National American University is now a publicly traded company and will benefit from an additional $22 million made during the transaction, said NAU Chief Executive Officer Ronald L. Shape.

“We are the same institution, the same management, but with the resources to develop more programming that’s relevant to meet the needs of students,” he said.

Dlorah Inc., a privately held company doing business as National American University, and public company Camden Learning Corporation announced the change this week. Dlorah will continue to own and operate National American University, a private, for-profit university with multiple campuses in the United States. Camden, now known as “National American University Holdings Inc.,” is the publicly traded holding company of Dlorah. National American University Holdings Inc. common stock is expected to be traded on the OTCBB under the symbol “NAUH.”

“The Buckingham family is extremely pleased to complete this transaction,” said Dlorah chairman Robert Buckingham. “We believe that National American University will benefit greatly by being public.”

The additional capital will be used in a 5-year strategic plan that includes additional programs, campus expansions, more IT support and facility upgrades, Shape said.

“The timing for the institution could not be better,” he said.

Students will benefit from the planned expansions, he said, but the university will maintain the same curriculum, accreditation, facilities, teachers, processes, procedures and policies.

The senior management of National American University, led by President Jerry Gallentine, Shape and Sam Kerr, Provost and General Counsel, will continue to lead the university. Buckingham will continue to serve as the chairman of the board.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com