Dr. Christopherson to Retire

Dana College President Myrvin Christopherson ’61 announced to the Dana College campus community Oct. 5 that he is retiring after 19 years in office.

Christopherson will continue to serve the college in his current capacity until he assumes the title of President Emeritus on July 1, 2005, when his existing contract expires. As president emeritus, he will carry a reduced load with selected responsibilities in fundraising, community relations and board development. He will be assisted in many of these duties by his wife, Anne, who serves as Dana’s director of special events and projects and has been the coordinator of the popular Sights & Sounds of Christmas festival and Smorgasbord for many years.

“Myrv and his wife, Anne, are much loved at Dana. They have been a Godsend to the growth and development of Dana,” said Dana Board of Regents Chairman Richard Vierk ’68. “Their mark is everywhere on the Dana campus and community. Their legacy is rich and deep. We are delighted that they will continue to serve Dana, even if it’s on a reduced-time basis.”

Christopherson’s retirement was accepted by the Board of Regents at their fall meeting Homecoming weekend.

At the announcement to the Dana faculty and staff, Christopherson said, “I’m looking forward to a reduced load and more time for family. Anne and I have had a wonderful experience here and are very proud of Dana College. We hope to be able to continue to make a contribution without having the fuller load we’ve enjoyed for the past 19 years.”

Vierk announced that a search for a new president will begin immediately in hopes that a successor can be found to assume duties on or about July 1, when Christopherson vacates the office. The search committee will include regents and members of the faculty and staff. Applications and nominations can be directed to the Presidential Search Committee at Dana College until the search is complete.

Christopherson, 65, came to Dana as President July 1, 1986, from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, where he was associate dean of communication and fine arts. Prior to that, he taught at Purdue University, where he received his master’s and doctoral degrees in philosophy and communication, and at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, his first full-time teaching position after he earned his doctorate.

Under Christopherson’s leadership, Dana has grown from 396 to 622 full-time students. This fall Dana reported its highest enrollment since 1970, when scores of students enrolled to escape the Vietnam draft.

During his presidency, the endowment has grown from about $1 million to more than $12 million. In total, nearly $100 million has been secured in current and deferred gifts for scholarships, endowment and campus improvements.

Buildings completed include the Margre Henningson Durham Center and Trinity Chapel, the art addition to the Madsen Fine Arts Center, the Gardner-Hawks Center and the Cooperman Atrium, a new all-weather track, a competition soccer field, football and soccer practice fields, significant upgrades of science and art facilities, and many renovation and beautification projects. During his presidency Dana has taken a lead in technology enabling Dana to advertise “the most wireless campus in Nebraska.”

Academic programs have also grown under his leadership. He facilitated creation of the annual Presidential Scholarship competition, the Morton Scholars Program for honors students, new or revised academic programs in accounting, psychology, criminal justice, special education, computer science, graphic design, e-studies, iMedia, international studies, and sports management. Sports programs have also grown during the Christopherson administration, with the addition of men’s and women’s soccer and women’s golf.

He is currently the longest serving president among the 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Wartburg Theological Seminary awarded Christopherson an honorary doctorate of divinity degree in 1998 to honor his service to the church and higher education.

Higher education accreditation has been among Christopherson’s special interests. For several years he has been a consultant-evaluator and team chair for The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, the entity responsible for accrediting colleges and universities in a 19-state region.

Christopherson has been active in maintaining relations between the college and Denmark. During his administration the Danish Immigrant Archive at Dana College has prospered, and Dana’s Lur Publications, under the leadership of Dr. John W. Nielsen, has published a dozen books.