University News
The Concordia University, St. Paul Board of Regents announced at its July 2 meeting it has named Dr. Eric LaMott, provost and chief operating officer, interim CEO effective immediately. He will assume all duties and responsibilities associated with the Office of the President until a permanent president is selected. LaMott has served in his current leadership position since 2011 and has been at Concordia since 1994.
The Board continues to make progress in its search to select CSP’s 10th president and recognizes the importance of identifying the right person to lead the University. Dr. Tom Ries, who retired as Concordia’s ninth president at the conclusion of the 2018-19 academic year, has been retained by the Board of Regents for the month of July to support the transition and special projects.
“Dr. LaMott has dedicated his career to positioning Concordia as a leader in higher education and has made exceptional decisions that have positively benefited the entire University,” Board Chair Mark Moksnes said. “The Board is blessed to have an experienced and well-respected leader in place to guide the University until we identify a permanent successor for President Ries.”
During the Interim process, campus Spiritual leadership will be led by a team Rev. Dr. Michael Dorner, Minnesota South District President Pastor Lucas Woodford and Campus Pastor Tom Gundermann.
Dr. LaMott currently leads the strategic planning team, the budget task force, the enrollment management leadership team, and the campus master plan. Additionally, he leads the Finance and Operations sub-committee for the Board of Regents and presents at each board meeting on all matters of the university budget, strategy/tactics for implementing the strategic plan, as well as curriculum and staffing initiatives. LaMott presents and consults regionally and nationally on many topics including enrollment management, online education, and institutional fiscal management.
He is especially experienced in higher education administration, enrollment, and pricing models. The work LaMott and his team conducted on various pricing models led to Concordia becoming the first university in the nation to announce tuition reset, stepping back the cost of tuition for all students by $10,000 in 2013-2014.
“It is an honor to serve the university in this role during the time of transition,” LaMott said. “Concordia University, St. Paul is blessed with amazing staff, faculty and an administrative team all focused on our students’ and their undergraduate and graduate degree and career aspirations.”
LaMott also served as Chair of the Kinesiology and Science Department for 18+ years and continues to teach in the undergraduate and graduate program. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1994 and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Boise State University.