UMD News Releases

University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin was awarded the Medal of Distinction by St Catherine University (St Paul, Minnesota) at the school's December commencement ceremonies.

St. Catherine President Andrea J. Lee presented the Medal of Distinction to Dr. Martin for "Outstanding Achievements and Years of Contribution to Academia." Dr Martin was also the school's featured commencement speaker.

A native of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Kathryn Martin came to head the UMD campus in August 1995, becoming the first female chancellor in the University of Minnesota system. This school year marks Dr Martin's 15th year as chancellor. Under her dynamic leadership UMD has undergone an unprecedented period of growth in size, academic stature and program development.

During Dr Martin's tenure in office, UMD total enrollment has grown from 7,500 in 1996 to 11,300 this current school year. Since 2000, twelve new buildings and major renovations have been completed, or are under construction. Several new degree programs have been added including Civil Engineering and two doctoral programs.

Prior to joining UMD, she spent five years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she served as dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts and co-director of the National Arts Education Research Center.

Chancellor Martin has announced she will retire from UMD on July 31, 2010.