A promise for SMSU’s future
Jones inaugurated as SMSU\'s 11th president
Photo by Deb Gau Minnesota State Trustee Jim Grabowska, at center, presented Dr. David Jones with the Southwest Minnesota State University medallion, as a symbol of Jones' inauguration as university president. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson, at right, welcomed Jones to his new role.
Photo by Deb Gau In his inaugural address, SMSU President Dr. David Jones said the university faced both challenges and possibilities.
Photo by Deb Gau Newly inaugurated SMSU President David Jones waved to community members in the crowd as a procession left the ceremony.
Photo by Deb Gau Minnesota State Trustee Jim Grabowska, at center, presented Dr. David Jones with the Southwest Minnesota State University medallion, as a symbol of Jones' inauguration as university president. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson, at right, welcomed Jones to his new role.
Photo by Deb Gau In his inaugural address, SMSU President Dr. David Jones said the university faced both challenges and possibilities.
Photo by Deb Gau Newly inaugurated SMSU President David Jones waved to community members in the crowd as a procession left the ceremony.
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MARSHALL -- David Jones knew that the job of Southwest Minnesota State University president was a high-pressure one. But the pressure had a positive side, Jones told the crowd gathered on campus Thursday afternoon.
"I want to say something about this job that may sound a little unusual. I am grateful for the pressure that comes with it," Jones said. "I am grateful for the responsibility, because that pressure means something. It means what we do matters. Our students matter. Our communities matter."
As Jones was formally inaugurated as university president, he said he wouldn't be alone in shouldering the responsibility for helping the university succeed. SMSU has never been about just one person, Jones said. Adding, that the community of the university moves forward together.
SMSU faculty and students, area community members and Minnesota State officials gathered Thursday to formally inaugurate Jones as university president. Jones is the 11th president in SMSU's history. He began his time at SMSU in 2025, serving as interim president. Jones was named permanent president in February.
Jones has held leadership positions at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Alabama. Before coming to SMSU as interim president, he was vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Minnesota State University Mankato.
Speakers at the inauguration reflected both on Jones' character and the broader purpose of the university. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson said the inauguration tradition was a reminder of the lasting mission of higher education.
"Since its founding, SMSU has transformed lives through educational opportunity. It has served as an essential partner in the region and has prepared generations of leaders," Olson said.
Olson said Jones was serving SMSU at a time when higher education is facing both significant challenges and great opportunities.
"President Jones has demonstrated a deep commitment to students, to collaboration, to innovation, and to public service. These qualities will serve Southwest Minnesota State University well as it builds upon its strong foundation and charts a path toward an even brighter future," Olson said.
Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes said that the community of Marshall looks forward to continuing strong partnerships with the university under Jones' leadership.
"Together, we will continue creating opportunities, strengthening our region and shaping a bright future for those we serve," he said.
Jones' ability to work with others and keep students' goals in mind was something that SMSU students valued, said John Haler, president of the SMSU Student Association.
"His willingness to collaborate with us students has been phenomenal," Haler said.
He said Jones has participated in campus events, has attended student government meetings and has kept communication open.
"His down-to-earth approach ensures that you feel comfortable bouncing ideas off of him, and his positive attitude makes it feel like problems are solvable," he said.
In his inaugural address, Jones looked toward the future of SMSU.
"As we move forward, I want us to remain a university that says yes to possibility, a university willing to experiment, a university that listens, learns and adapts," as well as one that believes in the potential of its students, Jones said. There will be challenges and difficult decisions ahead, Jones said, "But SMSU has never been afraid of a challenge."
"We were created because people believed something new was possible. Now it is our turn," Jones said.
As he accepted the responsibility of serving as SMSU president, Jones said, "I will make you a promise. I will listen. I will work. I will lead with purpose. I will celebrate our successes. I will confront our challenges, and I will never lose sight of why this university exists - our students."
Jones also invited community members to join him in that work.
"The future of SMSU will not simply happen to us. It will be because of us," he said.