Four presidents to step down

Four presidents of ELCA colleges and universities will step down this year, the average turnover seen at the denomination’s 28 schools lately, said Arne Selbyg, ELCA director for colleges and universities.

Last year presidents retired or resigned from Augsburg College, Minneapolis; Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D.; California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks; Capital University, Columbus, Ohio; and St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. Both two and three years ago, three presidents stepped down; four years ago, five left.

Paul K. Formo, 59, who has served since 2001 as the 12th president of Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan., is leaving to explore new challenges and opportunities. He served through the fall semester and is now assisting school officials until an interim is appointed. “I look forward to soon having some time for rest, reflection and discernment ... and trust that from that will come a new calling,” Formo wrote in his letter of resignation.