March 23, 2012

CHICAGO – Two universities and one college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have elected new presidents. There are 26 colleges and universities in the United States affiliated with the ELCA.

Carthage College

The board of trustees of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., elected Gregory Woodward to serve as the college's 19th president. Woodward, dean of the School of Music at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., will succeed F.

Gregory Campbell – Carthage's longest-serving president who will step down in August after serving for 25 years.

"It is a very special honor to be chosen to succeed President Campbell, and I am humbled by the appointment," said Woodward. "I feel certain that (Carthage) is poised on the brink of becoming a true leader in undergraduate higher education in the United States. The best of what an undergraduate education can be is still in front of us."

Prior to becoming dean of Ithaca's School of Music, Woodward was dean of graduate and professional students at Ithaca, where he led the establishment of the college's first doctoral program in physical therapy, as well as an expansion of the master's degree programs in business administration, education, exercise science and sport management.

In 2010 he served as interim provost/vice president for academic affairs, leading Ithaca in the formation of a new 10-year strategic plan that focuses on academic enhancement, elevation and holistic education.

As dean of graduate studies, Woodward doubled enrollment and applications and helped create a program of post-doctoral teaching and research fellows. As provost, Woodward led a program of minority pre-doctoral fellows for the School of Humanities and Sciences.

Woodward earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn., a master's degree from Ithaca and a doctorate from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. He served on the faculty of Cornell and Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., and was a guest of the Sanford Visiting Scholar Program in the School of Music at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

Pacific Lutheran University

Thomas W. Krise will serve as the 13th president of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., effective in June. Currently, Krise is dean of the Arts and Sciences College at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.

Pacific Lutheran's board of regents vote to elect Krise was unanimous. Krise will succeed Loren Anderson, who served as president of Pacific Lutheran for the past 20 years.

In a Pacific Lutheran news release, Krise said he was "struck by the spirited sense of mission" at the university, "as well as the strong sense of connection and vocation among the students, professional staff, faculty, regents, and alumni.

"The bonds to the Lutheran community as well as to the local and regional communities are a source of great strength," said Krise, who is a member of the Episcopal Church – an ELCA full communion partner.

The board changed Pacific Lutheran's bylaws two years ago to allow presidents of other faith traditions to serve. The university's presidential search committee members remarked that Krise demonstrated a keen understanding of the Lutheran tradition of higher education and Pacific Lutheran's mission and values within that tradition.

Prior to serving as dean of the Arts and Sciences College at the University of the Pacific, Krise was chair of the English department at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, and a faculty member of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He also served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as lieutenant colonel.

Krise earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history from the Air Force Academy; a master's degree in management from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich.; a master's degree in English from the University of Minnesota; and, a doctorate degree in English from the University of Chicago. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Wittenberg University

The board of directors of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, unanimously elected Laurie M. Joyner as the university's 14th president effective July 1. Joyner is currently vice president for planning and dean of the college at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla.

She is Wittenberg's first female president.

Joyner succeeds Mark H. Erickson, who will become president of Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa.

"I am honored to be selected to lead Wittenberg University at this important time in its history," said Joyner.

"Wittenberg was attractive to me for its commitment to the liberal arts within the context of an inclusive, person-centered academic community. Educating students in the Lutheran tradition of service emphasizes the intellectual, social and ethical dimensions of student development. In this way, Wittenberg helps students discover their purpose and better understand their responsibility to enhance the common good," she said.

Prior to her current position, Joyner was interim vice president for academic affairs and provost at Rollins and helped to establish the College of Professional Studies there. She also was dean of the faculty and professor of sociology at Rollins.

Prior to Rollins, Joyner served in various positions at Loyola University New Orleans, including faculty leadership roles on the academic and faculty affairs committee of the board of trustees and University Senate Executive Council to administrative roles, such as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Joyner is widely published and recognized for her campus and community leadership, earning the Loyola University Twomey Award. She is also an elected member of The Power Generation, one of New Orleans City Business Top 40.

Joyner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology at Loyola University New Orleans, and she earned a master and doctoral degrees in sociology from Tulane University in New Orleans.

ELCA News Service