BISMARCK, N.D. - The State Board of Higher Education today voted to name Richard A. Hanson, Ph.D., interim president of North Dakota State University.

Dr. Hanson currently is president of Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa; prior to joining Waldorf College, he was vice president for academic affairs and dean at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., from 1995 to 2005. He also has held positions at California State University, Chico, and NDSU. His most recent positions at NDSU were as the associate vice president for academic affairs (1992-1995) and interim vice president for academic affairs (1995).

A native of Hillsboro, N.D., Richard Hanson holds a B.A. in sociology and an M.S. in child development and family relations, both from NDSU, as well as a Ph.D. in applied behavioral science from the University of California, Davis. He played football for NDSU, then for the New York Giants in 1971 and 1972, prior to becoming a graduate assistant football coach at NDSU. Throughout his career, Dr. Hanson has demonstrated an exceptional ability to lead others toward the realization of shared goals.

Dr. Hanson's start date has yet to be finalized, but he will continue in this role until a new president takes office. The SBHE and Bill Goetz, chancellor of the North Dakota University System, are developing a timeline intended to have the new president in place July 1, 2010. It is expected the SBHE will consider search committee membership and a recommendation for a search consultant at the Nov. 19, 2009, board meeting.