by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service*
Dr. James L. Peterson, president, Gustavus Adolphus College, St.
Peter, Minn., told the college board of trustees Aug. 16 he will
retire at the end of the 2007-2008 academic year, capping a five-
year term as president. Peterson, 64, will serve through June
2008 and has offered to assist in an orderly transition beyond
that date, according to a college news release. Gustavus
Adolphus is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities.
"The opportunity to serve as president of my alma mater has been
one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life,
both personally and professionally," Peterson said. "I am so
grateful for that opportunity and am continually greatly
impressed with the many, varied and committed constituents I have
been blessed to work with at this great college." James Gale,
Gustavus' board chair said, "Jim has led the institution into an
exciting new strategic direction and has built a very strong
administrative team. He has enhanced the academic reputation of
Gustavus while achieving record financial benchmarks in
operations, fundraising and endowment."
A 1964 Gustavus alumnus, Peterson began his career as a high
school science teacher. He taught in Peoria, Ill., and Osseo,
Minn., before leaving to earn a doctorate in entomology from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1972. Peterson served as a
research associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as
staff ecologist with the National Commission on Water Quality,
Washington D.C., and as vice president in the areas of
systematics and evolutionary biology, environmental research and
institutional advancement at the Academy of Natural Sciences,
Philadelphia. Peterson became Gustavus Adolphus College's
president after serving as president and chief executive officer
of the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul.
*Matt Thomas, media relations manager, Gustavus Adolphus College,
provided information.
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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
