Ethan Magoc file photo: Mercyhurst College’s 11th president, Dr. Thomas Gamble, delivers a speech to faculty and students in January 2011 at the Performing Arts Center.Mercyhurst College’s 11th president will continue in his position for at least five more years.

The college’s board of trustees approved a five-year contract renewal for Dr. Thomas J. Gamble on Thursday, Oct. 28 during its fall meeting.

“We are truly a college on the move,” Gamble said Thursday in a statement. “In moving forward, it is incumbent upon us all to fulfill the obligations of our mission and the legacy of our founders, the Sisters of Mercy, which I look forward to doing in the years ahead.”

Gamble became the college’s latest president in March 2006. His first four and a half years brought significant growth and change in certain areas.

Since his appointment, Mercyhurst increased its student enrollment, kicked off a $50 million capital campaign and has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent in the next 40 years.

Gamble is also leading Mercyhurst’s move from college to university status, which is expected to be complete in fall 2011.