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New Northeastern State University President, Don Betz
Dr. Don Betz became the 17th president of Northeastern State University on July 1, 2008, the eve of the institution’s centennial celebration.
During his 37 years in higher education, Betz has been repeatedly noted for his inspiring teaching style, leadership development and diplomacy through his international activities. Betz now comes full circle at the collegiate site where he first began his academic career.
In his first 23 years in higher education, Betz held several distinguished titles at NSU including Vice President of University Relations, Executive Director of the Educational Foundation, Assistant to President, and Dean of Continuing Education and Special Programs.
Also a professor of political science, Betz founded and served as advisor of the University’s President’s Leadership Class and its Model United Nations program.
Directly prior to his new position, Betz was Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He has also held positions at the University of Central Oklahoma and Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa.
For over two decades, Betz collaborated with the United Nations on Middle East issues.
He founded and chaired the International Coordinating Committee on the Question of Palestine (ICCP), a UN-affiliated non-governmental organization network striving for peace in the Middle East based on UN resolutions. Betz’s extensive international experience encompasses travel to over 80 countries.
Betz has accomplished much in state as well, having served as president of Leadership Oklahoma and on the awards selection committee for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. He was the recipient of the 1991 Medal of Excellence in University Teaching from the Foundation.
President Betz received his B.A. in political science and philosophy from the University of San Francisco and his M.A. and Ph.D. in international studies from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of International Studies. Betz also completed Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management.
