Interim President (Wittenberg University)
Reprinted through the courtesy of the Springfield News-Sun
As Wittenberg celebrates the 160th anniversary of its founding this year, the university is taking time to reflect on its roots and looking ahead to its future as a proud member of the Springfield community. Despite being a transition year following the departure of President Baird Tipson, Wittenberg continues its commitment to serving Springfield and moving forward on numerous fronts to advance and fulfill its mission as a nationally ranked liberal arts university.
The university community is confident this momentum will continue and flourish under the leadership of its newly named 13th president, Dr. Mark H. Erickson, vice president for administrative and government affairs at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. The selection of a new president has been an intensive activity for many, and in February the final stage of that important process involved a large number of people on campus and within Springfield.
Dr. Erickson brings extraordinary energy and credentials to the presidency, and he will work diligently to implement many of the initiatives outlined in our 10-year strategic plan, approved by the board of directors in January.
As part of the plan, Wittenberg envisions permanently and solidly being one of the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the country, while maintaining its characteristics as a residential university with high academic standards. It also expects to have a diverse student body of about 2,100, build a performing arts facility, renovate several of its older buildings, and strengthen its financial position. Wittenberg will be enhancing its academic program, taking additional steps to ensure the success of its students, engaging more fully with the extended Wittenberg community, and deepening the foundation of faculty and staff. Action plans for the eight goals and underlying objectives have been developed and are being pursued by faculty and administrative staff.
Before the 2004-2005 year concludes, Wittenberg will initiate a year-and-a-half study of its identity as a college of the Lutheran church. Wittenberg was established in 1845 by Lutherans in western Ohio and by leaders of Springfield, and those two roots have been instrumental in its development. Recognizing the continuing importance of the relationship to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wittenberg leadership seeks to reaffirm its Lutheran heritage and articulate the meaning of that relationship for a new generation of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the ELCA.
Also during this year of transition, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans recognized the university's long-standing tradition of community service by awarding the university a $50,000 grant. The funds will be used to develop an innovative project that will engage Wittenberg faculty and students with the Springfield community in deeper and more meaningful ways in the next two years.
The university's School of Community Education, master's in education program, Center for Professional Development, Center for Musical Development, Community Service program, Center for Applied Management (WittCAM) and Upward Bound program continue to support the community as do countless members of Wittenberg faculty and staff.
The Upward Bound program is assisting 95 area students as they strive to make a difference in their lives and community, while 21 teachers are investing in their futures and those of their students thanks to Wittenberg's master's in education program. Additionally, the university's Celebrate Service Day on April 16 will place Wittenberg volunteers in such locations as the Children's Rescue Centers of Ark North, Ark South and Ark Limecrest, On the Rise Brown Egg Farm and the Springfield YMCA, while the waiting list for WittCAM's expertise in management issues, marketing and small business operations continues to grow.
Wittenberg's innovative topical, first-year seminars (WittSems), designed by instructors based on their intellectual pursuits and training, offer a unique array of learning options. Similarly, internship opportunities continue to abound in Springfield for Wittenberg students.
Culturally, The Wittenberg Series has brought noted academics and speakers, and various artists and performers to the university for the enlightenment of the Springfield community as well as those on campus. Wittenberg departments have also continued their tradition of providing exciting and engaging colloquia for the campus and community, while the alumni office has offered a unique range of local events for alumni and friends. The period between two presidencies, that of Tipson and Erickson, has been both a routine year out of a 160-year continuum and one of numerous new beginnings and evolutionary steps.
