Conception Seminary College hires new academic dean
Dr. Martin Fashbaugh
CONCEPTION, Mo. — Conception Seminary College leadership announces the hire of a new academic dean, Dr. Martin Fashbaugh of Gillette, Wyoming. Fashbaugh will begin his new position on June 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic year.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Fashbaugh to Conception,” said Very Rev. Victor Schinstock, OSB, president-rector of Conception Seminary College. “The seminary has seen much growth and forward movement in recent years, and with him as our new academic dean, we will continue to strengthen our intellectual formation for the Church’s future priests.”
Fashbaugh has a Ph.D. in British Literature from Purdue University and, in addition to class instruction, comes to Conception with notable administrative experience, having previously served as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Gillette College, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Upper Iowa University, and Chair of the School of Arts and Humanities at Black Hills State University.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as academic dean at Conception Seminary College,” said Fashbaugh. “I look forward to working with students and faculty in a community committed to intellectual formation and to preparing men for lives of faithful service to God. I am eager to learn from and support the faculty and students who make this work possible each day.”
The new dean replaces Dr. Larry Welch, who will retire at the end of June. In his four years as academic dean, Welch bolstered the seminary, especially in the areas of collaboration, assessment, and federal compliance.
The role of academic dean is one of four dean positions at Conception Seminary College. Schinstock’s role as president-rector oversees the vice rector/dean of students, the academic dean, the coordinator of spiritual formation, and the coordinator of pastoral formation. Together, this leadership team guides the seminary’s strategy and a student body of around 60 seminarians.
“We give thanks to God for the excellent friends and coworkers who join us in this important work,” Schinstock said. “Let us pray for Dr. Fashbaugh and all those who will be joining us in the future. May all that we do be for the greater glory of God!”
Conception Seminary College ends the 2025-2026 academic year with 56 students, including eight graduates.
