by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
Dr. Sabine O'Hara resigned as president of Roanoke College,
Salem, Va., effective June 30. Roanoke College -- with about
1,900 students -- is one of 28 colleges and universities of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
O'Hara, who has served as Roanoke's president since 2004,
announced her plans to resign March 16. During her tenure, O'Hara
led the college through a successful strategic planning process
that established a focus on integrative learning, introduced an
undergraduate research assistant program, initiated construction
projects and programs to implement Roanoke's new strategic goals
and laid the groundwork for the college's next capital campaign,
according to a college news release. During O'Hara's tenure the
college experienced record enrollment and extended its
consecutive streak of balanced financial operations to 52 years,
the release said. Four new residence halls have been constructed
and two academic buildings have been renovated. An artificial
turf athletic field with a 1,000-seat stadium under construction
is to be completed later this spring.
"I came to Roanoke to accomplish these key objectives, and now
that I have accomplished them, it is time for someone else to
lead the college through the implementation of the identified
initiatives and goals," O'Hara said. She said she is looking
forward to the chance to explore other opportunities. When the
college's board of trustees meets this spring, it is expected to
appoint an interim president effective July 1.
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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
