar Filing". Seth Bodnar Filing March 4. FEC. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  21. ^ Brown, Matthew (March 4, 2026). "Montana Republican US Sen. Steve Daines drops reelection bid in surprise move". AP News. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  22. ^ Lutey, Tom (March 3, 2026). "As filings close, Republican Steve Daines withdraws from U.S. Senate race". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  23. ^ Miller, Alex. "Steve Daines' handpicked Senate successor Kurt Alme vows to keep Montana in Republican hands in 2026". Fox News. Fox News. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  24. ^ Briggeman, Kim (October 4, 2017). "Next 'first lady' of UM has Montana roots five generations deep". Montana Standard. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  25. ^ "Bodnar praises 'significant positive momentum' at UM". Montana Free Press. October 11, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Seth_Bodnar&oldid=1356785803"