NDSU president Dean L. Bresciani has expressed the university’s condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and students of Cole Gustafson, chair of the agribusiness and applied economics department, who was killed Saturday in an accident on his family’s farm in Minnesota. Gustafson embodied what NDSU is about—he was a dedicated teacher, extension specialist and researcher.
Gustafson was leading his department for the second time in his career. He was an innovative teacher who knew providing the best education would allow students to be successful in their lives and careers. He was the first extension bioenergy economist on NDSU's campus and was known throughout the state and region as an expert in this field. He also was a wonderful mentor, securing significant grant money in bioenergy research and extension that allowed younger faculty to participate and get their careers off to a good start.
“As we mourn the tragic loss of Dr. Gustafson, I hope his family and all of us at NDSU can find comfort in the sense of community that makes this a special place,” Bresciani said.