Seth Bodnar
American university president (born 1979)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 the University of 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]
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February 2, 1979
Seth Bodnar | |
|---|---|
Bodnar in 2019 | |
| 19th President of University of Montana | |
| In office January 1, 2018 – January 21, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Sheila Sterns |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Seth Alexander Bodnar February 2, 1979 Franklin, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Independent |
| Spouse | Chelsea |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) University of Oxford (MA, MSc) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Years of service | 2003-2022 |
Early life and education
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 the University of Oxford, where he earned two master's degrees—one in Economics and Social History and another in Comparative Social Policy.[4]
Career
Military service
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
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
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]
The University of Montana also achieved the Carnegie very high research (R1) classification in 2022.[13]
2026 U.S. Senate campaign
On January 14, 2026, it was reported that former United States senator Jon Tester had successfully convinced 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.[14] The news broke after a text message, allegedly sent by Tester to a confidant, was leaked to the Missoulian in which Tester criticized the Democratic Party, calling it "a poison in his attempts to get re-elected". The sender of the text message, purported to be Tester, further argued that Bodnar would have a stronger chance at defeating Daines running as a political independent than Democratic state legislator Reilly Neill, who was the then-frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.[15]
On March 4, 2026, Bodnar officially announced his senate campaign.[3]
Controversies
In 2024, the University of Montana settled a sex discrimination lawsuit for $350,000.[16] The lawsuit, involving 18 plaintiffs, alleged sex based discrimination and the University creating a "good ol boys club" with then President Seth Bodnar perpetuating a culture that continued to create "wage, promotion and opportunity gaps for women."[17] The suit singled out Bodnar, noting his prior career with General Electric and the United States Armed Forces, organizations which–according to the suit–have a record of discriminating against women.[18]
Shortly after joining the University of Montana, Bodnar initiated cost-cutting measures targeting the Modern and Classical Arts program.[19] Bodnar claimed "tough choices" were necessary to bring the budget in balance.[20]
Personal life
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.[21]
Aside from his role at the University of Montana, Bodnar also serves on the board of directors of the Missoula Economic Partnership.[22]