BISMARCK – Williston State College President Raymond Nadolny, who was placed on leave last week for alleged misconduct involving alcohol, has completed a medical evaluation and is taking about a month off for medical leave, North Dakota University System Interim Chancellor Larry Skogen said Wednesday.
“I have full confidence in Dr. Nadolny returning to work to his full duties on Nov. 19,” Skogen said in a phone interview.
Nadolny will take advantage of health services recommended by his healthcare provider, Skogen said in a statement emailed late Tuesday, calling the well-being of Nadolny and WSC “our highest priorities.”
“It is no secret that there are unique challenges to all organizations currently operating in western North Dakota, and colleges are no different,” he said in the statement.
Last week, Skogen said he received a complaint alleging that Nadolny’s alcohol use was “impinging upon his duties as president,” but he wouldn’t discuss specifics.
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In an Oct. 15 letter notifying Nadolny that he was being put on indefinite paid administrative leave, Skogen told him that if an independent investigator found evidence to support the allegations, “I will likely initiate action to dismiss you.”
But Skogen’s latest statement made no mention of Nadolny’s alleged alcohol use, and he said Wednesday that the possible firing of Nadolny is now “absolutely” off the table. He said he and Nadolny had “a number of conversations,” and the issue has been resolved.
“We took very decisive action based on some serious allegations, and we have resolved that, and so we are moving forward,” he said.
Skogen said he couldn’t comment on the nature of the medical help sought by Nadolny. His statement said Nadolny will take advantage of health services recommended by his healthcare provider.
Nadonly does not have a listed phone number. He had to turn in his college-issued cell phone when he was placed on leave, along with his keys and other campus property.
Skogen has appointed Terry Olson, executive director of the WSC Foundation, to serve as interim president of the college of about 900 students until Nadolny’s return.
The University System office is still arranging a team to assess Williston State in the next few weeks in order to “develop a plan that supports the continuing success of this integral part of our university system,” Skogen said in the statement.
State Board of Higher Education President Kirsten Diederich said Wednesday she was “very satisfied” with how Nadolny’s situation was handled and doesn’t expect the board to address it “until Dr. Nadolny has had his health evaluation and treatment, and we’ll move on from there.”
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“We are just concerned with Dr. Nadolny’s health and the health of the institution,” she said.
The board voted in September to give Nadolny a 5 percent salary increase, which was higher than the 3 percent raise given to seven other presidents in the University System, including the presidents of the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. Board members cited the high cost of living in Williston as the reason for Nadolny’s bigger raise, which increased his salary to $183,299, retroactive to July 1.
Nadolny became WSC’s third president in April 2009. He had previously spent nine years as vice president for extended learning at Lake Washington Technical College in Kirkland, Wash., and 10 years in the Arizona community college system.
