BAR HARBOR - College of the Atlantic is pleased to announce the appointment of David F. Hales who will become the college's fifth president on July 1.  A lifelong environmentalist, Hales has held numerous positions promoting sustainable development nationally and internationally. Most recently, he has been the Counsel for Sustainability Policy to Worldwatch Institute, an independent research organization focused on energy, resource and environmental issues. Previously, he served as director of the Global Environment Center of the United States Agency for International Development under the Clinton administration, charged with integrating environmental concerns into development decisions. Under the administration of Jimmy Carter, Hales served as a deputy assistant secretary at the United States Department of the Interior. For seven years, Hales held the Samuel Trask Dana Chair of Natural Resources at the University of Michigan.

Hales sees his new position as a natural step from his environmental work; "We are facing a time of tremendous opportunity and unavoidable change in the twenty-first century," he said shortly after accepting the position. "The role of higher education has always been to envision the best possible future and enable society to achieve that future. I believe that COA, with its excellent faculty and students, will be a fundamental institution in charting that course."

He takes over from Dr. Steven K. Katona, who plans to retire June 30 after 34 years at COA, beginning in 1972 as a founding faculty member. Katona became the college's fourth president in 1993. "With his distinguished record in administration and his lifelong engagement in issues of natural resource conservation and sustainable development, David Hales will be a superb leader," said Katona. "The college is fortunate indeed to have attracted a person of his quality. When I turn over presidential duties to David, it will be with full confidence for a very bright future."

A search committee of trustees, faculty, staff and a student had worked since spring to review applicants. Dr. Karen Waldron, dean of faculty and a member of the search committee, remarked that Hales, "is a vibrant link between COA's mission of human ecology - its interdisciplinary, problem-solving approach - and its effort to create, through its graduates, a world that is sustainable and just. His belief that education fosters our shared responsibility for world citizenship will help COA enrich and extend its learning community."

The decision was ratified Feb. 4 at a meeting of the board of trustees. In making the decision, trustee Hamilton Robinson, who chaired the search committee, commented, "We believe that Hales will be an outstanding president. He is an inspiring presence, a fine speaker, a good listener and deeply committed to the principles of human ecology." Added COA board chair, Samuel Hamill, Jr., "David Hales will lead the college as a teaching institution and work to extend our presence on Mount Desert Island, our collaborations with regional organizations and our service to the world beyond. He has the background, experience and enthusiasm to inspire all the constituencies of COA."