June 18, 2003

Douglas Allen appointed as president of Ridgewater College

Contact: Linda Kohl, (651) 296-9595 or Nancy Conner, (651) 296-0541

Douglas W. Allen today was appointed president of Ridgewater College in Hutchinson and Willmar by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

Allen, 46, is vice president of educational services at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. He will succeed Ridgewater College President Colleen Thompson Michels, who is retiring. His appointment is effective July 28.

Allen has been at Anoka-Ramsey Community College since 1997, first serving as dean of academic affairs at the college's Cambridge campus and became vice president of education services in 2000. Previously, he served as associate dean of Mount Marty College in Watertown, S.D., and was an English instructor at North Dakota State University.

"I am delighted that we were able to promote a very qualified presidential candidate from within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System," said Mary P. Choate, chair of the Board of Trustees. "It is important that we recognize our home-grown talent and keep top candidates like Dr. Allen in our system."

Allen holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas and a master's degree in English and a bachelor's degree in sociology from South Dakota State University.

"Dr. Allen's experience as a senior administrator within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System has given him a broad background in the kinds of issues that presidents must address," said James H. McCormick, chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, who recommended the appointment. "From academics to student services to financial management to library administration, he has had a breadth of responsibilities."

Allen is married to Linda Allen.

Ridgewater College is a community and technical college serving about 3,000 students, measured on a full-year-equivalent basis.

Note: A photo of Douglas Allen is available by e-mail. Please contact Christine McGing, Public Affairs, at (651) 297-2720.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System comprises 33 state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and combined community and technical colleges located on 53 campuses across the state. The system serves approximately 235,000 students annually in credit-based courses and another 130,000 in non-credit courses.