Ceremony held for NDSU endowed agribusiness chair

NDSU celebrated the installation of Michael Boland as the inaugural AgCountry endowed chair in agribusiness during a medallion ceremony Friday in the AgCountry Auditorium at Richard H. Barry Hall.

The endowed chair, created through a partnership between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the NDSU Foundation, marks a historic milestone for agricultural education and research in North Dakota. It is the first endowed faculty position at NDSU funded entirely by an external partner, eliminating the need for base salary support from the university.

Boland, who joined NDSU on July 1, brings more than 25 years of experience in agribusiness education, research and leadership. He previously served at both Kansas State University and the University of Minnesota, where his work centered on cooperative governance, risk management and financial performance in agricultural enterprises.

“The uniqueness of this endowed position and NDSU’s reputation in agribusiness drew me to Fargo,” Boland said. “Endowed chairs offer the opportunity for a faculty member to work on projects with broader and deeper impacts. My charge from NDSU, with input from AgCountry, is to teach impactful courses in our undergraduate and graduate programs while providing leadership and research that engage students and industry alike.”

The endowed chair supports applied research and academic initiatives that expand NDSU’s role as a national leader in agribusiness, agricultural finance and technology. Boland’s work will focus on strengthening partnerships with agricultural organizations, creating new student opportunities and connecting university research with the needs of producers and industry leaders.

NDSU President David Cook said the endowment reflects a milestone investment in North Dakota’s future.

“Today marks a milestone not only for NDSU but for the entire state of North Dakota,” Cook said. “The establishment of the AgCountry endowed chair in agribusiness is a powerful investment in the future of agriculture, education and economic development. It allows us to attract top-tier faculty, expand our curriculum and deepen our engagement with industry.”

Cook added that endowed faculty positions elevate NDSU’s land-grant mission by empowering faculty to deliver cutting-edge research, practical solutions and transformative education.

John Glover, president and CEO of the NDSU Foundation, emphasized that endowed positions are essential to recruiting and retaining top faculty.

“Endowed faculty positions recognize senior-level faculty and rising stars who are making significant contributions in their field,” Glover said. “These named positions enrich NDSU’s academic environment in teaching, research and outreach and have a lasting impact on students.”

Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier vice president for agriculture, credited AgCountry for its longstanding support of NDSU’s agricultural programs.

“AgCountry Farm Credit Services has been a premier partner in the success of NDSU agriculture for decades,” Lardy said. “Their visionary investments have enhanced everything from facilities to scholarships and student career-readiness programs like the Farm Credit Fellows program. Today we celebrate a monumental investment in faculty support.”

Mark Jensen, president and CEO of AgCountry Farm Credit Services, called the collaboration a landmark in higher education and agriculture.

“This is the first and only endowed faculty position at NDSU funded entirely by an external entity, and we are honored to be that partner,” Jensen said. “On behalf of the entire AgCountry team, our board and the members we serve, I’d like to offer our congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Michael Boland as he embarks on NDSU’s land-grant mission that is so important to all of us here today.”

The AgCountry endowed chair in agribusiness is housed in the Center for Trading and Risk within the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics in NDSU’s College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources. The position will strengthen NDSU’s partnerships with federal, state and private-sector collaborators while expanding the university’s capacity for applied research and workforce development in agriculture.

The partnership reflects a shared vision between AgCountry and NDSU to advance innovation and leadership in the state’s top industry. Through initiatives like this endowment, NDSU continues to fulfill its land-grant mission by preparing students to lead, supporting producers across North Dakota and driving research that benefits communities throughout the region.

As a student-focused, land grant, research university, we serve our citizens.