Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 26, 2026

Seth Bodnar

Seth Andrew Bodnar is an American academic administrator, veteran, and business executive who was the 19th president of the University of Montana. He is a graduate of West Point and was a Rhodes Scholar with master's degrees from Hertford College, Oxford. 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.

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Seth Bodnar
Bodnar in 2019
19th President of the University of Montana
In office
January 1, 2018 – January 21, 2026
Preceded bySheila Sterns
Succeeded byJeremiah Shinn (designate)
Personal details
BornSeth Andrew Bodnar
(1979-02-02) February 2, 1979
Franklin, Pennsylvania, U.S.
PartyDemocratic (before 2012)1
Independent (2012–present)
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 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.2 He is a graduate of West Point and was a Rhodes Scholar with master's degrees from Hertford College, Oxford.3 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 2026.4

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 Hertford College, Oxford, where he earned two master's degrees—one in Economics and Social History and another in Comparative Social Policy.5

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.6 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.6

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.7 As of 2022, Bodnar remained a Lieutenant Colonel in the Montana National Guard.89

General Electric

In 2011, Bodnar joined General Electric (GE), eventually becoming a senior executive in GE's transportation division.10 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.11

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 2009.12 The University of Montana also recruited its highest-ever number of concurrently enrolled Native American students.13 Shortly after joining the University of Montana, Bodnar initiated cost-cutting measures targeting the Modern and Classical Arts program.14 Bodnar claimed "tough choices" were necessary to bring the budget in balance.15

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

The University of Montana also achieved the Carnegie very high research (R1) classification in 2022.19

2026 U.S. Senate campaign

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, in a leaked text message in which Tester referred to the Democratic Party as "poison" to his campaign.20

Bodnar entered the 2026 Senate race as an independent on March 4, 2026,21 hours before incumbent Republican Senator Steve Daines withdrew from the race.22 Following Daines' exit, former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme entered the race as the Republican candidate, with Daines endorsing Alme.23

Alme, Democratic Party candidate Alani Bankhead, and Libertarian Party candidate Kyle Austin won their respective primary elections on June 2,24 setting up a 4-way general election contest.

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.25

Aside from his role at the University of Montana, Bodnar also serves on the board of directors of the Missoula Economic Partnership.26

References

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/15/us/politics/montana-democrats-senate.html
  2. "About the President". www.umt.edu. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  3. "Seth Bodnar's Journey from Green Beret to UM President". eab.com. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  4. Brown, Matthew (March 4, 2026). "Former Montana university leader Seth Bodnar launches independent campaign against GOP Sen. Daines". Associated Press. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  5. "Montana - New UM President: Seth Bodnar" (PDF). The Magazine of the University of Montana. 2018.
  6. 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.
  7. Burt, Chris (November 10, 2021). "University of Montana leader shares how higher ed can work for veterans". University Business. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  8. "UM president joins Montana Army National Guard". The Missoula Current News. January 11, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  9. 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.
  10. "Missoula's UM hires General Electric executive as next president". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  11. "Former GE CIO plants digital stake as CEO of GE's transportation business". CIO. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  12. "Bodnar praises 'significant positive momentum' at UM". Montana Free Press. October 11, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  13. Dobson, James (October 11, 2024). "UM President Bodnar touts growing enrollment, strong research". Missoula Current. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  14. "Updated: UM to cut estimated 51.5 positions, combine and restructure programs". Montana Kaimin. April 17, 2018.
  15. Whitney, Eric (January 31, 2018). "University Of Montana Faces $10 Million Revenue Shortfall By 2022". Montana Public Radio.
  16. Kaimin, Claire Bernard / Montana (January 18, 2024). "UM settles sex discrimination lawsuit for $350,000, commits to Title IX review". Montana Kaimin.
  17. Szpaller, Keila (August 5, 2021). "One current, three former University of Montana employees allege 'good ol' boys club' • Daily Montanan".
  18. Dennison, Mike (August 5, 2021). "UM female professionals sue, alleging discriminatory "brick wall" for careers". KTVH.
  19. Lane, Brad. "We are R1 – UM Celebrates Top Research Status". blog.umt.edu. University of Montana. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  20. 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.
  21. Federal Elections Commission, United States. "Seth Bodnar Filing". Seth Bodnar Filing March 4. FEC. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  22. Brown, Matthew (March 4, 2026). "Montana Republican US Sen. Steve Daines drops reelection bid in surprise move". AP News. 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. https://projects.montanafreepress.org/election-guide-2026/#federal-delegation
  25. Briggeman, Kim (October 4, 2017). "Next 'first lady' of UM has Montana roots five generations deep". Montana Standard. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  26. "Bodnar praises 'significant positive momentum' at UM". Montana Free Press. October 11, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
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