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1/10/2013
COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Columbia College President Announces Retirement

COLUMBIA, Mo., Jan. 10, 2013 - Dr. Gerald T. Brouder, president of Columbia College, announced his retirement as the 16th president of Columbia College. After nearly 18 years at the helm of the college, President Brouder has seen the college through tremendous growth and change, all while maintaining an expectation of civility and respect.

"After more than 17 years leading this great institution, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement effective August 1, 2013," Brouder announced. "It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Columbia College president."

In his inaugural address, held Sept. 15, 1995, Brouder delineated his goals for the college, which included a deepening of the sciences, growth in the endowment to better meet the needs of students and the fortitude to continue to move forward with a sense of civility and respect as the college becomes a model institution. In addition, it was Brouder's goal for the college that it become more technologically advanced, and that all curricula be enhanced, particularly in the areas of science and mathematics.

Daisy Grossnickle, chair of the Columbia College Board of Trustees, will soon put together a search committee to find the 17th president of Columbia College.

"Dr. Brouder's goals and expectations have been met and exceeded," said Grossnickle. "I have been fortunate to serve on the Board and watch as Dr. Brouder led this great institution with care and diligence. Though we are all sad to let him go, we know Columbia College will continue to excel based on the direction and leadership of Dr. Brouder."

Prior to coming to Columbia College, Brouder spent 17 years at the University of Missouri in both faculty and administrative position, where he served as provost and interim chancellor. Brouder has a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Texas-Austin. (See bio.)

Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Mo., Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 160 years. As a private, nonprofit, liberal arts and sciences institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. With more than 30 campuses across the country, 18 of which are on military installations, students may enroll in day, evening or online classes. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Columbia College educates more than 30,000 students each year and has more than 74,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit www.ccis.edu.

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Dr. Gerald T. Brouder biography

President of Columbia College

Dr. Gerald Brouder is in his 18th year as the 16th president of Columbia College. He previously spent 17 years at the University of Missouri where he held a variety of positions including interim chancellor, deputy chancellor, provost and various other administrative positions on campus and at the medical center.

Dr. Brouder is a well-known proponent of higher education. Enhancing the quality of Columbia College's day, evening, nationwide and online programs and increasing the school's endowment are among his highest priorities. He earned four degrees - all in nursing - including a Ph.D. from the University of Texas-Austin, a master's degree from Northern Illinois University, a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and an associate degree from Mayfair College in Chicago.

A member of several local civic and service organizations, Dr. Brouder is very active within the Columbia community. He is a past president, vice-president and campaign chairman of the Columbia Area United Way. He is past president of Regional Economic Development, Inc. Dr. Brouder is a member of the Board of Directors of Shelter Mutual Insurance Companies, a member of the University of Missouri Medical Alliance, on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Heart Institute Foundation, is a past member of the Columbia Regional Hospital Community Board of Directors, and a member of the University of Missouri Press Development Board. He served on the Council of Presidents in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. He is on the Executive Committee and is immediate past-president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri. Having been appointed by three different governors, he is serving his fourth four-year term as one of the five Missouri Commissioners on the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. Dr. Brouder was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce in 1998, and was recently named 2011 Citizen of the Year by the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. In November 2012, Dr. Brouder was the recipient of the prestigious Phillip Sirotkin Award, the highest award given by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, for his exemplary leadership in advancing Midwestern higher education.

Dr. Brouder was appointed by Governor Bob Holden to serve a two-year term on the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health. He has also been active in several other local and statewide athletic organizations, currently serving as a member of the University of Missouri Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. He is a former chairman of the Show-Me State Games Steering Committee.

Dr. Brouder and his wife, Bonnie, reside in Columbia. The Brouders have two sons - David, and his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Michael, Andrew and Allison, live in Columbia; and Matthew and his wife, Pam, and their daughters, Sarah and Natalie, live in St. Charles, Missouri.

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Promises kept

In his inaugural address, Dr. Gerald T. Brouder looked ahead and declared the following goals for Columbia College - goals which have been met. To name a few:

Goal: Strengthened sciences

In April 2012, work began on a 53,000 square foot state of the art science center. The Science Building will feature a 126-seat auditorium, five general laboratories, eight advanced labs, five additional classrooms and 18 faculty offices. Due to Dr. Brouder's vision and leadership, the grand opening will take place August 2013.

Goal: Increased academic rigor

Columbia College now offers 10 associate degrees, 58 bachelor's degrees and 4 master's degrees. Our students consistently score above national averages on major field tests.

Goal: A growing endowment

The Columbia College endowment has grown from $2.5 million in 1995 to more than $100 million. The college's overall fiscal health is strong, with $175 million in assets under management, a $100 million operating budget, no deferred maintenance and...no debt.

Goal: Enhance technology

Columbia College is a national leader in online education, with more than 23,000 students taking an online course just in this last academic year. The level of technological sophistication and overall quality has risen dramatically during his presidency.

Year after year, prestigious educational rating services rank Columbia College as one of the best colleges in the nation. For example:

* GetEducated.com designated seven Columbia College online degrees as "best buys."

* Columbia College has been named a "College of Distinction,"

* Military Advanced Education, a publication focusing on educational services and opportunities for military students, evaluated more than 3,000 institutions.

* G.I. Jobs magazine selected Columbia College as a military friendly school due to the college's steadfast commitment to educating active military and veteran students. The honor places the college in the top 20 percent of all schools nationwide.

* The Princeton Review, in 2012, named Columbia College a "Best Midwestern College" based on academic excellence.

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(CONTACT: Sam Fleury, Senior Community and Alumni Relations Coordinator, 573-348-4293, sfleury@ccis.edu)

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	Dr. Brouder
	Dr. Gerald Brouder