Daniel Eck, Lakeland College’s interim president for the past 10 months, has been selected as the Sheboygan college’s 16th president.
Lakeland’s board of trustees unanimously voted to name Eck to the position on Saturday, following a unanimous recommendation from the presidential search committee.
Eck, 46, was named interim president in March 2013 following the resignation of Michael Grandillo. Eck came to Lakeland in February 2008 as a special assistant to then Lakeland president Stephen Gould, and he was named senior vice president in September of 2008.
Prior to being named interim president, Eck led virtually all administrative facets of the college, including finance, strategic planning, institutional research, human resources, information technology, facilities/grounds and international programs.
“I am honored that the search committee and the trustees have placed their faith in me to lead this great institution,” Eck said. “Lakeland College is a special place that defies easy categorization. We are an educational institution, an employer, a community resource, but most of all we represent the opportunity to do more, and to succeed. Regardless, the alumni I’ve met over the past six years, and the students, faculty and staff all like to call Lakeland ‘home.’ That is the one common denominator I’ve been able to discern in my time here-that feeling of belonging, that sense of place. Everyone associated with Lakeland is committed to the well-being and success of our students, and I am fortunate to be part of that family.”
Robert Melzer, chairman of the Lakeland Board of Trustees, said the college is fortunate to hire a leader that provides stability along with a vision that is aligned with that of the trustees.
“Higher education is facing a number of challenges, and how colleges and universities evolve will be important for their continued growth,” Melzer said. “Dan has played an important role in helping design the goals of the college’s strategic plan. As we come off a very successful 150th anniversary celebration, Dan understands the important next steps that will position Lakeland to deliver quality academic programs for decades to come.”
