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Naming a classroom building is excellent honor for Tunheim
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By JON M. HUNTER, Publisher
| 09/14/2009 |
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On Sept. 25, Dakota State University will officially dedicate a classroom building in honor of Jerald A. Tunheim, 20th president of the school. It's an appropriate distinction and we heartily congratulate him.
Building-naming in higher education is serious business, and a number of protocols are in place. The high standards set by the state have been met. Other buildings on campus are named for presidents Richardson, Beadle, Girton, Heston, Higbie and Lowry. The last building named for a DSU president was Lowry Hall nearly 50 years ago.
When Tunheim became president in 1987, the mission of Dakota State had been recently changed and enrollment had tumbled. Even though the Legislature provided funds for the mission transition, finances were tight.
Without public hype, Tunheim pushed the mission of integrating technology into the entire curriculum, and insisted on making coursework changes rapidly to keep up with technological advances. He put new focus on admissions and recruiting, knowing that enrollment growth was necessary to make ends meet.
Tunheim steered the institution through a name change (from Dakota State College to Dakota State University), two funding formula changes, and a new regental requirement to form a Center of Excellence in Information Systems. He worked with community leaders and alumni to advance the Dakota State University Foundation.
The results were strong enrollment growth, a substantial increase in ACT scores of incoming freshmen, and a strong rise in regional -- even national -- reputation.
The building itself is representative of DSU's transformation during Tunheim's tenure. Built in 1910 as a multi-purpose building including science laboratories below and a gymnasium above, the building was used for a variety of purposes over the years, including music rooms and offices, and a small performing arts theater.
A $3 million renovation in 2002-03 restored its original beauty while modernizing the interior. Today, it has a high-tech auditorium, two interactive video conferencing rooms, an information assurance lab, an audio lab and offices for online and distance education.
The public ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Sept. 25 on the lawn south of the building. We urge the public to attend.
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©Madison Daily Leader 2009
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