Commencement Speaker
and Honorary Degree Recipient

Dr. Margaret R. Preska ’57

President Emerita, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Owner and CEO, Robinson Preska Management Company

Margaret Robinson Preska ’57 was born in Parma, NY, and entered The College at Brockport at age 15, graduating in 1957 summa cum laude. It was here at Brockport that she first envisioned her career goal to become a college president. She went on to earn a master’s degree at The Pennsylvania State University and her doctorate at the Claremont Graduate University.

Dr. Preska went from teaching kindergarten in 1959 to assuming the presidency of the Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1979, distinguishing herself in teaching and administrative positions at LaVerne College along the way.

She led Minnesota State University, Mankato to dramatically increase enrollment, improve its infrastructure, expand academic programs, and establish a major development program. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities named Dr. Preska president emerita and distinguished service professor.

In 1998 Dr. Preska helped found and was the CEO/provost of the Abu Dhabi campus of Zayed University, the first university for women in the United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Preska is currently the owner and CEO of the Robinson Preska Management Company. She also is a member of the Editor’s Circle of Milkweed Editions and on the Board of Directors of Xcel Energy Corporation.

Long involved with The College at Brockport, Dr. Preska has returned to her Alma Mater often. She gave the Undergraduate Commencement address in 1979, the Scholars Day keynote address in 1995, and was inducted into the Brockport Alumni Association’s Hall of Heritage in 1988.

The College at Brockport is pleased to welcome back to campus and recognize Dr. Preska for her service, her accomplishments, and her commitment to excellence in public higher education.