David R. Anderson, provost and professor of English at Denison University since 1999, has been named the 11th president of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. A 1974 graduate of St. Olaf, Anderson will begin his new duties at his alma mater in July.

As Denison's chief academic officer for the past seven years, he has been instrumental in the hiring of more than one-third of the University's current faculty.

About Anderson's service at Denison, University President Dale Knobel said, "Under David's supervision, Denison's faculty development programs have become national models ... and among his primary commitments has been the successful development of new colleagues as teacher-scholars. David has worked hard ... to collaborate with departments to create a more racially representative faculty."

Knobel added, "We all should be appreciative of the way in which David has established processes that treat people equitably, that keep colleagues well-informed, and that promote academic excellence."

In a message to the Denison community, Anderson stated, "Denison has been good to me, has been good to our family, and I cherish my many friendships at the college." He continued, "I am looking forward to beginning work (at St. Olaf) this summer with excitement at the opportunities and challenges that await and with a humbling awareness of the responsibilities a college president carries, tinged with regret at leaving Denison."

Prior to his tenure at Denison, Anderson was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he also was a professor of English (1997-99). Before joining Luther College, Anderson was associate dean of arts and humanities at Florida Atlantic University (1996-97) and professor of English and chair of the department there (1993-96).

Anderson earned his doctorate in English from Boston College in 1978. He completed post-doctoral work at the University of Kansas, before joining the Texas A&M English department faculty in 1981 as an assistant professor. After being promoted to associate professor in 1987, he assumed responsibilities as director of undergraduate studies in English at Texas A&M from 1990 to 1992 and became associate head of the department of English for the 1992-93 academic year.

Early in his career, Anderson taught English at the University of Kansas and at St. Olaf, from which he was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in English and American studies.

A native of La Crosse, Wis., Anderson is a 1970 graduate of Central High School in La Crosse, and his parents, Ruth and James Anderson, still reside in the area in Onalaska, Wis. He is married to Priscilla Paton, a writer and associate professor of English at Denison. They have two children, James Anderson, 21, and Elizabeth Anderson, 17.

Denison has appointed Associate Provost Keith Boone to the position of interim provost effective July 1 as the University conducts its national search to replace Anderson. At Denison, administrators reporting to the provost include the associate provost, the registrar, the director of libraries, the director of computing services, the director of athletics, and the chairs and directors of all academic departments and programs.

Denison University, located in, was founded in 1831 and is a privately supported, coeducational college of liberal arts and sciences, offering three different bachelor's degrees (B.A., B.S. and B.F.A.) among more than 40 majors and concentrations. Some 2,100 full-time undergraduate students represent 47 states and 34 foreign countries. Denison is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA) and a founding member of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). Denison's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was established in 1910. Dale T. Knobel is Denison's 19th president.

For more information about St. Olaf naming David Anderson as its 11th president, please link to the College's Web site at: www.stolaf.edu

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575