The call came out of the blue last summer while Rebecca M. Bergman relaxed at her home in North Oaks, Minnesota. As she reached for the phone, she couldn’t have guessed that the voice on the other line would ask her to consider putting her name in the hat for President of Gustavus Adolphus College. After hanging up that night, Bergman, who had happily spent the last 26 years in various leadership positions at Medtronic, was left to soul search.
“I respect her willingness to engage in open conversation about her decision-making.”—Jace Riggin
“That was a mind blowing moment where I had to stop and think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my career. I always thought I would continue with Medtronic until I decided to retire. After I received that call, the thought slowly took hold of me as a possible next chapter and the rest is history. Here I am,” Bergman said.
The rest certainly is history as Bergman is now the first woman in the 152-year history of Gustavus to be named president.
Her relationship with Gustavus started when her oldest son began attending the college. During her time as the mother of a Gustie, she gave a number of guest lectures on leadership and biomedical engineering. In 2007, the same year her son graduated, Bergman became a member of the Board of Trustees.
“Knowing her as a member of the Board of Trustees before she became president, I was very confident that she’d transition into the position well. Given her strength in leadership at Medtronic, it was evident that those skills would transfer smoothly into academia,” Administrative Assistant in the President’s Office Jean Noren said.
While her schedule has been all but teeming with meetings and events, President Bergman has still managed to use those skills to make an impression during her short time at Gustavus thus far.
“I think she has a very open communication style. I respect her willingness to engage in open conversation about her decision-making. It’s something that we were really in need of. I feel that it’s evidence to the fact that communication and conversation are commitments of hers and I appreciate that,” Junior Jace Riggin said.
Bergman believes that she owes much of her leadership style to her background in science. She says that in today’s complex, fast paced world, it’s imperative to be committed to making decisions in the face of uncertainty. When asked about the frustration surrounding Ohle’s presidency, she believes that there is no style of leadership that is perfect, but there is no style that cannot work.
“I’m sure people will have times when they’re frustrated with me too, that’s kind of the nature of the beast, but I also believe it’s possible to resolve frustration if people are committed to understanding and dialogue. I can’t be afraid to make decisions and take steps forward because I’m an experimentalist at heart, that’s what science trains you to be,” Bergman said.
“She’s very deserving of not only Gustie of the Week but her position as well because she truly feels deep within her that serving Gustavus is what she’s meant to do.”—Jean Noren
Luckily, Bergman has yet to be met with much frustration. She seems to match her understanding leadership style with an equally bold and kind personality that are exemplary of Gustavus’ core values.
“The first time I met her as President she looked directly into my eyes and smiled as she shook my hand. She has such a warm and genuine personality. She’s very deserving of not only Gustie of the Week but her position as well because she truly feels deep within her that serving Gustavus is what she’s meant to do,” Noren said.
Remembering the night she received that call, she also recalled that the easiest question in her soul-searching process was whether Gustavus was right for her.
“I had to get comfortable with the thought of change but the easiest factor was asking myself if Gustavus felt like a good place to invest time and energy. Did I love this place? The answer was an easy yes there. Now that it’s all said and done, I feel really affirmed in my decision,” Bergman said.
-Jaurdyn Dobler
