Williston State alumnus tapped as college’s next president
Hirning has local ties to Williston and North Dakota. He graduated from Williston State (formerly UND-Williston) with an associate degree. He also obtained his bachelor s and master s degrees at Minot State. 3:27 pm, Apr. 29, 2021 ×
Bernell Hirning
WILLISTON, N.D. – The State Board of Higher Education has named Bernell Hirning as the next president of Williston State College.
Two finalists were interviewed by board members Thursday, April 29, on the Williston State campus. Twenty-none applications were received for the position. This past month, six candidates each spent time visiting campus and in public forums, meeting with students, faculty and staff, and interviewing with the presidential search committee. The committee then narrowed the field to four finalists on April 9. Two of the finalists were later selected for positions at other campuses.
By Pat Sweeney
An alumnus of Williston State College is the new
president of the college.
Dr. Bernell Hirning was appointed today (Thu) by the State Board of Higher Education.
Hirning most recently spent 18 years as associate vice president of the northern region at National University in Fresno, California. He previously worked three years as a business professor at Mayville State.
Hirning grew up in Mott (ND). He got his associate degree at Williston State in 1985…his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Minot State…and his PhD at Capella University in Minneapolis.
Hirning begins his new job on July 1
Higher-ed board names Williston State alum as college’s next president
Hirning has local ties to Williston and North Dakota. He graduated from Williston State (formerly UND-Williston) with an associate degree. He also obtained his bachelor s and master s degrees at Minot State. 2:37 pm, Apr. 29, 2021 ×
Bernell Hirning
WILLISTON, N.D. – The State Board of Higher Education has named Bernell Hirning as the next president of Williston State College.
Board members interviewed two finalists at their meeting Thursday, April 29, on the Williston State campus. A total of 29 applications were received for the position. This past month, six candidates each spent time visiting campus and in public forums, meeting with students, faculty and staff, and interviewing with the presidential search committee. The committee then narrowed the field to four finalists on April 9. Two of the finalists were later selected for positions at other campuses.
By Pat Sweeney
Apr 9, 2021 4:58 PM
The Williston State College Presidential Search Committee, charged by the North Dakota University System to evaluate candidates for the WSC presidency, has narrowed the pool of applicants to four finalists.
Six candidates were invited to Williston for on-campus interviews this past week. During those campus visits, candidates met with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and campus and community leaders. The four finalists are:
Clark Richard Harris, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the President, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Bernell Hirning, Ph.D., Former Associate Vice President – Northern Region, National University, Fresno, California
Scott Molander, M.B.A., Co-Founder, Hat World, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Six candidates were invited to Williston for on-campus interviews earlier this week.
The four finalists are:
Clark Richard Harris, special assistant to the president, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, Wyo.
Bernell Hirning, former associate vice president of the northern region at National University, Fresno, Calif.
Scott Molander, co-founder, Hat World, Inc., Indianapolis.
Co-chairing the search committee are Kathleen Neset, State Board of Higher Education member, and Kim Wray, WSC vice president for academic affairs and instruction.
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“The vast interest in the WSC presidency provided us with a great opportunity to find the best possible candidates for this position,” Neset said. “We are grateful that these candidates were able to visit and we’re looking forward to the final interviews later this month.”