The Dickinson Press Top 10: No. 2: McCallum

• McCallum

Richard McCallum attends a hearing in Bismarck after his dismissal was called for.

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As the year wraps up and we enter 2012, The Dickinson Press takes you through the top stories that filled its pages in 2011. Today we share No. 2.

Simply put, this was not Richard McCallum’s year.

This year began with McCallum serving as Dickinson State University’s president, a top school official whose annual salary increased 2 percent to $176,782 after an evaluation early in the year determined that he was performing satisfactorily.

However, McCallum’s life changed not for the better in June after a survey revealed many negative comments about him from his employees, including allegations of intimidation and his role in the inflation of enrollment numbers.

Based on the information from the survey, North Dakota University System Chancellor William Goetz ordered an internal review of student enrollment. In early August, the results were in — showing that 180 “students” were enrolled without their permission and were graded for attending symposiums — and Goetz wanted McCallum out.

McCallum refused to resign, instead opting to ask for a hearing, which was scheduled in October. In the meantime, D.C. Coston became DSU acting president.

McCallum had his day in court, and it wasn’t his best day either. The judge rendered her decision in December, in which she suggested that McCallum be removed as president.

A week later on Dec. 15, McCallum was terminated.

Tags: top 10, richard mccallum, dickinson state university, north dakota university system, news