The State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) honored outgoing Lake Region State College (LRSC) President Doug Darling at an informal gathering on campus on June 25, 2025. At the SBHE meeting, he was also bestowed with President Emeritus status in recognition of his distinguished service and contributions to LRSC and higher education in North Dakota. Darling retires at the end of the month after presiding over the institution as president since 2013. He has held this role after having served in multiple positions at LRSC for nearly four decades.
“As president, Dr. Darling has provided thirteen years of visionary leadership to the region and the state as president. He has worked on various North Dakota University System committees and has been a mentor to new presidents hired into the system.” SBHE Chair Tim Mihalick said. “Through his leadership over the years, LRSC is respected as a nimble and innovative education institution.”
Darling’s various positions while at LRSC have included faculty roles in marketing, public information officer, continuing education coordinator and vice president of academics. He first began his career and lifelong connection with LRSC in 1984 when he was a student-teacher.
“My focus as president has been on advancing the institution in multiple facets and forming partnerships with other local institutions, economic development entities and regional stakeholders. Lake Region State College continues to shape lives and foster community vitality through education. The faculty and staff are committed to providing academic excellence, student success and community engagement, opening up pathways for those seeking educational and personal growth. My success here can be attributed to the strong team of leadership here that genuinely cares about our students and their success,” Darling said.
Some of LRSC’s many noteworthy accomplishments under Darling’s leadership include:
Worked with area job development officials to create a wind energy technician program on campus and secured the installation of a wind turbine near the college that provides electricity for the campus and serves as a live training laboratory for students enrolled in the program.
Partnered with North Dakota Career and Technology on non-traditional apprenticeship programs, especially in medical-related fields. The college became a partner in a Department of Labor grant to expand awareness and increase apprenticeships in non-traditional fields.
Shared LRSC apprenticeship model with North Dakota Tribal College System to create an apprenticeship program to improve educational and employment opportunities for Native Americans across North Dakota.
Oversaw major enhancements, renovations, and construction, including:
- Hofstad Ag Center (2020)
- The Bergstrom Technical Center, Erlandson Building renovation (2013)
- Classroom wing renovations (2022-present)
He worked with area universities in the 2000s to bring bachelor’s degree programs to the LRSC campus so area residents could earn their degree without uprooting family or leaving employment.
Grew the dual credit program to offerings that now serve around 50 schools.
In 2024, the Aspen Institute named Lake Region State College as one of 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.
Supported the start and growth of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at LRSC.
Partnered with the University of North Dakota to establish a site at its campus to work with students who didn’t meet university admission standards.
Instrumental in the start of shooting sports, e-sports and hockey.
Maintained strong ties with the military and championed the importance of the LRSC education center at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Darling’s personal recognitions include:
President Darling served on the Executive Board for Council on Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges. The Council on Accreditation for Two-Years Colleges (CATYC) is a 19-state organization with potentially 450 community college members focused on two-year education and accreditation standards, practices and policies.
Earned the 2021 North Dakota 4-H Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award for his years of dedicated service to Ramsey County 4-H Shooting Sports as a shotgun and air rifle instructor.
President Darling was named Honorary Commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard Camp Grafton Training Center and 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute in 2019.
Received the PTK Shirley B Gordon Outstanding President Award.
His work for and commitment to Career and Technical Education led him to be recognized as ND CTE Director of the Year.
Awarded the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.
Darling earned a Master of Science in Vocational Education from the University of North Dakota in 1992 and his Ph.D. in Education from North Dakota State University in 2012.
Dr. Carmen Simone will assume duties as LRSC president beginning July 1.
“I join the entire Lake Region campus and community in thanking Dr. Darling for his many years of leadership and setting the tone for campus with a student-centric mentality,” she said. “I have heard people in the community say that he bleeds blue and white and is an unwavering supporter of community endeavors. He will always be part of Lake Region State College, and his visionary ideas and historical knowledge of higher education are to be lauded alongside his veracious support of LRSC and the entire Devils Lake community. He will be missed, and his legacy here will never be forgotten.”