EMPORIA – A top administrator at Texas Tech University has been chosen by the Kansas Board of Regents as the new president of Emporia State University.

The Kansas Board of Regents voted Friday morning to approve the appointment then officially introduced Dr. Michael Shonrock as the 16th president of Emporia State University.
They introduced him and his wife, Karen, during a special meeting at Albert Taylor Hall on the ESU campus.

Shonrock plans to begin his presidency Jan. 3, 2012.

“The Board is proud to announce that Dr. Michael Shonrock will be the next Emporia State University president,” said Regent Ed McKechnie of Arcadia, Chair of the Board of Regents. “He rose to the top of an exceptional field of candidates, and we’re extremely impressed by his experience, enthusiasm and passion he will bring to ESU and the Emporia community. The Board looks forward to working with Dr. Shonrock and celebrating the success of ESU.”

Shonrock has served as a Senior Vice President and an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Texas Tech University. He began his higher education administration career at Texas Tech University in 1990. He has held various leadership positions with increasing levels of responsibility and oversight in the area of Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and Auxiliary Services. Shonrock earned a B.S. and M.S. from Western Illinois University, his Ed.S. from Pittsburg State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.

“Accepting the Presidency of ESU represents a coming home,” said Shonrock. “Karen and I are excited and honored to become part of the ESU and Emporia communities, and citizens of the great state of Kansas. ESU has a proud past and I look forward to helping shape the future of this institution with the help of the outstanding members of the ESU family.”

Following the Board’s announcement, Shonrock was introduced to members of the ESU and Emporia communities during a holiday reception in the rotunda of Albert Taylor Hall.

The announcement of Shonrock as the 16th President of ESU comes after seven months of work by the ESU Presidential Search Committee. Members of the committee received public recognition for their efforts at the announcement.

“A special thank you to the members of the ESU Presidential Search Committee,” said McKechnie. “These individuals made a commitment to help the Board find the best candidates from around the nation to lead this fine institution and we recognize that commitment today in naming the 16th President of ESU.”

“I wasn’t at all surprised by the number of top tier higher education professionals who wanted to be the next ESU president,” said Deryl Wynn of Kansas City, Chair of the ESU Presidential Search Committee. “Dr. Shonrock brings impressive credentials and abilities to ESU. I look forward to celebrating successes with him for many years to come.”

He replaces Michael Lane, who resigned in May, six months after being interviewed for the presidency of a private university in Illinois.

He was one of four finalists for the Emporia State presidency.