Concordia College in Moorhead announces next president

Concordia College in Moorhead has selected its next president.

Colin Irvine will begin work this summer at the evangelical Lutheran liberal arts school, which enrolls just over 1,900 students. He is currently working as the provost and senior executive vice president at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D.

"Colin understands the trends, challenges and opportunities in higher education," said Gary Henderson, a regent and chair of the college's presidential search committee, in a news release. He added that he believed Irvine will be "bold, nimble, and entrepreneurial in leading and managing change, growth and innovation."

During his time at Augustana University, Irvine helped establish new schools, launched a center for excellence in teaching, and created a well-being model for students. He previously worked as a dean at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., and taught English, education and environmental studies.

Irvine will take over for current college president William Craft, who is retiring June 30. The college said it relied on an executive search company, Academic Search, and a committee that included regents, faculty, staff, alumni and students to find its new leader.

At an announcement event Wednesday morning, Irvine told a crowd that he wasn't searching for a job when a recruiter contacted him this past summer. But when he read about Concordia College and its values, "I felt a remarkable resonance."

"I look forward to partnering with faculty and staff and coaches and members of the board to continue to build and fix and refine this amazing place," he said.