Ethan A. Seidel, professor of economics and business administration at Western Maryland College, has been named vice president for administration and finance.

The appointment was effective March 24.

Dr. Seidel replaces Dr. Jennie L. Mingolelli, who took a similar job at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.

His responsibilities include management of the financial and physical resources of the college.

He will lead preparation of the budget, approve contracts, direct procurement and oversee the college bookstore, food services, facilities management and property maintenance. He also manages personnel matters for nonacademic employees.

A native of Baltimore, Dr. Seidel has taught at Western Maryland since 1969.

He received the college's Distinguished Teaching Award in 1991 and 1981.

Dr. Seidel has been active in the local Junior Achievement program, where he involved Western Maryland students as advisers for high school students.

In 1988, the college honored him with a Special Achievement Award for his work in the program, which included initiating a Junior Achievement Scholarship at the college.

Dr. Seidel received his bachelor's degree from the Johns Hopkins University in 1963, his master's in business administration from the Wharton Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania two years later and his doctorate from Hopkins in 1977.

He and his family live in Westminster.