A lawyer, a psychologist and an expert in Asian studies visited
Carroll College this month as the school narrows its search for a
new president.

The three finalists for the position are Thomas Mengler, dean of
the University of St. Thomas Law School in Minneapolis; Andrea
Chapdelaine, associate professor of psychology, provost and vice
president for academic affairs at Albright College in Reading, Pa.;
and Tom Evans, associate vice president of professional education
and global initiatives at St. Edward’s University in Austin,
Texas.

In separate visits, the three visited with key faculty, staff
and administrators and held open forums for students.

They were narrowed from a group of seven candidates interviewed
this fall in Seattle.

Former Carroll President Tom Trebon announced in March he would
retire at the end of June 2012 after an 11-year tenure. But he
stepped down Dec. 1, saying in an email to students and faculty
that he was seeking treatment for mental health issues. Paula
McNutt, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the
college, was been appointed interim president.

All three of the finalists hold senior leadership positions at
their respective universities.

Members of Carroll’s presidential search committee have agreed
to keep the identities of the candidates confidential, but their
biographies were made available to students and faculty before they
visited.

Mengler has been dean of the University of St. Thomas School of
Law for nine years, according to the school’s website. In that
time, the faculty has doubled in size.

He has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Carleton College
in Northfield, Minn., and a master’s in philosophy as well as a law
degree from the University of Texas.

Chapdelaine’s research areas at Albright College include social
psychology, service-learning pedagogy, interpersonal perception,
close relationships and procedural fairness, according to that
college’s website.

She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire
and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of
Connecticut.

She’s the co-author of a 2005 book, “Service Learning Code of
Ethics,” which envisions “a system of higher education that meets
community needs by cultivating in students a commitment to civic
engagement,” according to its listing on Amazon.com.

Evans joined St. Edward’s University 15 years ago as an
admissions coordinator and is now responsible for the school’s
Professional Education Center and noncredit initiatives, and for
overseeing efforts to facilitate global partnerships, according to
the school’s website.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Japanese from Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree in Asian
studies and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the
University of Texas.

Mark Semmens, chairman of the Carroll Board of Trustees, said a
decision on the new president may come in the next few weeks.

Reporter Sanjay Talwani: 447-4086 or
sanjay.talwani@helenair.com