Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) The President of the University of Sioux Falls, Dr. Mark Benedetto, will retire in the summer of 2017.
Going on his 20th year at the Cougar helm, Dr. Benedetto is the longest-serving president in USF history. He was hired in February 1997.
"The greatest thing about being president of a college, especially like USF, a Christian college," Benedetto tells KELO Radio, "is you are like a stock market analyst, somebody on Wall Street, you deal in futures. I get to see the futures walking the hallway."
His stamp on campus is very visible.
"We've had over 15 major campus construction projects in the last 19 years," Benedetto says "new residence halls, a new school of business, a new student union."
Benedetto officially broke the news at the USF Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday. He spoke of his service at the Christian affiliated school as an honor and privilege.
Tom Lillibridge, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to Dr. Benedetto. “In addition to being the longest-serving president at USF, I think Dr. Benedetto has been the most transformational,” said Lillibridge. “When you consider the increases in enrollment, fundraising, the many additions to our physical plant, especially the South campus, the transformation under his leadership has been exceptional."
A 16-member Search Committee will work in conjunction with the 10-member Board of Trustee Personnel Committee to seek Dr. Benedetto’s successor.