FARGO — North Dakota State University will have to wait a bit longer for an interim president, while another institution 60 miles west now has an interim leader in place.

There are three pending higher education presidential vacancies in the state: David Cook at NDSU, Alan LaFave at Valley City State University and Dan Leingang at Bismarck State College.

At its Thursday, Dec. 4 meeting, the State Board of Higher Education named Allen Burgad as VCSU interim president, effective Jan. 1.

He succeeds LaFave, who will become president at his alma mater, Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

LaFave’s final day at VCSU will be Dec. 31.

Burgad has been VCSU’s Department of Education dean since June 2021 and has more than 35 years of experience in education, a news release from

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