Although President Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard is completing his ninth and final year at Bemidji State University (BSU), there is much more to this successful man than sitting behind a desk and filling out paper work.
Growing up in Bemidji, MN, Quistgaard graduated from Bemidji High School in 1966. He then continued on to attend college at the University of Arizona in Tuscan, AZ where he acquired his Ph.D. in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations.
During his undergraduate studies in the late 1960s, he was bombarded with the large issues at hand: the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. These life changing issues, as well as long conversations with friends and seeing America in turmoil, helped shape Quistgaard’s core values.
In 1969, Quistgaard and two college friends attended the Woodstock Music Festival in New York. There, with his two buddies and his long, waist-length hair, they listened to thirty to forty entertainers including Country Joe and the Fish, a strong anti-war band who displayed their views with explicit lyrics, and Jimmy Hendricks.
A favorite of Quistgaard’s was Richie Havens’ song “Freedom.” He noted that not everyone was doing drugs at Woodstock and when he arrived he realized it was a lot more than a concert on a field. It was an opportunity of expression. He had many conversations with many different people about civil rights, music and whether or not they affect culture, international politics and the war in Vietnam.
Looking back on his years as a college student, Quistgaard sees many differences. Students are more involved academically; the classroom has more students involved instead of focusing on teachers' lectures as it was when he was a student.
They [the students] are also more involved in the community and in politics. Because of the advancement in technology, he sees that students are much more adapted to multitasking and that students are much closer to their families. For him, it seemed that there was more conflict with families due to political differences and distance.
Quistgaard has seen many positive changes at BSU throughout his 30 years as a faculty member. The impact of technology is the biggest difference he has seen. When he first started working at BSU, the library was using card catalogs and students didn’t have cell phones.
Many building projects have taken place over Quistgaard's time at BSU as well. He has not only seen the recent renovations of Linden, Sattgast and Memorial Halls, but also the construction of the American Indian Resource Center and many others. He has also seen the growth of programs such as the new nursing program.
He is very pleased to see the diversity of campus expand over the years. 30 years ago there were only 10 countries represented at BSU; today, there are 40 different countries represented. He has also enjoyed witnessing the growth of non-traditional students on campus and PSEO opportunities for high school students.
The international program has also changed. In the beginning of Quistgaard’s time at BSU, EuroSpring was the only study abroad opportunity for students. Now there is a more widespread variety for studying abroad including trips to China and South Africa.
As Quistgaard looks back on his years at BSU, he has enjoyed the different opportunities he has had to work on campus. He has met many great people in the community and on the campus. Becoming the president was not a goal Quistgaard had in mind. When the position opened up, he was encouraged by many colleagues and friends to take the position because of his knowledge. Quistgaard believes that he is not the only driving force at BSU, it is a group effort.
“It’s all of us that make the decisions,” said Quistgaard.
Regarding students, Quistgaard has been pleased about student engagement with different clubs and taking positions on social issues. His favorite time of year is commencement. He enjoys seeing the graduates and reflecting on how much they have changed and grown over the years they have spent at BSU.
“Be flexible and adaptable in your career choice,” said Quistgaard to encourage students as they look to the future and success.
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