wfn.org | Christopherson To Retire As President Of ELCA's Dana College

[NEWS@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 19, 2004

Christopherson To Retire As President Of ELCA's Dana College
04-199-CR*/JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. Myrvin F. Christopherson, president of
Dana College, Blair, Neb., announced Oct. 5 he will retire next
year after serving 19 years as president, according to a news
release from the school.  Dana is of 28 ELCA colleges and
universities.
     Christopherson, 65, will serve in his current role until he
assumes the title of "president emeritus" on July 1, 2005, when
his existing contract expires. As president emeritus he will have
selected responsibilities in fundraising, community relations and
board development. Christopherson will be assisted by his wife,
Anne, who serves as Dana's director of special events and
projects and has been coordinator of a popular "Sights and Sounds
of Christmas" festival and smorgasbord for many years.
     "Myrv and his wife, Anne, are much loved at Dana. They have
been a godsend to the growth and development of Dana," said
Richard Vierk, chair of the college's board of regents. "Their
mark is everywhere on the Dana campus and community. Their legacy
is rich and deep. We are delighted that they will continue to
serve Dana even if it's on a reduced time basis."
     The board accepted Christopherson's retirement at its fall
meeting at the beginning of October.  A search for a new
president will begin immediately in the hope that a successor can
be named to start by July 1, Vierk said.
     "I'm looking forward to a reduced load and more time for
family," he told the college's faculty and staff. "Anne and I
have had a wonderful experience here and are very proud of Dana
College. We hope to be able to continue to make a contribution
without having the fuller load we've enjoyed for the past 19
years."
     Christopherson became Dana's president July 1, 1986.
Previously he was associate dean of communication and fine arts
at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He was on the
faculty of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., where he
received his master's degree and doctorate in philosophy and
communication.	Christopherson also taught at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison.  He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Dana
College in 1961.  Wartburg Theological Seminary, an ELCA seminary
in Dubuque, Iowa, awarded Christopherson an honorary doctorate of
divinity in 1998 to honor his service to the church and higher
education.
     Under Christopherson's leadership Dana grew from 396 to 622
full-time students, the news release said. This fall Dana
reported its highest enrollment since 1970.  The school's
endowment grew from about $1 million to more than $12 million
today, the release said.  Nearly $100 million has been secured in
current and deferred gifts for scholarships, endowment, and
campus improvements.
     In addition to a number of significant building projects and
facility upgrades during Christopherson's tenure, Dana College
has become a technology leader, enabling it to claim the title of
"the most wireless campus in Nebraska," the Dana College release.
Said.  Men's and women's soccer and women's golf were added to
the college's sports program under Christopherson.
     Academic programs also have grown.  Christopherson
facilitated creation of the annual presidential scholarship
competition, the Morton Scholars Program for honors students, new
or revised academic programs in accounting, psychology, criminal
justice, special education, computer science, graphic design, e-
studies, interactive media and sports management, the news
release said.
     Christopherson is currently chair of the Nebraska
Educational Finance Authority, chair of the Council of Presidents
of the Great Plains Athletics Conference and is secretary of the
Foundation for Independent Higher Education. He is also a member
of the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges
and Universities and the council of presidents of the National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Christopherson was
chair of both the Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities of Nebraska and the Nebraska Independent College
Foundation and is a former member of the Nebraska Coordinating
Commission for Postsecondary Education.  He is past president
of the ELCA Presidents Council and of the Lutheran Education
Conference of North America.
     For several years he has been a consultant-evaluator and
team chair for the Higher Learning Commission of the North
Central Association, the entity responsible for accrediting
colleges and universities in a 19-state region. He was also an
officer and board member of the Palmer Chiropractic University,
with colleges in Davenport, Iowa, Santa Clara, Calif., and Port
Orange, Fla.
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     Information about Dana College is at http://www.dana.edu on
the Web.

*Carrie Reed is director of college relations and marketing for
Dana College.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news