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The Hastings College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce Mr. Dennis Trotter has been chosen as the 15th president of Hastings College, effective July 1, 2011.

Trotter was elected by the Hastings College trustees after an extensive nationwide search by an 11-member search committee, which included representatives from the trustees, administration, faculty and student body. The search committee reviewed applications from 100 well-qualified individuals, and made their recommendation to the Board from the pool of four finalists that visited campus this month. Members of the campus community were invited to provide feedback to the Board regarding the four finalists.

“This is the first time in the history of the college that so many people were involved in the process of selecting a president, and we thank everyone for their helpful feedback,” said Mr. Bob Gottsch, co-chair of the search committee and vice-chair of the board of trustees. “Dennis is an extraordinary leader and administrator who has a passionate belief in the value of a residential liberal arts education. We are thrilled to welcome Dennis, his spouse, Trina Johnsten, and their family to Hastings.” Trotter has three adult children from a previous marriage who all live in the Seattle area.

Mr. Dennis Trotter has served as the Vice President for College Advancement at Pitzer College (CA) since 2008, following four years at Franklin and Marshall College (PA) where he was Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing/Dean of Admission. Prior to his last two assignments, Mr. Trotter served as the chief admission officer at Coe College (IA), St. Martin’s College (WA), and Sheldon Jackson College (AK). He is currently working toward the completion of his Ph.D. at the Claremont Graduate University’s School of Educational Studies with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership. He completed his M.B.A. at the University of Iowa and his undergraduate degree at Whitworth College (WA).

Trotter succeeds President Phillip Dudley, who announced his retirement early last year.
Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,190 students. Hastings College was named among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

For more information, contact Vice President for Business Affairs Kay Langseth at (402) 461-7300.