2008 Woodie Awards
Campus welcomes Potter's arrival
Kyle Kuphal
Issue date: 7/9/07 Section: News
About 80 people gathered in the Cascade Room on the second floor of Atwood last Monday morning to welcome the new president of SCSU.
Earl Potter III officially became SCSU's 22nd president Sunday, July 1. Monday, his first work day as president, he attended the gathering of SCSU faculty and staff as well as other members of the community from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to meet people and introduce himself.
People at the gathering had only positive things to say about Potter, his experience and his abilities.
John Swenson, who represented the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) on the search committee that selected Potter, said he had several opportunities to meet and observe Potter during the selection process.
"I think he will be a very thoughtful leader," Swenson said. "He is experienced and should be good to work for."
During the selection process, the committee interviewed a dozen candidates, five of which came to the campus. The search committee forwarded three names to the chancellor and the board and the chancellor made the decision.
"The whole committee liked him," Swenson said.
Swenson also said Potter is currently living in an apartment while he waits for his house in Oregon to sell before he purchases a home in the area.
Potter served as executive vice president and provost at Southern Oregon University from 2003 to 2007 before being hired as president of SCSU.
"He is very energetic and ready to work," said Sue Prout, executive assistant to the president.
Prout said Potter moved into his new office over the weekend, and his computer equipment was set up Saturday so he could begin his work.
Potter said it is too soon to have any specific agenda or changes in mind.
"In the first month, I want to do a lot of listening and getting acquainted," Potter said. "I'm very focused on learning."
Potter said he was grateful for the opportunity to be the next president of SCSU.
"I am excited, very mindful of the very significant responsibility and humbled by the confidence that has been put in me," he said. "SCSU exists for its students. I am committed to working with staff to help students achieve their dreams."
Potter said he was drawn to SCSU because it is a regional institution.
"I like the mission of comprehensive universities like SCSU," he said. "I like regional institutions whose character reflects the wants and needs of a region. I like what I understood this community values."
During the next six months, Potter said he hopes to define his agenda for SCSU's next step forward. He also said there is currently a lot of good work going on at SCSU.
"My first objective is to get to the point where I understand the institution and the next steps to take," he said.
For more biographical information about Potter, visit www.stcloudstate.edu/president/biography.asp.
Earl Potter III officially became SCSU's 22nd president Sunday, July 1. Monday, his first work day as president, he attended the gathering of SCSU faculty and staff as well as other members of the community from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to meet people and introduce himself.
People at the gathering had only positive things to say about Potter, his experience and his abilities.
John Swenson, who represented the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) on the search committee that selected Potter, said he had several opportunities to meet and observe Potter during the selection process.
"I think he will be a very thoughtful leader," Swenson said. "He is experienced and should be good to work for."
During the selection process, the committee interviewed a dozen candidates, five of which came to the campus. The search committee forwarded three names to the chancellor and the board and the chancellor made the decision.
"The whole committee liked him," Swenson said.
Swenson also said Potter is currently living in an apartment while he waits for his house in Oregon to sell before he purchases a home in the area.
Potter served as executive vice president and provost at Southern Oregon University from 2003 to 2007 before being hired as president of SCSU.
"He is very energetic and ready to work," said Sue Prout, executive assistant to the president.
Prout said Potter moved into his new office over the weekend, and his computer equipment was set up Saturday so he could begin his work.
Potter said it is too soon to have any specific agenda or changes in mind.
"In the first month, I want to do a lot of listening and getting acquainted," Potter said. "I'm very focused on learning."
Potter said he was grateful for the opportunity to be the next president of SCSU.
"I am excited, very mindful of the very significant responsibility and humbled by the confidence that has been put in me," he said. "SCSU exists for its students. I am committed to working with staff to help students achieve their dreams."
Potter said he was drawn to SCSU because it is a regional institution.
"I like the mission of comprehensive universities like SCSU," he said. "I like regional institutions whose character reflects the wants and needs of a region. I like what I understood this community values."
During the next six months, Potter said he hopes to define his agenda for SCSU's next step forward. He also said there is currently a lot of good work going on at SCSU.
"My first objective is to get to the point where I understand the institution and the next steps to take," he said.
For more biographical information about Potter, visit www.stcloudstate.edu/president/biography.asp.