Looking back on nine years of leadership
Ryan Johnson
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: News
After serving as UND's leader for nine years, President Charles Kupchella will officially step down from the position on June 30. During his time in office, he helped to oversee record enrollment figures, dramatic increases in research and several large additions to the campus.
Kupchella, the 10th president of the university, said that he and wife Adele aren't going to forget their time at UND and in Grand Forks. "I'm going to miss absolutely everything about it," he said. "It's a great place, and we loved the time we spent here."
The only moments he would have rather not had to experience, he said, were the tragic times during his nine years in office, such as the kidnapping and death of Dru Sjodin and fatal plane crashes of UND students.
"Those kinds of things are the only things, and they're obviously very profound, that would keep me from saying that we loved every minute," he said. "We're going to miss it all."
The thing he'll miss the most, according to Kupchella, is taking part in the graduation ceremonies and helping students celebrate their long-awaited achievements. "To see those graduates come bounding across the stage with a big grin and ready to tackle the world is just a great thrill to me, and always will be held that way," he said.
Coming to UND
According to Kupchella, UND's academic programs and unique offering of both law and medical education are what brought him to Grand Forks. "What attracted me here was the opportunity to serve as president of what really is a very complex, comprehensive university," he said.
He also was excited about the challenges and opportunities of taking over the university at a key point in its history. Kupchella said that he saw a chance at helping UND spur the economy of North Dakota.
"What I recognized is there's going to be an opportunity here to kind of reinvent the region," he said.
He saw issues like the outmigration of the state's young people and the strong emphasis on agriculture and energy as things that could be addressed by the university.
Kupchella, the 10th president of the university, said that he and wife Adele aren't going to forget their time at UND and in Grand Forks. "I'm going to miss absolutely everything about it," he said. "It's a great place, and we loved the time we spent here."
The only moments he would have rather not had to experience, he said, were the tragic times during his nine years in office, such as the kidnapping and death of Dru Sjodin and fatal plane crashes of UND students.
"Those kinds of things are the only things, and they're obviously very profound, that would keep me from saying that we loved every minute," he said. "We're going to miss it all."
The thing he'll miss the most, according to Kupchella, is taking part in the graduation ceremonies and helping students celebrate their long-awaited achievements. "To see those graduates come bounding across the stage with a big grin and ready to tackle the world is just a great thrill to me, and always will be held that way," he said.
Coming to UND
According to Kupchella, UND's academic programs and unique offering of both law and medical education are what brought him to Grand Forks. "What attracted me here was the opportunity to serve as president of what really is a very complex, comprehensive university," he said.
He also was excited about the challenges and opportunities of taking over the university at a key point in its history. Kupchella said that he saw a chance at helping UND spur the economy of North Dakota.
"What I recognized is there's going to be an opportunity here to kind of reinvent the region," he said.
He saw issues like the outmigration of the state's young people and the strong emphasis on agriculture and energy as things that could be addressed by the university.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
JR
posted 4/29/08 @ 6:38 PM CST
"Kupchella said that when Robert Kelley takes over as University President on July 1, he will face "no shortage of challenges I'm sure.""
That is one thing Kupchella is right about. (Continued…)
Brian Peppers
posted 5/03/08 @ 12:19 PM CST
Kupchella is a pile of shit.
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