Friday, May 18, 2000 -
Interim President Named for Southwest State University
Contact: Director of Publications and Media Relations
(651) 296-0541 or Fax (651) 0872
Presidential Search Process Begins
Chancellor Morris J. Anderson and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Board of Trustees today named Dennis N. Nielsen interim president for
Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. Nielsen will replace
President Douglas Sweetland, who will retire this summer.
"Dennis is a leader, a doer and a very quick study," said Anderson. "He
will provide Southwest State with the stability, guidance and leadership
it needs to build on its strengths and look to the future."
Anderson also announced the commencement of a national search, which
will be directed by a committee headed Christine Fritsche, a member of
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustee whose term
expires in June. Fritsche will be assisted by President Richard Rush of
Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Nielsen has served as interim president for Metropolitan State University
since 1998. Prior to this assignment, he served as vice president for
academic affairs for Winona State University for three years and as dean
of the College of Science and Engineering at Winona State from 1985 to
1995. Nielsen was a professor of geology at Winona State University from
1970 to 1985. Nielsen has a Ph.D. in geology and a master's degree in
geology from the University of North Dakota. He has a bachelor's degree
from Gustavus Adolphus College.
Southwest State University offers 43 undergraduate programs and two master's
degree programs. The university was designated by U.S. News and World
Report as the #1 regional public liberal arts college in 1999. The university
serves about 4,000 students annually.
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