Bill Maki has been recognized for outstanding leadership and management of Bemidji State University’s finances by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Maki, BSU’s vice president for finance and administration, is one of two recipients of this year’s Chancellor’s Award. The award recognizes efforts that support the MnSCU Strategic Framework and result in systemwide improvements in financial management, services, or processes. Criteria include innovation, collaboration and new work that is above and beyond regular duties.

“These awards go to the often unsung heroes on our campuses – leaders who are dedicated to the health and success of our colleges and universities,” said Chancellor Steven Rosenstone. “They have provided innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. I am particularly impressed by how many of this year’s winners worked as teams to collaborate on complex challenges.”

Maki was nominated for the award by Dr. Richard A. Hanson, president of Bemidji State and Northwest Technical College, for his work leading a task force to explore the reinvention of NTC. Under Maki’s leadership, the task force developed an innovative approach to curriculum and the delivery of that curriculum, and increased NTC’s connections to the Bemidji community. He also developed a budget model for the college that will be sustainable and responsible to the academic needs of the college and to the faculty and staff who work there.

“Bill’s work was excellent in process, excellent in vision and excellent in providing innovative solutions to intractable problems,” Hanson said. “His work required independence of thought, a deep commitment to quality and a profound respect for the human elements embedded within these issues.”

Under Maki’s leadership, BSU also won a MnSCU Excellence in Financial Management award in 2011.

Contact
• Doug Anderson, MnSCU director of communications & media; (651) 201-1426, doug.anderson@so.mnscu.edu
• Andy Bartlett, associate director of communications & marketing

Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, Bemidji State offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. University signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global and multi-cultural understanding.