PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It is a pleasure to provide you with information regarding the excellent programs and services provided by Dickinson State University. The University fulfills a vital role within the State of North Dakota. Guided by the goals of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and more recently the recommendations of the Legislative Roundtable Report, the University has grown in enrollment, redoubled its focus on quality, added collaborative academic programs, implemented accelerated program delivery modes to increase access for non-traditional students, and increased student and faculty access to information technology. 
 
The Legislative Roundtable Report calls for the North Dakota higher education system and the individual institutions to be academically competitive both nationally and internationally.  DSU is responding to this challenge by focusing on excellence, establishing a “Quality of Place”, and implementing new areas of distinction. The Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, the First Year Initiative, the Student/Faculty Collaborative Research and Scholarship Initiative, and the Global Awareness Initiative exemplify our areas of distinction.
 
Implementing the Roundtable recommendations affords us the opportunity to demonstrate that we are an interactive university with a unique “student-centered” learning environment; a learning environment that challenges each student and also provides assistance and support to ensure that every student can maximize his/her potential. 
 
Through the efforts and commitment of our talented and dedicated faculty and staff, an enthusiastic student body, and excellent support from the citizens of the West River Region, Dickinson State has been able to establish a remarkable record of accomplishments. Evidence of this success is reflected in a variety of projects and activities. 
 
I invite you to look closely at Dickinson State University and its quality academic programs, student activities, and services. I also invite you to join us as we continue to enhance a student-centered learning environment which fosters mutual respect, welcomes and encourages all students, and prepares them to live, learn, lead and succeed in the 21st Century.
 
Sincerely,

Lee A. Vickers, Ph.D.
President
Dickinson State University

DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS
1918 - 1929     Samuel T. May University of Illinois College, L.L.B.
                        University of Iowa, Ph.D.
                       
1929 - 1936     Conrad J. Kjerstad       University of South Dakota, B.A.
                        University of Chicago, M.A., Ph.D.

1936 - 1938     Harrison O. Pippin        Dickinson State Teachers College, B.A.Ed.

1939 - 1959     Charles E. Scott           Colorado State College of Education, Greeley, B.A., M.A.

1959 - 1969     Oscar A. DeLong         Dakota Wesleyan University, B.A.
                        University of Iowa, M.A.
                        Colorado State College of Education, Greeley, Ed.D.

1969 - 1977     R. Cameron Gillund      University of North Dakota, B.S., M.S., Ed.D.

1977 - 1994     Albert A. Watrel           Syracuse University, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

1994 - 1998     Philip W. Conn Berea College, B.A.
                        Institute of Social Studies (The Hague, Netherlands), Dip. Soc. Pol.
                        University of Tennessee, Knoxville, M.A.
                        University of Southern California, M.P.A., D.P.A.

1998-1999       Richard D. Brauhn        University of Northern Iowa, B.A.
                        Interim President           University of Northern Iowa, M.A.
                        University of Northern Iowa, D.A.

1999                Lee A. Vickers Adams State College, B.A.
                        Adams State College, M.A.
                        University of Wyoming, Ph.D.