January 26, 2007

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College taps David Behrs as first lay president

Criterion staff report

SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS—After a national search, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has selected David G. Behrs as the institution’s 15th president.

Behrs will be the college’s first lay Catholic president. He begins his new position on July 1, succeeding St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Joan Lescinski, who last month was named president of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

With more than 22 years of experience in higher education, Behrs currently serves as both the associate provost for university initiatives and the vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Dominican University of California in San Rafael, Calif.

“David’s experiences at Dominican University and in higher education have prepared him well for his future at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College,” said Providence Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior. “He is passionate about the college’s Catholic tradition, and committed to the mission and values of the college and the Sisters of Providence.

“We look forward to working with him as we draw on our heritage to step boldly into the future,” Sister Denise said, “all the while honoring Saint Mother Theodore Guérin by carrying on her legacy of faith and service.”

Behrs, 47, earned a Ph.D. in counseling and student development at American University, a master’s degree in counseling and student personnel at Shippensburg University, and a bachelor’s degree in history and social science at Elizabethtown College.

The new president said he is looking forward to using his experiences and skills to advance the mission of making Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College the premier women’s Catholic institution in the world.

“Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has experienced tremendous growth under Sister Joan Lescinski’s leadership,” Behrs said. “I am honored to have been selected to lead the college into this exciting time of positive and significant advancement, and I look forward to building on the momentum the college has created to propel it to even greater levels of excellence.”

Behrs and his wife, Maureen, have two daughters.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College was founded in 1840 by St. Theodora Guérin and the Sisters of Providence. †

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