Lenoir-Rhyne College PROFILE Magazine

The Magazine of Lenoir-Rhyne College
Summer/Fall 2002
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Dr. Norman D. Fintel serving as interim president

The Board of Trustees of Lenoir-Rhyne College has appointed Dr. Norman D. Fintel as interim president. Fintel, a retired college president from Salem, Va., will serve until the board chooses a permanent replacement for Dr. Ryan LaHurd, who resigned effective May 31 to become executive director of the Near East Foundation.

“Dr. Fintel is highly qualified to lead the College during this transitional period,” said John David Moose ’59, chair of the Lenoir-Rhyne College Board of Trustees. “We are confident that the College is in capable hands as the Presidential Search Committee continues its work.”

Fintel began his duties Aug. 1. He has an extensive background with Lutheran colleges throughout the country. He served as president of Roanoke College from 1975 until 1989. During his tenure as president, that college increased its enrollment and endowment. Roanoke College, like Lenoir-Rhyne, is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

“It is an honor to serve as interim president as I have long admired Lenoir-Rhyne College and its setting in Hickory.” Fintel said. “I have a high regard for Ryan LaHurd and his successful tenure. My challenge is to keep the momentum and prepare the College for its new president.”

Since leaving Roanoke College, he has worked as a consultant to many colleges and community organizations. He recently led a series of workshops for secondary school headmasters and church leaders in Tanzania. In conjunction with that mission, he published a book, “Vimipugoa,” an acronym for “vision, mission, purposes, goals and actions.”

He has also served as a planning consultant with Texas Lutheran College, interim president of Rockford College, and executive assistant to the president at California Lutheran University. He served briefly on the Lenoir-Rhyne College Board of Trustees.

Before coming to Roanoke College, he served as executive director of the Board of College Education of The American Lutheran Church from 1963 to 1975 and as assistant director of the BCE from 1960 to 1963. He served as director of public relations of Wartburg College from 1951 to 1960.

Fintel earned a bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College, a master’s in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Minnesota. He was awarded honorary degrees from Wartburg College and Roanoke College. He has also served on the boards of several corporations, church and community groups. These include the boards of CorEast Savings and Loan, Carilion Health Systems, AAA of Virginia, Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority, The River Foundation, The Foundation for the Roanoke Valley and the Roanoke Symphony.

He and his wife, Jo, have three children and nine grandchildren. They are members of College Lutheran Church. Fintel and his wife are living in the President’s Home on campus while the Board of Trustees conducts its search for a permanent president.

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