Lawrence M. Schall, J.D., Ed.D., was elected 16th president of Oglethorpe University in March 2005, and he assumed office June 23, 2005.

Born in Manhattan, Schall grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated with honors from Swarthmore College in 1975 and went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree in 1978 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Schall practiced law as a trial attorney for the next seven years, specializing in civil rights litigation.

In 1990, he returned to his alma mater, Swarthmore College, and served for 15 years, leaving as vice president for administration.

While at Swarthmore, Schall was awarded a doctorate in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania. From 2003 until 2005, he served as co-director of Penn's Executive Doctorate Program and as an adjunct faculty member of Penn's Graduate School of Education.

Under his leadership, Oglethorpe University opened the Center for Civic Engagement, connecting its students to the city of Atlanta and beyond in volunteer, curricular, civic and cultural projects.

Schall currently serves on the board of the Atlanta Local Education Fund, is a member of the Atlanta Jewish Committee and is vice chair of the board of Project GRAD. He is a member of the Hands On Network Corporate Council and is a member of The Lovett School Board of Trustees. He is also the chair of the higher education committee for the National Center on Volunteering and Service and is an advisory board member for Worthwhile Ventures, an international education microfinance organization.

He and his wife, Betty Londergan, have four children.