A transformational administrator, respected scholar, and author, Dr. Christian M. M. Brady began his tenure as the University’s 16th president on June 1, 2025.
In his first few months at Wittenberg, Dr. Brady has already made an impact, including launching a strategic planning process, partnering on new recruitment pipelines, securing leadership-level gifts, and instilling a renewed sense of hope in the University among alumni, faculty, staff, students, and families. In August 2025, he served as the keynote speaker for Wittenberg’s Opening Convocation, the traditional kick-off of a new academic year. His address was titled “Hope,” in which he noted that hope "is not simply a belief or an attitude; it is the first action we must take in any endeavor."
Dr. Brady is committed to inspiring others with a bold, positive vision for the future. He also builds consensus around shared goals, communicates openly, honestly, and consistently, and works with energy and purpose to turn vision into action.
Prior to leading Wittenberg, Brady spearheaded the creation of the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky (UK), where he also served as the T. W. Lewis Dean, growing the college to over 2,400 students and leading a $50 million capital campaign. As interim dean of UK’s College of Arts & Sciences, he also successfully managed an $81 million budget, 440 faculty members, 19 departments, and nearly 7,500 students. Before joining UK, Dr. Brady transformed the Schreyer Honors College at The Pennsylvania State University into a national model for excellence, tripling its applications, dramatically increasing selectivity, and raising more than $80 million to enhance honors education.
Beyond his administrative acumen, Dr. Brady is an expert in ancient Hebrew and Jewish literature, having published extensively and served in leadership roles for organizations such as the Society of Biblical Literature and the International Organization for Targumic Studies. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a master’s degree from Wheaton College Graduate School in Illinois, and a graduate diploma and doctorate from the University of Oxford. Additionally, Dr. Brady is an Episcopal priest and Canon Theologian in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington in Kentucky.
Dr. Brady is married to Elizabeth Brady, who is an author and an associate teaching professor of communication arts and sciences at The Pennsylvania State University. Their daughter Isabel is completing her doctorate in Medieval Art History at Florida State University. Their son Mack died unexpectedly in 2012, just two weeks shy of his 9th birthday, and they have established a memorial fund for goalkeepers with Penn State Men’s Soccer. Both Elizabeth and Christian participate in the bereaved parent community through service and writing.
Wittenberg students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends gathered for the Inauguration of Dr. Brady as the University's 16th president, on Friday, October 17, 2025 in historic Weaver Chapel, where he defined the Wittenberg Way, noting that on it “our students discern their calling, develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers, and prepare for purposeful and fulfilling lives.”
Office Staff & Contacts
 | Brandee Kern Chief of Staff Recitation Hall 209 bbates@wittenberg.edu |
 | Cindy Beacom Executive Assistant Recitation Hall 201 phone: 937-327-7916 fax: 937-327-7938 cbeacom@wittenberg.edu |