UMD Officially Welcomes 10th Chancellor

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s finally official. After a year on the job, the University of Minnesota-Duluth has sworn in their new chancellor.

While it may not have been the first day on the job for UMD chancellor Charles Nies, the school’s official inauguration ceremony for the Hutchinson, MN native likely felt no less special.

“Today, as we celebrate his leadership, we’re also celebrating the values that he brings to this institution, values rooted in fairness, in dignity and in the belief that talent is everywhere, even if opportunity is not.” said Lande Ajose, chief of staff at the Waverley Street Foundation, and close colleague of Chancellor Nies.

The inauguration was followed by a campus celebration inside the Romano Gymnasium, with an atmosphere that seemed to radiate the positive energy that Nies is all about.

“Chancellor Nies in my own short time here as President, I have come to so deeply appreciate your partnership, your wisdom, your big laugh as we work together to realize the full potential of this extraordinary university.” said University of Minnesota President Dr. Rebecca Cunningham. “I take great joy in standing with you here today, great joy looking out over this extraordinary community and looking towards a future of greater excellence and opportunity.

For the Chancellor however, once the celebration is done, it’s full steam ahead in order help Duluth students achieve the success they deserve.

“We are going to continue to focus on student success and helping students have the experiences as an undergraduate or as a graduate scholar that will prepare them for those careers and for the opportunity to go out into the world and make a difference.” said Chancellor Nies. “We believe in them, and we will continue to invest in that good work.”

Now that the Minnesotan has found his way back to the land of 10,000 lakes, the future looks bright for the Bulldogs.