Introducing President-elect Robbyn Wacker

Robbyn Wacker welcome

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The audience applauds for the announcement of Robbyn Wacker at President-elect. Photo by Adam Hammer '05

Wacker, the university’s 24^th president, addressed more than 200 campus and community members in Atwood Memorial Center’s Cascade Room with praise for the work that has been done and hope for the work before us. The Minnesota State Board of Trustees May 16 named Wacker to the role. Her appointment begins July 1.

“We have much to do and I am so excited to begin this journey with you as we embrace the opportunities that exist and the challenges we face as we work together to unleash the best in our students and the best in our university,” Wacker said. “As your president I look forward to being your advocate and chief supporter along the way with you and your alumni from all over the globe and I am delighted to be able to be here at your 150^th celebration.”

In his first official visit to St. Cloud State University as permanent Minnesota State chancellor, Devinder Malhotra had the honor of introducing Wacker.

“Robbyn brings not only impeccable academic credentials, she brings experience and expertise which will enable her to lead this institution into its rightful place among the network of great universities across the nation,” Malhotra said “With Robbyn coming in as the next leader of this great institution, better days for St. Cloud State University are yet to come.”

Wacker recounted her path as a first generation college student who worked her way through college to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in gerontology from University of Northern Colorado. She later earned her doctorate in sociology from Iowa State University and spent her academic career at University of Northern Colorado first as a faculty member and later in a variety of roles that gave her broad experience in university functions.

“This wonderful personal and professional journey has shaped my beliefs,” she said. “I believe in the value of and the transformative nature of higher education. It changed my life, and I want others to have the same opportunity regardless of their socioeconomic status.”

She expressed her beliefs in closing the achievement gap, supporting faculty scholarship and creative works, and creating an inclusive and welcoming campus for all students as a model of inclusive excellence.

“I believe we are better because of our diversity, and we can learn a great deal from each other’s learned experiences,” she said. “I believe that leadership matters. Effective leadership unleashes the creativity in others so that we can accomplish great things together.”

In welcoming attendees, Interim President Ashish Vaidya expressed his hopes for the future of St. Cloud State.

“We couldn’t have found a better leader for this institution, and I’m just so pleased with how we are positioned for great success,” Vaidya said. “This is a campus of significance. This is a campus and a community that cares deeply about its mission, its values, its students and the region, and we have done incredible work. I am so proud to be associated with this campus and will continue to look fondly on the work that this campus will continue to do.”

Malhotra recognized the work that former President Earl H. Potter III did to lead the university and create a solid foundation at St. Cloud State before his passing in 2016.

He recognized Vaidya for stepping up to lead the university through a process of healing in the wake of Potter’s June 2016 death in a car accident.

“He did a phenomenal job in helping us not only to build the internal capacity to deal with those challenges but also appropriately and strategically positioning the university so it is ready to secure its future,” Malhotra said.

Wacker recognized Vaidya’s leadership and recognized the good work faculty and staff have done at St. Cloud State despite the challenges they’ve faced.

“You are faculty and staff who are deeply committed to students and to student success. You are passionate about and proud of your university, and bullish on it too,” she said. “You offer high-quality undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Your university has been through some tough times in recent years, but you are resilient and you have never wavered from your mission and your vision.”

It was this mission and vision of St. Cloud State that drew Wacker to the institution.

“Having a mission that says you want to become Minnesota’s 21^st century engaged university, and a vision that seeks to provide students with a rigorous and relevant academic experience with engaged and active learning opportunities in an intellectually vibrant and diverse community is absolutely an amazing mission and vision to implement,” she said. “And I can’t wait.”