UND Alumni Magazine Winter 2024

Explore our online and on-campus degree and certificate options.

BROOKS KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE

#UND PROUD

“UND provided me with a rigorous academic environment that challenged me to think critically, while also fostering a vibrant community encouraging collaboration and connection. The university’s commitment to nurturing students’ talents and values has instilled in me a deep sense of pride and responsibility to contribute to society. I am immensely proud to be an alum of UND.”

Brooks Burgum, Bell Bank Board Member

CHASING DREAMS, FINDING LOVE

Through heartwarming stories of alumni pursuing careers fueled by passion, couples who found love on campus, and reflections on the enduring affection for our alma mater, this edition highlights how love — whether for a person, a calling, or a place — can shape our lives. NEWS THAT MAKES US #UNDPROUD A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

PURPOSE & PASSION

How a UND degree can make dreams come true. 22 6

BLOSSOMING ROMANCE

From chance encounters to shared experiences, love is all around on campus.

CONNECTIONS

Love for the University of North Dakota is rooted in the impact it has on all of our lives.

28 ON

32

INSIDE UND ATHLETICS

30

FOREVER UND: THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

36

CLASS NOTES

Special thanks to Curt Hanson and Brian Baier, Chester Fritz Library Special Collections

46

48

A Blue Angel, a special agent, and a marathoner headline an accomplished cast.

ALUMNI PHOTO SHARE IN MEMORIAM

DEEP

ALUMNI IN ACTION

VOL. 107 NO. 4 WINTER 2024

UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

Chief Executive Officer

DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86 Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Sarah Prout, ’07

UND ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Editor

Alyssa Konickson, ’06, Associate VP of Marketing & Communications

Lead Designer

Jenny Wolf, ’03, Director of Creative & Brand Strategy Associate Editor

Stephanie Schultz, ’91, Associate Director of Storytelling & Content Strategy Senior Writers

Milo Smith, Senior Director of Public Relations & Videography

Jenn Lukens, Director of Stewardship & Donor Appreciation

Contributors, UND Alumni Association & Foundation

Lindsay Benson, ’13, ’14, Data & Software Systems Specialist

Angela Brayton, Graphic Design Intern

Melissa Garceau, Associate VP of Operations

Jasmine Koenig, Digital Media Coordinator & Photographer

Sam Melquist, Graphic Designer

Chad O’Shea, ’20, Associate Director of Stewardship Communication

Matt Scheerer, Associate Director of Development Communication

Jeannie Tvedt, Senior Database Coordinator

Contributors, University of North Dakota

Shawna Schill, ’06; Mike Hess; Janelle Vonasek, ’89; Walter Criswell, ’18; Russell Hons Photography

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair

Jim Poolman, ’92 Vice Chair

Darla (Kleven) Adams, ’84, ’85 Directors

Troy Bader, ’85 Lisa (Schmitz) Barnes, ’88

Twylah (Butler) Blotsky, ’93 Kelly (Keeler) Caruso, ’91

Chris Cooper, ’05, ’08

Kaleb Dschaak, ’20

Scott Fredericksen, ’74 Angie (Hovland) Freeman, ’91

Randy Gershman, ’84

Dr. Mike LeBeau, ’02

Gary Petersen, ’87, ’93

Lara (Olsen) Prozinski, ’90

Mike Hamerlik, ’84, ’88

Chuck MacFarlane, ’87

Karen (Borlaug) Phillips, ’77

Jodi Thompson Rolland, ’92

Dave St. Peter, ’89 Pat Sogard, ’82, ’86

Kathryn Uhrich, ’86

Chad Wachter Ex Officio

Andrew Armacost Eric Link

Karla Mongeon-Stewart

Nancy Pederson, ’90

Dr. Joshua Wynne DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86

The UND Alumni Magazine (ISSN 26896753) is published four times a year by the University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation 3501 University Avenue Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157

Periodical postage paid at Grand Forks, ND 58201 and other offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: UND Alumni Magazine 3501 University Avenue Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157 For inquiries about advertising, additional copies, submissions, or general comments, contact 800.543.8764, 701.777.2611 or alumnimag@UNDalumni.net.

100 MILLION REASONS TO LOVE UND

(and its alumni)!

Let’s talk about love. Thanks to their incredible love for the University of North Dakota, our alumni and friends donated a recordbreaking $100.5 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30.

It’s a powerful testament to the dedication so many have for this University.

Whether it’s supporting scholarships, conducting innovative research, or building state-of-the-art facilities, each gift, no matter the size, represents a personal connection and deep passion for UND. This milestone is more than just a number – it’s 100 million reasons to celebrate the enduring spirit of our UND family.

This issue of the UND Alumni Magazine focuses on the topic of love. In addition to the love that many students find when they meet their significant other on campus, there’s also the love for the University itself and the deep connections, friendships, and lifelong memories that UND fosters. From Homecoming celebrations to the remarkable achievements of our alumni, the love for UND is woven into the fabric of this institution in countless ways.

Here are a few recent examples:

• Mark, ’71, and Claudia Thompson, ’70, created an endowed faculty position in the College of Engineering & Mines. Claudia says getting to know Professor Jeremiah Neubert, who holds the fellowship, feels like “we’ve added another family to our family.”

• Dave and Alexa Albrecht have fallen in love with UND and its softball team as they’ve watched their daughter, Jackie, thrive in the program. That love led them to give the lead gift for a new softball stadium that celebrated its grand opening in September. See story on p. 32.

• Jim, ’98, and Nicole Poolman, ’98, hosted a summer gathering in which alumni and friends donated $80,000 to the Food for Thought Food Pantry on campus. These donors showed their love for students by making sure they have access to food to fuel their educational experience.

Homecoming: A Celebration of UND Spirit

One of the most special times of the year for me has always been Homecoming. It’s a week filled with joy, reconnections, and the overwhelming sense of community that defines our University. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing many Homecoming celebrations over the years, and each one serves as a reminder of the love people have for this place. It’s a love that endures through generations and binds us together, no matter where life may take us after graduation.

You can see photos from Homecoming 2024 on p. 26. Don’t suffer from “Fear of Missing Out” next year; make plans now to attend Homecoming Sept. 15-20, 2025!

A Lifetime of Dedication

When I think about love for UND, my mind is immediately drawn to the passion my fellow UNDAAF associates have for their work. For more than 33 years, I have had the honor of serving this University, and it has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I am not alone in working more than three decades for this outstanding organization – three others have even more time than me! They are Jeannie Tvedt (40 years), Cindy Filler (40 years) and Becky Greer, ’90 (34 years). In addition, between UND and the UNDAAF, Peter Johnson, ’81, ’82, has 35 years of service and several others on the staff have been here more than two decades.

Love Leads to Momentum

Finally, the theme of love reminds me of the search that brought us our 13th president, Andrew Armacost. During the interview process, Andy continually referred to his personal philosophy of “love your people.” It’s one of the things that made him stand out as a candidate.

Andy brought that philosophy to campus with great success, and I would say that “love your people” is a key driver of the momentum that has brought more than 15,000 students to campus this fall – only the third time in UND history that enrollment has surpassed that milestone!

As we celebrate the love so many share for UND – whether through generous gifts, lifelong friendships, or cherished memories – it’s clear that this University is more than just a place of education. It’s a community, a family, and a foundation for dreams that span generations. From record-setting achievements to the quiet acts of kindness that often go unnoticed, the love for UND runs deep. Together, we’ve built a legacy of giving, passion, and connection that will shape the future of UND for years to come. And with each new milestone, we’re reminded that there are always more reasons to love this remarkable place along the English Coulee. ///

QUOTABLE

#UNDproud THE THINGS THAT MAKE US

For more, subscribe to UND Today at blogs.UND.edu/UND-today.

“We’re retaining people at a higher rate, they’re coming to us at a faster rate, and we’re graduating more and more and more students. This big influx of students is a sign of what we have created together: momentum. This is our word of the year.”

UND President Andrew Armacost, speaking at the State of the University address in late August

BATTLING INVISIBLE DANGER

The Department of Communication is partnering with the Grand Forks and Fargo public libraries to offer free radon test kits. Radon, the secondleading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., is a concern in North Dakota, which has the highest indoor radon levels in the country.

SHE’S GOT SPIRIT

Cassie Gerhardt, ’96, ’08, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, is known around campus as “the pink and green lady.” Colleagues associate her with school spirit, genuine care for students, and as the No. 1 cheerleader for the UND community.

“I’ve loved UND since my days as an undergraduate!” Cassie said. “The campus has been transformed in recent years so, on your next visit, explore some of my favorite places.”

UND Arch, located between the Memorial Union and Abbot Hall, serves as a gateway entry point to campus. It is the perfect spot for a picture!

Memorial Union, which was demolished and rebuilt, opened in August 2021 and is amazing! Be sure to check out the campus views from the third floor and the locally influenced art in Starbucks.

Celebrated Memorial, west of the Hughes Fine Arts Center, is a peaceful part of campus and a place to remember and celebrate UND friends no longer with us.

BY THE NUMBERS

15,019

Students enrolled at UND this fall, a 6% increase over fall 2023.

84

Percent of students enrolled at UND in fall 2023 came back in fall 2024, the highest retention rate ever recorded by the North Dakota University System (going back to 1990).

8

Newly appointed endowed faculty were honored at the Faculty Investiture Ceremony & Celebration in August.

50

New U.S. citizens from 27 countries took the Oath of Allegiance at the Memorial Union on Citizen Day, Sept. 17.

$182 million

UND’s externally funded research expenditures for FY 2023, a significant increase from $110 million just four years ago.

188,300

Total service-hour goal for the 2024-25 academic year for students, faculty, and staff.

NASA LANDING

UND is home to a NASA space capsule used during a July 2009 “launch abort” test at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. The capsule will be displayed on campus after being restored by John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences students and staff.

QUIZ BITS

Which of the following is not a newly established research center that addresses critical issues affecting the region and is managed by the College of Engineering & Mines?

a) Artificial Intelligence Research Center (AIR)

b) Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR)

c) Materials & Manufacturing Research Center (MMRC)

d) Center for Innovative Energy Solutions (CIES) (d) CIES

BOOKS ACROSS BORDERS

The Chester Fritz Library donated 150 Bygdebøker (“farm books”) to the Norway House, a Norwegian cultural center in Minneapolis. These books are part of UND’s Arnie G. Brekke Bygdebøk Collection, the largest in the U.S. with over 1,600 volumes. They are typically written in Norwegian and rarely found outside Norway.

Gershman Graduate Center, formerly known as Oxford House and the J. Lloyd Stone Alumni Center, has been beautifully restored and renovated into a space for graduate students to connect.

Campus

Landscaping

As you tour campus, don’t miss the lovely landscaping. The flowers are especially beautiful in the summer.

A FOCUS ON NATIONAL SECURITY

Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson, the first woman to lead a U.S. combatant command, served as the inaugural speaker at UND LEADS: Broad Perspectives on National Security. The discussion series will explore key topics in national security, with fall sessions hosted at UND and spring discussions set for Washington, D.C.

Additionally, in early October, UND unveiled the Mark & Claudia Thompson National Security Corridor.

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO

HOWARD BAILEY, ’81, ’83, ’85, & ERIK IVERSON, ’94

A

POWERFUL

PARTNERSHIP

UND grads accelerate cancer research and treatment.

Cancer research is advancing at a pace like never before, and two UND alumni are leading the charge.

Howard Bailey, ’81, ’83, ’85, and Erik Iverson, ’94, created the UW Carbone Cancer Center Innovation Fund and Venture Philanthropy Program, which provides seed funding to support cancer research, faculty recruitment, and product development. The initiative’s goal is to advance new approaches to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Donors to the program may receive co-investment opportunities in related biotech startups.

“We asked ourselves, ‘How can we connect and motivate donors to support this entire process?’” said Erik, CEO of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). WARF, an independent nonprofit that serves as UW-Madison’s technology transfer organization, supports university research by funding, obtaining patents, and licensing inventions to industry.

Erik joined WARF in 2016 after working at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Infectious Disease Research Institute in Seattle. His background complements Howard’s 35-year medical career with the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC), where he serves as director. The UWCCC, one of the first National Cancer Institute-designated centers, receives $100 million in cancer research funding and treats 50,000 patients every year.

“The concept evolved naturally as we recognized a linear path from philanthropic donations to funding cancer research, securing patent protection, and eventually launching startups,” said Erik.

A Unique Opportunity

The UWCCC Innovation Fund and Venture Philanthropy Program is a “pay-to-play game of fine philanthropy” that starts with the University of Wisconsin’s successful and expanding venture portfolio, Erik said. Donors fund early researchers at Carbone and receive updates on drug development. They can track those ideas into the marketplace and then invest in startup companies. They’re expected to give 20% back to the university if they realize a financial return.

The structure allows early-stage researchers at Carbone to quickly develop and commercialize breakthrough treatments. “When a researcher discovers a promising new target, we start working with WARF and venture philanthropists even before the drug is patented,” Howard said. “This approach gives us the ability to cast a much wider net to explore the possibilities.”

Howard said several promising ideas are already in the pipeline. They could enter clinical trials within the next year or two — far quicker than the typical seven-to-eight-year timeline. “It’s still not fast enough,” he said, emphasizing the urgency to bring new treatments to patients.

“Whether it’s a new drug, a new antibody, or a new imaging technique, we’ve done that,” he said. “But it isn’t just about basic research, it’s about how we can quickly translate that research into real benefits for people.”

Creatively Leveraging Resources

The possibilities offered by the venture philanthropy model energize both men.

“We align the research incentives with the commercialization incentives, and because we’re all part of the ecosystem of the UW-Madison, we’re partners. Few places in the country can

actually build this as one cohesive unit,” Erik said. “We have both big research and a captive venture fund spinning these companies out.”

Howard added, “It’s extra rewarding because of working with Erik. Both of us have semi-highfalutin positions at this big university, and we’re trying to do things that are somewhat unique across the country.”

The North Dakota Connection

Though Howard and Erik share an alma mater, they didn’t meet until their work brought them together. “We’re two UND brothers who graduated literally across the street from each other — one in med school and one in law school. One leads one of the country’s most comprehensive cancer centers, the other leads the world’s first and largest tech transfer office,” Erik said.

“It was a cutting-edge, highimpact decision made by two UND graduates that will have a big impact on cancer treatment. That’s what UND produces.”

ERIK IVERSON, ’94

Howard added, “I’ve always differentiated myself by being the guy from North Dakota, telling stories about growing up in a small town.”

After 35 years at UWCCC, he plans to retire within the year. “I’ve loved what I’ve done – not that anybody would love dealing with cancer, but it’s been such life-affirming work; the patients, the families, the people are so impressive and wonderful. Even in the middle of suffering, my patients would say, ‘What are you going to do? You can’t work all the time.’ They were worried about what I was going to do and how happy I was going to be.”

While his retirement will mark the end of the dayto-day working partnership between the two North Dakotans, they’re excited to tell their story. “It took both Howard and me to creatively leverage all the resources available to us,” Erik said. “It was a cutting-edge, high-impact decision made by two UND graduates that will have a big impact on cancer treatment. That’s what UND produces.” ///

Handling raptors — predator birds with sharp claws, keen intelligence, and incredible power — has been a new challenge for Dr. Lynda LaFond, ’22, and her team at Minot Air Force Base (AFB).

Through raptor translocation, Lynda and her team safely relocate hawks and owls from high-risk areas, such as near airplanes, to safer environments.

This project is one of several initiatives that helped Lynda’s team earn the 2024 Natural Resources Conservation, Small Installation Award from the Secretary of Defense.

“This is the first time Minot has won the award,” said Lynda, Minot AFB Natural and Cultural Resources Program Manager. “We were surprised and excited.”

Award applicants compete against all branches of the military. Lynda oversaw Minot AFB’s application process, which spanned two years and highlighted the raptor translocation program, pollinator projects, biocontrol measures to reduce invasive species, bat population monitoring, wildlife surveillance, and a base-wide tree inventory.

raptor translocation

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO

LYNDA LAFOND, ’22

SOARING ACHIEVEMENTS

Raptor enthusiast and conservationist leads Minot Air Force Base to environmental award.

“The raptor translocation program is the most rewarding,” Lynda said. “We run a multi-step process that requires constant monitoring. We use pigeons as live bait, safely enclosed in cages to attract raptors. The raptor thinks it’s getting food but is captured instead. We tag the hawks and release them back into ecosystems where they belong — just not near B-52s.”

Lynda relies heavily on her team. Midway through the award period, she stepped into the role of Natural Resources Manager, replacing Jesse Busenbarrick. Nicolas Suzda led the bird and wildlife air strike hazard team that helped with raptor translocation, while Lester Nicholas’s pest management team monitored infrastructure threats. “There’s no way I could do these things without those guys and the rest of my environmental section,” Lynda said.

UND Education + Military Experience

Lynda served in the Air Force for nearly a decade before returning to school at UND. As a graduate teaching assistant, she learned to effectively communicate science to diverse audiences. “I often need to explain my projects to various stakeholders, from budget officers to commanders, and show how they benefit the mission and the airmen,” she said.

When airmen ask, “Why are you catching bumblebees?” or “Why are you identifying every tree on base?” Lynda ties her explanations to what’s important to them. “Finding that connection is key to effective communication,” she said.

Lynda also credits UND’s diverse biology curriculum for preparing her to tackle a wide range of environmental challenges on the job. ///

Raptors are birds of prey that hunt for food using sharp claws and beaks, like hawks or eagles. They may accidentally hit planes, endangering people as well as themselves. Experts like Lynda and her team catch the raptors on the Air Force Base and release them into new environments where they can live and hunt free from danger.

SAFARI BERRY, ’20, ’23, & SHELAMAR HENDERSON, ’19

FROM CLASS PROJECT TO SAFE HAVEN

Ernie’s Place provides transitional housing for young adults exiting the foster care system.

Last fall, the North Dakota Homeless Management Information System reported that the number of people living in emergency shelters had more than quadrupled in the past year. For youth aging out of the foster care system, impending homelessness is a scary reality.

UND graduate students Safari Berry, ’20, ’23, and Shelamar Henderson, ’19, addressed this growing concern and developed Ernie’s Place as a class project.

Ernie’s Place, in north Grand Forks, provides transitional housing and support for 18- to 24-year-olds with prior involvement in the foster care system. On-site workshops help residents learn life skills like cooking, financial literacy and gardening.

“These kids haven’t had that traditional, supportive family,” Safari said. “Being bounced around, in and out of foster care homes and centers, they haven’t had someone alongside them teaching them the skills we take for granted.”

For example, one resident learned the dangers of leaving bacon on the stove, which triggered a call to the fire department. Others have learned how to use a washing machine or prepare meals that don’t come from a microwave.

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE

DO

No Barriers

Safari and Shelamar consulted local community members and their target population, built a strong referral network, and strategically sought funding so that they could serve both North Dakota and Minnesota youth. “We didn’t want the Red River to be a barrier,” Safari said.

Since opening in February, Ernie’s Place has operated at full capacity. Managed by a case manager with the support of an intern, five dorms are available for short-term residents, and two apartments house those needing longer stays, up to 24 months. Residents pay rent based on their income.

One recent resident stayed just over a month before moving into the dorms at UND. “He was over the moon when he got his acceptance letter,” Safari said. “He knew what he wanted to do; he knew how to do it. We were there to help and guide him.”

Other residents have been there since February. “We encourage them to think about what they want to do and to figure out their bigger goals. If obtaining a GED is a goal, we give them time to achieve that,” Safari said.

Safari and Shelamar are impressed by the residents’ resiliency. “They don’t give up — not a single one. They’re going to push through,” Shelamar said.

No Stigma

“We created Ernie’s Place from the ground up. We had an empty building and an idea,” Safari said.

The building, formerly the Ernie J. Norman Shelter, was donated by Norman, well-known in Grand Forks social work. “When we took over the building to reopen it as a youth transitional home, we wanted to honor the Norman family and all they have done for the community,” Safari said.

By shortening the name, Safari hoped to reduce the stigma around homelessness.

“We wanted at-risk youth to be able to say, ‘I stayed at Ernie’s Place,’ without any awkwardness or judgment.” ///

Safari Berry (left) is a data manager at Red River Valley Community Action and Shelamar Henderson is a case manager at the Tri-Valley Opportunity Council. Both women worked full-time while pursuing their master’s degrees.

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO

LESLIE HAGERT RETHEMEIER, ’09

A NEW LEASH ON LIFE

Journey Home Animal Rescue saves North Dakota strays.

Webster, a Mastiff mix, was stuck in a rural North Dakota pound.

The massive puppy wasn’t well; he had a large, mysterious wound on his side. Webster (pictured at right) needed help.

A call went out, and Leslie Hagert Rethemeier, ’09, with Journey Home Animal Rescue, answered.

Leslie’s journey began in 2004, her freshman year at UND. “I started learning about many unwanted animals in North Dakota and became aware that there was a big need in Grand Forks for foster homes and rescues.”

She, fellow UND alum Jennie Belanus, ’06, and two other Grand Forks-area animal advocates launched Journey Home in 2019 after fostering pets for several years. The four founders were immediately inundated with requests for help. “People told me, ‘If you build it, they will come,’” said Leslie (pictured below).

Journey Home has become a crucial resource for animals in the region, particularly in rural areas where options are scarce. Police officers from Mayville, Hillsboro, and small towns with limited facilities, like Cavalier, Devils Lake and Spirit Lake Nation, regularly turn to Journey Home for help with stray animals. “We’ve taken in dogs hit by cars, dogs that have been shot, and others that are simply not thriving,” Leslie said.

Journey Home has helped over 7,000 animals, offering transportation, housing, and care. At any given time, around 150 animals are in foster homes. “Our priority is to place animals in foster homes where they experience the least stress and the best care,” Leslie said.

7,000 dogs and cats saved (transport, fostering, care)

150 dogs and cats in foster homes at any one time

Calling All Animal Lovers

UND students and faculty make up 60% of Journey Home’s volunteer team. “College is not a great time for students to have their own dogs. They’ll come to hang out with the dogs and cats and eventually, some adopt or foster,” Leslie said. “It’s the gateway to becoming more involved or finding your own dog.”

During the 2023-24 school year, diverse groups across campus rallied to help. A team of six from the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration visited weekly; the UND Cheer team, led by head coach Dani Thompson, ’09, ’16, – who fosters animals – brought their spirit to rescue efforts. UND Track and Field athletes joined in, helping with dog walking and unloading heavy food shipments. The Women’s Basketball team volunteered and UND Hockey hosted meet-and-greets and introduced dogs – on the ice – to large audiences at the Ralph.

When a Foster Becomes Furever

Every adoption of an animal that might otherwise have been euthanized is a victory. “I have had foster dogs that I have rehabbed through a life-saving surgery and gotten them through the first nine months of their lives and then they meet their forever family,” Leslie said. “It’s rewarding but bittersweet.”

Connections formed during fostering make the separation hard. “When volunteers spend enough time with animals, they become the dog’s person,” Leslie said. “You can see the way the dog looks at them; you can just feel the bond.”

Webster’s Happy Ending

After Webster’s surgery, he had a 12-inch incision that required a large drain, and he needed eight medications daily. “He was a sight to see,” Leslie said. “It was a chore to keep the 100-pound puppy, who just wanted to play, stimulated in other ways.”

After weeks of recovery in Journey Home’s emergency placement program, Webster found a foster home to settle into before adoption. “His goofy, sweet personality came out,” Leslie said. “He quickly became a volunteer favorite.”

It wasn’t long before Webster found his forever home with a family that included kids and another dog. “The first thing he did when he arrived was jump on the couch and sit on our laps,” his new family said. “He loves to chase us around the kitchen island, and when we play catch, he does this funny jump to catch the ball.”

Webster, known now as Andre, or “Dre,” loves to sleep on the top bunk bed. Now a different dog – healthy, happy, and loved, Webster has made his Journey Home. ///

UND faculty and students, like track and field athletes and hockey cheerleaders, make up 60% of Journey Home’s volunteers.

100+

UND volunteers annually

10

UND clubs represented

20

student-athletes and student leaders completed volunteer hours last year

4

UND Athletic teams represented

60% of volunteers are UND affiliated

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO

SUZANNE RANDALL, ’95

THE THUMBPRINT OF LEADERSHIP

Marketing professional makes her mark at Accenture and beyond.

Suzanne Randall, ’95, is a leader whose thumbprint is unmistakable — both in her professional achievements as Accenture’s United States Marketing + Communications

Lead and the founder of the company’s Native American Employee Resource Group, and in her personal life as a proud Native American, mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

“I’m passionate about my family, North Dakota roots and career in marketing + communications. As a girl from Grand Forks and proud enrolled tribal member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, I’ve used my platform to educate, build awareness, and build respect for Indian Country. I’m a storyteller at heart, proud of my heritage and the impact I can make in the world.”

The Thumbprint

Suzanne shared her story on the TEDx stage in 2022, weaving together the people – especially the strong women – and experiences of her life through the lens of a thumbprint.

Suzanne’s great-grandmother, unable to read or write in English, was forced to sign a document with her thumbprint, sending her daughter –Suzanne’s grandma – to an American Indian Boarding school. Her grandma went on to use her own thumb to hitchhike away from that school. Suzanne’s mother, June (Parisien) Randall, ’78, ’81, later left the reservation with $5 and her belongings in a paper bag. She attended cosmetology school — using her thumbs (and fingers) to style hair, eventually earning degrees from UND and working for the University.

Those role models inspire Suzanne to continuously seek opportunities. At UND, Suzanne found mentors like Dr. Lucy Ganje, who helped her become laser-focused on her communications career. Ganje led the Indians into Journalism

initiative, where Suzanne served as a reporter. “That experience laid a strong foundation, allowing me to blend my native storytelling and communication skills early in my life,” Suzanne said.

She is also grateful for her experience at UND’s Studio One television station and an internship at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. “Just as I started, Nancy Kerrigan was attacked, and the whole Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan scandal unfolded. I was in the Office of Public Information and Media Relations. I had a front-row seat in how to manage crisis communications.”

Before graduating, Suzanne studied in Norway for six months. The U.S. Department of Education then awarded her a full-ride scholarship to attend graduate school at Northwestern University outside of Chicago.

“That’s the beauty of college – you see the opportunities ahead of you, dig in, take them by the horns, and see what you learn,” Suzanne said. “Having a lifelong love of learning is essential for any career.”

Learning, Every Day

Suzanne began her Accenture career in Atlanta in 1996 and even after 28 years, Suzanne learns something new every day. She has worked across various divisions, traveled internationally, and moved across the country. (She now lives outside Denver.)

“It’s been an adventure,” she said. “But it’s the quality of the people and the countless opportunities to learn and grow that have kept me motivated and loyal.”

“It’s important to love your thumbprint and be true to yourself. Find what you love and you’re passionate about, and go for it and be open to all the new experiences. Take advantage of those and continue to think about how you can make an impact, and think about how the work you do is going to impact the next seven generations.”

Appreciating Diversity

Nine years into her career and on maternity leave with her first child, Suzanne thought about her experiences at Accenture, including attending events for the company’s diverse array of Employee Resource Group activities.

While she appreciated learning about different people and cultures, Suzanne noticed a gap in the groups; there wasn’t one for Native Americans. She wrote a one-page business case, pitched it to Accenture, and got immediate approval. With $500 and eight members — half of whom were not Native American — Suzanne launched Accenture’s Native American Employee Resource Group. “The goal was simple: create a group that provides recognition and opportunities, and use it as a platform to recruit more Native Americans into the company.”

Today, the group has over 500 members and a $10,000 budget. Accenture has also awarded nearly $1.3 million in scholarships to over 120 Native American students from across 60 tribes.

The group also brings more underrepresented communities into technology. “Technology is everywhere, and it has the power to really level the playing field,” Suzanne said.

“Accenture doesn’t just talk about our unwavering commitment to inclusion and diversity; our actions speak volumes. I’m proud to be an authentic example of that story.”

Love What You Do

“I love what I do, I love the people I work with, and I love that every day I have the opportunity to make an impact with our clients, our people, and our community. I’m passionate about building and strengthening the Accenture brand with the best team on the planet.”

Suzanne said marketing + communications professionals build brand love by creating meaningful experiences, which is evident in her work on high-profile partnerships, including the PGA and LPGA.

With the promotion to her current role in September, Suzanne’s influence continues to grow throughout Accenture. More importantly, her “thumbprint” is all over the people and places in her life, lending its unique character to every situation she touches. ///

WATCH VIDEO

Use your phone’s camera to scan this code and watch Suzanne’s TEDx Talk, “Love Your Thumbprint—Love You.” youtube.com

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO

I recall them as plain as can be.

The little pink flowers that grew in the wheat

Are dear to my memory.

Published in Prairie Wings, a magazine of verse March 22, 1934

HARRIET (MILLS) MCKAY, CLASS OF 1920

A POETIC PATH

North Dakotan’s love of the prairie translates into acclaimed literary career.

“You can take the girl out of the prairie, but you can’t the prairie out of the girl.”

Such was the case with Harriet (Mills) McKay, class of 1920, a North Dakota native and nationally recognized poet who moved frequently with her husband, Douglas McKay, class of 1917. Douglas worked in gold mining, managing operations in Utah, Nevada, California, and the Philippines. Throughout the many moves, Harriet’s poetry reflected a longing for the prairie.

“Her poems record her loneliness in remote mining camps and show that she never lost her love for the prairie,” wrote her daughter, Mary McKay Maynard, who donated a substantial collection of Harriet’s poems to UND.

Harriet’s Life

Harriett was born in 1896 on the family farm near Park River, North Dakota. She and her three sisters grew up with a love for learning and the land. To fund their UND educations, the sisters took turns leaving school to work as teachers, then re-enrolling to continue their studies. Despite her on-and-off attendance, Harriet acted in many plays at UND and served as secretary/ treasurer of the UND senior class of 1920.

While at the University, she met Douglas McKay, a member of the UND football team. The two married in 1920 and began what their daughter described as their “westward wanderings.”

The couple had two children, Robert and Mary, and moved to the Philippines in 1937 for Douglas’ work in the gold mines. When the Japanese occupied the Philippines in 1942, the McKay family fled to the mountain jungles of Mindanao Island. They lived in hiding with guerrillas and other Americans for two years, before being evacuated to Australia by submarine. They returned to the United States in 1944, only to go back to Douglas’ Philippines post in 1947.

Frequent moves didn’t slow Harriet’s creative output; she penned hundreds of poems from various mining camps across the western United States. Over the years, Harriet’s poetry gained national recognition. She was the editor for the “Nevada Number” of Troubadour Poetry Magazine and was frequently published in nationally circulated magazines. Her archives contain a thick index of poems sent to publishers, including those accepted and the payments she received.

Harriet passed away in 1949, just a few months after Douglas, and shortly after they returned to California from the Philippines. According to her daughter, Harriet quoted Shakespeare until the end of her life. ///

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO

CALEB FAUL, ’17, & BEN DAVIS, ’16

A PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNEY

Former classmates secure tenure-track positions at universities across the country.

When Caleb Faul, ’17, and Ben Davis, ’16, were in college, they prioritized books over meals.

“Caleb and I spent outrageous amounts of money on our books and just ate pasta all the time,” said Ben (pictured above, left). “We challenged each other with additional assignments and had self-imposed reading groups, meeting in a cafe to discuss James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses.’”

This fall, the two UND philosophy majors secured tenuretrack faculty positions at their respective universities.

Both men credit Dr. Lucian Stone and Dr. Rebecca Rozelle-Stone with inspiring them to pursue doctorates in philosophy. Caleb came to UND as a music major, but his trajectory changed after his first philosophy class with Dr. Stone. “I wanted to be like Lucian Stone; I wanted to be a philosophy professor,” Caleb said.

Ben initially considered a law degree. He was taking political science and history courses and was drawn to the foundational thinkers highlighted in his textbooks. “When a U.S. government text included a passage from Thomas Jefferson, that’s what I focused on,” Ben said. “I wanted to read more of the actual important documents, not just the summaries.”

For Caleb and Ben, philosophy classes proved to be a perfect fit. “Lucian and Rebecca treated us like students who had the capacity to engage with important original material,” Ben said. “That kind of faith in a student, their help in working through things that were quite difficult, and the fact that we could productively engage in the material was very encouraging and formative.”

A Bond Born in Debate

The camaraderie between Caleb and Ben began during their frequent visits to Professor Stone’s office. “I used to spend the entire duration of Lucian’s office hours having philosophical conversations,” Caleb said. “One day, I showed up and was very annoyed because someone else was already there, having a very long conversation.”

That someone was Ben, and that initial frustration turned into friendship. “We became classmates and good friends and started haunting each other’s time as well as our professors’,” Caleb said.

Charting New Territories

Caleb teaches at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. He enjoys life in a small town with an excellent public school system, where his wife, Marie (Liebler-Irwin) Faul, ’15, hopes to get a job as a music teacher. Ben is at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. With family nearby, he’s embracing the Texas heat and said he “almost” bought a pair of cowboy boots.

Caleb and Ben agree that it’s not the place but the students who make their jobs interesting. And Professor Lucian Stone would likely agree. ///

“It is truly extraordinary that two of our alumni will be teaching and researching in ways that will impact many others in the future.” PROFESSOR LUCIAN STONE

WE DO WHAT WE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO

JON

SOLBERG, ’06 EXPEDITION DOCTOR

Doctor and soldier with a penchant for storytelling guides future emergency physicians.

UND Director of Emergency Medicine Jon Solberg, ’06, a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and Academy of Wilderness Medicine, captures students’ attention with storytelling

His favorite tale? Not braving Greenland’s white darkness, and not traversing the scorching deserts of Africa. His most-often told tale starts much closer to home.

“I was at Lake Metigoshe (in northern North Dakota) when somebody was severely injured on the water,” he tells first-year medical students. “Nobody knew what to do, but everybody knew I was going to medical school, so they asked me to help. We rushed him in a pickup at 100 mph through winding Turtle Mountain roads.”

Jon said they endangered others on the roads and risked further injury to the friend. “It was that instance that I said, ‘I don’t ever want to be the doctor that doesn’t know what to do in an emergency.’”

From Farming to Medicine

While studying agriculture at NDSU, a summer experience watching a hip surgery motivated Jon to change his major.

But it wasn’t until he was nearly through medical school that he first left the country, traveling to Cameroon for a rotation. “I fell in love with travel, working in an austere environment, and thinking outside the box. All the medicines are different; they’re behind the times. That’s what started it.”

From there, Jon’s travel exploded. After being selected to do an extended rural medicine training program (Rural Opportunities in Medical Education, or ROME) in Williston, North Dakota, he enlisted in the military. During basic training and residency, he expanded his emergency, wilderness, and combat medicine skills. He also learned to climb mountains, scuba dive, sail, and earned his pilot’s license.

Adventures and Overland Journeys

While deployed in Afghanistan, Jon discovered the Overland Journal, a magazine about adventure travel. He emailed the editor, and soon became a contributing writer, sharing first-aid tips for expedition enthusiasts.

Years later, Greg Miller, then Chancellor of the Utah Jazz and an Overland Journal reader, invited Jon on an unprecedented journey across Greenland. A seven-man team endured -30 to -40°F and total white-outs, “white darkness,” while driving nonstop for a month to reach the farthest point north by motor vehicle.

Jon has since served as the medical doctor on numerous expeditions, most recently with Expedition Overland and TV, a Montana-based film production company. He has ventured to the farthest points north and west in Alaska, and to South Africa, through Botswana and the Kalahari Desert into Lesotho. Ironically, Jon’s most significant rescue mission was for himself. “I got pretty sick in Africa last time. I thought I had malaria.” He eventually recovered at a hospital six hours from camp.

“UND opened so many doors. Everywhere I go, especially in the military, mentioning UND and North Dakota instantly earns trust and responsibility.”

At Home in North Dakota

Six years ago, Jon helped establish the UND Emergency Medicine Department with the goal of increasing the number of ER doctors in North Dakota. He now leads several emergency medicine seminars each year; 15 students are currently training to be ER doctors – a significant increase since the program’s inception.

Jon recently co-taught a first aid and survival course for small aircraft pilots. He expected five participants; 27 showed. He’s now working on offering the class to UND Aviation students. This spring, he will lead the first-ever month-long wilderness medicine elective, which will culminate with students organizing and delivering their own wilderness first aid course to community members. He now travels on expeditions every other year. “It’s tough to be a family guy and be gone for a month and find things to do where our schedules align,” Jon said. Jon and his wife, a radiologist, and their three children practice martial arts together. Jon is testing for his second-degree black belt this fall.

No matter where he goes, Jon always returns to that lesson he learned before starting med school. “I tell students, ‘You’re going to be somewhere in your life – a baseball game for your kid, a concert where there’s a shooting, a car accident – and somebody will look to you for help. You need to know what to do in the first 10 or 15 minutes.’ I can teach them all of that in three days.”

Bringing his experiences back to UND is the most rewarding part of Jon’s journey. “UND opened so many doors. Everywhere I go, especially in the military, mentioning UND and North Dakota instantly earns trust and responsibility.” ///

‘JEG

ELSKER DEG’ MEANS ‘I LOVE YOU’

Beginner Norwegian leads to a life in Norway.

When Susan Klein-Holman, ’98, began taking Norwegian classes at UND in the fall of 1995, her goal was to connect with her heritage.

She never imagined it would lead to a new life in Norway, precisely where her great-grandfather was from.

Early in the semester, Susan was meeting a friend at Whitey’s. Her friend was late, and a classmate invited her to sit down with him and a group of Norwegians, including Carl Iver Holman, ’98, a Norwegian studying at UND through the American College of Norway study abroad program.

“Carl and I started talking about my family, my heritage, my Norwegian – all of these things I had never talked about with a guy at a bar before,” Susan said.

“You listened very closely and showed interest,” she said, turning to Carl. “The conversation was just very lovely.”

Susan immediately thought Carl was special. When the bar closed, he walked her to her car and asked if she would like his number. “I’m a feminist so I thought, ‘Wow, this is really nice!’” Susan said.

It took a few weeks for Susan to call Carl. When she did, she invited him over for dinner – boiled chicken and pasta. From there, things moved quickly.

Both graduated from UND in 1998 and moved to Oregon, where Carl attended graduate school and Susan later earned her master’s degree. They married in 2000 in Susan’s hometown of Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Carl’s work with the Norwegian Ministry of Education, first as a translator and then as a project manager, led to a job in Norway. The couple decided to relocate for two years.

That was 20 years ago; they have three kids (two of them are pictured above), a house, and a dog.

But the transition wasn’t easy for Susan. She worked hard to learn Norwegian, often reading the newspaper aloud to Carl “so I could get my tongue rolling, and to embody the language in my mouth.”

Finding a job was challenging due to the networkbased job market. Two years into Susan’s search, the couple rented their place out and purchased plane tickets back to the States.

“Then, we found out Susan was pregnant and at the same time, she got a job offer,” Carl said.

Susan’s job landed her at an architecture firm in Telemark, the very place her great-grandfather emigrated from – an unexpected journey that started with a beginner Norwegian class at UND. ///

MARLYS + KEITH DANCES, DRESSES, AND DEVOTION

Sorority

sister ditches blind date, and in the process finds true love.

Marlys (Chally) Sorbo, ’59, wore a dress featured in Brides Magazine at her 1958 wedding to Keith Sorbo, ’59. The dress cost just $57.

Pretty dresses were a staple in Marlys and Keith’s college life beginning the first week of their freshman year. It was a Saturday night at the end of Greek Rush Week, and the newly pledged sorority girls needed dates for a campus dance. Marlys, who had just accepted a bid from Gamma Phi Beta, recalled her new sisters trying to set her up. “I told them, ‘I don’t need a blind date. I’ve got a date,’” Marlys said.

Marlys had her first date with Keith, who spent his summers working on his uncle’s farm in Walsh County, near Marlys’ family farm outside Fairdale, North Dakota. They had gone on several double dates. This date was all it took for them to start going steady.

Over the next four years, Marlys and Keith, an Alpha Tau Omega fraternity member, stayed busy working and volunteering, and with Greek life and campus activities. Marlys remembered their almost daily visits to Toby’s It, a popular drive-in restaurant in Grand Forks during the 1950s and ’60s. “That’s why I didn’t get very good grades. It’s all Keith’s fault!” Marlys said, adding she had a 10 p.m. curfew at Johnstone Hall and later at the Gamma Phi House.

UND STORIES

One evening, while Marlys was driving Keith’s car to pick him up from work, a police officer pulled her over for having expired license plates. Marlys ended up with a ticket. “That had to be love!” she said.

The couple got engaged on Valentine’s Day of their junior year and married in the summer of 1958 in Fairdale. Anticipating a large crowd from the community and UND, one friend, seeing the small church, exclaimed, “My God, how are we going to get the people in?”

Despite the church’s modest size, its need for a fresh coat of paint, and the cloudy weather, Marlys and Keith’s wedding day set the course for a lifetime of happiness.

The Sorbos, who are at home in Ogden, Utah, have lived in 10 different states and have three children. They have attended nearly every UND Homecoming since graduation.

Reflecting on their journey together, Keith said in late August, “Today is our 66th wedding anniversary. Marlys is the love of my life. She’s been taking pretty good care of me all these years.” ///

D’ARCY + JESSICA

BALANCING ACT

2011 graduates find success in family and career.

As an international student from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Jessica (Field) Fox, ’11, took a leap of faith when she arrived at UND, knowing only one person: D’Arcy Fox, ’11.

“I immediately felt welcomed by the College of Social Work and the campus in general,” said Jessica, who appreciated UND’s one-year accelerated master’s program. “I was able to maintain my relationship with D’Arcy and quickly form friendships, especially with other international students.”

A Relationship Takes Flight

Jessica and D’Arcy met in passing at a coffee shop in Minneapolis with a mutual group of friends. “We had a brief encounter, then started emailing,” Jessica said. “I applied to UND for my master’s knowing I wanted to give the relationship my best shot.”

The year in Grand Forks flew by. Married on Sept. 4, 2010, the couple spent lots of time on campus while living in a tiny downtown apartment. “It was a short, intense time, but we have lots of memories and think back on it fondly,” D’Arcy said.

Fast Forward to 2024

Today, Jess and Darcy live in Saskatoon, with three kids and two demanding jobs. “Saskatoon isn’t much of a stretch from Grand Forks,” Jessica explained. “We were used to the prairies and the cold winters, and wanted to be close to my family.”

Jessica spent nearly a decade as a hospital social worker before transitioning to her role as a student affairs and outreach coordinator at the University of Saskatchewan. She helps students, faculty, and families in distress, and also works to support students before crises arise.

D’Arcy is a captain with Saskatchewan Air Ambulance. After moving to Saskatoon, he did charter work on a regional airline and flew a 737 with WestJet Airlines. Long stretches away from home led him to seek a better work-life balance. As an air ambulance pilot, D’Arcy responds to critical calls in remote communities and facilitates transfers to larger hospitals. Despite the 24/7, 365-day nature of the job, D’Arcy rarely overnights. “I’m home 99% of the time,” he said.

UND’s Lasting Impact

D’Arcy credits UND’s rigorous flight training for laying the foundation of his career. “Training in Grand Forks, with its extreme weather and intense crosswinds, gave me the skills I need to fly into remote areas with minimal services.”

Exploring new things led to D’Arcy’s current situation. “Where I’ve landed as a pilot – having a work-life balance that allows me to be home with my kids every day – is rare in this industry.”

Jessica and D’Arcy have found that same balance. “We both work in crisis-response fields, so we never know what each day will bring,” Jessica said. “But when we’re home, we shut it off and focus on being present with our kids.”

For Jessica, the leap of faith she took in coming to UND has shaped her career—and her life. ///

In the 1980s, the Memorial Union’s Info and Service Centers were a convenient hub for students, including, for example, those who wanted to purchase a newspaper.

Chuck Schultz, ’83, ’86, read a lot them – but it wasn’t just because he was particularly interested in the news. His frequent visits were part of his plan to meet Sandra, who worked at the Info Center.

“Chuck would buy a newspaper and then hang out by the info desk ... for a long time,” said Sandra (Hvidsten), ’86.

“I was not particularly clandestine,” Chuck said. “I’d get the Star Tribune and a cup of coffee a couple days a week.”

Sandra was onto him. “When I went home for Christmas, I told my sister (Janelle Hvidsten Redlaczyk, ’83), ‘I think there’s a law student who wants to ask me out,’” she said.

Chuck eventually made his move, settling for a Sunday evening racquetball date, amidst Sandra’s busy social schedule. “It was my birthday, and my parents were in town one night and I had plans with a former boyfriend the other night,” she said.

“I had great perseverance,” Chuck said. Sandra agreed to a “proper date” the following weekend. “I’ll be wearing a coat and tie,” Chuck told her.

UND STORIES

CHUCK + SANDRA FROM INFO DESK TO ‘I DO’

How a daily newspaper sparked a lifelong love.

Sandra appreciated Chuck’s confidence, and she thought he seemed “kind of sophisticated,” which makes them both laugh today. Their first official date was at the Windmill, a popular Grand Forks restaurant on South Third Street. That date led to many more, including a toga party where they doubled with Sandra’s sorority sister and a muscle-bound football player. Despite looking scrawny in his flowered toga, Chuck’s sense of humor scored points with Sandra.

After graduation, both had plans to move to Washington, D.C. Chuck secured a job at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he had interned the previous summer. Sandra stayed with her sister in Virginia Beach, Virginia, conducting her job search through Washington Post want ads. She landed her first job at a small boutique PR firm, and went on to work in healthcare PR and then at Georgetown University.

Chuck and Sandra were married in August 1990. They now have two grown children, Sydney and Axel, and live in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Chuck is vice president and associate general counsel at NextEra Energy. ///

HYPED ABOUT HOMECOMING

Fighting Hawks soar with reunions, tailgates, and a record-setting football victory during Homecoming Week, September 23-28, 2024.

I LOVE A PARADE!

The UND community proudly participated in the Homecoming parade on a beautiful September morning.

TOP HONORS

Nine alumni were recognized with the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership, as well as the Young Alumni Achievement Award — the highest honors presented by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation – for their exceptional achievement, service, and loyalty.

STAND UP AND CHEER

Fans flocked to downtown Grand Forks for Hawks Hour and the Homecoming Pep Rally, fueling excitement throughout the week and across town.

GAME DAY BUZZ

How did alumni, students, and fans gear up for the big game against Murray State? Tailgating, of course! Fighting Hawks fans gathered before the game for good food, excitement, and team spirit before heading to the stands to cheer on the team.

UND: 72, MURRAY STATE: 35

The Fighting Hawks lit up the scoreboard with 72 points, their highest total since 1928. The Homecoming game was tight early in the second quarter, but UND responded with 24 unanswered points to close the half, putting the game out of reach and securing a Homecoming victory.

TOGETHER AGAIN

Many colleges across campus schedule Homecoming reunions, bringing alumni back together to rekindle old friendships and create new memories as they recall their days on campus and celebrate their UND pride.

“I love the connections that are made here. People really feel special, and after they leave, that connection grows.”

BUBBA SCHWEIGERT, ’95 HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

WHAT DO YOU ABOUT UND?

Thoughts from your University of North Dakota family.

“I love doing my homework outside by the Memorial Union when its warm.”

KAYLA TRETTER

FRESHMAN, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY UND WELLNESS CENTER EMPLOYEE

“We like going to sporting events, especially basketball. We have a UND flag in front of our house. It’s fun to be part of that community. I think the University brings that community together.”

CARLA (HAAVEN), ’85, ’02, AND BRIAN BUCHHOLTZ

“The people who support UND are all-in on being Fighting Hawks and being a part of Kelly green and white.”

ESTEVAN SANDOVAL ASSISTANT BASKETBALL COACH

“I really enjoy the art museum. They have a great cafe and wonderful exhibits, and a fun concert series.”

LISA MARTINEZ, ’08

“I love getting to meet people on campus, and from all across the aviation industry. I feel like it’s really accelerated my career. I don’t think I could have made a better choice.”

ETHAN YOURK

AVIATION MAJOR SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

“When I think about UND, I think about the quality and the network and about how our small University has such a great big impact.”

JIM SWEENEY, ’86

“How can you not like it? I grew up with UND, watching all the athletic teams. Now, I’m an adjunct professor and I love teaching and mentoring the students. I love to see where they go afterwards.

JOHN FRIEND

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

“They do incredible work with innovation and collaborating with NASA. It’s not just ‘we have to do research because we have to do research.’ It’s fascinating. Listening to them talk about what they’re doing, you feel their passion. They explain things like robotics and NASA boots in a way that I could understand without talking down to me.”

MARILYN JOHNSON

“I love that the people who walk the campus believe in tradition and you can feel it and you can see it in their spirit.”

JODY (VON RUEDEN) ESTENSEN, ’92

“The staff and faculty were always ready and willing to assist students with anything, whether it was academics or extracurriculars and side projects. Everyone had that ‘yes-and’ mentality. That was fantastic to have that support system around

MATTHEW TERNUS, ’21

“My professors were off-the-chart good. I went to law school in D.C. All my classmates had gone to undergrad at recognizable schools and I 100% felt every bit as prepared as they were.”

DREW WRIGLEY, ’88

“It’s friendly. It’s beautiful. It’s got a great president. There’s nothing I don’t like. I love UND.”

BEV (BOSCH) ELGIN, ’76

“I love working here; I can’t imagine working anyplace else. It’s the vibrancy, it’s the vibe, it’s the energy that happens on campus and it’s the students.”

ROB CAROLIN,

’89, ’00

PRESIDENT’S CHIEF OF STAFF

“We love UND because it’s such a small community and it’s such a family setting. You know and love everybody and you feel like you’re home.”

BECKY, VICTOR AND PAVEL DATZOV

FOREVER UND:

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

Together, we are undertaking a $500 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to build a UND for the future. Thank you to the alumni and friends who give. Your generosity allows the torch of knowledge to be passed on to those who will lead the way.

HONORING HER ROOTS

Sally (Denk) Hoey (pictured at lower left) lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She did not attend the University of North Dakota or grow up in North Dakota, and she has no living family in the Peace Garden State.

Still, her ties are strong. Sally fondly recalls the English Coulee running through campus and the majesty of North Dakota’s night sky after visiting in 1971.

Her father William “Bill” E. Denk, ’32, ’33 (pictured at left with his wife, Jane), “was born and raised in Sargent County, North Dakota,” Sally said. He graduated from UND with degrees in electrical engineering during the Great Depression. Work was hard to come by, so he settled into various positions with the North Dakota Highway Department.

In 1936, after years of seeking an engineering job, he followed the advice of a UND dean during a campus visit and enrolled in post-graduate work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, he began working in Philco’s patent department in Philadelphia.

When the time came for Sally and her husband, Tom, to discuss their philanthropic plans, she turned to the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. “My father loved North Dakota and was so proud to go to UND,” she said.

Sally started a charitable gift annuity that will benefit a scholarship endowment established by her parents with a charitable trust. Both options provide lifetime income to donors while impacting the University of North Dakota.

“Daddy was the one who taught me how to invest,” Sally said, “so that’s why UND came to mind right away. We would not be where we are today without my parents.”

ETERNAL FLAME SOCIETY

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation sincerely thanks all alumni and friends who have made gifts and commitments to support students, faculty, programs, and places at UND.

The following donors reached a new giving circle in the Eternal Flame Society between July 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024.

*indicates deceased

DR. CORA SMITH CIRCLE

$500,000 - $999,999

Marvin L. Kaiser

Dr. Troy & Jacqueline Petersen

Thomas* & Nancy* Plante

THOMAS CLIFFORD CIRCLE

$100,000 - $499,999

Dr. James & Mary Antes

Construction Engineers, Inc.

Sally Hoey

Dr. Michael & Ronda Kincheloe

Cynthia & Todd Ramage

Everett A. Schmeichel*

Dr. Thomas M. & Mary J. (Langlie) Seaworth

Dr. Dennis U. Spjut

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

$10,000 - $99,999

Acclivity Foundation, Trustees Scott & Kathy Boe

Brad Borg

Paul & Terri Clark

Charles J. Glaser*

William & Anne Grams

Dr. Michael & Kimberly Gruchalla

Brent & Katrina Halfmann

Lynn M. Hoghaug

Taylor & Andew Jandik

John Deere Electronic Solutions, Fargo

Daniel & Rosalyn Kulik

Kraig S. Lerud, M.D.

Jack, Jr. & Brenda Moore

Paul A. Ness*

North Dakota Geological Society

Northwestern Mutual

O & R Rentals

Stephen* & Lucille Oase

PwC

SLB

Ian B. Swanson

TE Connectivity

Tronson Grain

Dr. R.C. “Buzz” and Mary Hoistad Ziegler

FOREVER UND CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

1889 LEGACY SOCIETY

The 1889 Legacy Society honors alumni and friends who have made a commitment for the future support of the University of North Dakota with estate, planned, or deferred gifts through the UND Foundation.

Dr. A. Wayne* & Judith Bruce

Darrell & Kathryn* Dorgan

Glen Gonsorowski

Sally Hoey

Bruce D. & Shirley A. Johnson

Jane S. Nelson*

Marc & Merry Sondreal

Curtis W. Stofferahn

For more information about the Eternal Flame Society, visit go.UNDalumni.org/eternal-flame.

“We want young people to have opportunities to get an education, to learn about themselves, to grow up, to have friends, and be part of the UND family. All that is part of Forever UND.”

DR. JOHN GRAY, ’87, & KAREN SCHMIDT-GRAY, ’82 THOMAS CLIFFORD CIRCLE

“It’s a tremendous source of pride; to perform and practice every day on a field like this is spectacular.”

JORDAN STEVENS HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

A HOME RUN FOR UND SOFTBALL

ALBRECHT FIELD SHINES ON OPENING NIGHT

A record crowd turned out for the Grand Opening of Albrecht Field in late September as UND Softball took on – and defeated – Northwest Missouri State.

Nearly 1,200 fans packed the standing-room-only debut of the team’s new on-campus home.

UND President Andrew Armacost called the field a “crown jewel” of the University’s athletic facilities. It features multiple spectator areas, a large left-field scoreboard, lights for night games, and spacious, heated dugouts for the players.

The project began after a chance meeting between Armacost and Dave and Alexa Albrecht (pictured at left) at a UND Softball game.

“Dave said they were interested in making a difference in the lives of student-athletes,” Andy said of their meeting two years ago.

Though they are not UND alums, the Albrechts’ daughter, Jackie, is a pitcher on the team. “(We) are so grateful for this special opportunity to give back to the sport of softball,” Dave said. “We love this UND Softball family, and we want to see it continue to grow.”

UND Women’s Head Softball Coach Jordan Stevens said, “Their vision — not only for UND Women’s Softball, but for softball in our community and region — to put something like this on campus is going to be a beacon for softball and its continued growth.”

The impact of the field has been immediate. “It’s a tremendous source of pride,” Stevens said. “To perform and practice every day on a field like this is spectacular.” He also noted its positive influence on recruiting efforts.

Opening night featured UND flyovers, the National Anthem, glitter bracelets, temporary tattoos, UND-themed cookies, the Pride of the North Band, and a walk-off win in the seventh inning.

Before the first pitch, Dave addressed the team and the crowd. “You girls deserve this,” he said. “This is for you.”

Albrecht Field is more than just a place for the team; it will serve as a gathering spot for UND fans and a space for community games and tournaments. ///

The Forever UND Fund addresses the University of North Dakota’s most immediate and critical needs.

Your gift empowers student success by providing scholarships, funding academic programs, advancing cutting-edge research, supporting world-class faculty, and enhancing campus facilities. This fund ensures UND can respond quickly to emerging opportunities and challenges, making a lasting impact on the legacy of the University and shaping the next generation of leaders.

Give to the Forever UND Fund at pd.UNDalumni.org/give

Ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Grand Forks City Council member Mike Fridolfs, UND Alumni Association & Foundation Vice President of Development Mike Mannausau, UND President Andy Armacost, lead donors Dave and Alexa Albrecht, UND Director of Athletics Bill Chaves, and Community Contractors Project Manager Jake Dunham.

SCORING GOALS AND SERVING OTHERS AMY LOEFFLER, ’26

Hometown: Claremont, California

Area of study: Biology (Pre-Medicine)

Athletic program & position: UND Soccer, Forward

“I am forever thankful for the scholarship donors who have funded my continued growth in both academics and athletics. I have made countless memories in my three years at UND, and a lot of this wouldn’t be possible without their contributions!”

Favorite area of campus: My favorite building is the new Hyslop at Memorial Village. I really love the study areas and I always run into people I know when I’m there. It is also close to my class buildings, so it makes for a convenient walk!

Academic highlight: My favorite part of my academic experience has been meeting so many people who are working toward a similar area of service as I am. I love learning about the professions some of my classmates are pursuing and working together to prepare ourselves for these professions.

Community involvement: Outside of soccer, I do what I can to make an impact through community service. I think this is a great way of giving back to our community and I’m also making meaningful connections with organizations and people in Grand Forks.

Biggest athletic accomplishment: My biggest soccer accomplishment so far is when I scored three goals against Denver in our final game of the 2023 season. It was awesome to see my team step up to that challenge and get a result that reflected our efforts.

Future goals: After graduation, I plan to continue my education in the anesthesia field in a specialized program and start gaining valuable experience in that area of medicine.

SHIFTING GEARS DAVIDE CALLEGARI,

’19, ’21

Former men’s tennis captain discusses career working for international automotive giants.

When Davide Callegari, ’19, ’21, joined the University of North Dakota men’s tennis team, his impact was immediate.

Originally hailing from Padova, Italy, he wanted to enhance his international student-athlete experience. He became heavily involved in student groups on campus and was named team captain his senior year.

For those who knew him on campus, it was no surprise when he joined the finance department at Porsche Middle East/Africa in Dubai.

“Right away Davide stood out for his passion, drive, and commitment to selfimprovement,” said Assistant Athletic Director Tyler Burmeister. “He positively impacts those around him, advocates for others, and seeks connections.”

The Road to Porsche Davide earned his Master of Accountancy from UND by taking online classes during the pandemic while working for Tesla.

“Thankfully, UND was offering this option, which was a nice experience, because I started to work for Tesla as an internal auditor in the Netherlands,” Davide said.

“I still remember the one class I had to attend synchronously in Grand Forks; it was the middle of the night in the Netherlands,” he laughed. “My managers at Tesla were very understanding.”

Like-Minded Connections

Davide found himself back in Italy for his last year of graduate school, working for luxury eyewear brand Luxottica. After finishing his MBA, he secured an accounting position with Porsche in Dubai.

“I have been here for two years and I love the work environment; it’s such a positive atmosphere,” he said. “My team is from all over the world: Italy, Pakistan, Germany, France, New Zealand, India, and the U.S. For me, it’s meaningful to work with such positivity because it fosters constructive criticism.”

He remains connected to tennis, networking with coaches and professionals in the United Arab Emirates. In fact, he’s practiced against several top-100-ranked tennis players, including Denis Shapovalov, a Davis Cup Champion in 2022 and former top-10 player in the world.

Davide credits a mentorship with UND alumna Jill Cholewa, ’77, ’79, as foundational to his professional career.

“It really set me apart to learn these things, because I was prepared to learn and hear feedback from my managers,” Davide said. “That mindset has made all the difference for me in my career.”

CLASS NOTES

Updates from UND alumni around the world.

Want to share news with your fellow alumni? Email your updates to AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net or mail them to 3501 University Ave Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202.

1945

Beverly (Norton) Middleton, ’45, turned 100 years old on Oct. 1. She celebrated near her home in Orlando, Fla.

1958

Lyle, ’58, and David Hillman, ’65, who are brothers, were parade marshals at the 125th Deuce of August Parade in Mountain, N.D.

1969

Barbara (Varberg) Solberg, ’69, ’72, was elected chair of the board of Humanities ND. She lives in Minot, N.D.

1972

Marna (Strinden) Ramnath, ’72, was named chair of the Toledo (Ohio) Alliance of the Performing Arts. Ramnath, a registered nurse, has served on the boards of several nonprofits.

1974

Deborah (Paulsen) Campion, ’74, serves on two boards – as programming vice president for the New Hope Women of Today and as secretary of the board of New Hope (Minn.) Lutheran Church Child Care Center.

William McKinnon, ’74, ’81, ’83, was named medical director of the Dakota Regional Medical Center in Cooperstown, N.D.

1977

Rod Rohrich, ’77, HON ’06, was voted by Newsweek as the best rhinoplasty surgeon in the United States for the fourth consecutive year. He works at the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute.

1989

Daniel Gaustad, ’89, ’94, was reappointed Grand Forks City Attorney.

Sherlock Hirning, ’89, is superintendent for the Elgin/New Leipzig (N.D.) School District.

1990

1979

Danilo Dalan, ’79, ’83, ’87, is a doctor specializing in allergy and immunology at Essentia Health-South University Clinic in Fargo.

1981

Norman Boucher, ’81, ’83, retired from his job as a full-time anesthesiologist in Duluth, Minn. A ceramic artist, Boucher works on pottery in Duluth and in Grand Forks as a member of Muddy Waters Clay Center.

1982

Julie (Keller) Stavn, ’82, received the Minot State University Golden Award, the highest award bestowed by the MSU Alumni Association. Stavn, a former teacher and coach in Bismarck Public Schools, earned multiple state championships and coach of the year awards.

1984

Bill Woods, ’84, received the Lucille Dawson Award for Professional Excellence from the National Tribal Child Support Association. Woods, a Mountrail County attorney, lives in Parshall, N.D.

1985

Robert McNally, ’85, retired after 40 years at the Lincoln (Neb.) Airport, most recently as director of operations. McNally was awarded the 2024 Airport Professional of Year by the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airports.

1988

Christopher Johnson, ’88, was named President and CEO of Portico Benefit Services.

Brian Berger, ’90, is director of sales for Merchant Market, a Caribbean food distributer that serves the islands off the coast of Florida.

Daniel Bueide, ’90, and his wife Michelle opened the Bueide Law Firm in Fargo.

Mark Nord, ’90, is the control valve solution architect for Emerson’s flow controls products in Marshalltown, Iowa.

1991

Stacy (Bossert) Anderson, ’91, received the 2024 YWCA Woman of the Year Award in the education category. Anderson lives in Fargo.

Don Kostuck, ’91, retired after 32 years as an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration, the last 11 at the Dallas-Fort Worth Tower. He lives in Dallas.

Jean (Como) Sando, ’91, is the North Campus Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Oak Grove Lutheran Schools in Fargo. She lives with her husband, Paul Sando, ’89, a geoscience professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

1992

Paul Chocola, ’92, was named deputy fire chief of the City of Oak Forest, Ill.

Brad Hoffelt, ’92, is chief financial officer at AgriBank in St. Paul, Minn.

1993

Brett Kalina, ’93, ’96, is executive officer at San Diego County Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board. Kalina is a retired FBI supervisory special agent with 20 years of experience.

Robert Kyle, ’48, HON ’03, published his memoir, “A Physician’s Journey,” chronicling his career as a doctor and professor of medicine, laboratory medicine, and pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Kyle, who retired in June at age 96, shares information spanning his life – from growing up on a farm and attending smoke jumper school, to studying at the University of North Dakota and Northwestern Medical School and serving in the U.S. Air Force. All of that happened even before his decades-long career at the Mayo Clinic; his memoir highlights his pioneering cancer research during his time there. ///

Check out more great reads from alumni authors at UNDalumni.org/authors.

FIND THE FLAME

Cloudy with a chance of … finding the flame. In the summer issue of the magazine, we hid the flame in the cloud behind the water tower. Many correctly guessed its location. We randomly selected three winners to receive a prize pack from the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. Congrats to Bart Bjornson, ’98, Lori Lahlum, ’84, ’92, and Joellyn Seibel, ’75.

There’s another flame on the cover of this issue. If you find it, email us at AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net. Tell us where it’s located for your chance to win our UND prize pack.

Ginger (Buxa) Plumbo, ’93, is the director of external communications at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. She lives in Rochester, Minn., with her two daughters.

Todd Watterud, ’93, is chief operations officer of the Northwest Communications Cooperative in Ray, N.D.

1994

Eva (Spindler) Keiser, ’94, was elected to the PRSA College of Fellows, the gold standard for leadership and service in the public relations profession. Keiser lives in Minneapolis.

1995

Randi Anderson, ’95, is superintendent of the Sevastopol, Wis., School District.

1998

Jeffrey Sather, ’98, received the Minot State University Golden Award, the highest award given by the MSU Alumni Association. Sather is chief of staff at Trinity Health in Minot and medical director for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

1999

Jim Thompson, ’99, was elected chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council. He also serves as chairman of Rich Township and president of the Cass County Township Officers Association. Thompson lives in Page, N.D.

2000

Thomas Wyatt, ’00, is chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare. He is one of the first tribally enrolled Native Americans (Shawnee/ Quapaw) to lead an academic emergency department in the United States, and the first to chair an emergency department in Minnesota.

2001

Phillip Goter, ’01, ’05, is partner in the intellectual property department at Barnes & Thornburg’s Minneapolis office.

Kevin Karls, ’01, ’04, a gastroenterologist, joined the Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck 9th Street Clinic.

Jon Schelkoph, ’01, was promoted to office executive at Michael Baker International in the firm’s Minneapolis office.

2002

Tony Clark, ’02, was selected to be executive director of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

David Fox, ’02, was appointed vice presidentdirector of field operations, underwriting for The Federated 2024 Insurance Companies headquartered in Owatonna, Minn.

2004

Colette Keith, ’04, is executive vice president of Sinte Gleska University in Mission, S.D.

Shari Olson, ’04, was named interim president of Northland Community & Technical College in St. Paul, Minn.

2006

Curtis Jefferson, ’06, ’08, received the 2024 Award for Excellence in Assessment from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Jefferson is director of assessment & accreditation at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in Seattle.

2007

Trent Erickson, ’07, retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after serving over 20 years on active duty.

2009

Erika (Wolf) Feole, ’09, was named the 2024 Graciela Wilborn North Dakota Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. She teaches German at Red River High School in Grand Forks.

Ashley (Johnson) Frost, ’09, Commander of the United States Public Health Service, is laboratory director at the Kodiak Area Native Association in Kodiak, Alaska.

FROM ICE CREAM TO INSIGHT TASHA CAHILL’S FUN APPROACH TO FOOD EDUCATION

“This is a bad food, right? But what makes it so bad?” asks Tasha Cahill, ’24, as she shovels spoonfuls of chocolate ice cream into her mouth. “Did it rob a bank? Maybe it bullied someone? Did it run a red light and cause an accident?”

This fun and thought-provoking reel is featured on Tasha’s Instagram (@tangostarnutrition), where she’s educating kids about nutrition. “The idea of labeling foods as good or bad is damaging. What truly matters is what the food does for our bodies and our food habits,” she said.

Tasha is reaching children where they spend their time — on social media. While pursuing her master’s degree in nutrition science at UND, she delved into the most effective methods for nutrition education. Her research inspired her videos and accompanying curricula designed to make nutrition concepts accessible and engaging for kids.

She’s aware of the rising incidence of eating disorders among children. “Younger kids are exposed to toxic diet culture more and more through social media, where they’re bombarded with harmful messages about food,” she explained. “I don’t think my videos are taking it head on, but I think I’m adding pebbles to the pile of the defense.”

Tasha’s two sons serve as a built-in focus group. Her 6-year-old is her biggest fan, frequently watching her videos on YouTube Kids. Her 10-year-old, on the other hand, provides constructive criticism and is helping her develop a series on caffeine.

Tangostar’s Journey

Tasha’s journey into nutrition education is personal. Motivated by her children and her background in sports — she was an aerial artist for many years and grew up a gymnast — she often wondered how different foods impacted the body.

Living in the California desert, she searched for an online program. Tasha was impressed by UND’s faculty and the wellness coaching program, accredited by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching, along with comprehensive nutrition education — all at an affordable price.

She combined the skills she’s gleaned from the jobs she’s had over the years — teacher, writer, marketer, and graphic designer — to develop nutrition education for kids.

Tasha and her husband run a business designing and building tiny houses on wheels, so she creates social media content whenever she can find the time. While she hopes her messages gain traction, her primary goal is to keep the content free and accessible. “If it doesn’t go anywhere, the worst I’ve done is spend my time making something that could help someone else,” she said. ///

Robert Klenner, ’09, ’12, was appointed president of GreenFire Energy in Emeryville, Calif.

Michael Little, ’09, ’11, is executive director of Jail Chaplains in Fargo.

2010

Laura Aldridge, ’10, a post-production supervisor for NBC Universal/Wolf Entertainment, is currently working on “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” She lives in North Hollywood, Calif.

2011

Michael Leeser, ’11, is a district court judge in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.

Kylie Oversen, ’11, ’12, ’16, received the Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award. As chair of the DNC Rural Council, Oversen served three terms as the chairwoman of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party and was the youngest person in the country to hold a state party position. She works at the Schneider Law Firm in Fargo.

2012

Michael Danielson, ’12, is director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas, which supports service members, veterans, and military spouses in their pursuit of entrepreneurship.

Taylor (Bohannon) Jandik, ’12, is managing director of Northwestern Mutual in Edina, Minn.

Lu Jiang, ’12, is pro bono program manager at Legal Counsel for Youth and Children, which was recognized by the National Association of Counsel for Children as the 2024 Outstanding Children’s Law Office.

2013

Sydnie (Smith) Bahl, ’13, will run the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a 1,000mile remote wilderness race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. .

ALUMNI IN ACTION

SECURING THE GOLD SPECIAL AGENT

NICK ALTHOFF, ’13, GUARDS TEAM USA IN PARIS

Nick Althoff, ’13, played a key role in the success of two U.S. teams at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics — not as an athlete, but as a special agent for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).

Assigned to protect the U.S. fencing and taekwondo teams, Althoff coordinated with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy. He answered questions about Paris, the venue, bus schedules, and sports rules. “I was worried it’d be awkward since I didn’t know much about the sports,” he said.

But the athletes were eager to share their knowledge and Althoff, working 10- to 18-hour days, had a front-row seat to the historic all-American women’s fencing final and the team’s gold medal victory. Being so close to the action, he was asked to hand the American flags to the athletes. “That is something I’ll never forget,” he said.

Althoff also admired the taekwondo athletes. “The athleticism of those athletes is insane,” he said. “I’m 6’5” and 250 pounds, and there were guys way bigger than me doing stuff I can’t even dream of — kicking five inches above my head.”

Althoff noted that the athletes were friendly and the DSS ensured everything was in place. “Our job was easy because the French organizers were so well prepared for the event,” he said.

From Patrol to Protection

Althoff joined the DSS — the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State — in July 2023. The DSS operates in over 270 U.S. diplomatic posts across 170+ countries and in more than 30 U.S. cities. It is the largest global U.S. law enforcement presence.

Althoff is based in Houston, assigned to a field office for his first two years. “We do everything from providing security detail for the Secretary of State to conducting criminal investigations and serving warrants.” He began a 45-day tour with the Secretary of State’s security detail in late August.

“I’m the guy in the suit with the little earpiece,” Althoff said. “We’re agile and can adapt to different situations — we’re not just watching one door.”

Before joining the DSS, he worked for the North Dakota Highway Patrol; his last assignment was providing security for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Communication

Skills in Action

Effective communication is key to Althoff’s job. “You might be speaking with someone from Nigeria one day and be in Seoul, South Korea, the next week. Relating to different people is huge, and UND helped me develop that skill.”

Althoff hopes to use these skills in an international DSS post. He has the support of his wife, Britt (Lindren) Althoff, ’13, and daughter who joined him in Paris during the Olympics. The athletes encouraged his 20-month-old daughter to try fencing. “They said Ivy League schools recruit fencers. So we may do it,” Nick said, smiling at the memory of his Olympic experience. ///

Top: DSS Special Agent Nicholas Althoff with Team USA Women’s Foil Gold Medalists in Paris, France on Aug. 1, 2024. (U.S. Department of State photo). Right: Althoff (far right) protects Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a meeting with President of Poland Andrzej Duda in Warsaw, Poland on Sept. 12, 2024. (Photo credit: Marek Borawski/KPRP)

Matthew Barber, ’13, earned the nickname “Appellate Whiz Kid” for the number and quality of amicus curiae appellate briefs he contributes on behalf of the members of the Minnesota Association for Justice. He works at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben in Minneapolis.

Tricia Berg, ’13, was elected to the Grand Forks City Council.

Christopher Dahl, ’13, is a captain at Envoy Air. He lives near Dallas, Texas.

Austin Salyer, ’13, is superintendent for the Midway School District in Inkster, N.D.

2014

Kaitlin Lilienthal, ’14, leads the outpatient behavioral therapy service at Cayuga Health in Ithaca, N.Y.

2015

Cole Allick, ’15, was appointed to the Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative. Allick is a research assistant professor at Washington State University’s Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health.

Laura (Huss) Fussy, ’15, is the city clerk in Lake Shore, Minn.

Kelsey (Misialek) Laffen, ’15, is a loan servicing specialist at Bank Forward in Fargo.

Michael Trimble, ’15, is a certified physician assistant at Firefly Walk-in Clinic in Portland, Ore.

2016

Jordan Hollingsworth, ’16, is high school principal at Valley-Edinburg School in Crystal, N.D.

Paul LaDue, .. ’16, signed a one-year deal to play in Sweden’s top hockey league.

Daniel Saccomando, ’16, is a civil servant overseeing contract policy compliance for NASA. Saccomando bought a family restaurant in 2020 and won a James Beard award in 2023.

2017

Aaron Mitchell, ’17, ’22, was named senior vice president for administration, finance and operations at Wichita State University, Kansas’s only urban public research university.

2018

Rasika Mohottige, ’18, is an assistant professor of physics at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Okla.

Nicole (Olson) Morgan, ’18, is a certified nurse practitioner at the Cancer Center of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Shawn Peterson, ’18, is operations manager at IDM Companies in Scottsdale, Ariz.

2020

Kelsey (Butler) Adams, ’20, is a K-12 counselor at Central Valley School in Buxton, N.D.

Jack Lansing, ’20, is a physician assistant at Aspirus St Luke’s Clinic Duluth (Minn.) Nephrology.

Andrew Peski, ’20, signed to play hockey with Rungsted in Denmark.

Colton Poolman, ’20, signed to play for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

Matthew Hokanson, ’20, is head coach of the Minnesota State Mankato women’s tennis team.

Ashley Ueckert, ’20, opened Sage Family Chiropractic in Fargo.

Stephanie (Ziegler) Wilke, ’20, is in residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita Family Medicine Residency Program at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kan.

2021

Brock Boltmann, ’21, is a graduate assistant with the UND Football team.

Kyle Finseth, ’21, ’24, is associate airport planner at Denver International Airport.

Clay Froseth, ’21, joined the law firm of Olson & Burns P.C. in Minot. N.D.

THE SOUNDTRACK OF LIFE

DANNY MOFFITT, ’11, FOLLOWS A MUSICAL PATH

“My full-on love for creating and playing music began when I found the guitar,” said Danny Moffitt, ’11.

Danny was in sixth grade when he got serious about the instrument, setting him on a path that would lead to a life of music. It was also the catalyst for meeting his wife, Lindsey (Nelson) Moffitt, ’14.

Danny’s family influenced and encouraged his interest in music. “My mother would play guitar around the house,” he said. “There are pictures of me playing next to her when I was a toddler. And any instrument I wanted to try, my parents said, ‘Absolutely, go for it!’”

Danny wrote his first song in middle school. “I never shared it with anyone but I wanted to continue creating and improving at songwriting.”

The Songwriting Process

“Talking about writing music makes me want to write a song,” Danny said. His creative process begins with the music, which leads the way before he adds lyrics. “I love how everything unfolds from that first chord on the guitar. It’s always exciting because I never know where the song will take me.”

He first performed his songs in high school and started considering how to incorporate music into his future. Initially, he thought he’d become a band director. “I loved the energy of being in the stands at games, trying to electrify the crowd, and being part of that atmosphere.”

Danny served as the drum major at UND for two years, but his passion was the guitar, and he realized being a band director wasn’t the right fit.

Teaching and Inspiring

Danny shares his love for music by teaching elementary and middle students in East Grand Forks. “Middle schoolers were harder to excite,” he said. “They didn’t want to sing, so I assigned music-writing and recording projects.”

With younger students, Danny focuses on building a safe and fun environment. “I make sure they feel comfortable singing and moving without fear of being teased. If they’re singing and having fun, that’s success to me.”

The Language of Music

Danny has been playing in bands since high school and currently performs with Paint the Town, a cover band that plays gigs around Grand Forks. On Sundays, they transform into a worship band at Calvary Lutheran Church. “Having the same members in both bands is nice for us as musicians,” he said. “It helps when we understand each other’s musical quirks. It’s easier to know where we’re going with a song. Music is like a language,” he said.

He shares that language with Lindsey. The two met in the UND Department of Music but didn’t start dating until after college. Now married, they share their passion for music through their band, Dear You. Balancing life with two young children means they don’t often perform, but they collaborate on songwriting and plan to record and release new music soon. ///

Julie Harmon, ’21, joined AdventHealth Medical Group Hematology Oncology at Calhoun (Ga.).

Mackenzie Holland, ’21, is a certified physician’s assistant specializing in urology at Essentia HealthDuluth (Minn.) Clinic.

Matt Kiersted, ’21, resigned to play hockey with the Florida Panthers for the 2024-25 season.

Ian Meriwether-Chalfant, ’21, is manager of Watertown (S.D.) Regional Airport.

Andrew Obritsch, ’21, is a family medicine specialist at Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck (N.D.) Gateway Clinic.

2022

Jessica Johnson, ’22, a certified physician assistant, has joined Pella (Iowa) Regional Health Center.

Will Tibert, ’22, senior associate with NorthRock Partners, passed his CPA exam in August. Tibert lives and works in Minneapolis.

2024

Lauren Bernhardson, ’24, is a fourth-grade teacher at Randolph, Minn., Schools.

Jack Blotsky, ’24, Danielle Middleton, ’24, and McKenna Weisenburger, ’24, have one-year clerkships with the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Chelsea (Upthegrove) Casper, ’24, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in neurosurgery, joined Essentia Health-St Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minn.

ALUMNI IN ACTION

MEET UND’S BLUE ANGEL

GRIFFIN STANGEL, ’12, FLIES WITH THE U.S. NAVY’S AEROBATIC TEAM

One member of the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron received a homecoming of sorts last month.

That’s when UND alum Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel, ’12, lead solo with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron — more commonly known as the Blue Angels due to the color of their Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft — returned to North Dakota to perform at the 2024 Fargo AirSho.

Returning to the state for the first time since graduating from UND in 2012, Stangel said UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences was instrumental in launching his aviation career.

“I had originally jumped back and forth between which colleges I wanted to pursue,” said Stangel. “In high school I was a big rower, so I first looked at the Naval Academy and Oregon State University. I knew I wanted to pursue aviation, so I made the decision late in the game my senior year to commit to the University of North Dakota, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Stangel entered UND as a Commercial Aviation major but switched to Air Traffic Management after his freshman year. He said the program expanded his aviation knowledge while also allowing him to pursue his passion of flying.

“Through UND, I was able to get my single engine private instrument ratings

and basically fly recreationally while keeping the aviation dream alive,” Stangel said.

Despite going through a period of adjusting to North Dakota’s harsh winters, Stangel reflected fondly on his time in Grand Forks.

“I grew up in Wisconsin, so I thought I knew what Midwest winters were like,” he said with a smile. “The kind of winters you experience up here are eyeopening. Wind chills well below zero for weeks at a time was not something I was used to.”

Stangel was a member of UND’s Sigma Phi Epsilon and remains in contact with some of his fraternity brothers.

“A couple of them joined the Navy, so it’s pretty cool to see the lineage follow through,” he said.

Stangel is also a “big UND hockey fan,” and says he still has the jersey he got as a student.

Three weeks after graduation, Stangel — who took his oath as a naval officer in Fargo during his senior year at UND — departed for Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport (R.I.). This was followed by aviation indoctrination at Naval Air Station Pensacola (Fla.), which serves as the Blue Angels’ home base.

A member of the Blue Angels since September 2021, Stangel has accumulated more than 1,855 flight hours and 190 carrier landings, according to his Blue Angels biography. He said the requirements to apply for

the elite squadron — among them flying a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet hours — are arduous but rewarding.

“I was in the Navy nine years before I even applied to the team — it takes time to build up those hours,” Stangel said. “You get the opportunity to get all this deployment experience — you’re flying off aircraft carriers. It’s a very unique experience, exhilarating and challenging.”

Stangel said the level of discipline and teamwork demanded by the Blue Angels is second to none.

“It’s the best team I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “I’ve been a part of some phenomenal teams — whether it’s sports in high school or my fraternity in college. I thought my deployment squadron back in 2016, ’17 and ’18 was the best team I’d ever be a part of, but coming here and seeing this, it’s on a next level. Everybody has the trust instilled in them to go do their job to the best extent possible, and that is the framework for being able to do what we do.

“The other part I really enjoy is traveling to every corner of the country,” Stangel added. “We go to 32 cities every year — New York, Seattle, San Diego, all over Florida, the central U.S. We go to places I would have never traveled to before, so that is by far one of the best parts of this job.” ///

WE’RE HEADING TO ARIZONA!

January 9-11, 2025

UND PRESIDENTS CUP

presented by Bell Bank

Thursday, Jan. 9

morning session 8 a.m. | afternoon session 1 p.m. Arizona Biltmore Golf Club | Phoenix

pd.UNDalumni.org/presidents-cup

UND HOCKEY VS. ASU

Friday, Jan. 10 | 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 | 5 p.m.

ALUMNI IN ACTION

THREE UND GRADS RECEIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD

THOMAS ASTRUP, ’91, TWYLAH (BUTLER) BLOTSKY, ’93, & CHARLES GORECKI, ’07, ’20

UND graduates Thomas Astrup, ’91, Twylah (Butler) Blotsky, ’93, and Charles Gorecki, ’07, ’20, received the Prairie Business 2024 Leaders & Legacies award. The award recognizes career accomplishments and the positive impact the recipients have made in their organizations, communities, and industries.

Thomas Astrup is president and chief executive officer of American Crystal Sugar Co. in Fargo, where he has worked for 30 years. Throughout his career, Astrup has prioritized customers, people, and processes. He also served as chief operating officer of Sidney Sugars, Inc., a subsidiary of American Crystal in Sidney, Montana.

Twylah Blotsky is president and dealer principal of Butler Machinery Co., a third-generation, familyowned business where she has worked for over 30 years. President since 2019, Blotsky is actively

involved in the company’s day-to-day operations; she focuses on developing leaders throughout the organization.

Charles Gorecki, CEO of the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) in Grand Forks since 2019, leads a team of 275 professionals driving major advancements in coal, carbon management, oil and gas, alternative fuels, renewable energy, and the energy-water nexus. He focuses on building strong partnerships and expanding support for staff, clients, UND, and North Dakota. ///

50 STATES, 50 FINISH LINES

MICAH GRAFENSTEIN-KINZEL, ’95, RUNS MARATHONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

According to online statistics, less than 1% of the U.S. population has completed a marathon, and only about 2% have visited all 50 states. Micah Grafenstein-Kinzel, ’95, has achieved both by running a marathon in every state.

Micah crossed the finish line for his 50th 26.2-mile race in June 2024, cheered on by about 30 family members and friends in Helena, Montana.

The “50 States Marathon Club” officially recognizes the accomplishment. As of August, about 1,950 U.S. runners have accomplished the milestone.

What drives someone to take on such a challenge?

For Micah, a former UND track & field and cross-country runner, running was a passion that didn’t end with college. He continued competing in local races and marathons, including four runs at Boston. As a newlywed considering starting a family, he sought a new challenge. “I didn’t want the trade-offs of high-level training and fast times,” he says. “I still wanted a goal, something that would push me.”

In 2005, inspired by a story about a lawyer from Chicago who ran a marathon in every state, Micah set his sights on doing the same.

Over the next 19 years, he averaged two to three races a year, often planning family trips around them. (He’s a father of three.) On

three occasions, he ran two marathons in a single weekend – Utah and Idaho in 2012, Connecticut and Rhode Island in 2013, and Delaware and New Jersey in 2014. “It’s a tough start,” he said of the second day, “but after three or four miles, it feels like any other marathon.”

The Good and the Bad

“The most memorable race was Big Sur in California; you run almost all of it along the Pacific coast,” Micah said, adding that the weather was perfect, he ran well, and the race was part of a week-long trip with his wife, pre-kids.

On the opposite end of the spectrum was a marathon in Maine. “Bar Harbor was a hilly little island,” Micah said. “The hills are constant; there’s no break. You’re going up and down the entire time.”

A defeating factor for Micah: “I don’t handle heat very well. Anytime it’s over 70 degrees —those are tough.”

Despite racing 1,310 miles — not to mention tens of thousands of training miles — Micah remained injury-free. And he’s not done running yet. “I’d like to run across Minnesota — just an adventure-type run.”

And who knows? “There will probably be more marathons in my future,” he said.

If

pd.

ALUMNI IN HISTORY

Above: Lebanese immigrants Attas and Della Boutrous raised eight children in Bismarck, N.D. Four of them graduated from UND: Thomas (top row, middle), George (top row, second from right), Theodore (top row, far right) and Sylvia (front row, far left). Right: This portrait of Sylvia Boutrous was included in the 1955 “Who’s Who” section of the Dacotah Annual alongside her accomplishments.

A CULTURAL CONNECTION

GRAPE LEAVES, LANGUAGE, AND UND LINK ONE LEBANESE STUDENT TO ANOTHER.

On her second day as a student intern at The Hilyard Center (formerly Student Diversity & Inclusion), Raneem Kobeissy was surrounded by old yearbooks. Her mission was to find answers to the question she brought up the previous day: “Who was the first person of Color to graduate from UND?”

Raneem, who had moved to Grand Forks from the Middle East two years prior on her uncle’s advice to enroll in UND’s acclaimed speechlanguage pathology program, had yet to meet another Lebanese student or alum.

For weeks, Raneem and a team from The Hilyard Center sifted through the annuals’ worn pages, searching for clues. Then, one day, Raneem discovered a portrait with familiar features. The name beneath it read, “Thomas Boutrous.”

“I thought, ‘Boutrous. That’s a very Lebanese last name.’ I immediately knew.” Raneem recalled the discovery of a family that would greatly impact her UND experience.

What began as a research project in the Chester Fritz Library evolved into planning “Empowered by Our Past,” a March 2024 event honoring the first students of Color at UND and recognizing the diversity of the University’s history. Raneem and fellow students presented 12 narratives, concluding with that of Raneem’s newfound heroine, Sylvia (Boutrous) Trent, ’55, sister of Thomas Boutrous.

A Peek Back in Time

The Boutrouses were active participants in the University community and pursued careers in medicine, law, and (Sylvia) speech-language pathology.

Sylvia passed away in 2020, but that didn’t diminish Raneem’s sense of connection with UND’s first female Lebanese student.

“It was amazing to find out we had the same major,” she said. “I feel like I’m walking in her shoes here.”

The Empowered by Our Past event also gave Raneem the opportunity to meet Sylvia’s daughters, Patti Myers and Debbie Trent. The sisters participated in a panel discussion and explored their mother’s alma mater, starting with the former Tri Delta sorority house, a central part of Sylvia’s college experience.

“I felt a special connection even opening the front door,” Patti recalled.

They also visited the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections where Raneem discovered the Boutrouses. They were delighted to find their mother’s image on the 1955 “Who’s Who” listing of notable seniors. The extent of Sylvia’s involvement was deeper than her daughters realized and included titles like sorority pledge-class president and secretary/treasurer of the Women’s Glee Club.

Of Grape Leaf Fame

Sylvia and her brothers’ desire to contribute to their UND community was instilled by their parents, Attas and Della Boutrous, who homesteaded in Bismarck in the early 1900s. They opened a grocery store, earning respect for their entrepreneurship and their Lebanese cuisine, including Della’s renowned stuffed grape leaves recipe that was published in the Bismarck Tribune.

Raneem, who shares an appetite for the grape leaf dish, could relate: “I love sharing our culture and our food. … I found the newspaper clipping and thought, ‘Yep, this is so Lebanese – to share a favorite recipe like that.’”

Financial constraints limited college to only four of the eight Boutrous children; Sylvia was eager to be in the count.

“She wanted to work; she wanted to explore and have her own life,” Debbie said. “UND was, as it is for many, a door to go through and experience a threshold for a different kind of life.”

Sylvia put her degree to work in elementary schools before stepping back to raise her family, adhering to her mantra, “family first.”

“That stuck with me. That sacrifice, to let go of something you love for your kids, is huge,” said Raneem, noting the deep affection Sylvia’s daughters, in turn, shared for their mom.

Though Sylvia lived far from North Dakota later in life, her children remember their mother’s strong affiliation with her alma mater. She maintained lifelong friendships with sorority sisters and advised nieces and nephews who attended UND (in total, 15 Boutrous kin have graduated from UND since 1930, the most recent in 2020).

UND Mom

Needing emergency surgery, Sylvia couldn’t attend her graduation or receive her diploma. With the help of UND’s registrar, her husband, Chester, secretly procured the diploma and staged a mock graduation ceremony for her 80th birthday.

“She was really surprised, and it was such a wonderful thing that Dad did,” Patti explained. “Debbie wore her doctoral gear to present the diploma, and Dad played ‘Pomp and Circumstance.’”

Before leaving campus, Debbie and Patti purchased “UND Mom” bumper stickers. To the Boutrous sisters, it’s a stamp of pride for their mother, a UND alumna who never lost her connection to her alma mater – a connection that continues for Lebanese students today.

NOBLE NINE : FIRST NINE STUDENTS OF COLOR TO ATTEND UND

Hilyard James Duty: Graduated 1900, Bachelor of Arts

Takeo Igawa: Graduated 1913, Engineering and Mining

Min Hin Li: Graduated 1920, Bachelor of Arts Special in Medicine

Tuan Sheng Chien: Graduated 1920, Bachelor of Arts

Azzie Z. Tucker: Graduated 1925, Bachelor of Science in Arts and Medicine

Era Bell Thompson: Matriculated 1925, College of Arts

Edna Yuki Tetsoka: Graduated 1933, Bachelor of Arts

Clarissa Benjamin: Graduated 1935, Bachelor of Science in Education-Physical Education

Thomas Boutrous: Graduated 1934, Bachelor of Arts; graduated 1935, School of Medicine

SUPPORT STUDENTS

Scan to give to The Hilyard Center. pd.UNDalumni.org/hilyard-center

A Joyful Surprise: When asked to describe this experience in Arabic / Lebanese, (from left) Raneem chose “mufaaj’a” (surprise) while Patti and Debbie agreed on “farha” (joy) to summarize their visit.

UND ALUMNI PHOTO SHARE

Did you get married, have a baby, get a new pet, meet up with classmates, or travel somewhere great? Share it with your UND family. Send a high-resolution photo to AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net to be included in the next UND Alumni Magazine.

1. Robyn Martin, ’18, and her daughter Sierra Martin, ’24, are proud UND grads. Robyn owns a small business in Minot, N.D., and Sierra started UND Law School this fall.

2. Ellen (Barnhart), ’17, and Grant Bruesch, ’17, welcomed baby Sloane on June 12.

3. Lorine (Greff), ’01, and Rob Bernhardt, ’01, and their daughter Anna Bernhardt, a current student, vacationed in Banff this summer.

4. UND grads visiting Mexico with family include Dawn Hicks, Jim Hicks Sr., Jim Hicks, ’..24, Rachel (Ostlund) Hicks, ’22, Deb Ostlund, and Steve Ostlund, ’87, ’93.

5. Lindsay Bacala, ’14, welcomed daughter Brielle in March 2024.

6. Kyler Nathe, ’16, a U.S. Army Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot Chief Warrant Officer, is shown here in Indonesia in support of Pacific Pathways. He currently serves at Fort Novosel, Ala., as an instructor pilot.

7. Jason Leach, ’02, and George Reisdorf, ’03, ’07, received the Controller of the Year/Charles “Chuck” Adams Award of Excellence at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Jason is an air traffic control supervisor in Duluth, Minn., and George is an air traffic controller at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.

8. Joanne (Swanson), ’64, and Rich Becker, ’64, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August. They live in Grand Forks.

9. Laura (Sumner) Raymond, ’02, (pictured right at the Colosseum) met Flávia Beatriz Custódio from Brazil, both were consultants for the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Consultation of Risk and Benefits of Fish Consumption held in Rome, Italy.

10. Jessica Erlandson, ’16, and Kirtipal Barse, ’09, ’14, welcomed Henry Arthur on Aug. 4. He joins big brother Alexander and family in Blacklick, Ohio.

11. Several UND grads attended the von Ruden family reunion in July, including (left to right): Eric Steele, ’06, Brian Glaszcz, ’94, Rachael Glaszcz, ’00, Tony Glaszcz, ’94, Steve Norgaard, ’79, Dick Norgaard, ’70, Roy Norgaard, ’81, Jill (Murphy) Norgaard, ’85, Clark Norgaard, ’84, Jenny (Thompson) Steele, ’07, Danielle (Reis) Glaszcz, ’12, Peggy (von Ruden) Mondry, ’88, and Dave Norgaard, ’77.

12. “We love our North Dakota roots!” Darcy Samson, ’85, and Rachael Glaszcz, ’00, met on an ice cave hike on the Katla Volcano in Iceland. During the hike, the two realized they’d both grown up in North Dakota and graduated from UND. “We talked about how our North Dakota and UND roots result in bonds being formed not only on campus, but on a random ice cave hike in Iceland,” Darcy said.

13. Brianna Jesh, ’21, and Jesse Ewaldt, ’22, welcomed baby Jett on May 27. Mark Jesh, ’86, is the proud grandpa and Kona is Jett’s puppy.

14. Four UND grads work together at Envoy Air in Irving, Texas, including Sarah Gould, ..’18, A.J. Bienusa, ’19, and Van Easley, ’83. John Distler III, ’85, is not pictured. Envoy is owned by American Airlines.

15. 2024 Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement and Leadership recipient, Dave Miedema, ’76, and his grandkids Jackson, Layla and Hunter (children of Andrea and Scott Miedema, ’04, of Parker, Colo.), get ready for the Homecoming Parade.

16. Sarah (Apanian), ’18, and Bryn Chyzyk, ’16, ’20, welcomed Mila Marie in December 2023. She is excited about her verbal commitment to UND.

17. Cindy Klug, received the 2024 UND Football Legends Award. She is pictured with former UND football coaches Chris Mussman, Dale Lennon, ’85, and Roger Thomas, and current head football coach Bubba Schweigert, ’95.

18. Grace (Larson), ’18, and Nickolas Kennedy, ’17, were married on May 17 in Lake Elmo, Minn., surrounding by fellow UND grads. Nick is an international pilot and Grace is a postpartum RN.

IN MEMORIAM

We dedicate these pages to members of the University of North Dakota family who have recently passed away.

1940s

Virginia (Schmidt) Garrett, ..’42 Fort Worth, Texas

Margaret (Molenaar) Niederkorn, ’44 Tucson, Ariz.

Marguerite (Rodgers) Pierce, ..’47 Wenatchee, Wash.

Vivianne (LeMay) Dahlen, ..’48 Grand Forks

Marvin Snyder, ..’48 Santa Maria, Calif.

1950s

Col. Vernon Huber, ’50 Mandan, N.D.

Dr. Kent Alm, ‘51, ’63 Dent, Minn.

Donald Purvis, ..’51

Visalia, Calif.

Joseph Werre, Jr., ’52 Rochester, Minn.

Jean (Wahl) Hobbs, ’55

Rio Rancho, N.M.

Joanne (Buan) Nelson, ’55

Anoka, Minn.

Wesley Shobe, ..’55 McVille, N.D.

John Varner, ’55

Alexandria, Minn.

Kirk Smith, ’56, ’57 Fargo

Lyle Buchwitz, ’56, ’60

Universal City, Texas

Dr. Donald Gornowich, ’56, ’72 Grand Rapids, Minn.

Dolores (Paulsen) Engelstad, ’56 Wayzata, Minn.

Dr. Albert Bartz, ’57 Fargo

Robert Christie, ’57 Appleton, Wis.

Howard Neils, ’57

Bismarck, N.D.

Gary Malm, ‘58, ’71 Grand Forks

David Anderson, ’58 Hastings, Minn.

Maxine (Emerson) Anderson, ’58

Casper, Wyo.

John Nilles, ’58

Eden Prairie, Minn.

J. Wendell Sands, ..’58 Alvarado, Minn.

Theodore Schields, Jr., ’58 Dickinson, N.D.

Theresa (Lizakowski) St Onge, ’58

Bemidji, Minn.

Sylvester Suda, ’58

Clifton Park, N.Y.

Phyllis Williams, ’58

Bismarck, N.D.

J. Paul Wyciskala, ’58

Pompton Plains, N.J.

Gordon Hoberg, ’59, ’69 Napoleon, N.D

Francis Brown, ’59

Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif.

Carol (Reinan) Brungardt, ’59

West Fargo, N.D.

Mary (Gessell) Felix, ..’59

Brainerd, Minn.

Jerome Fox, ’59

Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Judith (Horton) Geatz, ..’59

Thief River Falls, Minn.

Eugene Holen, ’59

Arnegard, N.D.

Marian (Larsson) Kapphahn, ’59

Bemidji, Minn.

Elaine (Boyer) Lehmann, ’59

Rockland, Maine

Bruce McIlroy, ’59

Bellevue, Wash.

Wayne Swenson, MD, ’59

Bismarck, N.D.

1960s

Dr. Joyce (Yagla) Corey, ’60, ’61

Saint Louis, Mo.

Lyle Sorum, ’60, ’71

Saint Paul, Minn.

L. Merle Carter, ..’60

Saint Cloud, Minn.

Loren Hamre, ..’60

Fargo

Richard Johnston, ’60

Minot, N.D

George Munyer, ’60

Bemidji, Minn.

Einar Swanson, ..’60

Fargo

Donald Walz, ’60

Bismarck, N.D.

Loren Woolson, ’60

Fergus Falls, Minn.

Hon. Benny Graff, ’61, ’64

Bismarck, N.D.

Donald Rey, ’61, ’67, ’71

Minot, N.D.

L. Carroll Delzer, ’61

Long Beach, Calif.

Diane (Indridson) Fought, ’61

Fort Worth, Texas

Anita (Bouton) Kuznia, ..’61

Fayetteville, Ark.

Robert Meyer, ’61

Ogden, Utah

E. Keith Hovland, ’62, ’67

Canon City, Colo.

Roger Larson, ’62, ’69

Holmen, Wis.

John Buchwitz, ’62

Universal City, Texas

Darlene (Rogalla) Dyrud, ’62

Grand Forks

Arlin Gunderson, ’62

Enumclaw, Wash.

David Jaeger, ’62

Anchorage, Alaska

Daniel Kuhlman, ..’62

Grand Forks

Glen Loutzenhiser, ’62

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Dennis Markwardt, ..’62

Elida, N.M.

Janice (Dubuque) Wild, ..’62

Bismarck, N.D.

Lynn Crooks, ’63, ’65

Fargo

Barry Olson, ’63, ’71

Great Falls, Mont.

Rudolph Borowicz, ’63

Waconia, Minn.

Harriet (Wilkins) Eslinger, ’63

Brandon, Manitoba

Dr. Morley Glicken, ’63

Tucson, Ariz.

Marlin Jacobson, ’63

Grand Forks

J. Michael McCormack, ’64, ’72

Bismarck, N.D.

Barbara (Claymon) Greenberg, ’64

New York, N.Y.

Nancy (Flatz) Hvinden, ..’64

Thompson, N.D.

Hon. Jay Mondry, ’64

Park Rapids, Minn.

Carl Wannemacher, Jr., ..’64

Little Pine Lake, Minn.

Russell Schumacher, ’65, ’66

Drayton, N.D.

Dr. Samuel Harrison, ’65, ’68

Saegertown, Pa.

R. Spencer Annear, ’65 Fredonia, N.Y.

Janice (Olson) Bibby, ’65

Powell, Ohio

Dr. Bernhard Ellingson, ..’65 Nisswa, Minn.

James Hagburg, ’65

Gold Canyon, Ariz.

Carol (Jordan) Haines, ’65

Wichita Falls, Texas

Dennis Hopman, ‘65

Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Rebecca (Sanders) Koebernick, ‘65

Urbandale, Iowa

Curtis Sarkinen, ’65

Vancouver, Wash.

Dr. Gordon Henry, ’66, ’70

Grand Forks

Thomas Burns, ’66

Normal, Ill.

Carol (Hefta) Durand, ’66

Madison, Wis.

Kenneth Nelson, ’66

Roseburg, Ore.

Milton Schumacher, ’66

North Scituate, R.I.

Maj. James Szymanski, ’66

Bismarck, N.D.

Ronald Stevens, ’67, ’69 Winona, Minn.

Dr. Beverly (Boardman) Brekke Bailey, ’67, ’71

Boerne, Texas

Dr. Erich Heintzen, ’67, ’71

Saint Petersburg, Fla.

Edward Berg, ’67 Denver, Colo.

Leland Jelinek, ..’67

Grand Forks

Charles Pluth, ’67 Madison, Wis.

Dr. Rita Resch, ’67 Jeffersonville, Ind.

Lou (Froescher) Schlaffman, ..’67

Beulah, N.D.

Gerald McFarland, ’68, ’70 Elk River, Minn.

Melvin Adams, ’68

Richland, Wash.

Shirley (Iverson) Farland, ’68

Bismarck, N.D.

Ronald Geiger, ’68 Richland, Wash.

Lawrence McDowell, ’68

Thief River Falls, Minn.

John Barron, ’69

San Diego, Calif.

Suellen (Austin) Heinrich, ’69

Guilford, Conn.

Richard Ouradnik, ’69

Billings, Mont.

1970s

Timothy Virden, ’70, ’72

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

William Delmore, ..’70

Bismarck, N.D.

Richard Fargo, ’70

Brainerd, Minn.

Peggy (Edstrom) Feldt, ’70

Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Rita Johnson, ’70

Bismarck, N.D.

James Kennelly, ..’70

La Quinta, Calif.

Robert Kinzel, ’70

Baxter, Minn.

Larry Kopp, ..’70

Erie, N.D.

Lee LaBarre, ’70

Webster, N.D.

David Loiland, ’70

Phoenix, Ariz.

Mary (Williams) Peterson, ’70 Denver, Colo.

Barbara (Stowe) Satrom, ’70 Cambridge, Minn.

James Straka, ’70

Las Cruces, N.M.

Thau Thien, ’70

Burnbay, British ’Columbia

Kenneth Williams, ’70

Minot, N.D.

Mila (Conrad) Anderson, ’71, ’75 Anoka, Minn.

Gayle (Davis) Lee, ’71, ’87, ’90 Harvey, N.D

A. Dennis Anderson, ’71

Grafton, N.D.

Robert Beauchamp, ..’71

East Grand Forks, Minn.

George Dunbar, ’71

Blackfoot, Idaho

Dennis Fretty, ..’71

Davenport, Iowa

Robert Harris, ’71

Walnut Creek, Calif.

Claude Sheldon, ’71

Fargo

Wayne Keeler, ’72

Hartney, Manitoba

Michelle (Gilles) Koppelman, ..’72

Billings, Mont.

Iven Stottrup, ..’72

Emerado, N.D, Robert York, ..’72

Grand Forks

Myra (Mattern) Collette, ’73, ’92 Grand Forks

David Fallon, ..’73

Enumclaw, Wash.

Col. Earl Forkner, ’73

Burnsville, Minn.

Evelyn Lommen, ’73

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dolores (Gerlach) Meisner, ’73

Minnetonka, Minn.

H. Jay Rice, ’73

Maddock, N.D.

Lee Snortland, ..’73

Pembina, N.D.

Martin Rimestad, MD, ’74, ’77, ’79

Amery, Wis.

Myron Denbrook, III, ’74, ’86 Hibbing, Minn.

Mark Dufault, ’74

Argyle, Minn.

Kelly Evenson, ..’74

New Town, N.D.

Bradley Gaudry, ’74 Minto, N.D.

Donald Peterson, ..’74 Granbury, Texas

Syver Vinje, II, ’74

Bismarck, N.D.

James Hope, ’75, ’79 Dickinson, N.D.

LeRoy Hemish, ’75

Hayti, S.D.

Robert Pladson, ’75 Labelle, Fla.

Joan (Stoll) Wentworth, ..’75

Maquoketa, Iowa

Henry Howe, Jr., ..’76

Grand Forks

Mary Kay (Helenske) Klabo, ’76

Sharon, N.D.

Michael Thon, ’76

Yankton, S.D.

Leslie Urvand, ’76 Crosby, N.D.

Jacqueline (Schipper) Burke, ’77

Crookston, Minn.

Fred Clark, ..’77

Fargo

Larry Severson, ’77

Severance, Colo.

Aaron Jelinek, ’78

Eden Prairie, Minn.

Paul Scharold, ’78

Kennewick, Wash.

Terry Buringrud, ..’79

Tower City, N.D.

Dr. Marilyn (Walberg) Dudley, ’79

Savoy, Ill.

Dallas Evanson, ..’79

Fargo

Robert Juntunen, ’79

Minnetonka, Minn.

Donna (Busch) Stillwell, ..’79

Fargo 1980s

Alfred Borah, ..’80

Aneta, N.D.

James Fristad, ’80

Grand Forks

Darrel Remington, ’80

Regent, N.D.

Desmond Sporbert, ..’80 Thompson, N.D.

Diane Vokal, ’80 Dickinson, N.D.

Steven Wennblom, ’80

Fargo

Terence Nyquist, ’81

Florence, Ky.

Lewis Gilbert, MD, ’81, ’83

Harlem, Mont.

Nancy (Steenerson) Anderson, ’81

Cavalier, N.D.

Robert Dietz, ..’81

Ithaca, N.Y.

Helen (Macken) Hills, ..’81

Grand Forks

Belle (Ohls) Jore, ..’81

Grand Forks

Eugene Just, ’81

Mount Vernon, Ill.

Sydney (Deyo) Olson, ’81

Billings, Mont.

Mary (Knutson) Puetz, ..’81

Moorhead, Minn.

Norman Sortland, ’82

Crosby, N.D.

Robert Hopper, MD, ’83 Grove, Okla.

Craig Simon, ’83

Albion, Ind.

Troy Lorenz, ’84, ’87

Bloomington, Minn.

Jean (Martin) Anderson, ’84

Larimore, N.D.

Paul Gilberg, ’84

Grand Forks

Nancy (Headsten) Holte, ’84

Eden Prairie, Minn.

Stacy (Vigen) Ludwig, ..’85

Minnetonka, Minn.

J. Wayne Smook, ’85

Airdrie, Alberta

Joseph Ell, ’87

Sun Prairie, Wis.

Scott Molstad, ’88

Gilbert, Ariz.

Michael Bisenius, ’89, ’99

Grand Forks

David Grondahl, ’89

Boise, Idaho

1990s

Tara Jensen, ’91

Savage, Minn.

Sandra (Knetter) Flom, ’92

Lakota, N.D.

Douglas Lohnes, ’92

Devils Lake, N.D.

Melissa Nordlie, ’92

Grand Forks

Robert Reeve, ’92’

Valley Springs, Calif.

Donna (Swanson) Schultz, ’92

Faribault, Minn.

Stacey Herman, ..’93

Newfolden, Minn.

Lynn (Lukkason) Mendro, ’95

Branson, Mo.

Lori Gelen, ’96

Bemidji, Minn.

Peggy (Becherl) Trosen, ’97, ’10, ’11

Shakopee, Minn.

Jose Leal, ’97

Roseville, Minn.

Troy Seibel, ’99

Mandan, N.D.

Christie VanLooy, ..’99

Kalamazoo, Mich.

2000s

Patrick White, ’00

Grand Forks

Tabitha Dalman, ’02, ’03

Portland, N.D

Micah Erickson, ’03

West Fargo, N.D.

Michael Krasniewski, ’03

Corpus Christi, Texas

Joseph Krueger, ’04

Decorah, Iowa

Armando (Joe) Radich, ’06

Merritt Island, Fla.

Leslie Rogalla, ’06

Thief River Falls, Minn.

Jennifer Pederson, ’07

Warren, Minn.

Anna Sorenson, ’07

Bemidji, Minn.

Kimberly Strankowski, ’09 Fargo

2010s

Daniel Woodruff, ’12

Springfield, Ill.

Michelle Jansson, ’14

Lodi, Calif.

Jesssica Warns-Carrick, ’18

Aberdeen, S.D.

2020s

Kalisi Uluave, ’21 Grand Forks

Current Students

Amy Follette, ..’24

Crookston, Minn.

Kylie Olson, ..’24 Grand Forks

Former Faculty and Staff

Dorothy (Mattson) Arvidson Grand Forks

David Boushee

Grand Forks

Gwen (Titmus) Crawford Grand Forks

Gopal Das, MD

Las Vegas, Nev. Perdean Flesche

Grand Forks

Dr. Ruth Gallant

Oklahoma City, Okla. Dr. Joe Hootman

Grand Forks

Tom Johnson, MD

Williamston, Mich.

Robert Laurence

Hindsville, Ark.

LaVerne Mahar Costello Minto, N.D.

Nona Moore

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dr. Joy Query

Fargo

Judith (Miller) Sondrol Grand Forks

Phyllis (Maxwell) Trelfa East Grand Forks, Minn.