SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO AM) Former South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will be the 24th president of Augustana University.
The Augustana Board of Trustees revealed the choice Wednesday afternoon. Herseth Sandlin will be introduced as Augie's next president at a 10 a.m. news conference Thursday February 24, at the Edith Mortenson Center on campus.
Herseth Sandlin will replace President Rob Oliver, who is retiring after 11 years as President and 25 years overall at Augie. Oliver announced his retirement last September, he officially steps down on July 31st, Herseth Sandlin takes over on August 1st.
Heseth Sandlin, a Democrat, served as South Dakota's lone U.S. Representative from 2004 to 2011. She currently serves as general counsel and vice president of corporate development for Raven Industries in Sioux Falls.
She was the first woman to represent South Dakota in Washington, DC when she won her first term in the House. Herseth Sandlin will also be the first woman President at Augustana in the school's 157 year history.