OLYMPIA — The Evergreen State College on Monday picked the president of Whitman College in Walla Walla as its new leader.
George Bridges, who is also a former vice provost at the University of Washington, will replace Thomas “Les” Purce, who is retiring this summer after serving as president since July 2000.
Bridges has been president of the small liberal arts college in Walla Walla for 10 years.
The Evergreen State College board voted on its new president at a meeting Monday afternoon.
“It was clear from our interviews and campus forums, and from speaking with his professional colleagues, that George will be a strong and effective advocate for Evergreen and its bold approach to interdisciplinary teaching and learning. We’re extremely pleased to have him as our next president,” said Keith Kessler, chair of the college board of trustees, in a statement.
Bridges earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
His official start date at Evergreen is Oct. 1. The school announced his annual salary will be $300,000.
Bridges said he was delighted by the decision and the opportunity to serve as Evergreen’s next president.
“I view this appointment as a unique and rare privilege. I look forward to learning about the college’s aspirations and expectations from all members of the Evergreen community,” he said in a statement.
The public liberal arts college, which was founded in 1967 and opened in 1971, focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning. In addition to its undergraduate program, Evergreen offers three graduate programs. The college has about 4,200 students, which is more than twice the size of Whitman’s student population.
Whitman College has chosen its new president, Kathleen Murray, provost and dean of the faculty at Macalester College of St. Paul, Minnesota.
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