Jon K. Dalager ’79 is the next University of Minnesota Morris Alumni Association (UMMAA) Board of Directors president. The former speech communication and political science major brings to the board experience from both a legal and academic perspective.
Dalager shared his goals for his term of service. He states, “The UMM Alumni Association is the formal link that connects UMN Morris with those who attended UMN Morris at some time in the past. Today, UMN Morris alums can stay connected through technology wherever they are. UMN Morris alumni can participate in Association activities from their homes. I hope that we can rebuild that connection to the thousands of alums, wherever their lives have taken them.”
CAREER
As the System Director for Academic Programs for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), Dalager is putting his UMN Morris education to work. Prior to his position with MnSCU, Dalager earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota, practicing for several years before pursuing his PhD and pursuing a career as a political science professor.
Before that Dalager spent 14 years with Georgetown University of Kentucky as a political science professor. He says his undergrad experience prepared him for career challenges and growth. He fondly remembers his time on campus. “One memory I have is working with Provost Jack Imholte. As the MCSA president, I was on the Executive Council for UMM. Although I was just a student, Dr. Imholte treated me like a member of the administration, he valued my opinion, and he always looked for what was in the best interests of the students. His leadership at UMM has impacted my own leadership style and inspired me to pursue a career in higher education.”
BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Dalager, a Morris native, served as the president of the Morris Campus Student Association (MCSA) while he was a student at UMN Morris. After graduating with honors from UMN Morris, Dalager went on to study law at the University of Minnesota Law School and practiced in both Breckenridge and Morris. Dalager went on to earn his PhD in political science and served as faculty at Georgetown College in Kentucky for 14 years. After his teaching tenure, Dalager became the Dean of Natural and Social Sciences at Wayne State College in Nebraska. He has been the System Director for Academic Programs at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) since 2014.
UMMAA
Dalager succeeds Erika Bailey-Johnson ’99, who will continue to serve the board as immediate past president.
To learn more about the UMMAA and its board of directors, visit alumni.morris.umn.edu.