ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 12, 2009  

Benjamin Sasse Named President of Midland Lutheran College
09-255-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of trustees at Midland Lutheran College,
Fremont, Neb., elected Dr. Benjamin Sasse the 14th president of the 126-
year-old liberal arts college. Midland is one of 28 colleges and
universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
     Dr. Stephen Fritz has served as Midland's interim president since
June 1, 2007, when Dr. Steven E. Titus stepped down as president. Fritz
will continue to serve as interim until Sasse takes office in late spring
of 2010. Sasse currently teaches public policy at the Lyndon B. Johnson
School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin.
     Dr. Steven Bullock, chair of Midland's board, said Sasse's first
responsibility will be to develop a strategic vision to build on the
college's strengths and to transform it into a premier liberal arts
college, according to a Midland news release.
     "Around the country many schools are turning to leaders with
business, government and educational backgrounds, and Dr. Sasse brings a
unique set of experiences, along with a passion for our college,
community and state," Bullock said.
     "This is a dynamic time in the world of education, and we've asked
Dr. Sasse to look at innovative programs taking place at liberal arts
colleges around the country to create strategies that will ensure Midland
students receive a quality education," he said.
     Sasse, 37, is a graduate of Fremont High School, Fremont, and he
attended Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.; Oxford University, United
Kingdom; and St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., before earning a
doctorate at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
     Sasse has worked as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies through
the Boston Consulting Group. He served in the U.S. Department of Justice
and as chief of staff for U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb.
Sasse was most recently U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and Human
Services where he led policy, strategic planning and research.
     "Midland is extremely important to Fremont and Nebraska," Sasse
said. "We are blessed with excellent faculty, a strong alumni base and
generous donors who all are extremely important during the current
economic climate."
     Sasse said he is excited to return with his wife and daughters to
Fremont and to work with the board and faculty to create a new vision for
the college. His grandfather, Elmer Sasse, was vice president of finance
for Midland and worked at the college for 33 years.
     "Midland Lutheran College is an important asset to Fremont and our
community is thrilled to have Dr. Sasse return to lead the college," said
Fremont Mayor Skip Edwards. "The Sasse family has strong roots in our
city, and I look forward to working with Dr. Sasse to support the
students, faculty and staff at Midland."
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     The home page for Midland Lutheran College is at http://www.mlc.edu/
on the Web.

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