Aug. 19, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Susan McDonald
(805) 756-7266
(805) 756-1511
Cal Poly Names Former Minnesota Supreme Court
Associate Justice
as Vice President for Advancement
SAN
LUIS OBISPO Cal Poly President Warren J. Baker today announced the interim
appointment of Sandra Gardebring Ogren, currently vice president, university
relations at the University of Minnesota, as Cal Poly's new vice president
for University Advancement.
Ogren succeeds William G. Boldt, who recently accepted a position as vice chancellor for university advancement at UC Riverside.
Ogren will assume duties full-time at Cal Poly on Oct. 18. Her areas of responsibility will include development, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, public affairs and governmental relations.
Commenting on the appointment, Baker expressed appreciation to Ogren for her interest in Cal Poly and her willingness to provide continuity of leadership for the University at a critical juncture in its advancement efforts.
“As we look beyond the successful completion of Cal Poly’s Centennial Campaign,” Baker said, “we must move now to develop plans and strategies to sustain the momentum we have achieved with the campaign. We also have a growing federal and state agenda for support of university programs. And we need to continue to give priority to local community relations.”
He added, “Sandra Ogren is an extraordinarily accomplished person who will bring strong and proven leadership skills to the university.”
Since 1998, Ogren has served as vice president, university relations, at the University of Minnesota. In that role, she has had management responsibilities for development, state and federal relations, community relations, public relations, alumni relations, publications and Web presence.
Her leadership role at the University of Minnesota has also included university strategic planning, universitywide planning to set development goals and strategies, regional economic development and corporate relations.
In addition, Ogren has a long record of distinguished public service outside academe. From 1989 to 1998, she was a member of the judiciary in the State of Minnesota, first as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals (1989-1991) and subsequently as an associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court (1991-98).
Prior to these appointments, she headed several Minnesota public agencies: the $2.1 billion Minnesota Department of Human Services (1986-89), the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities (1984-86), and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (1983-84; 1977-79).
She has also served as a Midwest regional director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Division of Enforcement (1979-82) and special assistant attorney general for the State of Minnesota (1973-77).
Gardebring is a cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Law (J.D.) and a magna cum laude graduate of Luther College.
President Baker noted: “I believe Sandra Ogren's interest in coming to Cal Poly represents a special opportunity for the university to build upon the progress achieved with our successful Centennial Campaign. She brings a unique breadth of perspective, drawing upon many years of service as a jurist, public administrator and higher education leader. We look forward to welcoming her this fall as a member of Cal Poly’s senior management team.”
Commenting from Minneapolis, Ogren said, "I am delighted at the opportunity to join the leadership team at Cal Poly and to assist President Baker in sustaining the momentum that grew out of the very successful Centennial Campaign. The quality of the faculty, staff and students at Cal Poly is well known and I look forward to the chance to get to know the campus and the community much better."
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