Campus invited to celebrate Dr. Robert Boyd’s 32-plus Years at UND

I invite all members of the University community to join me Friday, January 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom, for a celebration of Dr. Robert Boyd’s 32-plus years of service to the University of North Dakota. A short program will start at 2:30 p.m.

Dr. Boyd will be leaving his position as the students’ vice president and will serve full time as UND’s Nickname and Logo Transition Officer. Although he we will continue on as member of the UND family, the celebration commemorates a truly remarkable record of over 32 years of service to UND as a leader and advocate for higher education and for students. Dr. Boyd’s commitment to serving students and to their success is well documented through his many achievements, awards and honors.

Dr. Boyd started his career at UND as the Director of Extension and Professional Services. He then became Dean of Outreach Programs, and since 1998 he has been the Vice President for Student and Outreach Services (now Student Affairs). Areas reporting to him included Health and Wellness, Enrollment Management, Student Services, and Outreach Services.

During his time at UND, Dr. Boyd has often been the “go-to” leader for UND presidents. Here are just a few examples: In the late 1990s, then President Ken Baker tapped Dr. Boyd to run the “virtual” University set up in the immediate aftermath of the Flood of ’97. He then asked Dr. Boyd to chair the Exigency Task Force on Enrollment to help return UND to its pre-flood headcount. A year later, President Baker turned to Dr. Boyd to lead the newly reconstituted Division of Student and Outreach Services. Four UND presidents asked Dr. Boyd to lead the recruitment of high-level positions to campus. President Emeritus Charles Kupchella appointed him co-chair of the task group that guided UND in its move to Division I Athletics, and to chair UND’s Quasquicentennial, the celebration of the University’s founding 125 years before. Meanwhile, Dr. Boyd has led his own vice presidential division to a level of excellence that has often been recognized through national awards.

During his career at UND, Dr. Boyd has been active in the Grand Forks community as well, a fact that earned him the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Henry Havig Award in 2008. He has been involved in many community organizations, has invested countless hours volunteering on committees, and has served on boards of organizations like the Chamber of Commerce (serving as Board Chair in 1998), the United Way, North Dakota United Methodist Church, Prairie Public Broadcasting, and many more.

So while he will still be with us in a vital role for the University, I hope you will join me January 28 to celebrate the tremendous impact Dr. Boyd has had on students in particular and the University in general during his first 32 years at UND.

-– Robert O. Kelley, President.