Luther Board appoints Lund as new principal-dean

March 12, 2021

Heather Main, chair of the Board of Governors of Martin Luther University College (Luther), is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Kristine Lund, the school’s interim principal-dean, has accepted the full-time role of principal-dean. Her five-year term begins May 1, 2021.

Lund becomes the first woman to serve in the top-administrator’s role at Luther, which is the founding institution of Wilfrid Laurier University.

She is a skilled and experienced educator who has a vision for moving Luther’s mission forward at this critical time in the institution’s history, Main said.

“I am delighted that Kristine has agreed to continue leading Luther through these challenging times,” said Main. “The board is extremely grateful to have the benefits of her experience and her dedication.

“Also, Kristine is a caring person,” Main added. “She has a huge heart for students.”

Lund said she deeply appreciates the Board’s confidence and will continue to lean into the huge challenge that the pandemic has posed for post-secondary education.

“I look forward to working with faculty, staff and all of the friends of Luther to continue serving the broader community now and into the future,” Lund said.

David Schnarr, the Board’s vice-chair and leader of the principal-dean search committee, said Lund was an outstanding candidate.

“After conducting an international search that drew qualified applicants from across North America, we were not surprised that we didn’t have to go far to find the right person for this important role. Our community has a depth of talent, and we were happy to recommend Kristine to the Board for this role.”

Prior to joining Luther’s faculty in 2005, Lund was the program co-ordinator for the MA in Pastoral Psychology and Psychotherapy at St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton, AB (1998-2005). At Luther, in addition to leading the MA in Theology Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy program, she took on the role of assistant principal in 2008. In 2013, she founded The Delton Glebe Counselling Centre. And in July 2020, took on the role of interim principal-dean. For more details, please visit her faculty profile page.

An in-person installation ceremony is being planned with hopes that it can be held early during the fall term pending pandemic safety protocols in effect at the time.