St. Cloud Times – Wanda Overland grew up in a large family without much opportunity to travel.
Then Earl H. Potter III sent her to South Africa.
Overland is vice president for student life and development at St. Cloud State University. She said Potter, the school’s president who died Monday in a car crash, wanted everyone on staff to understand the world.
The South Africa trip forced Overland to get a passport, which she has since used twice. She recently returned from China, which will be sending more than 70 students to St. Cloud State this fall.
After she arrived back in Minnesota, Overland said Potter told her, “See? This is why I wanted you to get a passport.”
It was a running gag between her and the president, Overland said. She said he was a “real mentor,” both professionally and personally.
Devinder Malhotra was the St. Cloud State provost, or leader of academics, from 2009-14. He said Potter was a visionary leader, strong mentor and great human being.
