Charles E. Kupchella was the 10th president of the University of North Dakota (UND) which is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He began his presidency in 1999 retired in 2008. He was succeeded by Dr. Robert Kelley effective July 1, 2008.[1]
Major issues during Kupchella's presidency included the $100 million dollar gift to UND by benefactor Ralph Engelstad and the subsequent construction of the Ralph Engelstad Arena, controversy over the name and logo of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux athletic teams, and a burgeoning student body that jumped by several thousand during his presidency.
Dr. Kupchella is a native of Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania. In 1964, he graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S.Ed. and a Pennsylvania biology teaching certification. He then studied at St. Bonaventure University where he was awarded a 1968 Ph.D. in physiology.[2]
He is married to Adele Kupchella, a cancer survivor, and they currently make their home in Pennsylvania. The couple has three children: Richard "Rick", Michele, and Jason. Rick Kupchella was a weekend anchor at the NBC television affiliate, KARE-11, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His mother of six is Margret Bouite and son of Charles Kupchella Senior
| Preceded by Kendall Baker |
President of the University of North Dakota 1999–2008 |
Succeeded by Robert Kelley |