Vice President Robert DeWerff to Retire From Concordia University, St. Paul July 1, 2009

ST. PAUL, MINN. (06/08/2009)(readMedia)-- Vice president for Academic Affairs the Rev. Dr. Robert DeWerff will retire from Concordia University, St. Paul on July 1, 2009. DeWerff was honored for his contributions as a long-time campus leader and for his many contributions to the ongoing development and strategic growth of Concordia University at a special Chapel service and reception on May 8.

"All of us at Concordia University thank Bob DeWerff for work well done, for relationships well-built, for partnerships carefully maintained and for his vocation well-lived," said University President Rev. Dr. Robert Holst. "We have worked together for many years to do what was good for Concordia, our students, faculty and staff, and God's people at large. We praise God for Bob's life and work at Concordia University."

DeWerff's career spans 36 years of service to Church, including 23 years of service to Concordia University, St. Paul. He began his career in parish ministry. From 1973-1979, he served as parish pastor to congregations at Christ the King Lutheran in Billings, Mont.; First Lutheran in Fort Benton, Mont.; and Our Redeemer in Dearborn, Mich. From 1979-1986, he served at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Mich., first as an instructor in religion and philosophy and interim director of recruitment and then as associate director of college relations in the Office of Alumni and Public Relations (1982-1986).

DeWerff joined Concordia University, St. Paul in 1986, serving five years as vice president for College Relations where he oversaw admission, financial aid, public relations, church relations and administrative computing. He assumed a new role in 1991 as director of Graduate and Continuing Education, where he led the continued development and growth of the University's successful cohort-based undergraduate degree completion and graduate programs.

In 1997, DeWerff was appointed Dean of the newly formed College of Graduate and Continuing Studies, supervising the School of Accelerated Learning, the School of Human Services and the department of Continuing Education. He served on the Dean's Council, Budget Review Committee, Strategic Planning Council and various other committees. In 2003, DeWerff was named chair of the Master of Arts in Organizational Management program and, while expanding his teaching load, continued to serve on a variety of academic and administrative committees and task forces.

In 2004, DeWerff was appointed associate vice president for Enrollment and Marketing and helped spearhead a marketing initiative aimed at growing the University's business programs and enhancing overall institutional visibility. In 2005, DeWerff served as Dean of the newly formed Graduate School where he coordinated the expanding number of graduate programs being offered by the University. He chaired the Graduate Council and served on the Deans Council and Administrative Council.

In 2006, DeWerff was named vice president for Academic Affairs, a post he will hold until his retirement on July 1, 2009. In this role, he is the University's chief academic officer and serves on the President's Cabinet, the Strategic Planning Council, the budget task force and numerous other committees. He chairs the Deans Council and the Administrative Council.

DeWerff earned his Masters in Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., in 1973, and his Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas in 1994.

"My years at Concordia have been exciting, challenging and gratifying," DeWerff said. "I've had the pleasure of working with faculty, staff and administrators who continually impress me with their intellect, work ethic and dedication to the mission of Concordia University. They have made an indelible imprint in my life and I treasure their friendship."

DeWerff said he looks forward to more time with his wife, children and grandchildren, even as he continues to serve the University in retirement. He will share his expertise in a new post as Special Assistant to the President on Strategic Projects. He will ensure that President Holst's overall institutional agenda receives appropriate attention even as the President himself focuses on specific initiatives, such as the completion of the new Sea Foam Stadium scheduled for dedication in September 2009.

Concordia University, St. Paul is a comprehensive, private university of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and one of 10 schools that comprise the Concordia University System. Established in 1893, Concordia offers more than 40 liberal arts majors, including business administration, education, fine arts, the sciences and church professions. Concordia is a regional leader in accelerated, cohort-delivered, undergraduate degree-completion and master's degrees in business administration, organizational management, criminal justice and human services. Concordia is the only private university in Minnesota to offer NCAA Division II athletics for men and women. On the Net: www.csp.edu.

###