Godfrey, Ill. - The Board of Trustees of Lewis and Clark Community College at its meeting Tuesday evening voted to re-appoint Dr. Dale T. Chapman as president of Lewis and Clark Community College. Chapman, who retired May 31, will resume the role of president effective Aug. 16.
Board Chairman Robert Watson said, “For nearly 20 years Dr. Chapman has led Lewis and Clark Community College through tremendous periods of growth; he has worked with local, state and national agencies to expand learning and cultural opportunities for residents of this district; and he continues to be a respected leader in higher education across the nation and in this community. He has a proven track record of success at Lewis and Clark, and we are pleased to welcome him back as president.”
During Dr. Chapman’s previous tenure as the President of Lewis and Clark Community College (1992-2010), the College’s enrollment more than quadrupled from 3,000 to 13,500 students. Moreover, Dr. Chapman oversaw the construction of many major capital projects totaling more than $123 million, including the McPike Complex, the Riverbend Arena, the Templin Nursing Building, the N.O. Nelson Campus in Edwardsville and the nearly completed National Great Rivers Research and Education Center at the Confluence Campus, Melvin Price Lock and Dam.
Chapman, who announced his plans to retire in mid-May in order to resolve personal financial issues, said in addition to resolving those issues, he has spent the last couple of months reflecting on the College’s integral role in providing services and education that help strengthen the region.
“Lewis and Clark has a significant economic and cultural impact on the region – providing a low-cost, high quality education for residents; functioning as a cultural center for community events; offering training for the area’s workforce; supplying a tourist destination for history, sculpture and garden tours – all while serving as one of the area’s largest employers,” Chapman said. “We have created a tremendous expectation for success in this community, and I am looking forward to working with all of our community partners to accelerate the momentum at Lewis and Clark and throughout the region.”
During the period of Chapman’s retirement, Gary Ayres served as Acting President. “We were fortunate to have someone with Ayres’ talents to serve as Acting President and on behalf of the Board I want to thank him for his service to the College since mid-May,” Watson said.
Upon the effective date of Chapman’s appointment as President, Ayres will return to his position as the College’s Vice President, Administration.