wfn.org | Hansen Retires as President of Midland Lutheran College

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 19, 1998

HANSEN RETIRES AS PRESIDENT OF MIDLAND LUTHERAN COLLEGE
98-37-214-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA)  -- The Rev. Carl L. Hansen, president of Midland
Lutheran College, Fremont, Neb., will retire at the end of the 1998-1999
academic year.  Midland is one of 28 colleges and universities of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
     Serving the longest tenure of any president in Midland's 115-year
history, Hansen was named president in 1981.  Under his leadership the
college experienced record growth in student enrollment, campus expansion
and three major fund-raising campaigns.
     "After 18 years and involvement in several successful fund-raising
campaigns, I feel it is time for someone with new vision, new energy and
new creativity to lead Midland in dreaming these dreams and helping to turn
them into reality," said Hansen.
     The college is midway through its resource development campaign
called "Vision 2000," and has reached $10 million of its $12-million goal.
"Plans for the next campaign will need to be developed during the 1999-2000
academic year," said Hansen.  "The person who will lead that resource
development process should be involved in the planning for this campaign as
its takes shape next year."
     At the end of 1998 Midland will host a delegation from the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools, said Hansen.  "While I fully
expect that to be a very positive visit, I also anticipate that the report,
which will result from the visit, will provide input for the agenda of the
institution for the next several years.  That agenda, in turn, will require
the development of a long-range vision for Midland by the president who
will have the marvelous opportunity to lead the college in making that
vision a reality."
     "I see a marvelous window of opportunity for new leadership to come
to Midland," Hansen said.
     Hansen increased efforts to reach out to Fremont and its surrounding
communities.  The college and community created the Fremont-Midland
Entertainment Series, an annual five-concert performance series.  Hansen
also helped to develop  "Midland Heralds Christmas," a holiday celebration
held during the first two weeks of each December.
     A committee to appoint a new president will include the Rev. Tom
Hallstrom, Grace Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Neb., Lloyd Brooks, chair of
Midland's Board of Trustees, Fremont, a representative from the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, Midland faculty members and a student
representative.  Hansen said he will not participate in the search but will
remain at the college through May 1999 or later to help the new president
through the transition.
     Hansen and his wife, Betty, plan to move to Denver next summer.

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