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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
My sympathy to the Potter Family & Saint Cloud State University.
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
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
Devastated!! Just speechless and can the SCSU will come together and support each other.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Its really sad to hear what happened to President potter. May his soul rest in peace and my heartfelt condolence to Christine and family.
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
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.
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.
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