U of M Interim President Has Deep Ties to Carlson School
Friday, October 13, 2023
One of the last times Jeff Ettinger was on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, there was a food fight.
Before becoming interim president of the University in June, Ettinger co-taught MKTG 6090: Challenges in Agribusiness—nicknamed “Food Fight”—with Professor Mark Bergen. The course, taught in Fall 2017 and 2018, examined critical issues facing the industry with Ettinger providing tangible, real-time analysis as a former Hormel Foods executive.
“Co-teaching with him was one of my favorite and most exciting learning experiences I have had the opportunity to be part of during my career,” Bergen says. “He was interested in making a real difference in students’ lives, and willing to do what it took to do the class right.”
Ettinger reflected on the course fondly, saying, “[Mark is] an energetic, talented and respected member of the Carlson School team. It was such a joy to work with Mark in the classroom in highly interactive sessions with great students.”
Co-teaching with him was one of my favorite and most exciting learning experiences I have had the opportunity to be part of during my career. He was interested in making a real difference in students’ lives, and willing to do what it took to do the class right.
The Board of Regents selected Ettinger for the interim president role following Joan T.A. Gabel’s departure for the University of Pittsburgh. Most recently, Ettinger had been the chair of The Hormel Foundation Board of Directors—a position from which he’s taking a leave of absence while leading the U of M. The Hormel Foundation is one of Minnesota’s largest community foundations and grant makers.
From 2005-2016, Ettinger was CEO of the Hormel Foods Corporation, responsible for a $9 billion annual budget and 20,000 employees. He became CEO after 16 years with the company in roles ranging from corporate attorney, marketing manager, treasurer, and president of the Jennie-O Turkey Store. A candidate for U.S. Congress in Minnesota’s First District in 2022, Ettinger has also served on the boards for a number of public and private companies.
Ettinger’s time with the Carlson School came through the Executive Leadership Fellows Program, which invites highly accomplished leaders from the public, private, or nonprofit sectors to enhance the school’s academic environment. Ettinger has also been a guest lecturer in Carlson School courses and at other universities, in addition to co-teaching with Bergen.
As interim president, Ettinger plans to use the strategic plan in place, MPact 2025, to better serve students, increase financial stewardship, increase sustainability, and positively impact the state during his stead.
This article appeared in the Fall 2023 alumni magazine
Leaders come in many forms. The Carlson School community shares styles, approaches, and other ways we lead.