The Bates Technical College Board of Trustees has named Dr. John Ronald (Ron) Langrell III to serve as the next president of the college. He will succeed President Lyle Quasim, who is retiring after a two-year tenure as president and more than 40 years in government leadership. The board voted unanimously on the appointment at the May 29 regular board meeting. Dr. Langrell will begin his position on July 9. Karras Consulting, located in Olympia, assisted in the national search.

“We are pleased to announce Dr. Langrell as our new President and look forward to the leadership he will bring to Bates Technical College,” said Mike Grunwald, chair of the board of trustees. “Dr. Langrell has the perfect combination of experience and leadership skills to help Bates build on our long history of success and move confidently into the future.”

Dr. Langrell brings more than 30 years of higher education experience to Bates. He is currently the executive vice president at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minn. Under his leadership, the college secured legislative and community support for a system campus; founded and implemented community leadership programs throughout Southeast Minnesota; created the Professional Intercollegiate Education Center at Owatonna Hospital; and developed and implemented full accreditation of selected online degrees and career-technical programs.

Prior to his work in Minnesota, Dr. Langrell held academic leadership positions at Walla Walla Community College, where he served as the vice president of instruction–chief workforce officer, and as the instructional director of vocational-technical and continuing education. He was also the director of student services personnel-chief student affairs officer at College of Southern Idaho.

Dr. Langrell holds a doctorate in higher education from Florida State University, a post-master’s degree in vocational (teacher) education, a Master of Education in guidance and counseling, and a Bachelor of Science in psychology, all from the University of Idaho. He also attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

A native of Roseburg, Ore., Dr. Langrell and his spouse Vicki have three children, ages 14, 12 and 7.

More information is online here.