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Klockentager named VP for enrollment at Monmouth

MONMOUTH, - John W. Klockentager, who has more than 30 years of comprehensive experience in admission-related fields, has been named Monmouth College's new vice president for enrollment. He will begin his duties on Jan. 27.

Klockentager comes to Monmouth from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Neb., where he has served since 2000 as vice president for enrollment management. His duties there included responsibility for admission, as well as financial aid, college relations, student retention, student orientation, new student advising and registration.

"Our admission opening attracted a pool of highly qualified candidates, but John's many years of diverse experiences working with small colleges throughout the Midwest made him an ideal choice," said Monmouth College president Richard Giese. "He has produced outstanding results - and has been credited as being responsible for those results - at all his previous positions. We are very happy to have him."

Klockentager previously held admission-related positions at Buena Vista University (1986-98), Maryville College (1976-78) and William Penn College (1971-76). He also worked 10 years with The Noel-Levitz Center for Enrollment Management, a widely-respected consulting firm for colleges and universities. That experience allowed him to provide successful leadership to a large number of institutions.

At Monmouth, Klockentager, who will also oversee the department of financial aid, will primarily be charged with improving the college's already strong enrollment numbers. Entering the 2002-03 academic year, Monmouth had an enrollment of 1,097 students, a 30-year high. The college hopes to increase that number even more in the next few years.

"Continuing to generate strong enrollments is our primary challenge," said Giese. "In the short term, we would like to reach an enrollment figure of 1,200 students, and as we plan for the longer term, we need to allow for the possibility that a truly excellent liberal arts college in the future may need to be even larger than that."

Klockentager is no stranger to increasing enrollment, having accomplished that at his four previous schools, including Midland Lutheran, where the school reached a record enrollment figure in his first year. He was also credited with the technological modernization of his operation and an increased presence for the admission department on the Midland Web site.

"It's the right opportunity, the right time and the right place," said Klockentager of his decision to leave Midland and accept the Monmouth position. "I am confident that I have the ability to help Monmouth College continue to be successful in the enrollment area."

He and his wife, Connie, have three adult children.