Second candidate for NDSU president holds forum on campus

FARGO — The second of three finalists is on campus to make his case to be the next president of North Dakota State University.

Dr. Bernie Savarese is currently vice president for academic affairs, research and student success at University of Tennessee.

He says he is excited at the chance to be part of a land grant university.

One of the items Savarese says he wants to work on is the university’s student retention rate, which is currently at around 78%.

“A relentless focus on student success. That means taking a retention rate that has been hovering at around 78% for the last decade, driving that above 80% – 85%,” Savarese said.

The third and final finalist, Dr. Alan Smith, will be on campus on Wednesday.

State Board of Higher Education will conduct final interviews on Monday and announce the next president on the same day.