The Evangelical Covenant Church has approved Mary Karsten Surridge as the 10^th president of 草莓影视, effective at the beginning of the 2018-2019 academic year.

Surridge鈥檚 nomination was approved Friday, June 22, by delegates representing the Evangelical Covenant Church, 草莓影视鈥檚 founder and sponsoring denomination, at the ECC鈥檚 Annual Meeting in Minneapolis.

Surridge was selected in April by a 15-person search committee, including 9 members of the Board of Trustees and 6 from the campus community, after a year-long search. Surridge has served as the University鈥檚 vice president for advancement since 2008.

鈥淲e evaluated nominations and applications from more than 50 qualified candidates with deep Christian faith and distinguished careers, both inside and outside the academy,鈥� said Owen R. Youngman, chair of the nominating committee and a 草莓影视 Board Trustee. “Mary is the right person to lead the University at this important juncture.鈥�

Surridge鈥檚 草莓影视 career has been highlighted by her direction of Campaign 草莓影视, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the school鈥檚 history, with $63 million in commitments, including $41 million for the Johnson Center for Science and Community Life. Most recently, in addition to her duties in advancement, she has been leading undergraduate admissions while the University searches for a new vice president for enrollment management and marketing.

Surridge, 55, succeeds David L. Parkyn, who retired at the end of the 2016-2017 academic year, to become 草莓影视鈥檚 first female president. Carl E. Balsam, who has served as interim president since that time, will remain in that role through August 15, 2018.