Calumet College of St. Joseph names
Dr. Daniel Lowery as its next President

Lowery to replace retiring Dr. Dennis Rittenmeyer in July 2011

HAMMOND, Ind. (August 20, 2010) – Calumet College of St. Joseph is proud to announce Dr. Daniel Lowery will become the institution’s sixth president.

Lowery, currently the college’s vice president of academic affairs, will become president effective July 1, 2011, upon the retirement of longtime leader Dr. Dennis C. Rittenmeyer. The Board of Trustees elected Lowery during a called meeting today. Subsequent to the vote by the college trustees, the Corporate Board, chaired by The Very Rev. Larry Hemmelgarn, Provincial Director of the Cincinnati Province of the Society of the Precious Blood which sponsors the college, ratified the action.

Lowery was the unanimous choice of the Trustees’ executive committee, which acted as the planning committee with professional consultation by RPA, Inc., of Williamsport, Pa., one of the preeminent executive recruitment and consulting firms in higher education.

“Calumet College is getting a dynamic and prepared leader,” said Thomas Katsahnias, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Dan has already demonstrated the talents that we feel are necessary as a member of the college family. He has deep knowledge of the college and community, a clear vision for the future and outstanding ability to communicate clearly and concisely.”

Lowery, 58, said he is “humbled and excited” by the opportunity to lead Calumet College of St. Joseph.

“The college is well positioned right now,” Lowery said. “We have outstanding undergraduate programs, growing graduate programs, an excellent student body, and faculty who are committed to serving our students’ unique needs. It doesn’t get any better than this in higher education.” Hemmelgarn said Lowery is a good fit for the college, and his dedication as a member of the college family will be helpful through the transition.

“We appreciate his focus on social justice issues. It is important to us as a religious order to reach out to the underserved of society,” Hemmelgarn said. “We take great pride in what Calumet College has been able to accomplish in the area of social justice, and we expect that will continue under Dan’s leadership because he is dedicated to the mission of the college.”

Rittenmeyer, 66, has served as Calumet College of St. Joseph’s president since July 1987. He announced June 1 that he would retire at the end of June 2011. He has led the private institution from financial insecurity to stability, nearly doubled enrollment, improved facilities, and expanded academic offerings as well as programs for students. Throughout his presidency, Rittenmeyer also has been an active leader in the Northwest Indiana community.

“I’m pleased with the sensitivity and the professionalism with which the Trustees approached the task of selecting a new president. Dan is a talented administrator and a very good academic,” Rittenmeyer said of Lowery. “He is known widely throughout the community, and he is committed to the values of Calumet College of St. Joseph.”

“One of my challenges will be to build on and extend what Dennis has built here,” Lowery said. “Calumet College is well respected in the community, which is a tremendous asset for any school and is a tribute to Dennis and the Board of Trustees. We expect a great deal of continuity. Yet no institution can stand still, so I will have to fight new battles as they present themselves. The challenges will be different.”