"After much anticipation, the tenth President of St. Olaf College was announced on Tuesday, September 12.

In a crowded Boe Chapel, St. Olaf Board of Reagents Chair Martin E. Marty introduced the Reverend Dr. Christopher Meredith Thomforde as successor to President Mark U. Edwards, Jr. President Edwards will be leaving his position October 1 after serving St. Olaf for six years.

Thomforde is currently the President of Bethany College, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) college, in Lindsborg, Kansas. He has served at Bethany College for six years. Previously, he served as chaplain of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Penn. He has also served as a minister and taught western languages and medieval European history at Tunghai University in Taiwan.

In his first address to the school, Thomforde wished that St. Olaf would "become a city on a hill for people to look up to for strength."

The student observer for the presidential search committee, senior Kristen Olsen, commented on what made Thomforde stand out from the rest of the candidates, "He has a strong presence in a room and his commitment and dedication to the church made him outstanding."

When asked about the future of the school with the new president, Dean Pence said, "We'll be just fine. Chris Thomforde is a people person. He has a great passion and he understands students. I look forward to working with him to improve the quality of St. Olaf."

Thomforde graduated from Long Island Lutheran High School in 1965 and received a B.A. degree in Medieval and Russian History from Princeton University in 1969. He later went on to instruct at Tunghai University in Taiwan until 1971.

Thomforde then enrolled in the Yale University Divinity school, where in 1974 he was awarded his Masters of Divinity, with concentrations in Biblical studies, Church History, and Philosophy.

He was then instructor in Philosophy and Religion and also served as assistant Chaplain at Colgate University until 1978. Thomforde also served as Advisor to Foreign Students and chaired the universityÕs athletic commission.

From 1978-1986, Thomforde served as pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dainesville, N.Y.

In 1986 he began a ten-year term as chaplain at Susquehanna University. He also taught Philosophy and Religion.

At Bethany, President Thomforde worked on reforms in finance, enrollments, fund raising and in academic programs. During his time at Bethany College, Thomforde also went on to receive his Doctor in Ministry Degree at Princeton Theological Seminary.

"This is sort of like getting married," Thomforde explained. "It's very exciting and a little nerve wrecking. One of the greatest challenges of becoming president is getting to know who's who around the campus. It will be my job to support and help them."

"Not a lot of people know about St. Olaf, and in the future I would like to make St. Olaf more well-known," he added.

Student Body President Nick Wallace said, "I am extremely pleased with the decision of Thomforde as our next president." When asked of what the SGA hoped to see from Thomforde, Wallace said, "We look forward working with him and we would like to establish town hall meetings for student interaction with the administration."

Current St. Olaf President Mark Edwards said," I wish the Thomfordes all the best. He will help bring St. Olaf to the next level of excellence. I am extraordinarily proud to have worked with the students faculty and staff here, and I will miss St. Olaf."

"Though I did not take part in the search I am very enthusiastic about the committeeÕs decision. Boy, you couldn't have asked for a better search committee. Chris Thomforde is a good listener and a decisive leader. He is a quick read and he has eyes to see what needs doing. Chris believes deeply in the mission of the school. This is really good for the school. He has a strong sense of vocation," said Marty.

Martin E. Marty will be the Interim President for the school after President Edwards departs. "I'm Mr. Continuity and in return I am expecting a few extra Christmas Fest tickets!" he joked.

Jerry Tostrud, St. Olaf alumnus, regent, and chair of the search committee said, "Chris delights in people. He is a new cornerstone of the school and he will help bring St. Olaf up to the next level.

Thomforde will begin his tenure as St. Olaf President on January 15th, 2001. He is married to Christine Stone Thomforde who is a registered nurse and a cellist. They have three grown children.

Truck Morrison, a member of the Search Committee said, "The school needed a healer who is strong in development and who is a people person. There is a time for everyone and this is the time for Chris."