The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees have awarded president emeritus status to now-former Lake Superior College president Dr. Kathleen Nelson, along with three other former MnSCU college presidents.
“These presidents have served their institutions and the system well. Each of them can be proud of the accomplishments during their tenure at the institutions,” said MnSCU Board of Trustees Chair Scott Thiss.
Nelson spent more than 13 years as the Lake Superior College’s president and 30 total years in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. She became the second president of LSC in 1997, two years after the legislatively driven merger of Duluth Technical College and Duluth Community College Center created Lake Superior College.
The college, under Nelson’s leadership, has become one of the premier colleges in the state and a leading partner in education and training in Duluth and northeastern Minnesota.
“I am honored to leave the presidency at Lake Superior College with this special recognition,” said Nelson. “Every day when I was president at LSC I set my mind to making the college a little bit better than it was the day before. Over the course of 13 years and with the strength of the college’s wonderful staff. LSC saw a lot of positive changes and phenomenal growth. I wanted to make a difference and leave a legacy of touching people’s lives. It is humbling to be recognized and honored for doing so. I want to thank our trustees for this honor.”
President emeritus status is awarded upon recommendation of the chancellor to a president or former president who has provided exemplary service, completed at least five years as president of a state university or college and is retiring from employment with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
“In her years as president, Lake Superior College has become a national leader in providing online courses and using cutting-edge technologies,” said Chancellor James McCormick, head of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. “President Nelson has a passion for excellence and student success.”
Lake Superior College has seen sizeable enrollment growth and change throughout Nelson’s tenure. The college has nearly doubled in size, from the full-time equivalent of 1,900 students in 1997 to more than 3,500 today. More than 8,200 individual students are touched by the college’s programs and services each year.
Other presidents receiving emeritus status from MnSCU are Cheryl Frank of Inver Hills Community College, Jon Quistgaard of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, and Ann Wynia of North Hennepin Community College.
LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 5,800 students enrolled this spring semester, LSC is northeastern Minnesota’s largest two-year college. LSC provides a wide range of programs and services, including liberal arts and science courses for transfer, technical programs intended to provide occupational skills, continuing education, and customized training for business and industry.
LSC is also a leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.
Source — Press release
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