Jim Bensen

President Emeritus
Bemidji State University

A native of northern Minnesota, Jim earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University, his master’s from University of Wisconsin-Stout and his doctorate from Penn State University. He retired as President of Bemidji State in 2001. Formerly, he served as President of the Dunwoody College of Technology and as Dean of the College of Technology Engineering & Management at UW-Stout. All three institutions that he has been involved with have been internationally acclaimed for leadership, innovation and excellence.

Jim chairs Bemidji Leads!, a nationally recognized initiative in the re-invention of community, He is also co-chairs Destiny 2025, which is developing a 20 year visioning process and plan for biotechnology for the Biobusiness Alliance of Minnesota. This robust initiative involves companies, colleges & universities in the state, research centers, and state government.

He currently serves on more than a dozen boards, writes, speaks, consults and provides leadership throughout the world in educational excellence, quality, building a knowledge-based economy, managing change, and the future. Jim & his wife, Nancy live on Big Turtle Lake near Bemidji and have five children, five grandchildren.

Presentation: Make the Future Your Friend!
Jim Bensen, President Emeritus
Bemidji State University

Rather than be threatened by the incredible change that is going on around us, we should embrace it with enthusiasm! Uncertainty and ambiguity foster creativity and ideas, which are actually are the currency of tomorrow! We must claim our destiny or it will claim us, hence it is imperative that we learn to plan FROM the future!