Greg Gunderson to Lead Park U. as President

Park University has announced the selection of Greg Gunderson as the school’s 17th president, effective Jan. 15. He replaces Jeff Ehrlich, the interim president since July 1, when  David Fowler completed a one-year term.

In a news release announcing the move, Michael Collins, chairman of the Parkville university’s Board of Trustees, said “Dr. Gunderson’s experience and thought leadership with the challenges and opportunities in higher education, along with his enthusiasm to create an environment of achievement for students, faculty, staff and alumni, positioned him well to be our next president.

The board conducted a nationwide search, led by EFL Associates, a Kansas City-based executive search firm.

 “I look forward to the important work of leveraging a liberal arts education in transforming the lives of Park students, and in turn, transforming society as well,” Gunderson said in the news release. “Park University is a special place; anyone visiting its flagship campus in Parkville can see the commitment of its trustees, students, faculty, staff and administrators. Together, we will continue Park’s 140-year-old commitment to accessible education for those we serve.”

Previously, he served nearly five years as the vice president and chief financial officer of Webster University in St. Louis. There, he led the accounting, purchasing, accounts payable, bursar, internal audit, public safety, strategic planning, facilities and treasury units. He also directed the financial processes for Webster’s 68 campuses around the world.

Before that, Gunderson was at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for nine years, six as assistant vice chancellor for business operations, and three as director of financial resources and budget operations. He also has worked in the private sector as project controller and chief of staff at ConAgra in Omaha, Neb., among other roles.