The Board of Directors at Lindenwood University today announced the hiring of Michael D. Shonrock, PhD, as Lindenwood’s 22nd president.
Shonrock, 57, is currently president of Emporia State University (ESU) in Emporia, Kansas. Shonrock will begin his new position at Lindenwood on June 1. He replaces the retiring James D. Evans, PhD, who has been president for nine years.
Board Chairman Jim J. Shoemake made the announcement of Shonrock’s hiring to the campus community Thursday following a vote of Lindenwood’s Board of Directors. Shoemake said that he and the board search committee invested countless hours in a national search conducted by executive search firm Witt/Kieffer and were extremely impressed by Shonrock’s diverse set of leadership abilities.
“Dr. Shonrock’s credentials match up very well with Lindenwood’s needs,” said Shoemake. “He is a friendly, engaging, students-first leader who will be able to handle everything from fundraising to finance. He is a data-informed futurist and is committed to connecting with our alumni and other University constituencies.”
Shonrock said that he and his wife, Karen, are excited to make the Lindenwood campus their home.
“The Board members with whom Karen and I met have a passion for and a dedication to the University,” said Shonrock. “Lindenwood is an institution with solid academics, a rich history, and a bright future.”
For three-and-a-half years, Shonrock has served as president and professor at ESU. Prior to that, he spent over 20 years at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he served as senior vice president and associate professor. He also held positions as vice president for enrollment management, student affairs and auxiliary enterprises.
Shonrock has a PhD from the University of Kansas, an EdS from Pittsburg State University, and an MS and a BS from Western Illinois University. He also received an Institute of Educational Management certificate from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
During Shonrock’s administration, ESU launched the largest, most comprehensive fundraising campaign in university history (already reaching 75 percent of the goal), sustained six consecutive semesters of enrollment growth, and received an additional annual allocation of $1 million from the Kansas governor and legislators for an honors college.
He led the development of an ESU campus master plan, and The Adaptive University Strategic Plan, and instituted a new statewide and regional marketing campaign. Under his leadership, communications with alumni were enhanced and new community partnerships were established. He was credited with building and developing a strong leadership team at ESU.
The Shonrocks have served as board members to the Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, First United Methodist, Regional Development, Regional Hospital, and United Way and look forward to their involvement in the St. Charles community.
MEDIA CONTACT:
- Scott Queen, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
- 636 949-4920
- squeen(at)lindenwood(dot)edu
Morgan Cushey writes SEO articles for clients who want to enhance their online authority and see their Google Rankings rise. She has written entertaining and informative SEO-focused articles across a wide range of industries, from dentistry and landscaping to tourism and pest control, giving her a comprehensive knowledge on a variety of subjects. Morgan has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism with a minor in political science from California University of Pennsylvania. She has been a lifelong writer and has extensive experience in many styles of writing, from SEO-focused articles and PR to non-fiction and feature news articles written for local newspapers. Morgan lives in Monongahela, PA, with her fiancé Aaron, where she spends her free time reading or snuggling with her two dogs, Biscuit and Ellie.
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