Presidential Search Committee Appointed

http://fusion.stolaf.edu/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=NewsDetails&id=2922

A search committee has been formed for a new president of St. Olaf College, Board of Regents Chair Jerrol Tostrud '60 announced on Wednesday, Aug. 3. The committee will hold its first meeting on Aug. 10, with a goal of bringing a final roster of candidates to the St. Olaf board early in 2006.

The Board of Regents announced in June that the 2005-06 academic year would be the last for St. Olaf President Christopher M. Thomforde. The board's goal is to have a new president in place no later than July 1, 2006.

Chaired by Regent Tad Piper, the presidential search committee is comprised of seven other regents, two faculty members who also are alumni of the college, a student representative and a representative of the ELCA. "We're excited about moving ahead with this group," said Tostrud, an ex-officio member of the committee who will be available for advice and consultation. "Everyone I asked was eager to serve."

In addition to Tostrud and Piper, the committee membership includes:

* Regent John Benson, retired, 3M Corp.
* Regent Kathleen Brekken '71, retired, Midwest of Cannon Falls
* Regent Ron Hunter '70, Cargill Inc.* Regent B. Kristine Johnson '73, Affinity Capital Management
* Regent Martha Nelson '73, community leader
* Regent O.J. Tomson '58, First Citizens National Bank
* Regent Daniel Grossman '03, graduate student
* Professor of Physics David Nitz '73
* Associate Professor of Social Work Mary Carlsen '79
* Student representative Robin Karkowski-Schelar '06
* ELCA representative and former St. Olaf Regent Arne Selbyg

The committee will provide regular updates as the process unfolds, Tostrud said. He expects that alumni, students and other members of the St. Olaf community will be able to participate in the process in several ways, including a series of public forums on campus and an e-mail address to which people can send questions and recommendations.

Thomforde has served as president of St. Olaf since January 2001. Among his accomplishments: the creation of a strategic plan and a college-wide marketing plan, the growth of the endowment by more than $70 million and operational efficiencies that include more than $500,000 in the past year.

More information on the search for a presidential successor will be posted on the St. Olaf website as it becomes available.