Walla Walla University Appoints Dennis Carlson as Vice President

[March 17,2008] Walla Walla University/Rosa Jimenez

Dennis N. Carlson has been named vice president for university advancement at Walla Walla University.

"Carlson brings excellent, proven leadership skills and thorough knowledge of the Northwest," says John McVay, president of Walla Walla Unversity. "His focused attention to advancement priorities will prove strategic for WWU," says WWU President John McVay.

The vice president for university advancement is the chief development officer of the university. In his role, Carlson will lead all fundraising and alumni relations programs at the university. It is expected he will begin his work with WWU in late April.

"I look forward to joining an extraordinary group of educators, administrators and staff. It is my great desire to make a contribution to the success of Walla Walla University in my new role," says Carlson.

Carlson is currently serving as the president of the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, a position he has held since 2002. Carlson is the chief administrator of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in nine central U.S. states. He is the board chair of Porter Adventist Hospital and is close to the leadership of other Adventist hospitals in the Mid-America Union. Carlson is also board chair of Union College in Lincoln., Neb., where Carlson currently lives.

Prior to this position, Carlson was Assistant to the President for Administration at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. In this role, Carlson worked closely with the president of the Adventist church in the United States, Canada, Bermuda and several other islands in the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.

Carlson lived in the Pacific Northwest for ten years, serving as executive secretary in both the Washington Conference, from 1986 to 1994, and the Upper Columbia Conference, from 1994 to 1996.

Carlson also has experience in evangelism, radio ministry, and church planting. He has served as pastor of churches ranging in membership from 57 to 500.

A native of Nebraska, Carlson received a bachelor's degree in theology from Columbia Union College in Maryland, a master of divinity degree from Andrews University in Michigan, and a doctor of ministry from Northwest Theological Union in Washington.

Carlson and his wife, Annalee, have two children who graduated from WWU. Julie Carlson, a 1999 psychology graduate, and Jonathan, a 1993 engineering graduate.