ELCA News Blog
August 22, 2007
James Peterson to retire as Gustavus Adolphus College president
by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service*
Dr. James L. Peterson, president, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., told the college board of trustees Aug. 16 he will retire at the end of the 2007-2008 academic year, capping a five- year term as president. Peterson, 64, will serve through June 2008 and has offered to assist in an orderly transition beyond that date, according to a college news release. Gustavus Adolphus is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities.
"The opportunity to serve as president of my alma mater has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life, both personally and professionally," Peterson said. "I am so grateful for that opportunity and am continually greatly impressed with the many, varied and committed constituents I have been blessed to work with at this great college." James Gale, Gustavus' board chair said, "Jim has led the institution into an exciting new strategic direction and has built a very strong administrative team. He has enhanced the academic reputation of Gustavus while achieving record financial benchmarks in operations, fundraising and endowment."
A 1964 Gustavus alumnus, Peterson began his career as a high school science teacher. He taught in Peoria, Ill., and Osseo, Minn., before leaving to earn a doctorate in entomology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1972. Peterson served as a research associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as staff ecologist with the National Commission on Water Quality, Washington D.C., and as vice president in the areas of systematics and evolutionary biology, environmental research and institutional advancement at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. Peterson became Gustavus Adolphus College's president after serving as president and chief executive officer of the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul.
*Matt Thomas, media relations manager, Gustavus Adolphus College, provided information. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog