WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., May 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --D. E. Lorraine Sterritt will become the next president of Salem Academy and College. Her election was announced by Charles A. Blixt, board chair, and Elizabeth Rader, trustee and chair of the Presidential Search Committee. Dr. Sterritt will begin her duties at the helm of the 242-year-old institution on July 1, 2014.
"We are delighted to welcome Lorraine Sterritt as our 20th president. Her experiences and values are aligned with our mission to prepare students for leadership roles that will contribute to greater good in the world," said Blixt.
"It is clear that Dr. Sterritt brings the vision and energy that will continue to strengthen Salem's prominence among top liberal arts colleges and universities," said Rader.
"I am deeply honored to be invited to lead Salem Academy and College, to which I was attracted because of its dedication to the arts and sciences and to building character," said Sterritt. "I look forward to leading a community in which people can be treasured for who they are and what they can become."
Most recently, Sterritt was the Dean for Administration at Harvard College and a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. From 2010 to 2013 she led the planning and execution of programs for undergraduate education, student life, administration, and finance.
Sterritt's appointment at Harvard followed a succession of teaching and administrative roles at Stanford University (2004-2010), University of Pennsylvania (2000-2004), Harvard University (1996-2000), and Princeton University (1991-1996).
Her career in the U.S. began at Chatham Hall, an all-girls college-preparatory school, where she was Director of School and taught French and Latin (1985-1991).
Born and raised in Ireland, Sterritt moved to the U.S. after earning her bachelor's degree and master's of arts degree in French at The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland. She continued her education at Princeton University, earning a second master's degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in French.
Sterritt will move from Belmont, Massachusetts, to Winston-Salem with her spouse, Norbert (Bert) Lain, a classical scholar who has taught Latin and Greek at both the university and preparatory school levels.
About Salem Academy and College
Salem Academy offers a rigorous college preparatory education. The Academy's enrollment of more than 150 girls includes approximately 55% boarding students and approximately 24% international students. The Academy has a student to faculty ratio of 7:1, and 78% of Academy teachers hold graduate degrees.
Salem College offers four undergraduate degrees across 37 majors and two graduate degrees. The College's enrollment of approximately 1,200 includes traditional students (all women) and men and women, ages 23 and up, taking courses through the Martha H. Fleer Center for Adult Education. The student to faculty ratio is 12:1 and 90% of the faculty members have a PhD or terminal degree.
To learn more about Salem Academy, visit www.salemacademy.com. To learn more about Salem College, visit www.salem.edu.
CONTACT: Michelle Melton, 1-336-917-5721, michelle.melton@salem.edu
SOURCE Salem Academy and College
