Ryberg named a Thrivent Fellow

Bryan Ryberg was recently named to the prestigious Thrivent Fellows Program, a rigorous 12-month executive fellowship to develop the leadership capacity of the colleges and universities of the Lutheran Church. Ryberg became Associate Dean for Student Success Initiatives in 2012. As such, Ryberg is in charge of ensuring that "students are succeeding on a path to graduation," as well as overseeing new student programs such as Spring into Maroon and Orientation. Ryberg first joined the Roanoke College community in 2008 as the Director of Campus Recreation.

"Bryan's leadership at Roanoke has been evident as he ran our recreation sports program and more recently leads our retention initiatives," said Dr. Brenda P. Poggendorf, vice president of enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid. "His potential to grow further as a leader in higher education makes him an ideal candidate for this program.

Sponsored by the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the Concordia University System of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Congregational and Synodical Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the purpose of the Fellows Program is to identify, encourage, develop, and equip high capacity leaders for leadership roles in Lutheran colleges and universities.

Candidates were selected based on their dedication to the mission and distinctiveness of Lutheran colleges, seminaries and universities, a strong record of service to these institutions, a clear potential for top-level leadership, and on their vocational calls to lead these important institutions.