Westminster College recently announced longer-term contract extensions for Donald Lofe, Jr., president and chief transformation officer, and two other senior staff members.
Board of trustees chairperson James Morton, Jr., announced the extension to Lofe's contract at Westminster's commencement ceremony on May 13.
The contract has been extended through June 30, 2027. The extension also has an option for Lofe to potentially continue in his roles through June 30, 2028, a Westminster release states.
Morton said the decision to extend Lofe's contract was unanimously approved by the board of trustees.
"Collectively, the board feels Westminster is witnessing steady fiscal and operational success under President Lofe's leadership," Morton said in a release. "The inroads being made at the College truly are taking place on a number of levels, particularly with regard to enrollment and retention initiatives, new programs, alumni relations, institutional advancement, and various aspects of America's National Churchill Museum."
Lofe became the 23rd president of Westminster College in April, 2021. His presidential term extended through June 30, 2024.
In an email sent to Westminster students, faculty, staff, and alumni, Lofe stated he was "truly humbled" by the board's decision. In Lofe's email, he also announced two additional contract extensions.
Both contract extensions were recommended to Morton by Lofe. The board unanimously supported both of the extensions.
One of the extensions is for Steve Tyrell's contract. He serves as senior vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
"Tyrell serves as the co-leader of Westminster's strategic planning process and master plan program. He also oversees a number of financial and administrative operations for the college, including the business office and the offices of information technology, institutional marketing and strategic communications, human resources, and plant operations," a release states.
The other extension is for Ingrid Ilinca's contract. She serves as vice president, chief academic officer, provost and co-chief student retention officer.
Ilinca is the first provost in Westminster's history. She became the provost in October, 2022. One of the responsibilities she oversees as Provost is Westminster's online degree program, which launched in the spring of 2022.
"Both Steve and Ingrid are exceptional leaders with extensive backgrounds in academia and operational as well as financial matters as well as a comprehensive understanding of the many demands within the higher education landscape today," Lofe wrote in his email. "Together, they bring more than 60 years of experience to the college."
CORRECTION, posted at 8:53 a.m. May 24, 2023: The original version of this story incorrectly stated information about the contract extensions. The two contract extensions were recommended by Donald Lofe Jr., president and chief transformation officer, to James Morton, Jr., board of trustees chairperson. The extensions also received unanimous support from Westminster’s Board of Trustees.
Photo courtesy Westminster College Ingrid Ilinca, vice president, chief academic officer, provost and co-chief student retention officer for Westminster College.
Photo courtesy Westminster College Steve Tyrell, senior vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Westminster College.