Culver-Stockton College has reached another milestone with the selection of its new president.
Dr. Kelly Thompson has been named the 26th President of the private college in Canton, Missouri. She will be the first woman to lead the school in its 160-year history.
Thompson replaces Dick Valentine, who is retiring. Valentine was the first C-SC alum to serve as president.
Ron Leftwich of Houston, TX chairs the C-SC Board of Trustees.
He says Thompson brings a lot to the table, including experience in increasing enrollment and in fundraising.
"(She also) has a very strong academic background... plus she has been a very strong leader. So we believe we found exactly the person we were looking for.”
Thompson comes to northeast Missouri from Barton College in North Carolina, where she has served as Vice President for External Relations since 2008. Her accomplishments at the school include raising more than $5-million for a new theatre and a new entrance and increasing net tuition revenue by nearly $2.5-million.
Thompson said in a statement that she is privileged to be sharing this opportunity with this distinctive campus community.
"From the moment we stepped onto 'the Hill,' my husband, Clarke, and I felt the warmth and enthusiasm with which we were welcomed. It is an honor for me to accept the Board's invitation to build on President Valentine's many successes."
Thompson will begin July 1, 2014.
Leftwich says the two sides agreed on a five year contract. He declined to provide further details such as salary or benefits.
Dr. Daniel Silber serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and as Dean of the College. He says the Board of Trustees made the right call with Dr. Thompson.
"She is the right person to continue the powerful forward momentum generated by President Valentine and we eagerly await her arrival as the next leader of our college community."
A meet and greet reception is tentatively scheduled for early next month.
NEW TITLES
Meanwhile, outgoing C-SC President Dick Valentine has a few more titles courtesy of the college.
He received an honorary doctorate during last weekend’s graduation ceremony and the Board of Trustees has granted him emeritus status for his years of service.
Valentine’s last official day will be June 30th, though he has been asked to stay around during the transition.
