Lincoln College Announces David Gerlach as New President
Dr. Gerlach Will Take Over for Retiring President John Blackburn on June 15

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[May 02, 2015]  LINCOLN - Lincoln College is proud to announce its selection of Dr. David Gerlach as its 22nd president after a nationwide search that lasted several months.

Gerlach will replace John Blackburn, who is retiring after a distinguished career in business and a record of service as a long-time board member and then president at Lincoln College. Gerlach will become Lincoln College president on June 15, 2015.

Gerlach’s selection was announced to college employees Monday, after the presidential selection committee narrowed down the field of applicants to three highly qualified candidates. “It was the consensus that [Gerlach’s] strong background and track record in student services, enrollment management, and fundraising positioned him well to lead the college in addressing its highest priorities now and in the foreseeable future,” the announcement noted.
 


Gerlach has more than 30 years of education experience, including spending the last 11 years as vice president for advancement at the State University of New York-Canton, which is located about 30 miles from the Canadian border in rural upstate New York. There he led the school to its highest student enrollment numbers in four of the last six years, multiplied the campus foundation’s financial assets, earned provisional membership in NCAA Division III athletics and doubled the number of student athletes.

Gerlach has a doctorate in philosophy from Syracuse University and degrees from three other New York higher education institutions. He and his wife, Lisa, have two grown children and look forward to moving to central Illinois from northern New York state.

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“David’s credentials, knowledge of higher education and experience leading a campus to new heights impressed us from the outset,” said Bob Neal, chairman of the Lincoln College Board of Trustees. “John Blackburn has been an important leader and supporter of Lincoln College for many years. We are confident David Gerlach is ready to take over and build on John’s track record of success.”

“Lisa and I are excited to take this next step in our lives together by taking over the leadership of Lincoln College,” Gerlach said. “We were quite impressed by the campus facilities and the people who make up the campus community when we visited a few weeks ago. We look forward to arriving in June, getting to know everyone over the summer and building on the great reputation Lincoln College has of being a special place for a college education in central Illinois.”

[Tracy Bergin, Lincoln College]

 

 

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