Culture, Family, and Excellence: “Students, faculty, and staff truly care about each other and are a family that can lift each other up to strive for excellence.”

The Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation is proud to spotlight the newly selected president, Scott Molander. Born in Crosby, North Dakota, Molander grew up working at a local gas station, helping his dad on the farm, and playing every sport he could. After spending time in the North Dakota University System—specifically at Williston State College, where he earned his Associate of Arts and played on the basketball team—Molander eventually made his way to Dickinson State University.

"We are very excited to have President Molander here.  He truly has a love for DSU and wants to continue to build our programs, so we can educate students who are ready to make a difference in our area, our region, and around the globe."

-Ty Orton, Executive Director, DSU Heritage Foundation

He originally chose DSU due to a chance encounter and a personal connection. After running into Coach Milanovich, who had previously refereed one of his brother’s games, Molander was invited to walk onto the basketball team. Around the same time, his close friend Darcy Strong, a 1987 DSU graduate, encouraged him to visit. During that visit, he spoke with several business professors, including accounting professor Boyd Binde, a neighbor from back home. These personal connections to DSU helped convince him that he was meant to be a Blue Hawk. “What really sealed the deal for me was the personal touch that came with a smaller school,” he says. “I knew I would get one-on-one time with teachers who were genuinely invested in my success.”

While at DSU, Molander served as Vice President of the Student Senate, played on the varsity basketball team, and earned his degree in Business Administration. These experiences helped shape his leadership style and reinforced the values he developed through athletics. Balancing academics with extracurricular activities prepared him for success both inside and outside the classroom. Most importantly, these experiences taught him the difference between motivation and discipline. He learned that when motivation runs low, discipline drives you to work harder. That mindset led to his most memorable moments as a Blue Hawk: the 1987-88 basketball season, during which the Hawks secured the conference co-championship.

Then, in 1995, Molander co-founded Hat World, Inc. (DBA Lids). Through this venture he built a culture that is focused on taking care of his people, and it’s the same focus he intends to bring to Dickinson State University. “Our culture should center around listening to the students, faculty, and staff and understanding what they need to succeed. Every individual is different,” he says. He aspires to be visible and accessible as president, both on campus and in the community.

Molander identifies one of the biggest challenges in higher education as the growing concern over cost and value. He plans to address this issue by finding ways to keep costs down while increasing the value of the programs offered, ensuring that what is taught in the classroom is transferable to the career paths students pursue. When discussing this challenge, Molander gave a helpful example, “In the business school, for example, I want DSU to have robust programs for accounting, management, finance, and more that produce a high-quality labor force.”

Molander sees alumni as essential to the future of DSU. “There are no greater ambassadors for the university than our alumni,” he says. Alumni are a cornerstone of what it means to be a Blue Hawk, offering experiences for students to learn from, as well as serving as mentors who, in turn, provide valuable connections for current students and new graduates. He believes that even across the country, the Blue Hawk family can open doors for one another.

“I have had the privilege of knowing Scott Molander for many years. He has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to Dickinson State University. As an alumnus, a dedicated supporter, and now as president, Scott brings to DSU a combination of visionary leadership and a student-centered approach. I am confident that under his guidance DSU will continue to embrace its proud history and move toward a bold and innovative future.”  

-Debora Dragseth, Baker Boy Professor of Leadership 

And lastly, Molander believes that the support of the community is crucial to the success and future growth of the university. DSU provides jobs to the area, but other ways need to be incorporated as well. Molander hopes to encourage students, faculty, and staff to support local businesses and volunteer at local charities. He acknowledges that DSU already does well in these areas but says, “There is always more that can be done to encourage community involvement.”

For Scott Molander, leading DSU is about giving back to the place that helped shape him. With a focus on culture, family, and excellence, he is ready to ensure that future generations of Blue Hawks have every opportunity they need to succeed.