BIOGRAPHY

RICHARD A. HANSON

President

The State Board of Higher Education voted to name Richard A. Hanson interim president of NDSU on Oct. 23.

Most recently, he was president of Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa.

Prior to joining Waldorf College, he was vice president for academic affairs and dean at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., from 1995 to 2005. He held a number of roles at North Dakota State University, including Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1995, and Interim Dean of the College of University Studies in 1994-1995, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, from 1992 to 1995, and Associate Director of Human Development for the North Dakota Extension Service in 1991 and 1992. He was chair of the Department of Home Economics at California State University, Chico, from 1979 to 1980.

A native of Hillsboro, N.D., Richard Hanson earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's degree in child development and family relations, both from NDSU. He earned a doctorate in applied behavioral science from the University of California, Davis. He played football for NDSU, then for the New York Giants in 1971 and 1972, prior to becoming a graduate assistant football coach at NDSU.

"Throughout his career, Dr. Hanson has demonstrated an exceptional ability to lead others toward the realization of shared goals," said State Board of Higher Education President Richie Smith and Chancellor Bill Goetz in a letter to NDSU students, faculty and staff.