GRACELAND UNIVERSITY BOARD
ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

LAMONI, IOWA, May 24, 2007 – Graceland University board of trustees chair Kenneth McClain announced today that Dr. John D. Sellars has accepted the position of president of the university effective July 15, 2007. The announcement was made at an open plenary session for Graceland University personnel.

Dr. Sellars accepted the position of president for Graceland University after serving most recently as president of Drury University in Springfield, MO. Before his tenure at Drury, Dr. Sellars was senior vice president for institutional advancement at Syracuse University in NY, preceded by his post as senior vice president for advancement and marketing at Michigan Technological University. Prior to that, Dr. Sellars held the position of vice president for institutional advancement and associate professor of business at Graceland.

On behalf of the board of trustees, McClain stated, “The board was pleased to have many excellent, qualified candidates from which to select for this position, and after due deliberation chose Dr. Sellars. We are very pleased that he will be returning to Graceland with the wealth of experience he has gained at Michigan Tech, Syracuse, and Drury. John brings great fundraising experience as well as administrative abilities, both of which will allow Graceland to achieve the many goals the board of trustees has identified for the near and long term. We look forward with great expectation to his presidency.”

Dr. Steven L. Anders has served as acting president of Graceland since July 2006. McClain praised Dr. Anders’ efforts, saying, “Steve has served in the greatest, finest tradition of Graceland University over the last year. His leadership will forever be recognized and appreciated.” Dr. Anders will remain in his position of vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty, which he has held for nine years.

About his new appointment, Dr. Sellars says, “My wife, Bette, and I are excited about returning to Graceland. It is an important university for us personally and professionally. We served there previously for nine years, and all three of our children graduated from Graceland. It is also the university of our faith tradition, and we are looking forward to being a part of the Graceland community once again.”

Graceland University was established in 1895 as a non-sectarian liberal arts institution by the Community of Christ, headquartered in Independence, MO. It offers more than 50 academic programs to students from more than 40 states and 35 nations. For more information about Graceland University, call 866-GRACELAND or visit www.graceland.edu.