FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                      July 12, 2006 

SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS FILLED BY PECHA, FRANZ

            Two senior level administrative positions at Northwestern Oklahoma State University have been filled by veterans in higher education with ties to the institution.

            Dr. Janet Cunningham, president of Northwestern, has appointed David Pecha to serve as vice president for administration, and Brad Franz, to serve as dean of student affairs and enrollment management.

David Pecha

Brad Franz

            “I have the utmost confidence in both individuals to provide dynamic and innovative leadership in their respective areas,” said Cunningham. “Each understands the tradition of Northwestern, but will offer new ideas to help position the University to be successful in the future.”

            Pecha will manage the university’s financial affairs and will have direct responsibility over student affairs and enrollment management, financial aid, physical plant, information technology, human resources and the Walch Center for Business Development.

            Pecha served as dean of student affairs of enrollment management during the past year after returning to Northwestern following a stint in private business. He has served as director of financial aid from 1992 to 2000.

            In addition to his bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Northwestern, Pecha also holds a master’s of education degree from the school.

            Franz returns to Northwestern following a successful career in student affairs at Otero Junior College in LaJunta, Colo., where he implemented numerous initiatives in the area of enrollment management.

            In his new position, Franz will lead the student recruitment effort and assume responsibility for student life, counseling, housing, public safety, health services and operation of the J.R. Holder Wellness Center. He is expected to begin his duties on a full-time basis on July 31.

            Franz earned a bachelor’s degree at Northwestern in 1988 and a master’s degree in education a year later.

            Cunningham also has announced one change in the organizational structure of the institution, moving the reporting responsibility of the director of athletics to the president’s office.

-NW-

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