ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 23, 2012
New leadership for three ELCA higher education institutions
12-15-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Two universities and one college of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have elected new presidents. There are
26 colleges and universities in the United States affiliated with the
ELCA.
Carthage College
The board of trustees of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., elected
Gregory Woodward to serve as the college's 19th president. Woodward, dean
of the School of Music at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., will succeed F.
Gregory Campbell -- Carthage's longest-serving president who will step
down in August after serving for 25 years.
"It is a very special honor to be chosen to succeed President
Campbell, and I am humbled by the appointment," said Woodward. "I feel
certain that (Carthage) is poised on the brink of becoming a true leader
in undergraduate higher education in the United States. The best of what
an undergraduate education can be is still in front of us."
Prior to becoming dean of Ithaca's School of Music, Woodward was
dean of graduate and professional students at Ithaca, where he led the
establishment of the college's first doctoral program in physical
therapy, as well as an expansion of the master's degree programs in
business administration, education, exercise science and sport management.
In 2010 he served as interim provost/vice president for academic
affairs, leading Ithaca in the formation of a new 10-year strategic plan
that focuses on academic enhancement, elevation and holistic education.
As dean of graduate studies, Woodward doubled enrollment and applications
and helped create a program of post-doctoral teaching and research
fellows. As provost, Woodward led a program of minority pre-doctoral
fellows for the School of Humanities and Sciences.
Woodward earned a bachelor's degree at the University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Conn., a master's degree from Ithaca and a doctorate
from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. He served on the faculty of Cornell
and Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., and was a guest of the
Sanford Visiting Scholar Program in the School of Music at Yale
University, New Haven, Conn.
Pacific Lutheran University
Thomas W. Krise will serve as the 13th president of Pacific Lutheran
University in Tacoma, Wash., effective in June. Currently, Krise is dean
of the Arts and Sciences College at the University of the Pacific in
Stockton, Calif.
Pacific Lutheran's board of regents vote to elect Krise was
unanimous. Krise will succeed Loren Anderson, who served as president of
Pacific Lutheran for the past 20 years.
In a Pacific Lutheran news release, Krise said he was "struck by the
spirited sense of mission" at the university, "as well as the strong
sense of connection and vocation among the students, professional staff,
faculty, regents, and alumni.
"The bonds to the Lutheran community as well as to the local and
regional communities are a source of great strength," said Krise, who is
a member of the Episcopal Church - an ELCA full communion partner.
The board changed Pacific Lutheran's bylaws two years ago to allow
presidents of other faith traditions to serve. The university's
presidential search committee members remarked that Krise demonstrated a
keen understanding of the Lutheran tradition of higher education and
Pacific Lutheran's mission and values within that tradition.
Prior to serving as dean of the Arts and Sciences College at the
University of the Pacific, Krise was chair of the English department at
the University of Central Florida, Orlando, and a faculty member of the
U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He also served for 22
years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as lieutenant colonel.
Krise earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history from the Air
Force Academy; a master's degree in management from Central Michigan
University, Mount Pleasant, Mich.; a master's degree in English from the
University of Minnesota; and, a doctorate degree in English from the
University of Chicago. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Wittenberg University
The board of directors of Wittenberg University in Springfield,
Ohio, unanimously elected Laurie M. Joyner as the university's 14th
president effective July 1. Joyner is currently vice president for
planning and dean of the college at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla.
She is Wittenberg's first female president.
Joyner succeeds Mark H. Erickson, who will become president of
Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa.
"I am honored to be selected to lead Wittenberg University at this
important time in its history," said Joyner.
"Wittenberg was attractive to me for its commitment to the liberal
arts within the context of an inclusive, person-centered academic
community. Educating students in the Lutheran tradition of service
emphasizes the intellectual, social and ethical dimensions of student
development. In this way, Wittenberg helps students discover their
purpose and better understand their responsibility to enhance the common
good," she said.
Prior to her current position, Joyner was interim vice president for
academic affairs and provost at Rollins and helped to establish the
College of Professional Studies there. She also was dean of the faculty
and professor of sociology at Rollins.
Prior to Rollins, Joyner served in various positions at Loyola
University New Orleans, including faculty leadership roles on the
academic and faculty affairs committee of the board of trustees and
University Senate Executive Council to administrative roles, such as
associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Joyner is widely published and recognized for her campus and
community leadership, earning the Loyola University Twomey Award. She is
also an elected member of The Power Generation, one of New Orleans City
Business Top 40.
Joyner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology at Loyola
University New Orleans, and she earned a master and doctoral degrees in
sociology from Tulane University in New Orleans.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations across the 50
states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work.
Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's
roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper
773-380-2956 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.ELCA.org/news
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans
Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com
