ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 5, 2007  

Denvy Bowman Named President of ELCA's Capital University
07-052-NJ*/JB

    CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of trustees of Capital
University, Columbus, Ohio, unanimously elected Dr. Denvy A.
Bowman the university's 15th president on March 29. Bowman has
served as interim president of Capital since June 2006 and will
assume the presidency immediately.
    Bowman succeeds Dr. Theodore L. Fredrickson, who announced
his retirement in 2006.  The vote culminated a months-long
research and interview process completed by a special board-
appointed task force. The board previously accepted the task
force's recommendation to forgo a national presidential search.
Over the past 30 days, the task force and Bowman have engaged
faculty, staff, student and alumni governing bodies and advisory
boards in dialogue prior to the board's action to elect Bowman,
according to a Capital University news release.
    "This process has shown that the right person to lead
Capital has been here all along," said Roger Davis, board chair.
"Dr. Bowman has done an amazing job as interim president,
demonstrating excellent leadership and grace under fire, building
mutual respect among his colleagues and becoming everybody's
clear choice for president. We all agree that Dr. Bowman is the
leader to build on our great heritage and move us forward into a
bright future."
    Bowman came to Capital University in 2003 following a
national search for dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
He later was the unanimous choice for provost and vice president
for academic affairs following another national search.
    Bowman has implemented plans to restore balance to the
operating budget by fiscal year 2007-2008, improved financial
reporting and initiated the development of a strategic enrollment
management plan, the news release said.
    "I am honored to enjoy the confidence of both the board and
the collective community in leading this respected university,"
Bowman said. "Together we will move toward achieving a vision for
the future that connects and inspires all individuals who make
Capital such a dynamic and transforming place to learn, live and
work."
    Before coming to Capital, Bowman served as dean of the Arts
and Humanities Division at Keene State College, Keene, N.H. He
was associate dean of the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College
of Humanities and Fine Arts at Coastal Carolina University,
Conway, S.C. Also at Coastal Carolina University, he served as
chair of the Department of History and the director of the
University Honors Program.
    Born in Hillsville, Va., Bowman earned a bachelor's degree
in history in 1978 from Roanoke College, Salem, Va. In 1980 he
earned a master's degree in ancient history from the University
of Virginia, Charlottesville, and in 1987 he earned a doctorate
in ancient history from the University of North Carolina, Chapel
Hill.  Roanoke College is an ELCA higher education institution.
    Bowman is a lifelong Lutheran and a member of Gladesboro
Lutheran Church, Hillsville.
---
    Information about Capital University is at
http://www.capital.edu on the Web.

*Nicole Johnson is assistant director of public relations at
Capital University.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] 
http://www.elca.org/news 
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog