Kelley: UND seeks to be exceptional

GRAND FORKS (AP) — University of North Dakota President Robert Kelley, in his first “state of the university” speech, said the school will be challenged by increased costs but will work to be “exceptional in all that we do.”

He mentioned such projects as a new Information and Technologies Computer Center to house technology for the state university system, and the renovation of the school’s College of Education and Human Development.

Kelley also said the school will seek new ways to partner with the city of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Air Force Base, and with North Dakota State University on such areas as a joint degree program leading to a master’s degree in public health.

Kelley said UND must do more to keep students from leaving after they enroll, but said he expects enrollment to grow from the current total of nearly 12,750.

“It will take a great deal of hard work by a lot of people — faculty, staff and students — but if we all pull together, we should exceed our near-term enrollment goal of 13,000,” he said.

Kelley was hired in February to succeed Charles Kupchella, who retired.

Kelley took office in Grand Forks on July 1. Earlier, he was the dean of health sciences at the University of Wyoming.

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