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Contacts: Robert T. Tad Perry, Executive Director
tadp@sdbor.edu
Janelle Toman, Director of Information & Institutional Research
janellet@sdbor.edu
T: 605.773.3455
F: 605.773.5320
www.sdbor.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 10, 2006
Gingerich Named Regents’ Chief Academic Officer
PIERRE, S.D. – A former Northern State University administrator, who spent 13 years in South Dakota’s public higher education system, is returning to become the senior academic administrator for the South Dakota Board of Regents.
The board announced Friday the appointment of Samuel B. Gingerich as system chief academic officer. Gingerich is currently provost and vice president for academic affairs at Mississippi University for Women. He replaces Lesta Turchen, who retired from the regents’ system Feb. 28.
“Sam Gingerich brings to this position a wealth of experience from working at the system level in three different states and within four different governance structures,” said Regents’ Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry. “He is used to interacting closely with board members, institutions, faculty, and staff in a constantly evolving environment.
“His work in academic affairs, most recently leading an academic reorganization at Mississippi University for Women, was a very attractive asset to us, and we are pleased to welcome Sam back to South Dakota,” Perry said.
While at Northern State University from 1985 to 1998, Gingerich moved up through the ranks from assistant professor of chemistry to vice president for academic affairs. Prior to his most recent work in Mississippi, Gingerich was at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., for six years. He began there as vice president for academic affairs and served for a time as the college’s interim president in 2003-04.
Gingerich holds three degrees in chemistry: a Ph.D. from Montana State University, a master’s degree from Cornell University, and a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College in Indiana. He has been active in many community organizations and professional associations. He and his wife, Erin Holmes, have two sons, Daniel and Matthew.
He begins his new duties in Pierre June 10.
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