CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Carl L. Hansen, president of Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, Neb., will retire at the end of the 1998-1999 academic year. Midland is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Serving the longest tenure of any president in Midland's 115-year history, Hansen was named president in 1981. Under his leadership the college experienced record growth in student enrollment, campus expansion and three major fund-raising campaigns.
"After 18 years and involvement in several successful fund-raising campaigns, I feel it is time for someone with new vision, new energy and new creativity to lead Midland in dreaming these dreams and helping to turn them into reality," said Hansen.
The college is midway through its resource development campaign called "Vision 2000," and has reached $10 million of its $12-million goal. "Plans for the next campaign will need to be developed during the 1999-2000 academic year," said Hansen. "The person who will lead that resource development process should be involved in the planning for this campaign as its takes shape next year."
At the end of 1998 Midland will host a delegation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, said Hansen. "While I fully expect that to be a very positive visit, I also anticipate that the report, which will result from the visit, will provide input for the agenda of the institution for the next several years. That agenda, in turn, will require the development of a long-range vision for Midland by the president who will have the marvelous opportunity to lead the college in making that vision a reality."
"I see a marvelous window of opportunity for new leadership to come to Midland," Hansen said.
Hansen increased efforts to reach out to Fremont and its surrounding communities. The college and community created the Fremont-Midland Entertainment Series, an annual five-concert performance series. Hansen also helped to develop "Midland Heralds Christmas," a holiday celebration held during the first two weeks of each December.
A committee to appoint a new president will include the Rev. Tom Hallstrom, Grace Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Neb., Lloyd Brooks, chair of Midland's Board of Trustees, Fremont, a representative from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Midland faculty members and a student representative. Hansen said he will not participate in the search but will remain at the college through May 1999 or later to help the new president through the transition.
Hansen and his wife, Betty, plan to move to Denver next summer.
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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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 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities 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:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
