Not just anyone can helm this college. As readers of this magazine know, Gustavus is unique among liberal arts colleges. With its Swedish immigrant heritage, the Minnesota River Valley landscape, more than 160 years of Lutheran tradition, and an unabashed commitment to the liberal arts, Gustavus has a special way of shaping the lives of young people so that they may act on the great challenges of our time.
That requires special leadership.
The job description for the next president—all 12 pages of it—gets pretty specific on what the College is looking for. The person must be mission driven, wholeheartedly aligned with the College’s core values (Excellence, Community, Justice, Service, Faith). They must be committed to the liberal arts, non-negotiable. They must be intellectual and visionary—able to engage with issues philosophically, strategically, and tactically. They must be an informed and courageous decisionmaker with an astute understanding of the challenges facing private residential liberal arts institutions. They must be an exceptional relationship builder and communicator, an empowering leader who can appreciate, support, and inspire faculty and staff. They must be a proven fundraiser and ambassador who can make a compelling case for next capital campaign, plus represent the College locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. They must build successful teams, cultivating future College leadership. And, of course, they must be fiscally competent and financially prudent.
Hiring a college President includes the responsibility of selecting a leader whom we can entrust with the development of our students.”
—Suzanne Boda ’82, Gustavus Board of Trustees; Chair of the Presidential Search Committee
In return for their skills and service, the College’s next president will inherit a vibrant community of talented students, faculty, and staff; a re-envisioned curriculum that provides a breadth and depth of learning opportunities and applied experiences; a growing endowment that consistently outperforms competitors; and an engaged Board of Trustees committed to raising the profile and impact of the institution. They will gain the opportunity to serve one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country.
Outgoing president Rebecca Bergman, who has served for a decade, brought to Gustavus many years of senior executive leadership in the biomedical field, plus seven years on the Gustavus Board of Trustees. She is the parent of two Gusties. She is a woman, a mother, and a grandmother. And she is the daughter of a Lutheran pastor.
What will the next college president bring with them?
Stay tuned.
