MILWAUKEE — Kent Bergemann, a Cardinal Stritch trustee of four years and retired Wells Fargo executive of nearly 30 years, has been named as Cardinal Stritch University’s interim president, following the Monday, Dec. 7 resignation of former president Helen C. Sobehart.

Bergemann, who has also served on the academic and student affairs, compensation and executive committees at Cardinal Stritch, will serve as interim president, beginning Jan. 1, 2010, until a new president is selected. The search process for a new president will begin as soon as the presidential search committee has been formed.

“I am honored to be associated with the Stritch community and to now participate more closely with our talented and dedicated faculty and administrative team,” Bergemann said in the Dec. 15 Cardinal Stritch press release. “I am fully committed to the mission of this university to make a real difference in the lives of our students.”

David Hawke, chairman on the Cardinal Stritch Board of Trustees, said in the press release that Bergemann’s “extensive leadership experience, financial acumen and deep personal faith are but a few of the reasons that give me every confidence that he will work very effectively with our entire leadership team as we continue our mission to transform lives through value centered education.”

Bergemann, who retired in 2007 as district president of Wells Fargo’s southeastern Wisconsin retail and business banking operations, and his wife, Linda, have been members of Lumen Christi Parish in Mequon since moving to Milwaukee in 1990. Bergemann has served the parish as a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults youth outreach leader, Boy Scout troop leader, confirmation sponsor, catechist, extraordinary minister of holy Communion and co-chair of the Faith In Our Future Prayer committee.

He also served as board member of the St. Thomas More Lawyers Society, advisory board member of the Milwaukee County Boy Scouts of America and member of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

He and his wife also serve as a FOCCUS couple for the marriage preparation process at Three Holy Women Parish, Milwaukee.

Bergemann is treasurer and finance committee chair for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, committee board member and co-chair of Legatus of Milwaukee and advisory board member of Wilderness Inquiry in Minneapolis.

Dan Blankenship, provost of Cardinal Stritch, will continue to handle academic affairs and Tom VanHimbergen will continue as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

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