M. Lee Pelton

Dr. M. Lee Pelton was appointed Willamette University's 22nd president July 1999. A recognized leader in higher education, he served as dean of the college at Colgate University (1988-91) and Dartmouth College (1991-98). At Harvard, he taught in the English department and was the dean of one of Harvard's 13 undergraduate colleges.

Pelton serves on the board of directors of PLATO Learning, Inc. and has served as a member of several leading national educational boards and committees, including the American Council on Education and the Harvard University Board of Overseers. He has lectured and written widely on higher education. He has also served on the boards of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Symphony and Oregon College Savings Plan.

Pelton holds a doctorate from Harvard University and an undergraduate degree in English and psychology from Wichita State University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1974. He resides in Salem, Ore.