GBHEM Mourns the Death of Board Member Vivian Bull

Published On: August 31, 2022

Nashville, TN, August 31, 2022 – It is with great sadness that the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry announces the death of board member Vivian Bull.

Bull had been a member of the GBHEM Investment Committee since 1988 and chaired the committee for the last several years. In addition to her board membership, she also served the University Senate for two terms and assisted with many educational reviews. Bull received her doctorate from New York University and her bachelor’s degree from Albion College. Bull served as 18th president of Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon from 1992 to 2005 and is the only woman to serve in this capacity at the institution. 

Rev. Dr. Greg Bergquist general secretary of GBHEM stated, “I celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Vivian Bull. She had a deep love of both the church and academy, promoting this historic Wesleyan relationship as a fundamental expression of uniting knowledge and vital piety for the transformation of the world.”

President of the GBHEM Board, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball added, “Dr. Vivian Bull was an exceptional person with great wisdom who valued all God’s people. She was a patient educator who helped people to see beyond the present, to see possibility. GBHEM Board members will remember Vivian for all these things, as well as, for her laughter, smile, enthusiasm, and her valuable insights in regard to global education, leadership development, and administrative questions.”

About GBHEM

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) is the ministry of learning and leadership of The United Methodist Church, preparing elders, deacons, laity and licensed local pastors for their roles in the Church and supporting more than 1,100 Methodist-related educational institutions worldwide. In addition to serving Christians around the world with intellectual engagement and spiritual and leadership formation, GBHEM helps lay and clergy leaders discover, claim and flourish in God’s ministry and mission for the Church, the academy, and the world. For more information, visit www.gbhem.org.

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