ST. PAUL, Minn. – The president of Winona State University the past 11 years, Scott Olson, has been named a finalist for state chancellor. The chancellor heads the Minnesota State system of system of seven universities and 26 colleges. The current chancellor, Devinder Malhotra. is retiring this summer. With 326,000 students, Minn State is the third largest higher-ed system in the nation. Malhotra’s salary: $420,000.
Verbatim
Olson, in a message to Winona State community: I’m writing to ensure you hear today’s news from me first. In a few minutes, Minnesota State will announce that I have been named as a finalist in the search for the system’s next chancellor.
“The honor that I feel in being selected as a worthy candidate by the search committee is second only to the gratitude I feel to this community for the opportunity to serve as your president. Working in partnership with this community — faculty, staff, and students — over the past 11 years has provided me great inspiration for how I could apply what I have learned here across the whole system and all of the state colleges and universities. Should I be selected to serve as chancellor, I will carry with me a deep appreciation for the mission of WSU and all that I have learned from this community.
“The search process is expected to continue for the next few weeks. If I am selected to serve as chancellor, I will work hard to ensure that the transition to new leadership at WSU is handled smoothly, effectively, and in a way that preserves the bright future of our beloved campus community.
“Should I not be selected to serve as the next chancellor of Minnesota State, I remain honored and grateful to continue as president here and will be steadfastly committed to our mission to improve our world. Kelley and I love Winona State University, and we will be Warriors forever. It is one of the great privileges of my life to work with the talented and dedicated WSU community”
Olson. Came to Winona from Mankato State, where he was academic vice president. Earlier dean of communication studies at Ball State and before that a professor at Central Connecticut State University. He holds a doctorate and two other degrees from Northwestern and a degree from Hennepin Technical College in automotive repair.