DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There’s a new chairman of the board at St. Norbert College.
Fr. Andrew Ciferni, O. Praem., a member of a Pennsylvania-based Norbertine abbey and a 1964 graduate of the school will step into the role after Mike Van Asten stepped down amid controversy with the school’s president, Brian Bruess, who resigned last month, sparking protests, only for the board to extend his contract later that month.
Ciferni has previously served on the board.
In a news release, Ciferni said “”I believe that my background prepares me to take up the work of board leadership. My focus will be on recalling us to our sense of Communio, working closely with President (Brian) Bruess in moving us forward to become more and more of what we are — a great Catholic, Norbertine, liberal arts college.”
Van Asten was one of six total trustees who have resigned in recent weeks. The resignations came at the same time the college was negotiating a contract extension with Bruess. No reason for Bruess’ resignation, nor subsequent reversal, was given.
