Opgaard, Dr. Carleton M.
Carleton M. Opgaard is a native North Dakotan who graduated from Valley City State College in 1952. He earned his master's degree from the University of Wyoming and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Washington. He also attended the University of Oslo in Norway as Fulbright scholar, the University of Minnesota and Washington State University. Presently the president of Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Washington, Opgaard has had extensive experience in the field of education. He taught at the elementary and high school level before entering the field of higher education. Prior to his current position, Opgaard has served in several administrative capacities, mainly in the northwest part of the United States and also in British Columbia, Canada. From 1969-78, Dr. Opgaard was president of Malaspina College, Nanaimo, British Columbia, and was a guest professor at the University of British Columbia the summer of 1978. Before taking over as president of Tacoma Community College, Opgaard was president of Dakota State College, Madison, South Dakota, from 1978-1983. Dr. Opgaard has involved himself in many professional associations and made major professional and community contributions in the various communities he has lived. He is currently a member of the Commencement Bay International Trade Council, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors, Economic Development Board; Chairman, Business Assistance Committee, Economic Development Board; Executive Committee, Private Industry Council, Economic Development Board. Dr. Opgaard and his wife, Phyllis, have four children.