Past Chancellors

2005-2012: Charles H. Casey, Chancellor

Charles H. Casey is a distinguished veterinarian and administrator with a strong rural background and an understanding of the challenges facing rural Minnesota. He holds a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Minnesota. Prior to his appointment as chancellor, he served as dean and director of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Early in his career, Dr. Casey served as a captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Following his military service, he worked for 27 years as a practitioner in rural veterinary medicine and was a partner in the Dodge Veterinary Clinic in West Concord and Dodge Center, Minnesota. In 1992, he was named the director of Veterinary Outreach Programs in the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, designing programs to connect the research and academic resources of the University with the needs of veterinarians, farmers, and businesses throughout Minnesota.

In 1968, he was elected to the West Concord Board of Education, a post he held until 1980. During that time, he served as chair, clerk, and treasurer. From 1979 to 1991, Dr. Casey was appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and from 1989-1991 served as chair. He was the vice chair of the North Central Extension Directors, as well as serving on the University of Minnesota Foundation Board, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute Advisory Board, and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Board.

Dr. Casey has held leadership roles in many organizations including the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association and the Organizational Audit Task Force for the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Casey is a member of Phi Zeta Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine and Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture. Among Dr. Casey’s awards are the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota, Director’s Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Extension Service, Torch & Shield Award from the University of Minnesota, Crookston, and he was named Minnesota Veterinarian of the Year in 1984. He was the recipient of the Honorary State Future Farmers of America Degree and the Friend of 4-H Award.

Dr. Casey began his appointment as chancellor at the University of Minnesota, Crookston on September 12, 2005 and retired on July 2, 2012. Dr. Casey has three children, Shannon, Heather, and David and three grandchildren, Maggie, Griffin, and Reid. He and his wife, Barbara Muesing, enjoy traveling especially to see family. They have made frequent trips to Alaska where his son, daughter in-law, and their children live. Another favorite place to visit is Mexico, and they hope to travel to Australia and New Zealand in the future. They also plan to make a return visit to Ireland.

2004-2005: Joseph Massey, Chief Executive Officer

Josephy Massey, Ph.D., came to UMC in July 2004 as vice chancellor for academic affairs and was appointed chief executive officer in November 2004 where he served until September 2005. He returned to academic affairs as senior vice chancellor and dean to provide leadership and direction. Along with Charles Muscoplat, Ph.D., Dean at the College of Agricultural , Food , & Environmental Science at the University of Minnesota , Massey chaired the strategic positioning task force that will help shape the future of UMC.

2003-2004: Velmer S. Burton, Chancellor

Velmer Burton served as chancellor from June 2003 - October 2004. During his tenure as chancellor, the Crookston campus developed proposals for several new programs that address emerging workforce needs of Minnesota (communication, computer software technology, health science degrees). UMC received approval from the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to offer new bachelor of science degrees in two areas:  communication and computer software technology.

1985-2003: Donald Sargeant, Chancellor

Donald Sargeant began employment at UMC in 1970 as Chair of the Agriculture Division, then as Academic Dean from 1973 to 1985. The Regents appointed Sargeant as Chancellor in 1985. He served in that position until 2003 ending his UMC career as Director of International Programs in 2006. The campus continued to grow under Sargeant's leadership and transitioned from a two to a four year college with the granting of the first baccalaureate degrees in 1993. Also, in 1993, UMC initiated a technology strategy which provided all students and faculty on campus with notebook computers, a first in higher education in the United States . Buildings constructed during Sargeant's service as Chancellor included Bergland Laboratory, University Teaching and Outreach Center Buildings and the purchase of land on the north end of campus, Early Childhood Building , Owen Hall renovation, Production Greenhouses, Westside Apartments, Peterson Gazebo, Kiehle Hall renovation, and funding received for a new Student Center . He worked closely with the City and State Agencies in securing funding to bring the Valley Technology Park and Agricultural Utilization Research Institute to the campus. For 35 of the first 40 years of UMC, Sargeant was actively involved with the students, faculty, and staff throughout the college.

1965-1985: Stanley D. Sahlstrom, Director

Stanley Sahlstrom, Ph.D., was the "founding father" of the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Sahlstrom graduated from the University of Minnesota with his bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of Food , Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences in 1942 and 1953 respectively. He earned his doctorate in 1961 from the College of Education . Sahlstrom was charged in 1965 with the creation of the University of Minnesota Technical Institute. His title was later changed from director of to provost. His vision, dedication, and ability to secure legislative and public support were key in securing funding for several buildings including Kiser Building , Dowell Hall, the Library, Owen Hall Addition, Lysaker Gymnasium and Sports Center , Conference Center (later named in Sahlstrom's honor), Skyberg Hall, Lee Hall, Brink Hall, and the outdoor athletic complex on the south end of campus. He presided in the ceremony involving the last graduating class of the Northwest School of Agriculture and the first graduating class of the Technical Institute. Sahlstrom led the transition of the campus from the Technical Institute to the Technical College to the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Upon his election to the Board of Regents in March 1985, he resigned from the Provost position. He served as a Regent for 12 years.

For his leadership and support of the campus and the region, Sahlstrom was presented the Torch & Shield Award (1986), the highest honor bestowed by the University of Minnesota, Crookston and the Northwest Research and Outreach Center. He was also inducted into the Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

Memories of Stanley D. Sahlstrom (1921 - 2008)

I am saddened to hear the news. I was a graduate from UMC in 1981 and my son will be starting at UMC this fall. Stanley was GREAT! I was so impressed that he could remember my name out of all the students and he could waltz great too. He and I would shake a leg at UMC events. Always smiling...

With fondest memories,
Belinda Snyder (Stone)

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Dr. Sahlstrom was a very fine man and contirbuted so much to the school and the community. I have many fond memories of him growing up in Crookston and attending UMC. He and my father were very good friends. He will be missed.

Mark Jurchen
Class of 1971

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I had an opportunity to meet and to know Dr. Sahlstrom when he first arrived at NWSA. He always made folks like me feel important, even for those few times I would run into him many years after graduating from high school. He was a #1 "Charmer" - and loved the U of M, Crookston. He always had season sports tickets in his pocket to hand out to alumni. What a guy!!

Like you, I feel a bit sad today upon hearing of his death.

Lloyd
Class of 1967

1956-1965: B.E. Youngquist, Superintendent

Bernard E. Youngquist became superintendent of the Northwest School of Agriculture and Experiment Station, Crookston in 1956. Under his direction, the station doubled in land resources, added staff and increased research. he was instrumental in gaining favorable approval for the phasing out of the high school-level school and for the beginning of a technical-collegiate school.

1937-1956: T.M. McCall, Superintendent

T.M. McCall had worked at the Northwest School of Agriculture as a horticulturist since 1911 and was experiment station field manager from 1919 to 1926. He bacame superintendent of the NWSA in 1937 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1956. During his years as superintendent, enrollment grew to over 400 students annually, and the reputation of the school and experiment station continued to grow in stature.

1927-1937: Austin Dowell, Superintendent

Austin Dowell was appointed superintendent in 1927 and stayed until 1937. Although he was school superintendent during the years of the Depression, school enrollment continued to climb. In spite of financial problems at the school during that period, Dowell insisted on high quality teaching, and he was rewarded by growing enrollment.

1910-1927: Conrad G. Selvig, Superintendent

Conrad Selvig was appointed by the University Board of Regents to serve as school-station superintendent from 1910 through 1927. Selvig worked toward building the school, with developmental plans to allow for future needs.