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. --- 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 [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news