RSS

Former Gustavus head accepts interim Northland presidency

May 11, 2009

A noted educational leader and former president of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., today accepted the position of interim president of Northland College, Ashland, Wis. The Trustees of Northland College offered the position to Dr. James L. Peterson to provide leadership during a national search for a successor to Dr. Karen I Halbersleben who is stepping down at the end of her June 30, 2009 contract.  
 
“There are several reasons President Peterson is an outstanding choice to maintain Northland College’s momentum during this time of leadership transition and economic challenge,” said John N. Allen, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His background as an environmental scientist is a perfect match with Northland’s environmental mission, and he is a proven leader in the best liberal arts college tradition. Further, his personal relationships with business and civic leaders in the Twin Cities gained during his leadership of the Science Museum of Minnesota will an invaluable asset.”
 
Peterson will move to Ashland to take office after the first of July.
 
"Serving Northland College and working alongside the campus community for this interim period is an unexpected and welcome opportunity for me,” said Peterson. “This is a fine school, grounded by an important mission, driven by talented and highly committed people, and fully aware of its great potential. I'm excited by the opportunities and challenges ahead and look forward to contributing what I can to help achieve that potential and forge a bright future for Northland."
 
Peterson retired one year ago after five years as the 14th President of Gustavus Adolphus College.  A 1964 alumnus of Gustavus, he taught high school science before returning to graduate school and completing a Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Nebraska in 1972. Subsequently, he worked as a Research Associate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and later as a staff ecologist with the National Commission of Water Quality in Washington, D.C. From 1976-1984 he served in multiple Vice Presidential roles at the Academy of Natural Science in Philadelphia for the Divisions of Environmental Research, Systematics and Evolutionary Biology and Institutional Advancement. Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota for 20 years, taking it from a modest regional organization to a nationally recognized museum with a new $100 million facility on Saint Paul’s Mississippi River.
 
For 45 years, Peterson has been married to Susan Peterson, a Lutheran pastor. They have two adult children. He is an avid biker, kayaker, and amateur boat builder.
 
“The economic downturn of the past months has presented great challenges to businesses, communities, and higher education,” said Allen. “And while it is easy to focus on those challenges, we do not want to lose sight of the many positive things going on. At Northland College, we have a new environmentally focused curriculum that comes at the perfect time for world leaders, private citizens and prospective students who are seeking this knowledge. Early indicators for fall semester enrollment suggest students are already getting the word about what we have to offer. Under Dr. Peterson’s leadership, the faculty, staff, and students of Northland College will retain this momentum and continue to build on Northland’s special place in higher education.”