BISMARCK, N.D. - The State Board of Higher Education today named Raymond Nadolny, Ph.D., president of Williston State College in Williston, N.D.

Nadolny currently is the vice president for extended learning at Lake Washington Technical College in Kirkland, Wash. Prior to joining LWTC as vice president for institutional advancement, he was the executive director of development at Cochise Community College in Arizona.

"Members of the State Board of Higher Education were very impressed by Dr. Nadolny's passion for and commitment to Williston State College. He will be a strong and able leader for Williston State College and a tremendous asset to the community, the region and the state of North Dakota," said Richie Smith, SBHE president.

"The Williston State College presidential search committee is to be commended for a successful search process. The members of this committee dedicated a great deal of time and energy to the search. In the end, they forwarded three highly qualified finalists for this position," Smith said. The search committee was chair by Dick McKennett of Williston. "Dr. Nadolny clearly is committed to student success and understands the unique challenges and opportunities of Williston State College," said Bill Goetz, chancellor of the North Dakota University System. "I am very impressed by the vision and leadership style he will bring to Williston State. WSC is vitally important to western North Dakota, and it's an integral part of our statewide system of higher education."

Nadolny holds a doctorate in education from Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; a master's degree in theology from Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore.; and a bachelor's degree in philosophy/history from Benedictine University, Lisle, Ill.

Nadolny will become president of WSC about April 15, 2009, and he will have a three year contract. He will succeed Joseph McCann, Ph.D., who announced his upcoming resignation in June 2008. Nadolny will be paid an annual salary of $150,000.