Getting to work at UNI: Meet President Bill Ruud

During only his second day on the job, Bill Ruud stood on stage at North High School in Des Moines as Gov. Terry Branstad signed bi-partisan education reform legislation into law. As Ruud shook hands with state legislators, he described the first few days on the job as "drinking from a fire hose." But he wouldn't have it any other way; Ruud wants the University of Northern Iowa center stage any chance he can get.

William E. Ruud was named the 10th president of UNI in February. He arrived on campus at the end of May after serving as the president of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania since 2007. At Shippensburg, his accomplishments included a positive increase in enrollment, the highest graduation rate in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, and expanded graduate and community outreach programs.

Ruud grew up in Grand Forks, N.D., and earned his bachelor's degree at the University of North Dakota before later earning his master's and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "I used to tell my mother, 'I went to college in 1970, I'm having a good time; I haven't left yet,'" Ruud recounted recently to the Des Moines Register.

At UNI he looks forward to building relationships, collaborating with faculty, staff and students, and meeting alumni. "We must continue our steadfast mission of providing transformative learning experiences that inspire students to embrace challenge, engage in critical inquiry and creative thought, and contribute to society."

Ruud is honored to be a member of the UNI family. His summer will be spent getting to know campus and the community, but in the evenings, Ruud and his wife Judy will often be found walking their two-year-old cockapoo Fuzzy.

Upcoming Events

Freshman Orientation on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18. It's not too late to register for fall classes! For more information, email Ashley Stewart.