WAVERLY - Clearly, Darrel Colson had done his homework.

"In person, he was just extremely articulate and self-assured in discussing the college mission and future," said Raymond McCaskey, a Wartburg College regent and chairman of the presidential search committee.

Monday, the college's regents announced Colson as their choice as Wartburg's next leader. Colson, 53, comes to Waverly from an administrative post at Centenary College of Louisiana, an institute with about 900 students in Shreveport.

Colson will assume his duties at Wartburg on July 1, becoming the college's 17th president. He succeeds Jack Ohle, who left Wartburg after a decade in April 2008 for the top post at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn.

McCaskey considers Colson a good fit for Wartburg and Waverly, noting his expertise in Lutheran education, academic credentials, leadership potential and energy.

"He was able to transmit to us not only his understanding of the mission and the school but also his passion for it," McCaskey added "You could see his mind was already working on how to take the school to the next level."

The search, a process officials describe as extensive, began last summer and intensified last fall, McCaskey said. Members of the committee reviewed dozens of resumes but interviewed fewer than 12 people face-to-face, McCaskey said.

Fred Ribich, a psychology professor on the committee, said Colson stood out.

"I would say it was definitely a national search and the cream floated to the top," Ribich said.

Colson returned the praise during a phone interview Monday.

"I really feel privileged to have this opportunity to serve Wartburg," he said. "I am really looking forward to moving up there to Waverly and digging in and rolling up my sleeves and getting to work."

As a dean and a provost at Centenary, Colson oversees academic programs and other areas of the college, including financial aid, admissions, the registrar's office and intercultural and international study. He started with the college in 2002.

He earned his master's degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville in 1981 and his doctorate in philosophy there six years later while teaching at Western Carolina University.

Colson also served as a founding faculty member at Louisiana Scholars' College - an experimental honors college. That demonstrates his commitment to the liberal arts, said Edith Waldstein, vice president for enrollment management at Wartburg and a member of the search committee.

Colson taught at Scholars' College for nine years.

As an administrator, Colson continued to teach a philosophy class every year. That detail impressed Abhay Nadipuram, student body president at Wartburg for 2009-10.

Teaching brings a unique understanding of faculty and student issues, something the Nadipuram felt was lacking during Ohle's presidency.

"It's kind of encouraging, just a professor in general, just for the faculty," Nadipuram said. " … That's very, very important."

David Hoaas, associate provost at Centenary, describes Colson as a receptive leader who considers others' input.

"I think what you'll be impressed by is his collegial style," Hoaas said. "He is a caring individual who listens to everyone and I do need to underline the word everyone."

Colson is also familiar with the rhythm of the semester, Hoaas said. This translates to an understanding of when to initiate change, when to ask for more and when to wait, he said.

And he is a skilled conversationalist, prone to muse about philosophy or any number of topics in the classroom or on the golf course, Hoaas added.

Colson visited with Wartburg faculty, staff members and students during a campus visit in late April. The presidential search was his first opportunity to "linger" in Iowa, he said. He passed through the state on the way to St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where his daughter, Rachel, attended school.

Colson and his wife, Christy, a preschool administrator, also have a son, who works in Honolulu.

At Wartburg, Colson said he discovered an energetic student body, terrific facilities and able faculty. He also noted Commission on Mission, an ongoing effort to enhance the college's concepts of leadership, service, faith and learning.

As president, Colson hopes to increase exposure for Wartburg's programs but he added the groundwork is already in place to build initiatives that will fulfill the college's mission.

"I couldn't imagine a better context to begin a presidency," Colson said.

Administrators and regents have said Ohle led Wartburg through a period of unprecedented growth, improving campus facilities and launching successful fundraising campaigns. The college is now at a transition, and Colson will lead the way.

"I think he's just the right person to take the college to the next level," Ribich said.