BEVERLY, MA, October 14, 2009— Stephen D. Immerman, Ed.D. has been appointed president of Montserrat College of Art by a unanimous vote of the college’s Board of Trustees, following a six-month nationwide search. With more than a 30-year career leading change in higher education, Dr. Immerman comes to Montserrat at an exciting time, as recent growth in enrollment is creating both new opportunities and challenges for the college.

Montserrat College of Art Trustees Chair Lee Dellicker said, “Steve Immerman’s background, experience and hands-on approach are exactly what our college needs to bring it to the next level of prominence. Steve came from an exceptional pool of candidates, but clearly stood out the best to all the constituencies at our college. In addition to his impressive track record, he has a great sense of humor, something we all need more of in these difficult times. Steve will make a great leader of Montserrat for many years to come.”

Dr. Immerman comes to Montserrat from a long and successful career where he served in many capacities including fundraising, fiscal management, construction, student life and alumni affairs through MIT’s Resource Development, Academics and Student Affairs Divisions. He is also chair of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam Foundation Board of Directors where he helped to lead a successful $12 million fundraising campaign for his undergraduate alma mater.

Dr. Immerman will join the college on Monday, November 16 and looks forward to meeting the members of the Montserrat and Beverly communities.

"It is a distinct honor to be joining the community of Montserrat College of Art at such an important time in the evolution of the College. I am deeply grateful to the Presidential Search Committee and to the Board of Trustees for their commitment to the search process and for the trust they have invested in me. The outstanding quality of the faculty, staff, and students at Montserrat is reflected in both the excellence throughout the College's academic program as well as in the College's caring and supportive environment. Montserrat is indeed a special place! I look forward to doing all that I can to advance the College's important work of providing an intensive visual arts education that will enable students to sustain a lifelong involvement in art and design and to become informed, responsible members of society."

Dr. Immerman holds a Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Certificates in Leadership from MIT and in Management from the Sloan School of Management at MIT, a Master of Science and Education from the University of New York, Albany and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York, Potsdam.

Beside his volunteer chairmanship at SUNY Potsdam, President Immerman has also served on the boards of the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Junior Achievement of Eastern Massachusetts, and the Harvard/MIT Cooperative Society among others.

President Immerman will replace Interim President Helena J. Sturnick, Ph.D., whose successful two and half year tenure at Montserrat saw the completion of the college’s first-ever new building complex, the Helena J. Sturnick Student Village.

A resident of Scituate, MA, Dr. Immerman and his wife, Darcy look forward to moving to the greater Beverly area. Darcy, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), has been in the energy conservation business for more than 20 years and manages the energy efficiency and carbon management global market segment for AECOM. They are the parents of two grown children; Eric of New York City and Ted, a junior at SUNY Potsdam.

The search firm of Spelman and Johnson of Easthampton, MA assisted the college in its search.

Montserrat College of Art is an accredited, private, residential college of art and design offering the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, art education certification and year-round classes and workshops for adults through its Continuing Studies programs. Gallery programs and lectures are free, open to the public. Visit us at www.montserrat.edu.

The vision of Montserrat College of Art is to be recognized as the nation’s premier independent, small art college.