Marshall Stewart inaugurated as NDSU's 16th President, shares vision for the university's future
North Dakota State University formally inaugurated Marshall Stewart as its 16th president during a ceremony held Oct. 1 in Festival Concert Hall, where university leaders, students, faculty, staff, alumni, elected officials and representatives from higher education institutions across the country gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The event marked the formal installation of Stewart, who began serving as president in May 2026.
"Today is not ultimately about one individual," Stewart said during his inaugural address. "It is about a university. A university with a remarkable history, an important mission and an extraordinary future."
Greetings were offered by Kelly Armstrong, governor of North Dakota; Josh Boschee, mayor of Fargo; Kaley Quam, NDSU student body president; Shiloh Susag, president of the NDSU Staff Senate; Jeffrey Johnson, president of the NDSU Faculty Senate; and Keith Peltier, chair of the NDSU Foundation Executive Governing Board.
State Board of Higher Education Chair Kevin Black presided over the investiture ceremony, presenting Stewart with the responsibilities and authority of the presidency. North Dakota University System Commissioner Brent Sanford delivered the traditional Charge to the President.
Reflections on Stewart's leadership journey were shared by Richard Linton, president of Kansas State University, through a recorded message, and Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri.
In his remarks, Stewart traced the university's history to its founding as North Dakota's land-grant institution in 1890 and highlighted the contributions of early leaders including Horace Stockbridge, Clare Waldron, Edwin Ladd and Henry Bolley, whom he described as foundational figures in shaping the culture and values that continue to define NDSU.
Stewart also emphasized the university's land-grant mission and the concept he often describes as The People's University.
"The People's University is not a slogan," Stewart said. "It is a responsibility and an obligation."
Throughout the address, Stewart highlighted examples of NDSU's impact through teaching, research and service, including financial scholarship and other support for students, programs developed alongside industry, nationally recognized research, Extension outreach and partnerships that improve lives across North Dakota.
He described distinctive excellence as building upon the university's longstanding strengths in areas such as agriculture, engineering, architecture, health sciences, student success, research and athletics.
"NDSU is an institution capable of leading," Stewart said. "And our best days are still ahead."
Stewart also challenged the university community to work collaboratively across colleges, departments and disciplines to address the opportunities and challenges facing North Dakota.
"One NDSU means students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners working together," Stewart said. "The future of this university will not be built by one office, one division or one individual. It will be built together."
Near the conclusion of the address, Stewart reflected on a recent visit to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, where an interactive exhibit identified his symbol as a bison. He connected the bison's role as a protector to the university's responsibility to create opportunity and improve lives.
Quoting Theodore Roosevelt, Stewart reminded attendees that, "This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in."
"In many ways, this quote captures the essence of the land-grant mission," Stewart said. "And it captures the purpose of The People's University."
The ceremony concluded with the singing of NDSU's alma mater, The Yellow and the Green, and a community lunch celebration attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university.
Stewart closed his remarks by emphasizing his belief in the university's future and the people who will help shape it.
"This moment is not about me. It is about we," Stewart said. "Together, we will strengthen The People's University. Together, we will advance our distinctive excellence. And together, we will move forward as One NDSU."