By Andy Dahn
BLOOMINGTON – The new president of Lincoln College is bringing a variety of ideas and goals to the table.
Dr. David Gerlach said he would like to offer programs such as sports management and business administration to students at the Lincoln campus as well as adding bachelor’s and advanced degrees.
“Students will be more successful if the opportunities for the bachelor’s degree are right there,” Gerlach said. “They transfer right in from our two year programs right into our four year programs. In my view, it’s the best of both worlds for them.”
Gerlach has more than 30 years of education experience and spent the last 11 years as vice president for advancement at the State University of New York-Canton. He said he would like to see the school’s athletic program eventually reach the NCAA level.
“That would take some time as those baccalaureates grow in the number of students who are then participating in athletics,” said Gerlach. “But right now we have some very competitive athletic teams and certainly some beautiful fields.”
Lincoln currently plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association and does not have a football program. Gerlach said his overall mentality when it comes to growing the university is simple.
“Degree offerings, paying attention to our students needs and being sensitive to the things that are important to them,” Gerlach said. “That’s how we’ll be able to grow.”
Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].
