MSUM PRESIDENT ANNE BLACKHURST TO RETIRE IN 2023
MOORHEAD – Anne Blackhurst, who has led Minnesota State University Moorhead as president for the past eight years, announced Tuesday that she will retire on June 30, 2023.
“Few things are as important to me as our mission of preparing students for their futures. Stepping away from MSUM—and the Dragon family—will not be easy,” Blackhurst said. “But I firmly believe it’s a leader’s responsibility to know when the time is right for someone new to take the lead. After eight years as MSUM’s president, and an especially challenging year for me personally, I’ve made the difficult decision to retire.”
Blackhurst was named the university’s 11th president in 2014 after a national search, stepping into that role after three years of serving as MSUM’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
“President Blackhurst has provided strong leadership for the university and prepared it well to navigate it through some challenging times, including the pandemic. During her tenure as president, the university undertook intensive review of the academic programming and, in particular, experienced an expansion in graduate programs and enrollments. She led the efforts to redesign the university’s facilities to enhance and support the educational experience students need and deserve. Under her stewardship MSUM successfully completed a $60 million-dollar capital campaign, a great accomplishment,” said Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra. “Clearly, she has put MSUM on a sustainable path both programmatically and financially. She will leave behind a lasting legacy and a strong forward-looking institutional momentum.”
Known as “President Anne” on campus, Blackhurst led the university through the development of a strategic framework, articulating MSUM’s purpose, mission, core values and strategic anchors.
President Blackhurst demonstrates her Dragon Pride with her signature red blazer. She’s worn red every day of her presidency.
SIGNAL WORK IN PROGRESS AT 34 STREET AND 28 AVENUE SOUTH
MOORHEAD – Monday, August 15, work began to install a traffic signal at 34 Street S and 28th Avenue near the Holiday gas station. The contractor will be doing some preliminary work before the full project starts. There will be one lane closed during construction. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September.
Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes and expect possible delays and congestion in the area.
THE CITY OF FARGO INTRODUCES DESIGNATED PASSENGER LOADING AREAS IN DOWNTOWN
FARGO – Beginning Thursday, August 18, designated passenger loading areas for cab and ride share users in Downtown Fargo will be enforced in accordance with Ordinance 5363 §8-1026. Red and white signage indicating locations was placed on Monday, August 15 in the following areas:
600 Northern Pacific Avenue North
400 1st Avenue North
600 2nd Avenue North
500 6th Avenue North
*An additional area will be located at 200 5th Street North upon completion of the exterior repair work at the Radisson Blu Fargo.
Designated passenger loading areas will be required for cab service and ride share pick-up, as well as general passenger pick-up, year-round during the following days and times:
Thursday 10 p.m. to Friday 3 a.m.
Friday 10 p.m. to Saturday 3 a.m.
Saturday 10 p.m. to Sunday 3 a.m.
“Large crowds tend to congregate outside of businesses at bar close, causing streets to become congested and making it difficult for ride share and cabs to operate efficiently. The initiative for these pick-up areas started in late 2021 as a result of a collaborative effort between downtown partners and the Fargo Police Department to help improve safety at bar close without inhibiting local business,” said FPD Lieutenant William Ahlfeldt.