A former administrator at Southeast Missouri State University has been named the eighth president of Caldwell College.

Dr. Nancy H. Blattner, the current vice president and dean of academic affairs at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Mo., becomes the first lay president in the Caldwell, N.J., college's 70-year history. Blattner assumes the role July 1, with a formal inauguration scheduled for the fall.

Blattner succeeds Sister Patrice Werner, who is retiring June 30 after a 15-year stint as president of the college.

"I am delighted to be chosen as president at Caldwell College, because the institution has an outstanding reputation as a liberal arts college with strong career-based programs," Blattner said in a written statement. "Members of the faculty have excellent credentials and the staff make providing service to students the top priority.

"I look forward to strengthening or building upon the many successes that Sister Patrice has accomplished during her 15-year tenure as the president at Caldwell," Blattner said. "My husband Tim and I were both impressed with the people we met while we were visiting the campus. They were so obviously proud of the institution, and we are honored to be invited to become part of the Caldwell community."

Blattner brings more than two decades of experience in Catholic and public higher education, including 15 years at Southeast. A graduate of Southeast, Blattner served as academic associate, academic dean and director of writing assessment. Blattner and her husband have three adult children.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Caldwell, N.J.