Cruzado returning to Northern, will address search for chancellor

The president of Montana State University will return to Havre to continue discussions on finding a new leader for the Havre university.

Montana State University-Northern announced Tuesday night that MSU President Waded Cruzado would be at the Havre campus Monday to talk to students, faculty and staff about the search for a new chancellor to take the place of Frank Trocki.

Trocki, who was appointed by Cruzado's predecessor, President Geoff Gamble, in June 2009, announced last week he was leaving Northern the end of June this year.

Joe Callahan, who retired as provost at Northern in June of last year, will return to act as interim chancellor during the search.

Cruzado said last week she would start the main search in the beginning of the fall semester, giving students, faculty and staff a chance to finish off the spring semester and return from the summer break.

She said Tuesday she wanted to talk to the campus population and plans to announce next week the names of the people who would serve on the search committee.

"I want to take advantage of the few remaining weeks in the academic year to begin soliciting thoughts and opinions from students, faculty and staff about the chancellor selection process and about the qualities they believe the next Northern chancellor should possess," Cruzado said in the press release announcing her visit.

"I have spoken extensively with people in the Northern community and have received excellent recommendations about who should serve on the search committee. And, it is clear to me from these conversations, these are people who care deeply about the university and want a chancellor who can provide strong leadership and vision for Northern in the future, " she added.