Marshall Stewart, NDSU President (Photo: NDSU)
FARGO (KFGO) – North Dakota State University officially welcomed Dr. Marshall Stewart as its new president Thursday during an inauguration ceremony at Challey Hall.
Delivering his first State of the University address, Stewart outlined his vision for NDSU, emphasizing student retention, career readiness, and the institution’s core land-grant mission. Among his primary goals, Stewart said he aims to enhance the overall Bison student experience by expanding participation in campus organizations.
“One thing I’ve already seen here is a lot of engagement with clubs and organizations, and I think we just need to lean into that heavier,” Stewart said. “That’s a big piece of retention, of keeping students here and keeping them engaged, and it also prepares them for careers.”
Reflecting on his leadership philosophy, which took root during his early career as a high school agriculture teacher, Stewart emphasized that true leadership relies on collaboration and shared effort rather than individual ambition.
“It’s getting others to see it themselves, and to see how they can contribute,” Stewart said. “So you see, it’s not about me. It is about we.”
The inauguration gathered NDSU faculty along with area community leaders, including University of North Dakota President Andy Armacost and Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee. Stewart, who previously served as executive vice president at Kansas State University, expressed gratitude for his new position and optimism for the campus community, declaring that NDSU’s best days remain ahead.
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