ELCA NEWS SERVICE May 6, 2005 Janet Philipp Named President of ELCA's Dana College 05-085-SC*/JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. Janet S. Philipp was named president of Dana College, Blair, Neb. by the college's Board of Regents on May 5. Philipp, 57, currently serves as liberal arts dean and campus executive officer at the University of Wisconsin-Rock County, Janesville. She will assume the role of Dana's president July 1. Philipp succeeds Dr. Myrvin F. Christopherson, who announced last fall he would retire this year after serving 19 years as the school's president. Dana College is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "I am honored and excited to be named the president of Dana College, especially as Dana looks to its 125th anniversary in a few short years," Philipp said. "The call to serve Dana is an extension of the work I've done in the church through my service as a regent of Wartburg Theological Seminary and my husband's work as a parish pastor and hospital chaplain. We look forward to becoming acquainted with the people of Blair and the community of Omaha -- both to share the story of Dana College and to look for partnerships in this higher education endeavor." "Dana College is currently riding a wave of positive momentum," said Dennis Gethmann, Maple Plain, Minn., search committee chair and Dana College regent. "Enrollment is increasing, enthusiasm is high, and the Dana community is energetically engaged in implementing Dana's vision of growth, academic excellence, fiscal responsibility and spiritual development." "We are pleased that Dr. Philipp has agreed to serve as Dana College's 17th president. By her unanimous election, the board of regents is making a strong statement that Dr. Philipp has the talent, experience and drive to maintain Dana College's momentum and take the college successfully forward to its 125th anniversary in 2009," he said. Before her work at the University of Wisconsin-Rock County, Philipp was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. In 1978 she earned a bachelor of science in psychology and in 1979 a bachelor of science in nursing, both from the University of Dubuque (Iowa). In 1987 Philipp earned a master of science in family and community health nursing from Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. She earned a doctorate in higher education administration in 1994 from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. Philipp is married. Her husband Frank is an ELCA pastor. They are parents of two adult children, Michael and Laura. --- Information about Dana College is at http://www.dana.edu on the Web. * Sarah Cavanah is communications coordinator at Dana College, Blair, Neb. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news