University of Dubuque President Emeritus Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock to Receive Honorary Degree

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque will honor the longest-serving president in its history with an honorary degree during the University's Spring Commencement at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026, on campus in the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center.

UD President Emeritus Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD, will be awarded a doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and service to the University.

Bullock began his ministry serving as Presbyterian pastor at Union Presbyterian Church in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, before becoming the Presbyterian pastor at Queen Anne Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington. While ministry has its unique pastoral challenges, an even bigger challenge, and calling, awaited Bullock.

In 1996, Bullock and his wife, Dana, moved to Dubuque, Iowa, after he accepted the position as dean of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and vice president of the University of Dubuque. He would serve in this role until 1998. With some strong encouragement by then acting President J. Bruce Meriwether (C'60, DHL'02), Bullock's ministry and leadership would call him to that next bigger challenge, becoming the 11th president of the University of Dubuque. And for the next 26 years, from 1998 until 2024, he would become the longest-serving president in the University's history.

From the beginning, it was clear that Bullock had a passion for UD, a belief in its Mission, and that "the best was yet to be."

The hard work of rebuilding a university that had declining enrollments, deferred campus maintenance, and a meager endowment began in 1999 with Bullock being an integral force in reestablishing UD's Mission statement and helping to develop and introduce a new Mission, Vision, Action Plan, called the "Plan for Transformation." Through the implementation of this plan, Bullock would help to boost enrollments, improve and introduce new academic offerings, and establish innovative programs such as the Wendt Character Initiative - now known as the Wendt Center for Character and Leadership. His vision for the transformation of UD also included nearly $300 million invested in campus infrastructure with more than 50 new construction projects and spaces completed.

While rebuilding the University, and with Dubuque firmly established as their home, significant family events would also occur for the Bullocks with the birth of their three sons, Noah, Luke, and Seth. During his presidency, Jeffrey and Dana Bullock graciously hosted hundreds of students, faculty, and staff members in their home, along with trustees, visiting dignitaries, politicians, and hundreds of visitors.

Above all of this, however, Bullock has been a devoted spouse to his wife, Dana, and a dedicated father to their sons. Faith, perseverance, leadership, and care for others have been hallmarks of Bullock's life and vocation for UD. For these values, generations of students will benefit - helping them to lead in service to both the church and the world, through Mancherlei Gaben und Ein Geist - many gifts, and one spirit.

For more commencement information, please visit https://www.dbq.edu/commencement.