ELCA NEWS SERVICE March 1, 2004 Wittenberg President Resigns to Move to Washington College 04-031-RB*/JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. Baird Tipson, president of Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, announced Feb. 21 he has accepted an appointment to serve as the 26th president of Washington College, Chestertown, Md., effective July 1. Wittenberg University is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Washington College, a 222-year-old liberal arts college, completed an eight- month process that included a review of 135 nominees before choosing Tipson, according a Wittenberg University news release. Tipson will serve as Wittenberg University president through June 30. "It is with surprise and deep regret that we accept President Tipson's decision to move to Washington College," said Ingrid Stafford, chair, Wittenberg University board of directors. "He has been an effective leader for Wittenberg University, and we have accomplished significant improvement in our core academic facilities and our financial resources through the 'Defining Moments Campaign.' President Tipson has had great personal commitment to the community of Springfield, which also serves to strengthen the university." "President Tipson is a national and state leader in higher education and has brought recognition to Wittenberg through that leadership," Stafford continued, "We wish him well in his new endeavor, which allows him to be closer to family and take on new challenges in his career." Throughout his nearly nine-year tenure as Wittenberg's 12th president, Tipson led the university's efforts to provide a state- of-the-art learning environment. Hollenbeck Hall, Wittenberg's new home for the humanities, and the recently dedicated Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center are examples of Tipson's technology vision, the news release said. Under his direction, the university completed an ambitious fund-raising campaign, the $75 million Defining Moments Campaign, doubling its endowment, improving campus facilities and creating new academic programs and endowed chairs. Tipson is also credited with improving community relations and building a strong board of trustees. "During my tenure I have made my best effort to apply my particular blend of experience and talent to the task of making Wittenberg an even stronger institution: stronger academically, stronger financially, and an even better citizen in this community," Tipson said. "I believe the university is stronger than it was when I arrived in 1995 and that the groundwork is laid for its continued improvement. A new president, with a different blend of experience and talent, can foster that improvement. The heart of Wittenberg -- its faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends -- deserves nothing less." Originally from the East Coast, Tipson and his wife, Sarah, have two grown children, parents and other family members who reside in that part of the United States. "It will not be easy for us to leave because we both love Wittenberg, but Sarah and I have found it more and more difficult to be separated from family by so many miles," Tipson said. A religion and history major at Princeton University, Princeton, N.J., as an undergraduate, Tipson earned a doctorate in religious studies at Yale University, New Haven, Conn., as well as numerous prestigious fellowships, including the Woodrow Wilson and Fulbright-Hays. Throughout his administrative career, he has continued his teaching and scholarly pursuits as a professor of religion whose research interests include Puritanism, Calvinism and English Protestantism, the news release said. The current president of the North Coast Athletic Conference, Tipson has served as president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio and president of the Southwestern Ohio Council on Higher Education. He has also been an active spokesman at both the state and federal levels for increased funding for education, frequently testifying before legislative committees. In the Springfield community, Tipson is president of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra board and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce board. In addition, he has served on the boards of the Community Leadership Academy and Aid for College Opportunities and as a member of the Springfield City Schools business advisory council. The university's board of directors will initiate a search effort for Wittenberg's 13th president. "We expect that we can attract a leader whose vision, education and experience can propel this nationally ranked institution even higher on the liberal arts landscape," Stafford said. "We will mount an inclusive process to help us identify new leadership for Wittenberg and will strive to complete our search within several months." -- -- -- Information about Wittenberg University is at http://www.wittenberg.edu/ on the Web. * Rajean Blomquist is director of public relations at Wittenberg University. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news