CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. Wayne B. Powell, 51, will become the 11th president of Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, N.C., on Dec. 1. Lenoir- Rhyne is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
"It is a distinctive honor and privilege to be selected as president of Lenoir-Rhyne," said Powell. "This is an outstanding institution focusing on excellence in teaching, with a faculty and staff that are unsurpassed in their dedication to serving students. Our potential to rise to even greater levels is a function of our close ties to the Hickory community and our alumni," he said.
Powell has served as vice president and dean for academic affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne College since 2000. From 1992 to 2000, he served as dean and associate dean for the Graduate College at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla. Powell was professor, associate and assistant professor of mathematics at Oklahoma State from 1980 to 2000. From 1986 to 1987, Powell was a visiting associate professor at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. He was an instructor there from 1978 to 1980.
Powell earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics at Texas Lutheran College -- now Texas Lutheran University -- Seguin, Texas, in 1971. He earned a master's degree in mathematics and computer science at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, in 1973, and received a doctorate in mathematics from Tulane University, New Orleans, in 1978. Texas Lutheran is a university of the ELCA.
Powell's research in mathematics resulted in numerous publications in internationally recognized journals and received the distinctive recognition of support from the National Science Foundation. Powell also initiated a number of programs and projects during his tenure at Oklahoma State. Among these were the Futures in Science and Mathematics Program and the Oklahoma Principal's Science Scholars, where he was chief administrator and co-founder of this coalition of educators dedicated to enhancing opportunities for minority junior and senior high school students interested in science and mathematics. Powell received external funding from state, federal, and private sources for more than 20 years in support of his programmatic initiatives.
Powell received national recognition from the Council of Graduate Schools for his innovative approach to building diversity in higher education. He served frequently as a featured speaker at national conferences on diversity and planning.
"Dr. Powell has brought dynamic leadership to Lenoir-Rhyne College in his role as vice president and dean for academic affairs since his arrival in 2000. The board of trustees believes he will continue to provide the direction necessary to help the college achieve its potential as it builds on its strengths in academics, external funding, diversity and faith-based learning," said John David Moose, Durham, N.C., chair of Lenoir-Rhyne's board of trustees.
"The board believes Dr. Powell is a seasoned leader and has proven his commitment to academic excellence and teaching through his many professional accomplishments. The board welcomes his leadership with enthusiasm and is prepared to work with him to help this college realize its bright future," Moose said.
Powell is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hickory. He and his wife, Joyce, have two daughters and a son.
The board's presidential search committee recommended Powell for the presidency on Oct. 21 following a national search. The 14-member committee sought candidates for the presidency who were Lutheran, with the personal and professional ability to passionately articulate the value and importance of a Lutheran liberal arts education; had a commitment to teaching and learning; demonstrated management and leadership experience; had a proven ability to set a clear, positive agenda for the institution; and had the capacity to ensure vigorous fund raising in support of endowment, programs and facilities.
Dr. Ryan A. LaHurd, president of Lenoir-Rhyne from 1994 to 2002, resigned May 31, to accept the position of executive director for the Near East Foundation, New York. Lenoir-Rhyne's board of trustees elected Dr. Norman D. Fintel, Salem, Va., to serve as interim president on Aug. 1, until the arrival of the new president. LaHurd was an advisor to the ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools board and has served as president of the ELCA Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage. -- -- --
[** Margaret Allen serves as associate director of public relations at Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, N.C.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
