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NORTHERN TODAY
3
SPRING 2016
LETTER
FROM THE PRESIDENT
A
s I compose my final welcome for this
magazine, I am filled with emotions.
How quickly seven years can pass.
Connie and I came to Aberdeen knowing not
a single person. We knew, though, that the
opportunity at NSU was going to be a very good
one for us. We were indeed correct. Now, seven
years later, we leave with life-long friendships
and tremendous stories of success to tell for
years to come. Working with the campus
community and the external supporters of
Northern has been a real delight.
It has been an absolute joy to serve
as the 16th President of Northern State
University. Working alongside an outstanding Senior
Cabinet, we have accomplished numerous things. I
have great pride in these accomplishments, so let me
detail just a few of these:
Lincoln Hall and Graham Hall were
both transformed in a project that
upgraded mechanical and electrical
systems and added central air
conditioning to faculty and staff
offices – making Northern’s most
historic buildings now much more
energy-efficient and inherently
more attractive as well.
The Barnett Center project
added new locker rooms, a wrestling room and
offices on the first floor, as well as a wellness center
on the second floor. This addition produced a state-
of-the-art athletics facility for our student-athletes
and, indeed, our entire campus community.
Remodeling of the NSU Student Center of course
added a popular new coffee shop for students and
staff in Einstein Bros. Bagels. But it also added
so much more – namely, more spaces for student
organizations, and offices for Admissions, Student
Affairs and the Counseling Center.
The creation of our International Sculpture
Garden in Baumgart Plaza added five sculptures
by acclaimed Vietnamese artist Tuan Nguyen.
The garden demonstrates our rich tradition of
creating and displaying amazing artwork, while also
symbolizing NSU’s increasing global reach.
Our campus has a new greenhouse that is already
enhancing research for students and faculty. This
state-of-the-art facility will help keep our growing
science departments on the cutting edge.
And, the Johnson Fine Arts Center remodel is
nearing completion. The project will feature a
renovated main theater with improved acoustics
and new seating, a black box theater, an art gallery,
and new classroom and office space. There will even
be drive through access between the JFAC and
Barnett Center parking lots. When all is said and
done, JFAC will be transformed into an even more
outstanding arts center for the campus, community
and entire region.
In addition to buildings, we have launched
new programs in music, banking and financial
services, and biotechnology; we’ve expanded our
Honors Program; and in April 2015 started the first
Confucius Institute in the Dakotas. We’ve been
awarded almost $1.3 million from the Governor’s
Office of Economic Development, most of which
was used for equipment to enhance our chemistry
labs. Funds were also used to purchase equipment
for our biology labs, as well as upgrades to
ventilation in one lab that will house cadavers for
a new Gross Anatomy course to be offered starting
next spring.
Our campus, today, is a global gathering place
with students from 42 different countries, all now
calling NSU home. The diversity of our campus has
grown, and the impact our international students
have made on specific programs is without peers in
the Upper Midwest.
As for fundraising work, I want to thank all of
you who have allowed Connie and me to visit your
homes, businesses and places of recreation. To
have a partner in fundraising, like Connie has
been, is a pleasure for any president, but to see
how all of you have welcomed us has been truly
heartwarming. Along with members of our
Foundation staff, it has been very rewarding to
see how giving you have been to Northern State
University. That kindness will certainly never be
forgotten.
As I move on to Eastern Michigan University as
their next president, I want to close by thanking
all of you for the time spent here in Aberdeen and,
especially, on the NSU campus. Regent Harvey
Jewett, Mayor Mike Levsen, members of the
Aberdeen Development Corp. and myriad others
have worked collaboratively and forcefully to make
NSU a better and stronger place during the course
of the past seven years. Our donors have made that
commitment even more compelling by investing
time and treasury into our institution. With gifts
like that of Millicent Atkins and much smaller gifts
combined, Northern is growing and developing
in many new and unique ways. I look forward
to observing that growth, albeit from a farther
distance, for many years to come.
Sincerely,
“IT HAS BEEN AN
ABSOLUTE JOY
TO SERVE AS THE
16TH PRESIDENT OF
NORTHERN STATE
UNIVERSITY.”