BEMIDJI, Minn. (July 7, 2011) — On Wednesday and Thursday, July 6-7, Dr. Steve Rosenstone, chancellor-designate of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, visited Bemidji as part of his statewide tour of the system’s campuses prior to officially taking office as the chancellor on Aug. 1. Rosenstone’s visits to Northwest Technical College and Bemidji State University were the 24th and 25th campuses he has visited on his statewide tour.

While at Bemidji State, Rosenstone toured campus with President Richard Hanson and students Michael Meelhause and Andrea Bodin, among others. He visited the newly renovated Sattgast Hall and its aquatics and chemistry labs.

From there, the group visited BSU’s Chet Anderson Stadium and American Indian Resource Center.

Rosenstone then spent more than 30 minutes meeting with faculty, staff and students in an open forum at Bridgeman Hall.

“I’m thrilled to be here,” Rosenstone said. “My excitement continues to build as I make these kinds of visits. I want to understand the work of the system and to make it clear that the real work isn’t happening in the St. Paul Wells Fargo Tower, it’s happening here on the campuses. It’s inspiring, the work of faculty in the face of increasingly difficult odds.

“There are challenging times ahead,” he said. “But I am completely convinced we can meet those challenges.”

Following the open forum, Rosenstone had lunch at the David Park House before departing for the Twin Cities by car.

Earlier in the day, Rosenstone toured the campus of Northwest Technical College and held an open forum with the college’s faculty, staff and students.