BISMARCK, N.D. - The State Board of Higher Education today named (Larry) Michael Bower, Ph.D., president of Lake Region State College, in Devils Lake, N.D.

Bower is an executive dean to the president of Mott Community College in Flint, Mich., a position he has held for four years. Prior to joining MCC, Bower served as a campus administrator at the Chippewa Falls Campus, Chippewa Valley Technical College in Chippewa Falls, Wis. He also has served as dean of academics and training at Columbus Campus for Central Community College in Columbus, Neb.

"The State Board of Higher Education was very impressed by the breadth of Dr. Bower's community college experience. With his leadership, we believe this excellent institution can become even better," said John Q. Paulsen, SBHE president. "The Lake Region State College presidential search committee put a tremendous amount of time and effort into the selection process, and we thank them for a job very well done," Paulsen said.

"Today's community colleges must be responsive to rapidly changing workforce needs while also providing a foundation for students who plan to receive more advanced education," said Bill Goetz, chancellor of the North Dakota University System. "Lake Region State College and the entire University System will benefit from Dr. Bower's vision for the future of higher education in our state."

Bower earned a Ph.D. in education administration from the University of Nebraska in 2006, an M.B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1992, a B.S. in industrial supervision from Indiana State University in 1971 and an A.A.S. in automotive technology from Vincennes University in 1969.

Bower will become president of LRSC on July 1, 2008. He will succeed Dr. Sharon Etemad who announced her retirement in August 2007. He will be paid an annual salary of $150,000 and will have a three-year contract.