St. Cloud State University
  • About Us (+)
      • Office of the President
      • Mission and Vision
      • Accreditation
      • University Distinctions
      • Campus Map
      • Employment at SCSU
  • Admissions
      • Undergraduate
      • Transfer
      • Graduate Students
      • International Students
      •  
      • Veterans
      • Continuing Studies
      • Post Secondary
      • Summer Sessions
      •  
      • Visit the Campus
      • Contact Admissions
      • Apply
      • Request Information
      • Academics
          • Faculty at SCSU
          • Research and Facilities
          • Academic Support
          • Undergraduate Programs
          • Graduate Programs
          • College of Liberal Arts
          • School of the Arts
          • College of Science & Engineering
          • School of Computing, Engineering & Environment
          • Herberger Business School
          • School of Education
          • School of Health & Human Services
          • School of Public Affairs
          • Continuing Studies
          • University Library
          • School of Graduate Studies
          • University College
      • Campus Life
          • Campus Housing and Dining
          • Get Involved on Campus
          • Student Services
          • Getting Around Campus
      • Athletics & Recreation
          • Huskies Athletics
          • Campus Recreation
          • Sports Facilities
          • Tickets
      • Information for
          • Current Students
          • Parents & Families
          • Faculty & Staff
          • Alumni & Friends
          • Community
      • Current Students
      • Parents & Families
      • Faculty & Staff
      • Alumni & Friends
      • Community
      • myHuskyNet
      • Directory
      • Campus Map
      • Events & Calendars
      • Library
      • Technology
      • Support St. Cloud State
      • News
      • University news
        • Faculty/Staff news
        • Students news
        • Campus events
        • President’s messages
        • College, school and department news
        • Athletics
          • SCSUHuskies.com
          • SCSUTickets.com
          • Wrestling 2015 national champs
        • Multimedia
          • Photo galleries
          • Video
      • Alumni news
        • Fresh Success
      • Huskies in the news
        • About Huskies in the News
      • Special sections
        • St. Cloud State Magazine
          • Previous editions
        • St. Cloud State 4 Me
        • 2020 Impact Report
          • 2019 Impact Report
          • ’18 Impact Report
          • ’17 Impact Report
          • ’16 Impact Report
          • ’15 Impact Report
          • ’14 Impact Report
        • Remembering President Earl H. Potter III
      • About us

      Passing of Earl H. Potter III, president

      Posted on June 14, 2016 by University Communications Posted in University news 22 Comments
      President Earl H. Potter III

      The late President Earl H. Potter III.

      Dear colleagues at St. Cloud State University,

      It is with tremendous sorrow that I write to share the tragic news that Earl H. Potter III, President of St. Cloud State University, died Monday evening in an automobile accident en route to the Twin Cities for a meeting with the Foundation Board Chair. Earl’s passing is a huge loss to SCSU, to the state of Minnesota, and to higher education. His leadership, on so many fronts, will be missed. Earl was a colleague and a friend – a thoughtful, insightful leader – who cared deeply about the university, its students, and the St. Cloud Community.  I know he was deeply respected on your campus, as well, and my condolences go out to you all.

      At this time of grief and transition it is important that there be continuity in leadership. For this reason, I have asked Provost Ashish Vaidya to serve as Acting President and will bring to the board next week for its consideration, his appointment as Interim President. I have complete confidence in Ashish’s ability to lead the university over the months ahead. He is singularly equipped to do so. I ask that you lend your support to Ashish and to the university’s leadership team as they work through this untimely transition.

      Related links

      • Message from Ashish Vaidya, acting president
      • Biography of EHP III

      I will be in St. Cloud today to help the campus community through this tragedy in any way I can, lend my support to Ashish, and be available to the St. Cloud community. I also hope to have the opportunity to spend time with Christine Potter and family.

      Once again, my condolences to the entire St. Cloud State University and the greater St. Cloud community.

      Sincerely,

      Steven J. Rosenstone

      Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

      « Potter lauded at press conference
      SCSU’s leaders talk about the death of President Potter »

      22 thoughts on “Passing of Earl H. Potter III, president”

      1. George Gu says:
        June 14, 2016 at 4:41 am

        What a shocking news! Our deepest condolences to Christine and family. President Potter was a grat leader and a dear friend. He is deeply missed by all of his friends and colleagues in China. We will pray for him.

        Reply
      2. Premendu P. Mathur says:
        June 14, 2016 at 8:07 am

        This shocking news devastated us. Earl was a great leader and above all a very good human being. I cherish the memories of their visit to KIIT University Bhubaneswar and my visit to St. Cloud last fall. Earl was a great host. He will be deeply missed by all of my colleagues in India. Our heartfelt condolences to Christine and family. May God give them enough strength to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace.

        Reply
      3. Teresa Dibbert says:
        June 14, 2016 at 8:46 am

        Deepest sympathies to the family and friends of President Earl Potter. As an alumni of SCSU, it’s nice to hear of a President that had such devotion to the students and University as well as the community.

        Reply
      4. Edwise Foundation says:
        June 14, 2016 at 9:05 am

        I was shocked to hear the sudden demise of Dr. Potter. I cherish the moments of his visit to Kathmandu nearly 5 years ago. I would like to express deepest sympathies to Christine and the entire St. Cloud family. May his soul rest in peace! BM Khadka

        Reply
      5. Yvette Schneider says:
        June 14, 2016 at 9:05 am

        My sympathy to the Potter Family & Saint Cloud State University.

        Reply
      6. Elisabeth Zinser says:
        June 14, 2016 at 10:04 am

        Deep sympathy to Christine and family and The St. Cloud community. In my shock and sadness, I send heartfelt respect for the masterful leadership Earl gave to Southern Oregon University in his years as Provost and his magnificent leadership as President of St. Cloud. His influence on campuses, in his states, in our Nation and beyond leave a composite legacy only accomplished by the greatest leaders. He was a man of integrity and loving husband and father. I am one of scores who are better people for his influence, carrying wisdom in leadership inspired by Earl. We shall miss you, Earl. Thank you for being my colleague and friend.
        Elisabeth Zinser, former SOU President

        Reply
      7. Alfredo Oliveira says:
        June 14, 2016 at 10:48 am

        President Potter was a friend, mentor, and great leader. He was engaged and loved St. Cloud State. I’ll miss you, EP3. Thanks for always being thoughtful and caring. My deepest sympathies to his wife, Christine, his family, and the entire St. Cloud family. #Huskies

        Reply
      8. mia says:
        June 14, 2016 at 11:13 am

        Devastated!! Just speechless and can the SCSU will come together and support each other.

        Reply
      9. Todd Schultze says:
        June 14, 2016 at 11:29 am

        My sympathies to the Potter family. Though I did not know Earl personally, as a proud 1988 alum of SCSU, please know that I and many others are with you. May the Mighty Husky Nation wrap its arms around you and comfort you. God bless.

        Reply
      10. Nancy Cantor says:
        June 14, 2016 at 11:48 am

        Earl was a terrific leader and a voice of reason and humanity in higher education — he will be sorely missed and much remembered. My condolences to his family and the entire St. Cloud State community. My colleagues and I on the Presidents Council of Imagining America will surely miss his many contributions. Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, Rutgers University-Newark.

        Reply
      11. Bill Ihle & Cris Ayson says:
        June 14, 2016 at 12:53 pm

        Simple words can not begin to express our deepest and profound sadness at the news of the death of Earl. He was some one who inspired, time and time again his was a voice of reason, he made you think, and yes he also made you also laugh…frequently over a glass of scotch. Here was a man who’s only calling was to improve the lives of others through education. There are thousands of lives who are better today, because of his hard work and dedication. In this day and time, what a noble calling Earl offered us…to care for others and make their lives better through education.

        Cris and I join our most sincere prayers with all who mourn the passing of this dear beloved man. We pray for Christine and the entire family and all who knew and loved him.

        Reply
      12. Sarah Stevens says:
        June 14, 2016 at 1:03 pm

        I am so saddened by this news. Earl Potter was my boss while at SOU. He was smart, supportive, and decisive. He ALWAYS had my back and he empowered the people he supervised. I learned a lot about leadership from him. He was a true mentor, a caring person, a dedicated educator. He will be missed greatly. My heart is with all who mourn.

        Reply
      13. george pernsteiner says:
        June 14, 2016 at 3:14 pm

        Earl was a caring and insightful leader who always put student interests uppermost. I will miss him, his sage advice, and his sense of humor. He taught me to value learning–one of the best lessons i ever received. My best wishes to Christine, to the rest of Earl’s family, and to the St. Cloud State University community. You have lost a great leader. We miss him already and will miss him for a very long time.

        Reply
      14. Samatar Nur says:
        June 14, 2016 at 3:50 pm

        I can’t believe that president Potter is gone. It was Spring of last year when I shook hand with him on graduation ceremony. You’ll be always in my memory, RIP Mr. Potter.

        Reply
      15. Scott Johnson says:
        June 14, 2016 at 5:44 pm

        Earl was a huge help to me when I became the publisher at the St. Cloud Times. I learned a lot about leadership from him and had the pleasure of being on many community teams with him. He will be greatly missed by the community.

        Reply
      16. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo says:
        June 14, 2016 at 6:53 pm

        Those of us who knew and worked with Dr. Earl H. Potter III, St. Cloud State University President and NAFSA Board Member, respected and admired his great love for his job and family. He was an inspiration to us all.

        Our deepest sympathy is with the family, friends and colleagues who knew him at this sad and difficult time.

        Reply
      17. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo says:
        June 14, 2016 at 6:55 pm

        Those of us who knew and worked with Dr. Earl H. Potter III, St. Cloud State University President and NAFSA Board Member, respected and admired his great love for his job and family. He was an inspiration to us all.
        Our deepest sympathy is with the family, friends and colleagues who knew him at this sad and difficult time.

        Reply
      18. Puskal Pant says:
        June 14, 2016 at 11:18 pm

        Its really sad to hear what happened to President potter. May his soul rest in peace and my heartfelt condolence to Christine and family.

        Reply
      19. Former student-Mohamed Abdi says:
        June 15, 2016 at 2:21 am

        I was deeply saddened to hear of President Potter’s passing. Was a great man and a significant influence leadership for good in all our communities and I find myself thinking of him and his family/friends how much we will all miss him. Myself I do remember my graduation ceremony

        Reply
      20. Bruce and Kathryn Grube says:
        June 15, 2016 at 10:23 am

        We extend our deepest sympathies to President Potter’s wife, Christine, and to President Potter’s family and friends. This is a tragic loss for St. Cloud State University and the higher education community as well. President Potter will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

        Reply
      21. Julie Ellison, University of Michigan says:
        June 15, 2016 at 11:41 am

        Earl Potter was a cherished friend and ally. His friendship with my husband, Mark Creekmore, dates back to their Williams years (class of ’68), when they worked summer jobs together at Berkshire Farm for Boys. We had the pleasure of Earl’s company when he was Dean of the business school at Eastern Michigan University in our neck of the woods. Since then his involvement with the President’s Council of Imagining America and with the Citizen Alum project has allowed us to reconnect around shared higher ed commitments. Our profound sympathies to Christine, their kids and grandchildren, and to Earl’s colleagues, who are everywhere.

        Reply
      22. Jerry Robbins says:
        June 20, 2016 at 12:05 pm

        It was my great pleasure to work with Earl Potter during the years that we were colleague deans at Eastern Michigan University, Earl in Business, me in Education. I have much sorrow from the news of his passing and extend my condolences to his family and many friends throughout the country. Jerry Robbins

        Reply

      Leave a comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Top news

      • SCSU celebrates graduates with 6 ceremonies May 6
      • Students release 2022 Upper Mississippi Harvest
      • Bennett D. Melin Family University Speakers is SCSU’s first endowed speaker series

      Recent galleries

      • Students release 2022 Upper Mississippi Harvest
      • Photo Gallery: Lemonade Art Fair 2021
      • Photo Gallery: President’s Husky First Snow Day

      Huskies in the news

      • The hunt for evidence of a 1840s era cabin underway near Royalton
      • SCSU professor offers summer food safety tips
      • WMS teacher Paula Stock retires after 15 years in Worthington
      • Professor creates soundwalk to complement ambient noise in Fergus Falls
      © St. Cloud State TODAY
      UnleashAmazing
      • About Us|
      • Admissions|
      • Academics|
      • Campus Life|
      • Athletics & Recreation|
      St. C logo

      Campus address
      720 4th Avenue South
      St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
      (320) 308-0121

      • Ask St. Cloud State
      • Contact Us
      • Directions
      • Visit St. Cloud State

      Connect with us

      Minnesota State

      St. Cloud State University
      A member of Minnesota State and committed to legal affirmative action, equal opportunity, access and diversity of its campus community (Full Statement).
      © 2022 St. Cloud State University