Bro. Bernie Ploeger, new president of Chaminade University of Honolulu
The Province of the United States sends its prayers and best wishes to Bro. Bernie Ploeger, Ph.D., the new president of Chaminade University of Honolulu.
The university’s Board of Regents voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Presidential Selection Committee. Bro. Stephen Glodek, provincial of the Marianist Province of the U.S., said, “Bro. Ploeger brings his expertise to the presidency of Chaminade University as well as a deep love and respect for the culture there and a vision for the future of Chaminade as a Marianist, Catholic and Hawaiian institution. We are extremely proud that the Board of Regents chose him from the selection of excellent candidates.”
Bro. Bernie, 60, was the chief architect of Chaminade’s strategic plan for 2008-2013, and was an integral part of the “Transformations” campaign, which successfully raised $66.5 million during the presidency of the late Dr. Sue Wesselkamper. “We are enthusiastic about our choice,” said Admiral R.J. "Zap" Zlatoper, USN (Ret), chair of CUH’s Board of Regents Selection Committee. “He has long been a part of the leadership base at Chaminade University and has helped the university achieve its goals during the last eight years. He has intimate knowledge of our community-based partnerships and is strongly committed to the university’s mission and identity.”
Bro. Bernie has served the university as executive vice president and provost since 2001, and has been interim president since fall 2008 upon Dr. Wesselkamper’s final medical leave of absence. “It is such an honor to exercise the ministry of leadership,” said Bro. Bernie. “I look forward to collaboration with the Marianist Family as well as the Association of Marianist Universities and the Marianist Education Consortium.” Bro. Bernie will be in St. Louis in April to form closer relationships with the Marianist schools there. “I also hope to strengthen the ties between Chaminade University and the Marianist secondary schools,” he said.
From 1986 to 2001, Bro. Bernie served at the University Of Dayton as its vice president for administration/senior vice president for administration. He grew up in Cincinnati and attended Archbishop Moeller High School. Bro. Bernie received a doctorate from Ohio State University in 1975. He also has a master’s degree from Ohio State University and was an N.D.E.A. Fellow there from 1971-1974. Bro. Bernie earned a bachelor’s degree in 1971 (summa cum laude) from the University of Dayton. He professed first vows in 1967. Read the news release from Chaminade University.
Bro. Ed Brink, Marianist assistant for the Office of Education, who also served on the selection committee, said Bro. Bernie has an amazing ability to administer resources to further the mission of Chaminade University. “I look forward to my continued work with him as he takes on new responsibilities,” said Bro. Ed. “Bernie's talents and gifts will be great assets in the continuing work of the Association of Marianist Universities and collaboration between the universities and the Marianist Education Consortium."
