MnSCU board appoints new presidents at Metro State, Minnesota State University Moorhead

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: April 17, 2008 - 8:40 AM

Two state universities have new presidents.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees on Wednesday appointed Edna Szymanski as president at Minnesota State University Moorhead, and Sue Hammersmith to the top job at Metropolitan State University in the Twin Cities.

Szymanski, 56, is senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Maine at Orono. She previously was dean and professor in the College of Education at the University of Maryland. Szymanski will take over for Roland Barden who is retiring June 30. She begins July 1.

Minnesota State University Moorhead serves about 9,000 students.

Hammersmith, 59, is provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She also is a professor of social change and development and sociology at the school.

Hammersmith will replace interim president William Lowe on July 1. Lowe will return to his previous position as provost and vice president of the school that serves about 9,000 students on campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

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