Outgoing NDSU Faculty Senate president Amy Rupiper Taggart formally presented the gavel to incoming president Gary Totten at the organization’s May 2 meeting at the Memorial Union Great room.

“It’s really been an honor to represent NDSU and, particularly, the faculty this year as so much change has been going on,” said Rupiper Taggart, who received a recognition plaque from Craig Schnell, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It has been an interesting and enlightening process.”

Totten, associate professor of English, will lead the Faculty Senate during the coming year. “I want to thank Amy for a great year. I have learned a lot about leadership and collaboration from her. She is a strong and influential leader,” Totten said.

Totten said his priorities for his term as president include advocating faculty governance, continued progress in equity and diversity and collaborations with Staff Senate and Student Government.

Totten earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Brigham Young University and his doctorate in American literature from Ball State University. He joined the NDSU faculty in 2004.

Also at the meeting, Thomas Stone Carlson, associate professor of human development and family science, was elected president-elect. He will serve as Faculty Senate president during the 2012-13 academic year.

Carlson joined the NDSU faculty in 2000 after earning his doctorate in human development and family studies at Iowa State University. He earned his master’s degree at Purdue University and his bachelor’s degree at Weber State University.