Timeline of President Shiell’s Tenure
This timeline displays major events related to President William Shiell’s tenure at Northern Seminary as publicly reported various statements from victims, staff and others to the Board of Trustees and in several news outlets. We believe that the allegations against former President Shiell, and by association the Board of Trustees, run even deeper than what is shown here. We will continue to refine and expand this timeline over time as reporting continues and more individuals come forward. If you would like to share any information with us regarding your experience with William Shiell or the Northern Board of Trustees, please email us.
Please note: primary sources are linked in the headlines, with secondary sources from news organizations often linked in the supporting information beneath each headline.
3/1: Rev. Dr. William D. Shiell becomes the 11th President of Northern Seminary
2016
“I am honored and humbled to join the Northern Seminary community. Among the many things that draws me to Northern is its historic commitment to the full ordination of women and to the racial and ethnic diversity of the church…” - William Shiell, upon being named President, January 29, 2016
Before coming to Northern, Shiell served as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, Florida and First Baptist Church of Knoxville, Tennessee. Members of both churches have since come forward with allegations of abusive behavior by Shiell. A selection of quotes below.
“I always felt like I was held personally responsible for it not being perfect.”
“I was not the only target of bullying, retaliation and other completely inappropriate treatment; and, yes, I witnessed misogyny — often cleverly veiled.”
“What was originally thought to be a dream job turned into one of the worst experiences I’ve had to date.” - Dr. Tasha Brown via The Roys Report
2017-2020
If you would like to share any information with us regarding your experience with William Shiell or the Northern Board of Trustees during this time period, or any other period, please email us.
January 2019: Dr. Jill Sidler Fleagle, Director of Supervised Ministry and Student Formation, resigns, citing Shiell’s mistreatment (via The Roys Report)
“The lack of integrity and mistreatment of my colleagues made it an oppressive environment that I chose to no longer work in.” - Dr. Jill Sidler Fleagle via The Roys Report
2021
Board Initiates 360 Chief Executive Assessment of President William Shiell (via The Roys Report)
“'In 2021, the board initiated a 360 review of the president, inviting confidential feedback from many employees, said Ivy, who helped facilitate the review. The report noted Shiell’s difficulty with embracing Northern’s values, Faro wrote. It said he needed ‘improvement’ with having a pastoral/missional mindset, servant leadership, and being teachable, she added. He also was assessed to be ‘unsatisfactory’ in building trusting relationships, balancing diverging and competing points of view, and the ability to accept constructive criticism, Faro reported.” - via The Roys Report, quoting former Chief Administrative Officer Ava Ivy and Professor Ingrid Faro
“When I went to discuss my departure with Bill, I told him I was leaving the organization because I could not work in an unwelcoming and toxic environment – he did not receive that I was talking about him, and he said, ‘I am sorry that you felt marginalized in this culture.’ Please be clear, I left Northern because I did not have to work with someone like Bill Shiell, and I also believed that he was not only a bully, but also a hypocrite – and I have never allowed myself to feel ‘marginalized” in any culture.” - Dr. Ava Ivy
2022: October
Jennifer Boysen hired as Chief Development Officer at Northern Seminary
“The first week on the job, Boysen asked Shiell for donor information, she said, but he refused. This caused Boysen to question the university’s transparency and how it was using donor funds.” - via The Roys Report
2022: November
“Since I started at Northern Seminary just over three weeks ago, there has been a tension around allowing me access to major donor information… I have talked to you several times about needing full access to information and have repeatedly been denied this… In the one instance where you did introduce me to a major donor, even though I asked you to introduce me to all major donors, I was met with a feeling of hostility from you for following up with her in a phone call.”
“Within a short period of working for Northern Seminary, I have unfortunately learned that there are seven individuals who wish to report anonymously their experiences as victims to your bullying... In addition to the current employees, there is a long list of past employees willing to come forward to speak on their experiences.”
Board Chair Wyatt Hoch attempts to facilitate reconciliation between Boysen and Shiell rather than address Boysen’s concerns (via The Roys Report)
Sixteen more individuals submit reports to the Board and HR regarding Shiell, including Dr. Ava Ivy, Anita Lustrea and Dr. Tasha Brown (via The Roys Report)
Board employs Emphasis HR to handle the reports and directs Nathan Dent, seminary administrator, to serve as a liaison with the firm (via The Roys Report)
2022: December
“During my time at Northern, I communicated regularly with President Shiell. I participated in joint interventions on behalf of other staff and students seeking reconciliation who had been wronged in various ways. I also sought reconciliation personally for demeaning and abusive behavior toward me and sought an intervention jointly with a faculty member. I know Board members who have been informed of various situations. The response of the Board was always the same: no substantive action… Northern is a toxic, not a tov environment. We can do better.”
2023: January
January: Attorney Maureen Maffei delivers results of third-party investigation to Board of Trustees - to date, this report was only given to a small group of Board members, not the full Board, has not been disclosed publically or to the Northern community (via The Roys Report)
2023: February
“Given Bill's confident smile and the name chosen for the ‘Presidential Support’ committee, faculty and staff are anticipating your support of the president despite evidence of his oppressive, retaliatory, and abusive behavior creating a hostile work environment. His unacceptable behavior along with staff and faculty's lack of confidence in his leadership are attested to by: the roughly 20 letters from current and former employees, the exceptionally high attrition rate of staff - including top administrative positions, the "360" presidential evaluation, an expert attorney's investigative report.
“Bill's revengeful and castigating style of leadership has brought staff morale to perhaps an alltime low. Faculty and staff are looking for other jobs. As Northern's own consultants have pointed out, people generally do not leave a job, they leave the boss.”
“Not only has Bill been unable to retain high-quality staff, but the statistics-driven report on the donors that Ms. Boysen compiled, demonstrates that previously consistent donors do not stay. Although staff and administrators have been able to bring in funds through funding organizations, personal and private donor support continues to dwindle.”
2023: March
Major concerns include:
Lack of communication to the Northern community acknowledging the gravity of Shiell’s behavior and the specific harm he has caused
Lack of care, compassion, and sorrow by the Board to the many victims who have come forward with painful, abusive stories about Shiell
Centering of Shiell in Board communications to the Northern community
Lack of action by the Board to remove Shiell, clearing the way for the school to begin rebuilding a culture of tov and move forward
“As student leaders of over half of the student body (186, including a small group of alumni), we call on the board to remove Dr. Shiell as President and to not allow him to be at the center of any further communications.”
“As President and Professor of Pastoral Theology and Preaching, I have stewarded the authority the board entrusted to me; carried out the board’s directives faithfully; guarded the flock under my care; and served our staff, givers, students, churches, alumni, and faculty. I have done everything in my power to prevent the kind of abuse of authority that has been publicly alleged about my character and leadership. I am very grateful that in January, the Board’s independent investigator concluded that there have been no financial improprieties or grounds for claims of misogyny, racism, or discrimination.”
Read more via The Roys Report and Baptist News Global
The letter from Board Chair Wyatt Hoch did not acknowledge any of the substantial allegations against Shiell, or the negative effects of his behavior on the Northern community. Please note, the Board of Trustees did not remove Shiell.
“As a woman in leadership, who has read statements from many other women who have worked in leadership positions under Bill, this letter denied our actual experiences. The issue with Wyatt Hoch’s letter is that it sounds like he is the voice for the Board, when I don’t think that is the case. An acknowledgement of how poorly this was handled, and a commitment to be better going forward, would go a long way toward helping the community heal.“ - Whistleblower Jennifer Boysen, commenting to The Roys Report
“With his resignation, that closes the chapter on Bill. However, after-action planning for what came out of that investigation, should speak to, ‘how do we create a culture that is diametrically better than what existed under Bill Shiell’s leadership?’ We have to call out truthfully what occurred, and own it and repent, and then you can experience true reconciliation… As I look down that wall (of presidents), they’re all white guys. If you truly, really believe that you want to honestly deliver a multi-denominational education experience that’s international, interracial, and intercultural, to prepare women and men called by God and the Holy Spirit to advance and nurture the ministries of the church, you’ve got to do the work.” - Whistleblower Avy Ivy, commenting to The Roys Report
“The Board of Trustees of Northern Seminary recognizes and is deeply concerned about the pain and distress that students, staff and faculty have expressed as specifically expressed in written communication to the Board.”
“We will facilitate healing by employing a professional counselor who will be available to those in need without cost.”
“We are no longer confident in your ability to run this seminary as a board of trustees. As such, we request the following actions:
Resignation of the Board Chair Wyatt Hoch
Resignation of any other board members who cannot affirm the statement by your former peer, Dr. Fay Quanstrom”
Read the full letter from over 100 Northern students and alumni.
Board member responses via The Roys Report:
“I have great appreciation for our students and for their concern for Northern. I personally endorse the items in Fay’s letter. As a consultant and as an Executive Director of a non-profit, I know very few boards that would not have been caught flat-footed when this situation arose. We’ve learned a lot and we have more to learn about how to respond both with legal/fiduciary responsibility and with human kindness. . . . I believe everyone on the board wants to learn from this situation and improve.” - Harriet Harral
[This is a] “good board trying to do the right thing… I welcome to have conversations with the students to share what their concerns are, to listen to what their concerns are, and to take proper action from a board point of view. I don’t think the board has done the best job in listening to the faculty and students although I’m not aware that they have come openly to the board and sit down with the board members to talk some of these things out. They have not reached out to me that I’m aware of.” - Robert Dold
Read more via The Roys Report and Baptist News Global
Updates from Board Chair Wyatt Hoch. The Board:
Met Monday, March 27, and authorized Acting President John Bowling to engage a counselor for students, staff, faculty to “process emotions and anxiety, provide feedback and support, clarify misunderstandings and provide comments to the Board.”
Is reviewing the “Northern Bylaws and Handbooks to address issues identified in the course of recent investigation”
“Took actions to facilitate the on-going, day-to-day financial and operational needs of the Seminary.”
3/30: Board of Trustees terminates whistleblower Jennifer Boysen (via The Roys Report)
“In a Zoom meeting last Thursday, newly-appointed Acting President John Bowling told Boysen that Chairman Hoch had instructed him to fire her effective immediately. [Boysen} said her alternative was to resign and sign a non-disparagement agreement (NDA) in exchange for four months of severance.”
“Boysen said her firing came as a surprise. Earlier last week, Bowling told her she had been doing her job well and that he has confidence in her to continue to do so, Boysen said. She added that Northern Seminary had not sent her any communication expressing concerns about her job performance prior to the termination.
‘This came completely out of left field,’ she said. ‘There was no leading up to it. Nothing. I can’t imagine what it would be other than retaliation.’”
“A lot of women came from church abuse situations and they were trying to explore what does the Bible actually say about women in ministry. The professors were completely equipped to handle any question that came their way. But they also created an atmosphere where it was really safe for people to deconstruct what they had been taught to believe, then also reconstruct with a really solid foundation. And it’s just incredibly sad to see a board do this not just to me but to the institution.” - Jennifer Boysen to The Roys Report
“Having by default been pushed into service as Acting Chair, I worked tirelessly, spending a week on location in an effort to bridge the considerable gap between the campus and the Board. After listening and speaking with as much prudence and honesty as I could in light of the confidentiality and legal restraints imposed by agreements, I see now my efforts being destroyed along with the future of Northern Seminary by disrespect and condescension… The way the women of the Board have been consistently treated with bullying, talking over, and interrupting, echoes the experience of the letter writers. To be disrespected and disregarded for my heartfelt efforts signals the end to my contributions as a Board member and necessitates my resignation, effective immediately.”
Read more via The Roys Report and Baptist News Global
“We still have deep concerns about how this whole situation has been handled by the board. Students have sent two separate letters, one in February and one just four days ago, with specific requests for how we believe the board could have acted more victim-centered and trauma-informed. Unfortunately, a victim advocate was never brought in to our knowledge, nor was Dr. Shiell de-centered in the process. The letters which were sent out today actually did the opposite, and we feel deep sorrow and also honestly, anger, for how victims have been treated throughout this process.” - Student Leadership via The Roys Report
“We wish to thank him for his 7 years of dedicated service to the Seminary… We affirm his deep commitment to women in leadership and racial justice.” - Board Chair Wyatt Hoch, representing the Board of Trustees
“…But by year 2 I started noticing some things that began to bother me. It was the number of COO's and VP of Development Directors going in and out of the door. Employees began to leave and you were always meeting someone new. The narrative of ‘it wasn't a good fit’ grew old because ‘weren't you the common denominator in all of these hires and management.’"
“As time went on I started hearing the leadership style of Bill was not just singled out to me and the Grow Center team but overall and much worse with other employees at Northern. I never came to the office to avoid Bill but some had it much worse. I didn't bring in donors to the Grow Center because I did not trust his leadership.”
“With that said I was DISGUSTED yesterday by the staff meeting. I was disgusted we lost the talent of the wonderful Dr. Lynn Cohick. HUGE LOSS. I was disgusted hearing how all of this was because of one man and his shenanigans and some of the board allowing this to happen. If it was anyone else, any employee, we would have fired them already. All this for one man. NOT ACCEPTABLE.”
“The Grow Center will not work under Bill’s leadership ever again. If he even comes back we will suspend all operations.”
Cohick shared her resignation in an email to students in the Masters of Women and Theology program. Her resignation is also documented in Tommy Lee’s 2/22 letter.
2/21: Dr. Lynn Cohick, Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs, resigns
Please note, Shiell took a leave of absence. The Board did not place Shiell on administrative leave.
“The board is responding to complaints from female and male leaders of misogynistic and controlling behavior by Shiell that resulted in a loss of key talent. But micromanagement and bullying extended to male members of the staff, too, according to Tommy Lee, executive director of the university’s Grow Center for Church and Mission. ‘When things go wrong, he throws people under the bus. When anyone dares to challenge him, he belittles them,’ Lee said in an interview. ‘If it was anyone else, we would fire that person. He’s become an embarrassment; let him go.’” - via The Roys Report
Read more via The Roys Report and Baptist News Global
“Earlier this month we let faculty and staff know the Board had initiated a confidential HR investigation into President Shiellʼs leadership at Northern Seminary… We will keep you informed of progress. Both the independent investigator and the Board have followed-up with the Seminaryʼs independent financial auditors and confirmed there have been no financial improprieties… The Board has asked for a thorough review of all pertinent information and expects a status report or the finalization of the inquiry within a month.” - Boarch Chair Wyatt Hoch
The Board did not respond to student concerns, particularly regarding a victim advocate, inviting others to be interviewed, or placing Shiell on administrative leave. Further, no details were given regarding the financial investigation.
"We would like to collectively ask the Board of Trustees to consider the following actions:
1. Bring in a victim advocate who can help support and provide timely information to those who have been harmed and also to help advise on best practices moving forward.
2. To ensure the safety and well-being of our entire Northern community, place Dr. Shiell on administrative leave until the follow-up work has been completed and the report of findings has been released.
3. Invite others who did not initially have a chance to be interviewed by the outside investigator to have the opportunity to share their stories. The report will be incomplete without this.
4. Once the report of findings has been released, allow the full, unredacted report from the third party investigation to be made public, or at the very least, made available in full to those who participated in the investigation. A board summary is insufficient in this case.
5. Take the recommendation/s of the investigator seriously, and not only seriously but we urge you to act upon these recommendations.”
2/13: Board of Trustees sends Boysen a confidential letter sharing that the investigation into Shiell has concluded and didn’t necessitate disciplinary action against Shiell (via The Roys Report)
Late November: After continued pressing from Boysen, the Board employs investigative attorney Maureen Maffei to conduct a third-party investigation. Maffei received all 17 former and current employee reports and interviewed sources. (via The Roys Report)
“I was met with a response that did not adequately address my concerns and can be described as lashing out. I explicitly stated that I felt like you were withholding information from me, and you said something along the lines, ‘Maybe you could start doing some of the things I told you to do and then we can talk about you doing more.’ I then asked you what it was I wasn’t doing. You then named several things. I had already done the first steps towards completion on all but one from your list.” - Jennifer Boysen
“I was extremely disappointed by the news of Faye's resignation today. In the last few weeks I have watched and learned from a leader in action. She taught me a lot about being present. I have watched her sit down and hear the concerns of the faculty, staff, and students. She was there and took the time to listen to anyone who wanted to talk.”
“Wyatt, I am disappointed in you. Very disappointed. I expected better. In the last few weeks you have hidden behind a "busy schedule" and nowhere to be found. You let people take the hits and yet you have remained quiet. In a time when your leadership is needed you are not at board meetings or meeting with staff. That is astounding and simply inexcusable. All people want to know is that you are listening and you are trying to understand. You have FAILED miserably. It is time to step down so the school can rebuild. You have disqualified yourself from leadership and I believe everyone knows it including you.”
2023: April
“The Board of Northern Seminary is pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. Dr. Karen Walker Freeburg as Acting President. Her tenure begins immediately and will continue through the earlier of Oct. 14, 2023 or the selection of an interim president.
Freeburg replaces Rev. Dr. John C. Bowling, retired president of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, who was called to serve as Acting President following the resignation of seminary President Dr. William Shiell.”
“The Board of Trustees has hired, enabled, protected, and affirmed abusive, bullying, retaliatory, intimidating, manipulative, and illegal behavior against primarily women and minorities by its now-former president Bill Shiell, and continues to remain unmoved by the numerous complaints of nearly two dozen victims and the over 200 faculty, staff, alumni, and student allies. In fact, instead of taking action to repair the harm that has been done, the Board (specifically Chair Wyatt Hoch and John Kujawa) have engaged in abusive, bullying, and illegal behavior of its own against faculty, staff, students, and even its own female board members. Its actions and inactions and lack of respect and care have greatly decreased the health of Northern resulting in numerous resignations of female high-ranking and high-profile staff, faculty, and Board members, and improper and illegal firings of staff, resulting in a wave of withdrawals and leaves of absences of students, putting the very viability of Northern in great jeopardy.”
2023: June
“I love Northern. I love my colleagues. I love what it’s doing. But I realized it’s going to need an individual who can help with the funding, especially with the absence of a president and VP of development. I just didn’t want to do that.” - Tommy Lee, commenting to The Roys Report
6/19: Board members John Kujawa and David Gnirk resign, Wyatt Hoch steps down from Board Chair position, and Faye Quanstrom re-joins Board (via The Roys Report)
“We’re optimistic for the future and hope to correct any concerns people have had in the past.” - James Stellwagen, presumed incoming Board Chair, via The Roys Report
“After reviewing the complaint form and exhibits in light of the pertinent ATS Commission Standards of Accreditaon and Policies and Procedures, the Officers Committee of the Board of Commissioners voted:
To receive the complaint filed by Christine Calareso Bleecker with Karen Smith, Justin Charles, and Sarah Klinger on April 27, 2023, naming Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.
To determine that the complaint has standing
To require that the school respond within 30 business days”
Read complaint | Read the response | Read more via The Roys Report