Hanover College President Russell Nichols will retire June 30, 2007, following his 20th year as president of Indiana’s oldest four-year college, according to an announcement May 13.
During Nichols’ tenure, the number of full-time faculty has grown from 74 in 1987 to 110 currently, and administrative staff positions have nearly doubled. Hanover’s total investments have grown from $41 million to nearly $200 million under Nichols’ leadership. In 1987, fund-raising totaled $3.26 million. Last year, the college received close to $20 million in gifts from alumni, parents, and friends. Nichols has overseen a $45 million investment in campus construction and facilities renovation.
Nichols holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and the A.B. from Wabash College, as well as an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Hillsdale College. Active in civic affairs, Dr. Nichols is an ordained elder of Hanover Presbyterian Church. From 2001 to 2003, Dr. Nichols served as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Hanover is a private liberal arts college founded in 1827, the first college established in Indiana. It is related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Nichols is the 14th president in Hanover’s 179-year history and only the fifth since 1879.
