Fremont native named president-elect of Midland Lutheran

The Midland Lutheran College Board of Trustees has named Fremont native Dr. Benjamin Sasse as president-elect of the 126-year old liberal arts college.

Sasse, who has worked as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies and served numerous roles in the federal government, was most recently U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

In addition to his ties to Fremont, Sasse's grandfather, Elmer Sasse, was vice president of finance for Midland and worked at the college for 33 years.

Midland Lutheran College Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Steven Bullock said Sasse's first responsibility will be to develop a strategic vision to build on Midland's strengths and to transform the college into the premier liberal arts college in Nebraska and the region.

"Around the country many schools are turning to leaders with business, government and educational backgrounds, and Dr. Sasse brings a unique set of experiences, along with a passion for our college, community and state," Bullock said. "This is a dynamic time in the world of education, and we've asked Dr. Sasse to look at innovative programs taking place at liberal arts colleges around the country to create strategies that will ensure Midland students receive a quality education. His return to Fremont is great news for our students, faculty and staff, donors and alumni, City of Fremont and State of Nebraska."

After graduating from Fremont High School, Sasse attended Harvard, Oxford and St. John's before receiving his Ph.D. from Yale. He began his career with the Boston Consulting Group, worked with the Department of Justice and was chief of staff for Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. At HHS he led policy, strategic planning and research across the Department's 11 operating divisions. He currently teaches public policy at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. 

Sasse said he is excited to return with his wife and daughters to Fremont and to work with the board and faculty to create a new vision for Midland Lutheran.

"Midland is extremely important to Fremont and Nebraska," Sasse said. "We are blessed with excellent faculty, a strong alumni base and generous donors who all are extremely important during the current economic climate. This is a unique moment in our country. Not since the Great Depression has higher education faced so many challenges. Schools that developed a vision during the Depression have prospered, and I look forward to working with others to reinvigorate Midland and assure Nebraska parents their children will receive a quality liberal arts education at our Fremont campus."

Sasse said that in addition to developing a strategic vision, he will focus significant efforts on aggressively recruiting students to Midland.

"This recession has created an impression that parents can no longer afford to send their children to private schools, despite knowing the tremendous benefits of a liberal arts education," Sasse said. "We will make it clear that scholarship money is available and students can afford to enroll at Midland, where they will receive personal attention, outstanding courses taught by quality faculty, all within the Christian tradition."

"Midland Lutheran College finds itself at an unexpected but exciting juncture, as we embrace a new curricular vision, we are about to welcome a new president," said Dr. Alcyone Scott, professor of English and chairwoman of the faculty. "As a faculty, we are pleased that Dr. Sasse has accepted this position and believe that this is only the beginning of a dynamic chapter in the history of the college. He brings to us a strong commitment to the role of the liberal arts college in American Higher Education, and an impressive set of academic achievements. We look forward to working with him to bring our college into a leadership position in educating young people to be able to adapt to and live lives of productive service in a constantly changing future."

"Midland Lutheran College is an important asset to Fremont and our community is thrilled to have Dr. Sasse return to lead the college," said Fremont Mayor Skip Edwards. "The Sasse family has strong roots in our city, and I look forward to working with Dr. Sasse to support the students, faculty and staff at Midland."

Board Chairman Bullock said Midland Interim President Dr. Stephen Fritz will remain with the college through the spring and continue to focus on day-to-day operations, which will assist in a smooth transition. Bullock said the board anticipates Sasse will take over all duties of the office by late spring.