wfn.org | Braaten Named President for Midland Lutheran College

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 18, 1999

BRAATEN NAMED PRESIDENT FOR MIDLAND LUTHERAN COLLEGE
99-134-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Jennifer L. Braaten, 52, Boca Raton, Fla.,
becomes president of Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, Neb., effective
August 1999.  Braaten succeeds the Rev. Carl L. Hansen, 61, who plans to
retire at the end of the current academic year.  Midland is one of 28
colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA).
     "Braaten is the first woman to be appointed to the presidency of
an ELCA college or university," said Arne Selbyg, ELCA director for
colleges and universities.  Braaten is Midland's 13th president.
     Since 1991 Braaten has been provost and vice president for
academic affairs at Lynn University, Boca Raton, Fla.  She served as
academic dean for Lynn University from 1989 to 1991, and a Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools self-study director at the
university from 1988 to 1990.  From 1980 to 1988 Braaten was professor
of sociology and U.S. history at the College of Boca Raton, Boca Raton,
Fla.; adjunct professor of U.S. and Latin American history at Florida
Atlantic University, Boca Raton; and adjunct professor of sociology and
history at Palm Beach Community College, Boca Raton.  Braaten taught
history and sociology at the high school level from 1969 to 1980.
     Braaten earned a doctorate in education with "high distinction" at
Florida Atlantic University in 1987 and a master's degree in education
there in 1976.  She earned a bachelor of science degree, "summa cum
laude," at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in 1969.  Braaten
also attended St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. -- a college of the
ELCA -- from 1967 to 1968; the University of Vienna, Austria, in 1968;
and the University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore., from 1965 to 1967.
     "Midland Lutheran College is a wonderful, warm and caring
community and it is located in a great area," said Braaten.  She said
she believes a college like Midland will continue to play a vital role
in higher education in the future because of its Christian-based liberal
arts foundation.
     "A liberal arts education is absolutely essential and with the
Christian base, it is even more powerful," Braaten said.  "The liberal
arts excite and transform students as they are challenged to reach into
their core.  The liberal arts speak to fundamental human aspects."
     "My real interest lies in small, liberal arts institutions in the
Lutheran tradition," she said.
     Braaten intends to spend a "great deal of time listening" when she
arrives on campus.  "I want to hear stories and perspectives.  Everyone
there knows a lot more about Midland than I do," she said.  "After that,
I hope to begin working on a strategic plan to envision the college's
future.  It is an exciting way to determine how to live out the mission,
how to make it alive.  Of course, you also have to trust the Holy
Spirit."
     Lloyd Brooks, chair of Midland's board of trustees and the
presidential search committee, said, "We are truly pleased with the
selection.  We believe Dr. Braaten has the background and experience to
lead Midland to the next level of excellence in the new millennium."
     Braaten is married to the Rev. Conrad A. Braaten, senior pastor at
Ascension Lutheran Church, Boynton Beach, Fla.  They have two children:
Kirsten and Conrad D.

For information contact:
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