CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lance A. Masters, 51, El Cerrito, Calif., was appointed the 17th president of Thiel College, Greenville, Pa., effective Jan. 1, 1999. Thiel is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
"In today's competitive college market I will strive to distinguish Thiel College from other academic institutions while strengthening Thiel's reputation for academic excellence locally, regionally and globally," said Masters. "While I recognize the role of a college president as demanding and intense, my cumulative life experiences have prepared me for the challenges and rewards that lie ahead. I am eager to serve Thiel College and its diverse constituents."
Masters chairs the department of marketing and entrepreneurship at California State University at Hayward, Calif. From 1981 to 1994 he served as a professor in business administration at California State University, San Bernardino, Calif. Masters also held the position of associate dean for the School of Business and Public Administration from 1989 to 1990, and chaired the department of marketing, management science and information management from 1985 to 1989.
Masters earned a doctorate from The Peter F. Drucker Graduate Management School of The Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, Calif., in 1987. He earned a master of arts degree in executive management from The Claremont Graduate University, a master of business administration degree in finance and marketing from California State University at San Bernardino, Calif., and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of California at Riverside, Calif.
"Masters' commitment to Lutheran education, understanding of educational issues, experience in strategic planning endeavors and his financial planning background make him a strong leader for Thiel College," said Ronald Doerr, chair of Thiel's board of trustees and co-chair of the presidential search committee. "Dr. Masters brings a wealth of experience to Thiel College at both the academic and administrative levels of higher education, as well as from industry."
Masters has traveled to Russia, Hong Kong and New Zealand as a visiting professor. He and his wife, Dr. Brenda Ponsford-Masters, served as senior technical advisors for the privatization of state industry through a United Nations development grant for the State Commission on Science and Technology for Development of the People's Republic of China in Beijing.
"My extensive experience in international programs and teaching opportunities abroad, as well as working with hundreds of international students, has provided me with the knowledge and ability to create and lead such programs for Thiel," Masters said from Moscow, where he is teaching at the Institute of Business and Economics of the Academy of National Economy through the end of November.
Before working in higher education, Masters was a regional controller for Ryder Systems, Inc., Riverside Calif., from 1972 to 1974; a marketing planning manager for Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., Riverside, from 1974 to 1977; and a corporate director of marketing at Butcher Boy Food Products, Inc., from 1977 to 1981.
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director 1-773-380-2955 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
