Study sheds light on local private college executive earnings

The Chronicle of Higher Education this week released a list shedding light on executive compensation of presidents at private colleges.

The study, which examines earnings in 2012, places then Drury President Todd Parnell at 382nd on the list and College of the Ozarks President Jerry Davis at No. 390. The study examined the compensation of 537 private college executives, compiled from the Internal Revenue Service Form 990s.

According to the report, Parnell - who retired in mid-2013 - earned total 2012 compensation of $275,193. His base pay was $251,931. Davis’ 2012 total was $270,822, with base pay of $227,969.

Springfield’s Evangel University was not on the list.

Topping the Chronicle’s 2012 study was Shirley Ann Jackson of New York-based Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, who earned total 2012 compensation of $7.1 million.

In Missouri, the top earner was Mark Wrighton of St. Louis-based Washington University, who earned total pay of $970,887 to rank him 41st on the list. The report’s full list of Missouri private college executives, by total compensation and rank:

• Wrighton, $970,887, 41st;
• Gerald Brouder of Columbia College, $510,449, 152nd;
• Elizabeth Stroble of Webster University, $480,806, 175th;
• Mark Lombardi of Maryville University of Saint Louis, $419,146, 216th;
• Michael Droge of Park University, $398,347, 233rd;
• James Evans of Lindenwood University, $383,938, 247th;
• David Sallee of William Jewell College, $301,197, 346th;
• Parnell, $275,193, 382nd;
• Davis, $270,822, 390th;
• Dianne Lynch of Stephens College, $245,638, 409th;
• Marianne Inman of Central Methodist University, $244,744, 412th; and
• George Forsythe of Westminster College, $235,636, 421st.