MSU-Billings chancellor Groseth to retire

BILLINGS — The chancellor of Montana State University-Billings — and former interim chancellor at Montana State University-Northern — is retiring at the end of the school year.

Sixty-seven-year-old Rolf Groseth said in a Thursday letter to students and faculty that he was retiring from the post for unspecified personal reasons.

The Chicago native spent four years overseeing the 5,000-student school and more than three decades involved in the Montana university system. Before that, he was acting chancellor at Northern for 18 months in 2008 and 2009, before Frank Trocki was chosen as permanent chancellor.

Groseth formally notified Montana State University President Waded Cruzado Wednesday of his intent to retire following commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 3.

In a statement issued by the university, Cruzado thanked Groseth for his dedication and public service.

Cruzado will travel to Billings later this month to plan the hiring process for a successor.

Groseth's wife, Jaynee Drange Groseth, recently retired as president of the MSU Alumni Foundation.