Don Sargeant to Step Down as UMC Chancellor in Spring 2003
Donald Sargeant, Chancellor of the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) announced today, June 5, 2002, that he will step down as UMC's Chancellor effective June 30, 2003.
Sargeant said, “Serving as UMC’s chancellor has been challenging and rewarding, and the efforts of administrators, faculty, staff, and students working together have created a truly unique higher educational institution--one that is very meaningful to the students and public we serve and one that upholds the tradition of excellence of the University of Minnesota. We can all take great pride in UMC.”
After he steps down as Chancellor next spring, Sargeant says he will take a one-year leave “to strengthen my skills in areas related to the development and documentation of technology-based courseware effectiveness.” He will then return as a faculty member. He also plans to support the UMC Development Office by identifying and working with potential donors.
“I look forward to spending more time with my wife, Mary Beth, and our two sons Dan and Doug. I've given considerable thought to the future contributions I can make as an emeritus administrator and a faculty member--and to the personal goals Mary Beth and I have set for our future,” said Sargeant.
“I'm convinced that as the academic program offerings and the polytechnic mission of UMC evolve, technology-based instruction is becoming ever more critical to our success, and there is a need for expanded faculty support and training in this area,” added Sargeant. “I plan to focus my faculty work on instructional technology, including the support of UMC faculty in the development of courseware and documentation.“
Sargeant began his career at UMC in June of 1970 as an assistant professor teaching courses in agricultural marketing and farm management. He had just completed graduate work at Penn State University that focused on the development of computer assisted instructional materials in agriculture education. He was promoted to associate professor in 1973 and to full professor in 1978.
Sargeant also served as chair of the Agriculture Division from 1970-1973. He then moved on to serve as the assistant provost for academic affairs from 1973 until 1985, when he was appointed Chancellor of the Crookston Campus. He succeeded Stanley Sahlstrom, the founding provost of the college.
As Chancellor, Sargeant is credited with two major initiatives that began in 1993 and essentially transformed every aspect of the Crookston Campus. That year, after much planning and preparation, UMC began offering baccalaureate degree programs and also became the first college to provide laptop computers to all students and faculty.
Sargeant became well known in higher education circles as a resource and consultant with expertise in integrating technology and managing institutional change. Since 1993, representatives from over 150 other colleges and universities have visited UMC to learn more about the campus, its technology initiatives, and its transformation into a baccalaureate college. Recently Sargeant authored an article detailing the lessons learned from UMC’s technological transformation. The article is included as a chapter in a book produced by David G. Brown, vice president and dean of the International Center for Computer Enhanced Learning at Wake Forest University.
Over his 32-year career at UMC, Sargeant has also served in an advisory capacity for numerous other higher education organizations. He has served as chair of the Midwestern Higher Education Commission for Interactive Courseware and as a consultant and evaluator for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. He also holds membership on the Publications Committee for the National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture, the Minnesota Educational Telecommunications Council, the Northwest Educational Telecommunications System, and the Minnesota Campus Compact Steering Committee.
Sargeant has also been very active in the community of Crookston and northwest Minnesota, earning many honors including an Honorary American FFA Degree, the Toastmasters International Communications and Leadership Award, and the Crookston Chamber of Commerce Partners in Education Award. He has been named to the Red River Valley Shows Hall of Fame and the U.S. Jaycees Hall of Fame. He has served on several regional corporate boards and currently serves on the boards for American Federal Bank, Phoenix Industries, and the Glenmore Foundation.
Sargeant holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education and Educational Administration from Penn State. He holds a certificate from the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University. He completed his Master’s and undergraduate work at the University of Illinois in Urbana. Prior to completing his Ph.D., he taught high school vocational agriculture at Tri-Valley Schools in Ellsworth, Illinois.
Posted 06/05/2002
Contact: Andrew Svec,
218-281-8435