UND Alumni Magazine Summer 2021 by UND Alumni Association & Foundation

IN T E R N AT ION A L

INNOVATION

Maartje (van Bedaf ) Murphy, ’17, named to Forbes list of 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs, bringing European flavor home to North Dakota.

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Care. No Matter Where. UNDalumni.org/magazine

Visit face-to-face with your primary care provider from the convenience of home or work.

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GREG KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE

#UND d u o Pr Greg Hammes Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel

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bell.bank

“The high-quality education I received at UND – from instructors who provided a great learning environment with real-life business examples – prepared me to pass both my CPA and bar exams and successfully step into my career. When you work with Bell, you’ll experience the same feeling UND gave me. UND was there to prepare me for the future, and Bell is here to be a business partner to help best position you for the future. You’ll always find friendly, open employees willing to help any customer, just like the UND instructors are willing to help their students.”

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COVER STORY

THE DUCHESSA OF COWS & CO. From the Netherlands to North Dakota, Maartje (van Bedaf) Murphy, ’17, serves up handcrafted happiness. By Alyssa Konickson

From Alyssa You might notice that this issue looks a bit different. Our new lead designer, Jenny Wolf, ’03 (pictured above at right), brings more than a decade of experience in North Dakota higher education marketing with an expertise in graphic design. Even better, she and I are great friends, going back to our days as UND students. I can’t help but draw some parallels between our decades-long friendship and the friendship of fellow alumni Bill Thorness, ’82, and Bill Alkofer, ’85. Thorness reached out to me months ago: his dear friend Alkofer, a decorated photojournalist, had been diagnosed with ALS, an awful degenerative disease with a bleak prognosis. The heartfelt tribute on page 28 chronicles a career and a friendship with roots right here at UND, written by Thorness. It illustrates the value of a UND education beyond classroom studies. Maartje Murphy, ’17, pictured on the cover, shared her story from her business near Carrington, N.D. As an entrepreneur, Maartje still occasionally utilizes the technical skills gained from her nursing degree. But more than that, she says, “I met my best friends at UND,” and she credits her university experience for teaching her focus and work-life balance.

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We come to UND to learn vital skills and gain valuable knowledge, and we leave with that and so much more: the experiences that make us who we are, and the friends who stick with us throughout life’s heartbreaks and celebrations.

Until next time,

ON THE COVER Alyssa Konickson, ’06 Editor, UND Alumni Magazine

The cows come first at North Dakota’s only on-farm creamery, Cows & Co., run by alumni Maartje and Casey Murphy, who make gelato, gouda, and cheddar cheese curds in partnership with nearby Van Bedaf Dairy. Photo by: Shawna Schill

STEPPING OUT OF THE DARKNESS: PART 2

MENTAL HEALTH IN EDUCATION A closer look at the educators and alumni making a difference for students of diverse backgrounds. By Jenn Lukens

SPECIAL TO THE UND ALUMNI MAGAZINE

‘THE LAW BY WHICH I LIVE IS LIGHT’ Alum’s tribute to renowned photojournalist diagnosed with ALS chronicles a friendship with UND roots. By Bill Thorness

UNDalumni.org/magazine

INSIDE

From DeAnna HE R E ’ S T O T HO S E

WHO DO GOOD VOL. 104 NO. 3

SUMMER 2021

CEO

DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86

UND ALUMNI MAGAZINE Editor Alyssa Konickson, ’06 Lead Designer Jenny Wolf, ’03 Photographers Sara Titera; Shawna Schill, ’06; Mike Hess Associate Editors Milo Smith; Jenn Lukens Contributing Writers Tom Dennis; David Dodds ’98; Patrick Miller; Matt Scheerer; Bill Thorness ’82; Dima Williams Contributing Photographers Eric Hylden; Sam Melquist

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS VP of Operations and Engagement Bob Knutson, ’79 Associate VP of Engagement Sarah Prout, ’07 Senior Director of Public & Media Relations Milo Smith

UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Dr. John Gray, ’87 Vice Chair Jim Poolman, ’92 Directors Darla Adams, ’84, ’85; Lisa Barnes, ’88; Cindy Blikre, ’91; Scott Fredericksen, ’74; Angie Freeman, ’91; Randy Gershman, ’84; Mike Hamerlik, ’84, ’88; Marten Hoekstra, ’82; Jonathan Holth; Dr. Michael LeBeau, ’02; Rick Lee, ’78; Chuck MacFarlane,’87; Doug Mark, ’86; Karen Phillips, ’77; Jodi Rolland, ’92; Dave St. Peter, ’89; Pat Sogard, ’82, ’86; Karen Thingelstad, ’89; Kathryn Uhrich, ’86; Chad Wachter Ex Officio Andrew Armacost; Jed Shivers; Dr. Joshua Wynne; Eric Link Nancy Pederson, ’90; 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

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For inquiries about advertising, additional copies, submissions, or general comments, contact 800.543.8764, 701.777.5819 or AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net.

BLEED GREEN

Did you know that you can opt to receive your Alumni Magazine electronically instead of in the mail? If you’re interested in going green, email your request to AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net.

DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, While it might look like I’m hitting the open road in the photo, it was really a celebration of our first in-person alumni event in well over a year. The photo was taken in June at our first Meet the Armacosts event in Grand Forks. The gathering was sponsored by Wes and Vivian Rydell, who brought classic cars from their private collection to welcome guests to the Gorecki Alumni Center. We have since held many events across Minnesota and North Dakota to introduce President Andy Armacost and first lady, Kathy, to alumni. Under normal circumstances, this introductory tour would have started shortly after the Armacosts arrived on campus in June 2020, but, as with many things, the pandemic put normal on hold. Instead, with a year of experience as president under his belt, we finally had a chance for people to meet him face-toface. Each stop was buzzing with energy and excitement about the future of this great University! “I want you to be proud of UND,” Andy told the Grand Forks crowd of more than 100 people. “I want you to be proud of what it’s done for your life. I want you to engage with the campus and be part of the lifeblood of UND. I want you to speak to the next generation about the benefits of our school and how it can help them become great citizens and great thinkers.”

STATE OF THE FOUNDATION One of President Armacost’s five core values shared at these events is that we are here for students, and that is no more evident than in our financial reporting for fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021). Although we did not set a record (after two straight record-breaking fundraising years),

we did smash the goal we set for ourselves of $60 million in donations. In fact, our tremendous alumni and friends committed $64.4 million to this outstanding University. We are humbled and so very proud of your generosity during what could have been a very challenging fundraising year. In addition to the amazing commitments made by donors, the endowment we steward for the benefit of UND students rose to a record $366.1 million. This is especially impressive when we consider that you helped us cross the $100 million threshold just 11 years ago! The endowment is the strong foundation that provides stability for students now and into the future. In my State of the Alumni Association & Foundation Address on Aug. 24, I shared a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that I think is so indicative of the support for this exceptional University: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” We are so thankful for those who “Do Good” for the benefit of UND students!

STEPPING OUT OF THE DARKNESS I am proud of the work our team is doing to produce Stepping Out of the Darkness, our series on mental health, which kicked off in the last issue of this magazine. The series continues in this issue with an emphasis on mental health in education. Our College of Education & Human Development has done exceptional work during the past year. Kudos to Dean Cindy Juntunen for her leadership with students pursuing their degrees and alumni teaching in classrooms around the country. Among educational opportunities, the College gave alumni a forum to share with others experiencing the same obstacles. It demonstrates the value of UND’s faculty and the impact they can have on lifelong learners.

WITH OPEN ARMS

ROBERTA’S RETIREMENT

I am so excited that Homecoming will return in person on Oct. 18-23. I think of the special moment of seeing my parents for the first time face-to-face in over a year, and that is how I feel about Homecoming. We are ready to welcome you with arms wide open!

We’ll host one other major celebration this fall: the retirement party for Roberta Beauchamp. “Bertie” has been with our organization for 35 years and, while I will miss her dearly, I am so happy to celebrate her years of service to this organization, this university, and this community!

If you haven’t been on campus in a while, you are going to be surprised at all the changes that have taken place just in the past few years. The new Memorial Union is now open for students and the progress made on the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration since the groundbreaking last fall is amazing. There’s new landscaping and lighting along University Avenue and so much more.

Her retirement party is Sept. 30, and you can learn more on page 40.

We’ll be honoring our 2020 Sioux Award and Young Alumni Achievement Award recipients after we had to cancel last year’s awards banquet. I hope to see you at Homecoming 2021! (See more on pages 26-27.)

DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86, CFRE UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO deannac@UNDfoundation.org

I cannot say this enough: I am so appreciative of the impact our alumni and friends have on UND students of today. Thanks to all who “Do Good!”

DO GOOD

Scan with your phone’s camera app to watch the State of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Address.

Sincerely,

UNDalumni.org/magazine

DeAnna Carlson Zink poses in Wes, ’64, and Vivian Rydell’s 1935 Chevrolet Phaeton on June 2 outside the Gorecki Alumni Center during a Meet the Armacosts event.

ON CAMPUS

A NE W L OOK ON

UNIVERSITY AVENUE

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Renovation of the Chester Fritz Library is complete, with a grand opening scheduled for 3 p.m. October 22. The library will connect via skywalk to the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, slated for completion in fall 2022. Down University Avenue to the west, the Gershman Graduate Center opened on July 29, and to the east, a brand-new Memorial Union opened to students for the fall semester (watch for more in the Winter 2021 edition of the UND Alumni Magazine).

CH E S T E R F R I T Z L IB R A R Y

RENOVATION HIGHLIGHTS 6

years of planning and construction

stairs on the grand staircase

workstations in the virtual reality lab

tech-equipped group study rooms

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ON CAMPUS

From Andy CE L E B R AT ING A CU LT UR E OF

ENTREPRENEURSHIP One of the greatest challenges and important opportunities in higher education is helping young people discover their true passion. Just what is it that inspires and motivates them to do their best in ways that are both personally fulfilling and useful to society? The story in this magazine about Maartje Murphy, who went from being a nurse to launching a successful gelato and creamery business, is a wonderful example of someone discovering the talents she possessed in entrepreneurship.

How can we become the best at turning innovative ideas and technologies into successful businesses that benefit North Dakota? The goals we’ve set for ourselves are lofty, but attainable. ● Maintain and enhance a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial activities at UND. ● Stimulate economic development activity through innovation, incubation, workforce development, and business acceleration in the Northern Plains. ● Provide best practice academic, clinical, and practical experiences focused on innovation and development of an entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial theory. ● Use high-quality innovation, incubation, and acceleration services for those interested in launching or evolving businesses in North Dakota.

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● Foster trust, deepen relationships, promote collaboration, and create synergy across campus and within the community.

Andy and Kathy Armacost attend the first stop of Meet the Armacosts on June 2 at the Gorecki Alumni Center. The tour welcomed hundreds of alumni at nine stops across North Dakota and Minnesota.

The University of North Dakota has a strong tradition of developing innovation, educating entrepreneurs, and promoting entrepreneurship. This happens through a number of organizations, including the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and its new Middleton School of Entrepreneurship & Management, the UND Center for Innovation, the Jodsaas Center for Engineering & Entrepreneurship in the College of Engineering & Mines, and the Office of Research & Economic Development. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, which is why we’re having discussions across campus about how the University can become even better at advancing innovation and promoting successful entrepreneurial activities.

AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION As I travel and meet more and more UND alumni across the state and nation, I’m struck by how many of our graduates are engaged in the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. It is clear that their UND experiences have laid an important foundation for their success, and the process and programs through which we support these ideas are essential. Whether it’s making the best gelato anyone’s ever tasted, designing a more efficient technology to scrap cars, or building a biomechanical hand to help someone in your community, the drive to innovate and the spirit of entrepreneurship can have significant impacts on many different levels. This is why innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity will continue to be an important focus at UND. It’s also why we will always rely on our alumni who have gained valuable experience in these areas to help guide us to better serve North Dakota and its citizens.

Andrew Armacost President University of North Dakota

L E A DE R IN A C T IO N

A CHANGE-MAKER IN THE MEDICAL LAB KELLI MADDOCK, ’21

Student turns her love of animals into a career thanks to the flexibility of an online master’s degree from UND.

IF YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR, you will most likely see a nurse and a physician. If you bring your pet to an animal clinic, you will interact with the vet. In both cases, whom you probably won’t meet is a medical laboratory scientist. “We are the unseen professionals behind the scenes in diagnostic medicine,” said Kelli Maddock. She is a lab section head at the North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and a student at the University of North Dakota, pursuing an online master’s degree in medical laboratory science.

After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Maddock got her start in human medicine in molecular diagnostics

is different. But in animal medicine, you have any number of species, whether it’s your cat or dog in your house, the zoo animal that you get to visit or the cow you see on the side of the road. We have so much impact. There are so many interesting things to delve into.”

“The instructors at UND helped me see the importance of sharing our profession and how widely we can have an impact.”

Maddock’s desire to continue learning led her to UND, where she started the online master’s program in 2018. The flexibility of the online coursework allowed her to continue working and spending valuable time with her daughter. At the University, the program focuses on human medicine, which is serving as a well of ideas for Maddock.

“There’s so much that can be done with veterinary medicine that translates into human health too,” Maddock said. “It’s so interesting to see all different species. Human medicine is complicated, even with a single species, because every person

Maddock is looking into pathogens that can transmit from animals to veterinarians, which is a littleexplored phenomenon, she said. The goal is to limit exposure to harmful microorganisms that can be resistant to treatment. Once she graduates later this year, Maddock wants to spread her passion for medical lab science through teaching and mentoring students. “There is so much about [our profession] that is overlooked and underappreciated,” she said. “The instructors at UND helped me see the importance of sharing our profession and how widely we can have an impact.”

“Some things that we talked about [in class] spark curiosity in wondering if there are similar biomarkers for veterinary tests,” she said. “It allows me to think a bit outside of the box.” Aside from working and studying, Maddock is doing research. Her current project is indeed an animal-world replica of what is commonly studied in hospitals.

LEADERS IN ACTION

Scan with your phone’s camera app to meet more UND students.

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Medical lab scientists play a critical role in diagnosing the ailments of patients, both human and animal. It is like being a detective, looking for abnormalities in samples and helping provide an appropriate cure. This is what attracted Maddock to the profession, which is often not as publicized as nursing is, for example.

and microbiology at Sanford Health. Then, five years ago, she switched to the animal side. Prompted by her love for animals – Maddock has been a pet owner her whole life – the transition revealed a different, “eyeopening” side of medicine, she said.

ON CAMPUS

We are #UNDproud

Content courtesy of UND Today, the University of North Dakota’s official news source. Read more and subscribe at blogs.UND.edu/UND-today.

S T U D E N T I N N O VAT I O N S

A LOVING HAND

For their capstone project, Electrical Engineering majors/Biomedical Engineering minors Megan Larson and Jasmyn Loven, along with Computer Science majors Sam Dressler, Jack Neis, and Daryl Johnson, built a functioning, prosthetic partial hand. Designed for a local man who had lost the ring and pinky fingers on his left hand, the device features prosthetic versions of those two fingers attached to a forearm sleeve. Inside the sleeve are sensors that rest on the man’s forearm. The sensors detect and respond to the muscles that normally would control the man’s ring and pinky fingers. So, when the man moves those muscles, he moves his new fingers, too.

S CI E N C E & T E C H N O L O G Y

UND FIRST UNIVERSITY TO PARTNER WITH SPACE FORCE

With a signing of documents, a shake of hands and an exchange of salutes, Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond and UND President Andrew Armacost on Aug. 9 made UND the first member of the new U.S. Space Force University Partnership Program (UPP). Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, and Armacost, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general, inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between their organizations that opens the door for opportunities in research and workforce development. The signing of the historic agreement was held in Robin Hall at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, which was attended by government representatives, business leaders, military personnel and UND leadership.

D I V E R S I T Y, E Q U I T Y & I N C L U S I O N

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AMBASSADOR PROGRAM LAUNCHES

Developed by the Office of Academic Affairs, the Inclusion Ambassador program is the latest initiative in support of the University’s mission of diversity, equity and inclusion. It includes a cohort of about 30 ambassadors, staff and faculty from various offices around campus. Tamba-Kuii Bailey (pictured at left), assistant vice provost for equity and inclusion, describes the initiative as a “train-thetrainer” program, which provides participants with the appropriate tools to spearhead diversity and inclusion into the daily activities of their units.

“We believe this prosthetic is the first of its kind, because it’s a noninvasive solution for a partial hand and is customizable to the amputation,” said Larson, the project’s student leader. In other words, the prosthetic relies on sensors that sit on the surface of the skin, rather than using electrodes implanted in the muscles of the arm. “In addition, we designed it so it can be adapted for any amputation,” she said. “So if someone has different fingers that are missing, you can make a device for that portion of the hand, and put the sensors on a different location on the forearm. Then you’ll have a whole new prosthetic for that new case.”

COMMUNIT Y TIES

TOWN & GOWN LAUDED

The City of Grand Forks and UND won the Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town & Gown Association, one of America’s highest awards for outstanding town/gown relations. The award is given annually to a city and university that best demonstrate a clear desire to collaborate for the betterment of their campus and community.

FA C U LT Y I M P A C T

I N T E R N AT I O N A L A C C L A I M

Frank Xiao, assistant professor of civil engineering, received a CAREER award/grant from the National Science Foundation for his anti-pollution work. Xiao studies the use of heat to treat PFAS-contaminated soils, PFAS being an acronym for a group of widely used yet potentially harmful manmade chemicals. NSF CAREER awards are the Foundation’s most prestigious grants that support faculty whose research and educational endeavors point to future leadership in their fields. As part of the award, the NSF has committed $500,000 to Xiao’s research at UND, which he will carry out over the next five years and employ more than a dozen students.

A proposal by UND engineering students to use abandoned oil and gas wells to heat homes won first place in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Spring 2021 Geothermal Collegiate Competition. UND geology and geological engineering students, working with students at Reykjavik University in Iceland, researched the use of existing gas wells to generate geothermal energy for heat, food and jobs in Mandaree, N.D.

A CAREER MOVE

WORLD-CL ASS PROGR AMS

UND AEROSPACE BREAKS RECORD

A C A D E M IC A D VA N C E M E N T S

NEW DEGREES APPROVED

To meet strong employer demand, the College of Engineering & Mines will offer a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering as well as three new certificates for master’s students. Students will be able to pursue the new offerings, which include graduate-level certificates in cyber security, ethical hacking and secure networks, as early as Fall 2022. Additionally, The School of Law and School of Medicine & Health Sciences have announced a new dual Juris Doctorate and Master of Public Health degree. The dual degree is the only such program between the states of Washington and Minnesota.

UNDalumni.org/magazine

From July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, UND’s flight training programs kept an unprecedented pace, smashing a 2013 record for hours flown by students at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. The 126,000 hours flown between 2020 and 2021 went well beyond FY13’s 110,000 hours across plane, helicopter and unmanned aerial systems flight training. Airplane training alone comprised 121,000 hours of the FY21 total.

BEST OF THE BEST

FEATURE: COWS & CO. CREAMERY UNDalumni.org/magazine

PHOTOS BY SHAWNA SCHILL, ’06, & MIKE HESS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

European flavor with Midwestern flair Alumni produce authentic tastes of the Netherlands and Italy from North Dakota’s only on-farm creamery.

“You come in here and everything looks brand new and perfect and pretty. And then this picture is kind of a conversation starter – where we’re from and why we started.”

BY ALYSSA KONICKSON ’06 EDITOR, ALUMNI MAGAZINE | UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

AS THE SUN COMES UP east of Carrington, North Dakota, Maartje (van Bedaf) Murphy, ’17, kicks up a cloud of dust in her 1997 Chevy pickup. She drives 3 miles down a dirt road, where a life-sized statue of a Holstein cow welcomes her to her family’s business, Van Bedaf Dairy. There, Maartje trades her Chevy for a Dodge dually flatbed outfitted with an 800-gallon holding tank full of farm fresh milk that will become creamy gelato, aged farmstead gouda, or artisan cheddar cheese curds.

The day has just begun at Cows & Co., the only on-farm creamery in North Dakota. UNDalumni.org/magazine

Maartje returns to her own 35-acre farmstead, where her husband and business partner, Casey Murphy, ’17, ’19, awaits, ready to get to work in their creamery.

The former dirt-floor pole barn has been newly renovated to house processing equipment for gelato and cheese making, along with a charming café area. A window on the back wall lets guests peer into the aging room, where wheels of gouda sit atop boards of Dutch pine, waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed. Behind the counter, a press for making stroopwafels (two-layer wafer waffles joined by a caramel filling) hints at the delights that will be served along with gelato and coffee.

FEATURE: COWS & CO. CREAMERY

“We love the Netherlands,

but they left for a better opportunity for us three kids. They sacrificed everything; they left people they love behind for a better life for our family.”

Churning out accolades In December 2020, Maartje (pronounced MARCH-ah) got some news that took her breath away: she had been named to Forbes Magazine’s coveted list of the 30 Under 30 brightest young entrepreneurs in food and drink for 2021. “As a small-town North Dakota girl, I would never expect something like this,” she said. But her business, Duchessa Gelato, had been gaining recognition around the state for serving up the creamiest cool treat wedding guests and farmers market patrons had ever tasted. Maartje and Casey, along with other family members, were packaging thousands of pints of gelato every week to keep up with online orders that she would hand-deliver to 11 stops across the state. Now propelled into the national spotlight, Duchessa Gelato was ready to expand, and inspired by her European roots, Maartje was already dreaming about what would come next.

The Dutch Duchessa Hanging prominently above the fireplace in Cows & Co. Creamery is a 1960s black-andwhite portrait of a man sitting upon a stool, milking a cow. He wears cotton coveralls and wooden clogs, the signature choice of footwear for Dutch farmers of the time.

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The man in the photo is Maartje’s grandfather, Piet van Bedaf.

“He was really passionate about dairy farming, and this whole business is to honor him, my parents, and my brothers,” Maartje said. “You come in here and everything looks brand new and perfect and pretty. And then

this picture is kind of a conversation starter – where we’re from and why we started.” Maartje, whose given first name is Wilhemina, comes from a long line of Dutch dairy farmers. When she was 7 years old, her parents Conny and Corné made the difficult decision to leave the Netherlands, where land is in short supply, in search of a place to expand their dairy operation. They wanted to create a more promising future for Maartje and her brothers, Piet and Dries. “We love the Netherlands,” Maartje said. “But they left for a better opportunity for us three kids. They sacrificed everything; they left people they love behind for a better life for our family.” They first immigrated to Canada, where they lived for seven years before settling with their 100 cattle outside Carrington (about 2 hours southwest of Grand Forks) in 2008. Van Bedaf Dairy has since grown to 1,500 Holstein and Brown Swiss cows, which supply 16,000 gallons of milk per day to Cass Clay Creamery (plus the milk they supply to Cows & Co.), making it one of the largest dairies in the state. While Corné, Piet, and Dries primarily run the dairy, Maartje, Casey, and Conny are active in the creamery. During a trip back to the Netherlands in 2018, the family visited several shops that served gelato – a softer, denser, creamier version of ice cream – just like they often did when visiting their homeland. “It was always such a good feeling that I wished I could share the experience with everyone,” Maartje said. “So, I thought, ‘Oh, this would be so neat to bring back to North Dakota.’”

Seeing an opportunity to create an authentic European experience utilizing farm-fresh milk from her family’s dairy, Maartje went all-in. Though common across Europe, gelato is native to Italy, so she had an authentic Italian cart shipped across the Atlantic, complete with pozzettis (traditional stainless steel serving wells). Duchessa Gelato itself is a play on words, linking her Dutch heritage with the Italian word for “duchess.” Last year, when she decided to expand her business from gelato to gouda cheese and cheddar cheese curds, she again traveled to the Netherlands, where she stayed for a month, learning the trade from kaasmakers – Dutch cheesemakers. It was then that Maartje created Cows & Co. Creamery, the “mother company” to Duchessa Gelato and her newest offerings of cheese. As Maartje continues to work tirelessly to refine her gouda recipe while churning out dozens of flavors of gelato, the expansion of her company is bringing media attention and visitors, who Maartje and Casey welcome with open arms despite their mounting to-do lists. After all, they’ve built their company on a foundation of caring for others.

IN HER WORDS

Scan with your phone’s camera app to hear more of Maartje Murphy’s story.

ice cream

slow churned - less air - denser

air

faster churn - more air light and fluffy texture

milk, no cream

ingredients

cream and eggs

15 degrees more intense flavor

serving temp

5 degrees harder texture

hazelnut, pistachio, vanilla

common flavors

chocolate, strawberry, vanilla

UNDalumni.org/magazine

gelato

FEATURE: COWS & CO. CREAMERY

“I loved my time at UND ... I met some amazing professors and my best friends there. I learned a lot of really good things that help me as a business owner, along with some things I am going to want to know as a mom.”

Cream of the crop All her life, Maartje says she’s been a nurturing person. “I’ve always been caring and loving. I always wanted to be a nurse.” She chased that dream, graduating from UND with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2017, going on to work as a trauma nurse in Sanford Medical Center’s emergency room in Fargo. When her business exploded in 2020, she found herself being pulled away from her original dream toward another one.

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PHOTO BY MILO SMITH

“Now, I care and love and give to people through sweet treats and savory cheese. I care for them in that aspect, and help create some happiness,” she said. Maartje made the most of her UND experience, first participating in track and field, then cheerleading for the hockey team while completing her rigorous program studies. All the while, Casey was by her side, studying to be a physical therapist (he continues to practice at Summit Physical Therapy & Sports Performance in Carrington).

She draws a parallel between her time as a 400-meter hurdler to her current experience as a small business owner. “I tell people it’s a good race to run because you’re so focused on the hurdles, you forget that you’re tired until you cross the finish line,” she said. While her strong work ethic was instilled at an early age by her family, she credits UND for honing her life-work balance, introducing her to lifelong friends and teaching her skills that apply to this day. “I loved my time at UND ... I met some amazing professors and my best friends there. I learned a lot of really good things that help me as a business owner, along with some things I am going to want to know as a mom.”

Life is gouda Maartje and Casey, both 26, are expecting their first child in October. Around the same time, the couple is planning a soft opening for their new Cows & Co. Creamery space, with a grand opening next summer. “I want this to be a space of sharing the experience that I would have in the Netherlands when I would go get gelato or go to a cheese farm with my grandparents,” Maartje said. “I want people to be able to feel the feelings that I had back there.”

Recently, Maartje was again recognized on a national 30 Under 30 list, this time for Young People Impacting Agriculture by Farm Progress Magazine. Cows & Co. hired its first employee last spring and will continue to expand alongside Maartje and Casey’s dreams. Eventually, farm animals including cattle and sheep will welcome guests to the property, whose aesthetic is pulled together by a classic white dairy barn and silo on the edge of the yard. They have already begun partnering with other regional food and drink entrepreneurs, such as Molly Yeh of Food Network fame, and plan to partner with more, like Dakota Sun Gardens & Winery down the road from them. “I would like to ship our gelato and cheese all over the nation,” Maartje says. “And then, if we ever do become successful enough to share it with people around us, we want to find good charities to donate to. That’s my main goal: to give back to the community and to some organizations that are near and dear to my heart.”

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T H E DUC H E S SA OF

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FEATURE: STEPPING OUT OF THE DARKNESS

Stepping Out of the Darkness: Part 2 Stepping Out of the Darkness is a three-part series on mental health in medicine, in education, and in communities. As mental and behavioral health is a rising concern among University of North Dakota students, staff and alumni, we are bringing to light stories and resources for more informed conversations and understanding.

A place to belong. The world of learning has changed shape. As education systems evolve, educators and UND alumni address the corresponding struggles and mental health of their students. BY JENN LUKENS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS | UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

A SCHOOL BUS PULLS UP to a picnic shelter at Turtle River State Park near Arvilla, North Dakota. Eighteen ninth graders exit the bus and head for the swings. “I guess I should have added ‘swinging’ into our itinerary,” says Geoff Gaukler, ’94, ’10, Mental Health Coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools (GFPS). “That might be all they need for the day!”

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The students are enrolled in the English Language (EL) program at Red River High School. Refugees who fled their home countries of Mexico, Thailand, Somalia, Nepal and China, they each come to Turtle River with their own stories.

After they’ve all gathered back at the shelter, Geoff goes over the itinerary, which includes yoga, balloon conversations, and a hike. “We are here today to help our minds and bodies be healthy,” Geoff explains.

“Playing games helps us be healthy. Laughing helps us be healthy. Nature helps us be healthy. So listen to nature, listen to your body and listen to each other.” Printed on Geoff’s shirt are the words “You Belong.” The theme for the mental health-focused day coincides with the theme of Sources of Strength, a national program Geoff runs throughout the district to help students through mental health challenges. “Sources of Strength has found that one out of every eight students feels like they don’t belong, and that’s a problem,” said Geoff, a former teacher and school counselor. “Belonging is about connection. We help them make connections, we help them through tough times, and we give them a place to belong.”

PHOTOS BY MIKE HESS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

“Belonging is about connection. We help them make connections, we help them through tough times, and we give them a place to belong.” Geoff Gaukler, ’94, ’10 Mental Health Coordinator Grand Forks Public Schools

“Here, it doesn’t matter your race or your last name. People here are nice and they help you. We know each other. We say we’re like a family,” Misan said.

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Misan (in blue at left), a refugee from Nepal and part of Red River’s EL program, was the lead in a spring play put on by the Global Friends Coalition Summer Performing Arts group. His character was on a mission to discover the meaning of the word “belonging.” Misan defines it as getting help, helping others and trying new things.

FEATURE: MENTAL OUT HEALTH IN EDUCATION FEATURE: STEPPING OF THE DARKNESS

“Behavioral health is a complicated issue and no one profession can do this alone.” Dr. Cindy Juntunen, ʼ87 Dean, UND College of Education & Human Development

Building resiliency from trauma Ivona Todorovic, ’03, ’05, runs the Red River EL program and accompanied the group at Turtle River. She understands what these students are going through.

Above: Ivona Todorovic, ’03, ’05, Red River EL coordinator and part-time instructor for Teaching & Leadership at UND, enjoys a traditional Nepalese dish called chatpate with her EL students at Turtle River State Park. As an instructor within the CEHD, Ivona incorporates multicultural and mental health aspects into her curriculum so that her students are prepared to teach all who come into their classrooms.

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Right: Dr. Cindy Juntunen, ’87, Dean of the College of Education & Human Development, says that the CEHD is teaching its students to recognize mental health struggles in the classroom.

In 1995, Ivona arrived in Grand Forks after fleeing her home country of Bosnia during the war. With a teaching background, she began working in the GFPS district with EL students. Now with her master’s degree, Ivona is a part-time instructor for Teaching & Leadership in the UND College of Education & Human Development (CEHD). Ivona explains that tradition, family expectations and stigma around mental health all contribute to the added pressure EL students face while learning another language and culture. “These kids often come from cultures where you just don’t talk about these things,” she explained. “Parents act out of fear…. They use the mantra, ‘be strong, be brave’ because that’s what we’ve had to survive on.” The latest numbers show that, while the Grand Forks region grew only 2% between 2010 and 2015, the immigrant population grew 27.6%, with refugees making up one-tenth of that population. Compared to their American-born peers, refugee children experience a higher number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), or traumatic experiences that can affect psychological and physical health later in life.

PHOTO BY SAM MELQUIST

Dr. Melissa Quincer, ’12, ’16, Northern Prairie Community Clinic’s Clinical Director, stands outside the NPCC. While other counseling services across the state had to shut down when COVID hit, NPCC remained open by offering telehealth services. As a result, students in the community and across the state received needed help while UND graduate students have gained valuable telehealth skills.

As education has shifted, school systems across the country are actively discussing not if but how they will continue some of these new mental health supports.

Research shows that the best way to counter the effects of ACEs is to build resiliency through things like trauma-informed care and adult support. The EL team applies these principles by creating space to work through the trauma, uncover their triggers and hear their heartwrenching stories: Some were ripped away from family members, others saw friends killed in front of them. Most were on the run for their lives. “In African culture, they say, ‘I cry inward,’” Ivona explained. But after these efforts, “the guard comes down and the tears fall.”

UND links classrooms to mental health services Dr. Cindy Juntunen, ’87, is Dean of the CEHD. Her extensive portfolio centers around mental health, reducing stigma and addiction treatment and prevention. Under her leadership, the CEHD uses a multidisciplinary approach within its education system. Counseling, counseling psychology and public health programs all fall under the college, “so the intentional linkage here between education and mental health is pretty unique,” Dr. Juntunen said.

While many in-state behavioral health services shut down at the start of COVID, NPCC remained open and went completely virtual in the matter of a week. Its partnerships with school systems throughout the state – Grand Forks, Beach, Williston, and colleges within the North Dakota University System – have contributed to the rise in the interest in mental health services. From the 2019-20 to the 2020-21 school years, virtual sessions increased by 64%. Dr. Melissa Quincer, ’12, ’16, is NPCC’s Clinical Director and a practicing psychologist. She said the acceptance of telehealth is spreading, especially among school systems. “What we’re finding is once you get the client engaged, there’s no real difference in building rapport with your patient over telehealth,” she said. Some students even prefer it and have opted out of in-person therapy altogether.”

A mindful approach to education Though mental health effects of COVID-19 on children are being studied, Dr. Juntunen believes the pandemic brought out what was already there: “I think COVID increased our awareness of mental health concerns because some of the resources that kids had available to help them manage their needs weren’t as accessible.”

The best thing that helped students continuing virtual learning, Geoff said, was assigning each middle- and high-school student a mentor teacher who provided emotional support over Zoom. The efforts paid off: 87% of secondary students reported they had a supportive adult they could lean on, one of the positive factors known to build resiliency. Teachers reported a reduction in stress and anxiety after using the Calm Classroom approach. And inpatient admissions for psychiatric care decreased 25% from last school year. GFPS was also selected as one of only 15 school systems nationwide to participate in the National Center for Safe Supportive Schools Learning Collaborative, which will help Geoff and his team continue improving its system-wide approach to addressing mental health. “The challenges that the pandemic brought on highlighted the importance of supports, mental health services and relationships,” Geoff shared. “But there was an emphasis on the importance of belonging and what that does for our mental health, too.”

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The Northern Prairie Community Clinic (NPCC) located in UND’s Columbia Hall is one example. Funded by a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant, NPCC brings students from multiple CEHD departments and colleges together to provide behavioral health and speech-language pathology services to communities, schools, and clinics.

“Behavioral health is a complicated issue and no one profession can do this alone. The need is so great that we have to work much more intentionally to break down professional barriers and have true interprofessional teams. That’s what this project is designed to do,” Dr. Juntunen explained.

Geoff and the team at GFPS were quick to put mental health supports in place when learning moved online in the spring of 2020. For teachers and staff, he provided training in trauma interventions through the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) and professional development instruction on self-care. For students, he introduced the Calm Classroom approach that teaches mindfulness techniques. He also increased classroom visits from therapy pets, their tranquil effects on students moving some principals to tears.

FEATURE: STEPPING OUT OF THE DARKNESS

Scaling mountains. Diagnosed with a life-altering condition, UND doctoral student Jonathan Thompson helps children with disabilities overcome mental hurdles.

IN HIS WORDS

Scan with your phone’s camera app to hear more of Jonathan Thompson’s story.

JONATHAN THOMPSON, ’09, ’17, was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. The incomplete closure of the spine led physicians to believe he may never walk. But he does more than walk. His kayak, which has survived Class IV rapids, rests in his Quonset waiting for the next run. Pictures of Jonathan in a basketball uniform are out on the kitchen table. His black lab, Bear, pants after playing catch with his owner. And rocks from annual hikes up fourteeners (mountains above 14,000 feet) sit in a collection on his dresser.

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“You get up there and it’s like, ‘Whoa, this is pretty high.’ But you get to see the vastness of the earth … and there’s a sense of accomplishment coming down,” Jonathan said.

Spina bifida, known as the “snowflake syndrome” has three levels of severity and affects each person differently. Jonathan’s made the most of his physical freedom that many with the same diagnosis don’t have. “Part of my message is that [a diagnosis] can be a part of you, but it doesn’t have to limit you,” Jonathan stated.

But while Jonathan, a current doctoral student at UND, has overcome much, he’s the first to say that it hasn’t been easy. Undergoing 15 surgeries and relearning how to walk after half of them were physical challenges, but it was the mental mountains he scaled that Jonathan said were just as hard. He recalled a significant moment after a surgery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when a clinical social worker went over what Jonathan’s physical recovery process would entail back home in Grand Forks; she didn’t broach the mental challenges he knew were ahead.

“I remember lying on the hospital bed and thinking, ‘This person really doesn’t know what it’s like.’ I wish somebody would have said, ‘Hey, kid, you’re going to go through some crap, but you’re going to be okay, and I’ll walk with you.’” During his undergrad at UND, Jonathan took it upon himself to be that person for the next generation. He started volunteering with GFPS’s Big Brother and Mentor Program and was paired with students with special needs, many of them without a positive male role model in their life. Jonathan could identify – his own father died in an accident when he was just 9 months old. Though his grandfather and later stepdad took up the paternal mantle and

“Part of my message is that [a diagnosis] can be a part of you, but it doesn’t have to limit you.”

A place to get help. Additional partnerships between UND and education systems across the region have helped improve not only the emotional and mental wellbeing of students, but also their academic achievements. Mentor Center A project born out of the pandemic, the Mentor Center provides academic and mental health support to GFPS students. The Center is housed on UND’s campus and provides easy access for its students to volunteer. Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) A project involving multiple UND departments, MHTTC provides evidence-based training, technical assistance, and resources to support school-based mental health. Promoting Positive Mental Health in Rural Schools

the doctoral program. While at UND, Jonathan provided counseling services to students and community members through the Northern Prairie Community Clinic. “It’s a wonderful way to help people directly in the community,” said Jonathan. “I love the diversity with the clientele there. It has really helped fulfill my passion to give back in a big way.” As a graduate student at UND, Jonathan says he’s found a place to belong. Between faculty who have made accommodations for his disability and fellow students who encourage his ideas, he’s felt empowered.

his mother offered full support, Jonathan still feels the loss.

Jonathan quickly realized that, to make an even greater impact on children like these, he needed more education. He was accepted into UND’s Master of Counseling program and later

“Being here and feeling really connected to my roots is wonderful, and it brings me a lot of peace.” The space allows for daily mindfulness meditation, hosting friends for bonfires, and plenty of room to play catch with Bear.

Rural Schools and Health A topic guide created by the Rural Health Information Hub, a grantfunded program at UND’s Center for Rural Health that houses evidencebased practices to address mental health in rural schools. School Health Hub A pilot project launching this fall at GFPS through an endowment from the CEHD. The project will provide a holistic health model for students and families with services under one roof, including counseling, nutrition, public health education and social services.

DIRECT LINKS

Scan with your phone’s camera app for access to these resources.

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One student he mentored had spina bifida and struggled in areas Jonathan did as a child – bullying, loneliness and the search for belonging.

Now in the final stages of his doctorate in preparation for a job in behavioral health private practice, Jonathan is reaching the peak of his academic mountain. Amid his dissertation research and writing, he’s taking the time for self-care on his property just outside of Thompson, N.D., where his father grew up.

A program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and created by UND experts to provide mental health training to school personnel across the region.

Lisa Wheeler, ’77, ’82

Erwin, ’83, ’85 & Colleen, ’84, ’85 Martens

Werner Nistler, ’68

OCTOBER 21, 2021

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HONORING RECIPIENTS OF THE SIOUX AWARD EVENTS

2021 UNIVERS

ITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

O C M E ING M O H EST. 1883

I T ’ S T IM E T O COME HOM E .

OCTOBER 18-23

Thursday, October 21 Sioux Awards

Friday, October 22 ATO House Grand Opening & Social Chester Fritz Library Dedication Memorial Union Grand Opening

Saturday, October 23 Parade Golden Grad Coffee (Classes of ʼ70 & ʼ71) Tailgating Football vs. Western Illinois

UNDalumni.org/homecoming The UND Alumni Association & Foundation continues to follow guidance from local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding large gatherings, including CDC recommendations on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

& THE YOUNG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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Scan with your phone’s camera app to learn more about the award winners.

Peter Stenehjem, ’07

Lu Jiang, ’12

Terry Severson, ’65

Dr. Michael Brown, ’80, ’82

READ THE BIOS

FEATURE: BILL ALKOFER

‘ T H E PI C T U R E I S G O O D,

BUT THE STORY IS BETTER’

BY BILL THORNESS, ’82

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTO BY ERIC HYLDEN CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Bill Alkofer examines his photography in the Ralph Engelstad Arena in June 2021.

As Bill Alkofer’s 40-year photography career is shuttered by ALS, he turns his attention to his ‘bucket list’ In the glowing red light of the newspaper’s darkroom, Bill Alkofer, ’85, presses play on the battered tape deck and punk rock blasts forth. Three-chord angst gets us through another Dakota Student deadline, achieved yet again as the sun rises. Materializing out of that windowless room is a cavalcade of photographs, sharp visuals to focus our written words, to document early-1980s campus life. We are learning to be journalists, and, with Nikon in hand, Bill has found his calling.1

Use your phone's camera to scan this code and listen to Bill Thorness read this story.

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LISTEN TO THE STORY

FEATURE: BILL ALKOFER

Attention Bill and I are on the top deck over the St. Paul Saints outfield as their lead slips away. From the borrowed wheelchair, he’s telling me how he used to photograph the game.

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“This was before GoPro. I had put a camera in first base 4, and I’d put one pointing straight up in home plate. Also one on the umpire’s helmet.” The Saints loved it. They asked him to throw out the first pitch and introduced him as the Inventor of the Umpire Cam. “I went into the bullpen and practiced,” says the tall photographer. “Threw a strike.”

Bill’s recently back in St. Paul, much nearer to family and friends than he was in Long Beach, California, his last assignment as a photojournalist, shooting freelance for the Orange County Register. He needs help now, more every day, and at the ripe old age of 59 he’s done taking pictures. ALS — Lou Gehrig’s Disease — has robbed him of mobility, stability, and the use of nine of his 10 fingers. Without his raison d’etre, Bill is driven to “enjoy every sandwich” and tell one last story.

5 Warren Zevon’s famous phrase resonates, but Bill’s own maxim is shutter-speed focused: Pay Attention. For instance, his divergence into ALS “started on October 19, 6:53 and 41 seconds, 2018,” he says. “I know the exact moment when I noticed the onset. I was shooting a football game 2 and was going to hold the camera over my head and I couldn’t do it.” Sports is Bill’s arena, discovered gloriously at UND. “I love hockey,” he says. “My spot for my shot was four steps up from the opposing team’s bench. That’s where the Grand Forks Herald photographer Dean Hanson shot from. I would watch what he did, and I’d shoot what he did.” He continues the technique as he builds the career. “On my days off, I’d hang out with the newspaper’s best baseball photographer. I’d just stand next to him and he’d tell me, ‘OK, he’s going to steal the base.’” But I don’t let the deflection fool me, because I’ve seen his work, spanning four decades. In big-city papers like the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Register. From gigs at the

Olympics, twice, Lillehammer 7 and Nagano. Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. So much more. Yeah, pay attention, but take that inspiration and layer on a unique perspective. It begins at UND, where Journalism professor Zena Beth McGlashan schools a sleep-deprived Bill about freedom of the press, Harley Straus does independent studies with an unusual student, and department chair Vern Keel has his back. Each weekend, his eye roams the UND hockey arena, looking for the goon. “I don’t like Guy Shooting the Puck,” he says. “I like more Guy Getting an Elbow in the Face.” Later, photographing a big fight at a pro game from behind the penalty boxes, he overhears the old goon telling the new goon that he should lead with his left, because the refs might not notice. “Look at the action away from the ball or the puck 5, that’s where the real game takes place,” he says.

Today you can stroll the Ralph Engelstad Arena and see Bill’s perspective, plastered large across its walls.

3 4

“The picture is good, but the story is better. ... That’s happened several times in my life. That’s my whole job.”

Shenanigans On a story in Los Angeles, I look up Bill for shenanigans. We stroll through Disneyland, and I comment on the rides I missed as a kid. Soon we are two oversized galoots in a Mad Tea Party cup, and somehow Bill has procured a pink baby bonnet to wear.

Capturing silliness while surfing a breaking wave of irony is evident in Bill’s many celebrity interactions. The “King of Comedy” Henny Youngman agrees to pose with a scepter and crown. The groundbreaking punk rocker Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, now balding and middle-aged John Lydon6, smiles sweetly with a new set of teeth. Hunter S. Thompson is shocked by beefalo as Bill gives him a ride into Grand Forks from the

airport. His probing interview questions to the Violent Femmes frontman leads Gordon Gano 8 to famously quote his own lyrics: “I hope you know this will go down on your permanent record.” Jay Leno 3 pulls Bill’s tie off just to keep up with the goofy. Becoming friends with the humor columnist Dave Barry at the Olympics, he feeds him wacky story angles (see: “synthetic wolf urine”) and the two go curling.9 He strums (with permission) B.B. King’s famous guitar Lucile, eats hot dogs with Davy Jones of the Monkees in a school gym, and Lydon feeds him chocolate chip cookies. “The picture is good, but the story is better,” Bill says. “That’s happened several times in my life. That’s my whole job.” UNDalumni.org/magazine

FEATURE: BILL ALKOFER

Water Life isn’t all cookies and curling, and Bill wades into the biggest story in Grand Forks history: The flood of 1997. The Red River overtops. The city is evacuated. And then downtown catches fire. Bill puts on chest waders and strides blocks through 38-degree water, snapping as frustrated firefighters surge silently through the turbid flow toward the flames and smoke. The result will be a front-page photo of the heartbreaking disaster.10 At the Air Force Base hangar where evacuees perch on cots, the newspapers are quickly passed out, but no one speaks. “Then, whimpering and sniffles,” he says. “It was the first time they saw what happened to their town.”

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Bill wants to memorialize the story on video. He gets a grant from the Otto Bremer Trust to make the documentary “Come Hell and High Water.” “Proceeds went to a particular FEMA trailer park for a laundry facility,” he recalls. For his efforts, Lutheran Social Services gives him their Good Guy Award. The film premieres at the Empire Arts Center in downtown Grand Forks. “I just stood in the back of the theater and again, the quiet and the tears.” Buckets I’m on a long call with Bill, talking about language. His condition is advancing, but it’s early 2020 and he’s still able to handle most of life’s needs. The work has ended, which might crush another man, but Bill turns his attention to a bucket list. Stories to tell. Deadline looming.

“The law by which I live is light. Taking pictures is illuminating the important things and letting the rest go dark.” An old UND friend gave him a jersey from the Spokane Indians baseball team, who worked with the Spokane Tribe of Indians on a logo that incorporated the team’s name in their tribal language, Salish. He thinks, why can’t we do that for UND? The former Communications major taps into a story: tribal languages are endangered. He decides that t-shirts combining a new image with the old language13 will not only raise awareness but raise funds to teach the language. Friends and donors don the green shirts with an icon of Chief Thunderhawk at the center, surrounded by Lakota words. The Four Winds school basketball team on the Spirit Lake (N.D.) Nation gets a load of shirts too, which pleases Bill immensely. He jokes of completing his list “before my bucket is kicked over,” and tackles other stories, such as getting VA benefits for Marines who were stationed at the same camp as his father, Ray, and who may have contracted the same crushing disease from chemicals

used there. “The reason I got sick was to tell my dad’s story” and hopefully help other Marines, he says. In dreams, Ray smiles at him. In the same vein, he lays bare his own plight for stories on ALS, speaking of the ravages of a progressive disease for which there is scant treatment and no cure. Light We’re sitting in my car in a public park, watching people and discussing light. The essence of photography must be understood to compose a photo and capture that unique perspective.

THE PICTURES A R E G O O D;

of Bill Alkofer’s 40-year photography career.

He discovers he is “looking at the world and constantly taking pictures and cropping it.” He realizes that the focus of his new craft — what makes photography even possible — is also the motto of his alma mater. “Lux et lex,” he says. “Light and law.” “The law by which I live is light. Taking pictures is illuminating the important things and letting the rest go dark.”

“My sophomore year at UND, I was shooting a picture of a dog catching a frisbee,” he says.11 “I wasn’t thinking about the dog, I was thinking about developing the print. This was my aha moment! Shoot it so that the background is out of focus. I thought about that. Photography is about making three dimensions into two.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Use your phone's camera to scan this code to see highlights of Bill’s decades of work as a photographer. UNDalumni.org/magazine

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BILL THORNESS, ’82, is a Seattle-based writer and editor. He is the author of five books. His most recent, “Cycling the Pacific Coast,” is a guidebook for the most popular adventure cycling route in the U.S. He has also written “Biking Puget Sound,” now in its 2nd edition, two books about growing food – “Cool Season Gardener” and “Edible Heirlooms” (both illustrated by his wife, Susie Thorness, pictured at left at a St. Paul Saints game in June 2021) – and a profile of an auto industry executive, “POWER.” He has been an editor and writer in Seattle since the mid-1980s and currently freelances for regional media, including The Seattle Times. He is currently at work on a memoir about his father’s World War II service as one of the country’s first commandos. See more of his work and get in touch at www.billthorness.com.

UND ATHLETICS

UND LETTERWINNERS ASSOCIATION

allstar recognition

hall of fame CLASS OF 2020

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UND Letterwinners Association to induct 2020 and 2021 Hall of Fame classes. After a one-year break, the Athletics Hall of Fame banquet is back for its 46th year on Oct. 1 at the Alerus Center. The event will be open to all fans. Register at NDChampionsclub.com/HOF. The following former UND student-athletes will also be recognized during halftime of UND football’s rivalry game against North Dakota State at the Alerus Center – the first time the Bison will play in Grand Forks since 2003.

Mark Callahan [1] Football | 1993-96

Marc Sondreal [4] Track & Field | 1996-99

Callahan was a two-time All-American and a twotime All-NCC defensive lineman for the Fighting Sioux from 1993-96. He still sits in the top 10 in a host of defensive statistical categories at UND.

Sondreal was an NCAA Division II runner-up, taking second at the 1998 NCAA DII Indoor meet in the high jump, part of his four career AllAmerica finishes. He claimed the first of four NCC titles in the 1997 indoor meet, then followed with his second in 1998 before his runner-up placing at the NCAA DII Indoor championships.

A homegrown product of Grand Forks, N.D., he was a three-time NCC champion as the team went 36-11 in his four years on campus with three postseason trips and two semifinal appearances. Upon graduation, Callahan played in the 1996 Snow Bowl (Division II all-star game) and then embarked on a professional career in Germany. Travis O’Neel [2] Football | 1998-2001 O’Neel led UND’s 2001 national title team in tackles (87) and was a consensus Division II All-American that season. A three-time All-North Central Conference First Team performer and the 2001 NCC’s Most Valuable Linebacker, O’Neel led UND to three NCAA postseason appearances. O’Neel, an Eden Prairie, Minn., native was a twotime Academic All-NCC selection and graduated from UND in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He was a teacher in the Philippines at the time of his passing due to a motorcycle accident in 2015. James Patrick [3] Hockey | 1981-83 Patrick was a two-time All-WCHA selection, helping the Sioux to an NCAA title in his first year at UND (1982). He was dubbed the WCHA Rookie of the Year 1982 before leading the team in scoring in 1983. In that season, Patrick became UND’s first Hobey Baker Award Finalist, earning First Team All-America honors.

Dean Rudrud [5] Tennis | 1982-85 Rudrud helped lead UND to back-to-back NCC tennis championships in 1984 and 1985, himself winning No. 1 singles and doubles titles three years running (1983-85) as the team advanced to the NCAA DII national tournament each season. Rudrud became the first UND men’s tennis player to win a match at the national tournament in 1984. A Grand Forks native, Rudrud has been teaching tennis for over 25 years in a wide range of settings, coaching high school tennis teams, women’s league teams, USTA men’s & women’s teams, junior programs, and high school state champions.

These two teams were the final two of four straight NCC Championships for North Dakota. UND’s 16-1 record in 1935-36 drew the attention of U.S. Olympic representatives, clinching North Dakota’s first-ever postseason appearance as they lost to Drake in the District 6 Olympic Elimination Tournament. In 1936-37, they won their fourth consecutive conference title by going 8-0 in NCC play. The team was coached by legendary hall of famer Clem Letich, who was part of UND’s first-ever Hall of Fame class in 1975. Men’s Basketball Team | 1973-74 [8] Head coach Dave Gunther’s 1973-74 team went 21-8 on the way to an NCC title and the NCAA Division II Tournament. After starting the season 6-6, the Sioux ripped off seven straight wins and won 14 of the next 15. It was the beginning of four consecutive league championships for North Dakota. Captained by Austin Martin, Gunther’s team qualified for the NCAA DII Tournament for the first time since 1967. Martin’s 30-point effort in the Jan. 14 win at Marquette was the top scoring output on the season.

Sandra (Walford) DeValkenaere [6] Basketball, Track & Field | 1983-86 Walford was North Dakota’s third 1,000-point scorer and did so in just three seasons. She graduated with 1,049 points, which was third in the school record books and left as the school’s all-time shot blocker (187). From Devils Lake, N.D., she guided UND to runner-up NCC finishes and the school’s first two NCAA DII postseason berths. She averaged 12.8 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game in her 82 games as a Fighting Sioux and was also a national qualifier in the high jump.

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The Winnipeg native then enjoyed a 21-year playing career in the NHL, playing 1,280 games and scoring 639 career points. He ended his NHL playing career in 2004, captaining the Buffalo Sabres before launching his coaching career.

He graduated in the spring of 1999 with a degree in physical therapy and was a three-time AllAcademic NCC pick, an Academic All-American, a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American and a U.S. Track Coaches Association All-Academic Teamer.

Men’s Basketball Teams | 1935-37 [7]

UND ATHLETICS

UND LETTERWINNERS ASSOCIATION

allstar recognition honorary letterwinner award THE BAUMANN FAMILY

The Letterwinners Association Honorary Award is given upon official action by the club’s Executive Committee to persons who, in the opinion of the committee, have contributed significantly to the furtherance of UND Athletics. Tim, Meredith and their daughter, Erin, have been loyal UND fans over the last 30-plus years. Erin has created bonds of a lifetime with various UND athletes and continues those relationships long after their playing careers have ended. Erin is an athlete herself, competing in

thomas j. clifford award CRAIG SMITH

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The Clifford Award, established to honor former UND President Thomas J. Clifford, recognizes the UND alumni who serve as athletics coaches at the high school or collegiate level and have been notably successful in their sport.

A 1996 graduate the University of North Dakota, Smith is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Utah after serving four seasons at Utah State, where he produced three 20-win seasons and helped the Aggies to their highest ever seeding at the NCAA Tournament (8).

He spent four seasons as the head coach at the University of South Dakota (2014-18) and cut his head coaching teeth at Mayville State (2004-07), where the Comets made three straight NAIA Tournament appearances, including an NAIA National Championship game berth in 2007.

Special Olympics. She has helped build a relationship between Special Olympics and UND Athletics that goes much deeper than sports. Tim and Meredith have spent countless hours cheering on their favorite teams as well.

hall of fame CLASS OF 2021

C A M P U S M E M O R IE S

‘THE BARN’ BAND P HI DE LT P E P B A ND

Most hockey fans who attended games in The Old Barn (the original UND hockey arena) from 1947-72 remember the Phi Delta Theta Band, a boisterous group of students leading the student cheering section. Despite the severely low temperatures in the barn that caused valves, slides and reeds to freeze, the Phi Delt band was there for every home game.

Jon Casey Hockey (1980-84)

Casie Hanson Softball/Hockey (2005-10)

Mike Mooney Football (1991-95)

Casey was part of an NCAA title team (1982) at UND, then enjoyed a 12-year NHL career with the Minnesota North Stars, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. His teams also won WCHA titles in 1981 and 1982.

Hanson was a two-time NFCA First Team AllAmerica selection. The 2008 North Central Region Player of the Year, Hanson also earned three CoSIDA Academic All-District nods. The St. Peter, Minn., native was the Great West Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Player of the Year and Tournament MVP as a senior.

Mooney is best known for his forced fumble and return for a touchdown that helped North Dakota end a 12-game losing streak to North Dakota State, thus beginning the shifting of balance of power in NCAA Division II and the North Central Conference.

On the ice, Hanson was a three-time WCHA scholarathlete and all-academic team selection. As a senior she was named an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District honoree. In 2007 she was named the WCHA Outstanding StudentAthlete of the Year.

Mooney was a two-time AllNCC (1993, 1994) selection and a co-captain of the 1994 squad. He was a Third Team Football Gazette All-America honoree as a junior and added AllAmerica honors from three different organizations as a senior (1994).

But it was the commitment, talent, and enthusiasm of the core musicians that made the band successful. Year after year the fraternity was able to recruit new members with sufficient musical talent to keep the spirit going. Former director Erik Fritzell, ’68, remembers his time with the Phi Delt Band fondly, and chronicles its history in a piece that can be found online. Read it at UNDalumni.org/magazine. ///

UNDalumni.org/magazine

The Grand Rapids, Minn., native won 25 games in 1984 alone, fifth-most in a single season at UND. His 1,160 saves that season are the most in school history. He earned First Team All-America honors that season and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Casey was a three-time AllWCHA member.

Ron Sobolik, ’59, ’61 was the first “Director.” It was a largely ceremonial position, assigned to the man in charge of ensuring at least minimal attendance at games. Art Sotak, ’65, a director in the mid-60s, carried on the tradition of using a toilet plunger with a red bandana as a baton, throwing it 20 feet in the air and catching it on the way down.

CL A S S

NOTES

1990

Jerry Coffey, ’81, has joined Areté Capital Partners as principal.

Susan Flicek, ’85, was honored with a Woman of Achievement award by the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. She is the due process facilitator in special education for Bemidji (Minn.) Schools and an adjunct professor at Bemidji State University.

Connie (Kessler) Sivertson, ’90, was named the Indiana School Counselor Association Counselor of the Year. She cochairs Lawrence North High School counseling department in Indianapolis.

1982

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.

Mark Landa, ’82, is executive director of the Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Victor Hruby, ’60, ’62, has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. He is a regents professor emeritus in the University of Arizona’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

1963 Robert “Tip” Eneback, ’63, was recognized as one of BankBeat magazine’s 2021 Amazing Outside Directors. He is leads Enebak Construction Company and cofounded Tradition Capital Bank in Minnesota.

1971 Scott Branvold, ’71, has retired after 36 years teaching sports administration at the college level. He taught at both the University of Oklahoma and Robert Morris University. He and his wife reside in Pittsburgh.

1973 Bill Palmiscno, ’73, retired after serving the Grand Forks Park District for 47 years.

1974 Tim Casey, ’74, has retired after teaching biology and natural history for 43 years at Drury University in Springfield, Mo. Rev. Thomas E. Martin, ’74, has retired after 40 years of serving as an ELCA pastor. He and his wife, Donna, live in Garner, Iowa. UNDalumni.org/magazine

1985

Updates from UND alumni around the world.

1960

1981

Dr. William McKinnon, ’74, ’81, ’83, ’87, has been recognized as the Outstanding Rural Health Care Professional by the Dakota Conference of Rural and Public Health, and as Medical Director of the

Year by the North Dakota EMS Association for his involvement with rural ambulance services. He is the medical director of regional development at Altru in Grand Forks.

1976 Dr. Steven Hinrichs, ’76, ’78, ’80, is retiring after 13 years as professor and chair of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Department of Pathology and Microbiology. Louis Iverson, ’76, ’81, a longtime landscape ecologist with the USDA Forest Service in Delaware, Ohio, was named a Fellow of the Ecological Society of America.

1984 Kari (Bjerke) Cutting, ’84, retired as vice president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council and now serves as president of Cutting Edge Consulting in Beulah, N.D. Dr. Bruce Dahlman, ’84, received the 2020 American Academy of Family Physicians Humanitarian Award for his work in Africa expanding family medicine training and other services. He provides emergency care through Wapiti Medical at North Shore Health in Grand Marais, Minn., and is a hospitalist for the Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia.

1987 John Larsen, ’87, was appointed to the board of directors of CUNA Mutual Group. He is chair, president, and CEO of Alliant Energy Corporation in Madison, Wis. Carmen (Heinen) Simone, ’87, has joined the board of Twin Cities Development in Scottsbluff, Neb. She is president of Western Nebraska Community College.

1989 Karen Thingelstad, ’89, has joined the board of directors of Altru Health System in Grand Forks.

1978 Francis Heid, ’78, is executive producer on an episodic treatment of a narrative film called “The Hunter,” filmed in Duluth, Minn.

F IN D T H E F L A M E

Tim Lykken, ’91, retired from the Wenatchee (Wash.) Police Department as a sergeant after 21 years of service. Tim has accepted a position with the Chelan County (Wash.) Sheriff’s Department as a code enforcement deputy.

1992 Col. Frank Tank, ’92, has retired from the US Army after 28 years of service. He and his wife Chandra Morrison, ‘92, have moved their family to Colorado Springs, where Frank works as a Senior Principal Systems Engineer for Science Applications International Corporation. Kelli (Powers) Tannahill, ’92, ’09, is principal of J. Nelson Kelly Elementary School in Grand Forks. Daron Olson, ’93, received the Distinguished Research/ Creative Activity Award from Indiana University East, where he is associate professor of European and world history.

1980

Terry Steinwand, ’80, ’82, is retiring as director of North Dakota Game and Fish after 40 years with the department.

Mark Cazalas, ’91, is general manager of Catholic Communications Network in south Texas.

1993

Jane (Hedahl) Schreck, ’78, ’83, ’13, retired after 21 years as professor of English at Bismarck (N.D.) State and was awarded emeritus status. Lucy Dalglish, ’80, dean of the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism, won the prestigious Scripps Howard Administrator of the Year Award.

1991

Aaron Schramm, ’93, is superintendent of Park River (N.D.) Area Schools. Well over 100 readers submitted correct answers to the Spring 2021 Find the Flame contest. Three lucky alumni – Mel Johnson, ’91, ’93, ’97; Gary Anderson, ’70, ’71; Rita Romanoski, ’74, ’90 – were drawn from the correct entries to win our prize pack.

They found the flame hidden on the lower left corner of the pocket of the white coat over Noelle Torrance’s shoulder. Have you found flame hidden on the cover of this issue? If so, email AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net.

1994 John Grinsteiner, ’94, ’98, a North Dakota South Central District Court Judge, is retiring after 18 years in a judicial robe. He lives in Bismarck.

A L U M NI IN A C T IO N

NOT BY DESIGN R E A N N A R EIM A N , ’ 0 4

BY MILO SMITH SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

A UND alumna who was a popular waitress in Grand Forks during her time at UND now helps to shape design tastes in southwestern Florida. After spending more than a decade as an interior designer in Naples, Florida, Reanna (Dixon) Reiman, ’04, recently took a job as a sales representative for a trio of furniture and art companies.

Reanna was working in a restaurant in Naples in 2008 when the owners of a design studio convinced her to join their firm. Reanna says even though she was “terrified at first,” she started reading catalogs and learning everything she could about furniture and design styles. Reanna says her fine arts degree from UND helped her adapt to the world of interior design. Furniture construction reminds her of lessons in how to frame art, textiles classes help her now in working with rug fabrics, and in drawing and painting courses she learned about color, scale and proportion. “I use that stuff every single day,” said Reanna. “If you had asked me then if this was how I was going to be using it, I would have never been able to imagine that, but so much of what I learned at

UND applies to interior design. “It was just moving my head around a little bit and rearranging. It was a natural fit for me. I was never a fantastic production artist; I took too long because I’m a perfectionist. I couldn’t rapidly produce things like some of my peers could. But I was always very good at curation, arranging things together.” Reanna grew up in Belcourt, North Dakota, where her parents, Derrick and Kathy Dixon, are longtime high school teachers. She thought at one point she’d pursue a master’s degree in art and become a teacher as well. But after waitressing at the North Dakota Museum of Art Café and Lola’s in Grand Forks to put herself through school, she continued to work in high-end restaurants and did some modeling work in the Twin Cities. After she and

her husband decided to move to Florida, she stayed in the hospitality industry until being recruited to become an interior designer. While her art degree has proven valuable in her career, so has her time as a waitress. “You have to be personable and presentable, well-spoken and knowledgeable about food preparation. Now, I have to be able to sell myself and speak intelligently about the products I’m selling.” Reanna says the average person may not realize just how much goes into being an interior designer. She says reality television may have warped the reality of what designers do. “I think some shows make it seem so fast and easy, but it’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of product knowledge.” ///

UNDalumni.org/magazine

“I help individual designers like I was in the past, but then I also work with furniture stores themselves,” said Reanna of her new job. “Rather than designing for individual homes, I’m helping stores decide what they need to put on their floors to sell.”

“If you had asked me then if this was how I was going to be using it, I would have never been able to imagine that, but so much of what I learned at UND applies to interior design.”

CLASS NOTES

CAREER HONOR

BON VOYAGE, BERTIE!

ROB E R TA B E A UCH A M P

Eva Keiser, ’94, received the Donald G. Padilla Community Service Award from Minnesota Public Relations Society of America for demonstrating outstanding leadership in the profession of public relations. She is principal at The Plural I, an independent PR and marketing communication firm. Karen Nyberg, ’94, retired NASA astronaut, has created a new glow in the dark “space fashion” collection called Dinos in Space a nod to a very personal memory during the 166 days she spent on the International Space Station and her desire to stay connected to her young son, Jack.

On Sept. 30, longtime employee and friendly face at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, Roberta Beauchamp, is retiring. For the past 35 years, she has taken great pride in her representation of UND, from leading alumni around the world as part of our travel program, to hosting our suite at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Her title is Executive Assistant to the CEO, but let’s be honest: “Bertie” takes care of the entire staff of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. At all times, her snack drawer is full, her sewing kit is ready, and her medicine cabinet is stocked. We’ll miss her. You’re invited to a sendoff for Roberta from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Gorecki Alumni Center’s Gransberg Community Room.

“Congrats on your much-deserved retirement! Your Irish humor, quick wit and work ethic will make for great storytelling among your teammates, alumni and friends for years to come!” Dave Miedema, ’76 Roberta’s longtime UNDAAF colleague

UNDalumni.org/magazine

“Roberta has every quality one could ask for in a work colleague: competency, kindness, commitment, and a willingness to do whatever is required to get the task done.”

Sara Garland, ’68, ’72 Former chair, UNDAAF board

Scan with your phone’s camera app to register for the social today. UNDalumni.org/roberta

1995 Candida (Dudley) Braun, ’95, is assistant principal for Cheney Middle School in West Fargo. Johnathan Campbell, ’95, was Artist in Residence at Cross Ranch State Park near Center, N.D. He is a Bismarck-based photographer who creates stunning nighttime images. Tricia (Olson) Lee, ’95, ’99, is chief executive officer of Development Homes, Inc., in Grand Forks.

1996 Robin David, ’96, ’01, coordinator of Grand Forks Public Schools’ Mentor Center, received this year’s #InnovativeND Award for Collaborative Culture. Dave Hakstol, ’96, was named the first head coach of the Seattle Kraken, an NHL expansion team. Dr. Mary Patay, ’96, is the recreation director for the City of Mackinac Island, Mich. She is also a soccer, girls basketball, and golf coach for Mackinac Island Public Schools.

Steve Shirley, ’96, ’06, was elected vice chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council and will chair the planning and finance committee. He is president of Minot (N.D.) State University.

1997 Dr. Jennifer (Soupir) Fremstad, ’97, ’13, principal of West Fargo High School, was named North Dakota Principal of the Year. George Hellyer, ’97, is the new executive director of the Grand Forks Park District.

1998 Dr. Dean Frohlich, ’98, ’04, is the Director of Scientific Affairs at the Sarcoma Foundation of America.

1999 Joel Bird, ’99, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Bismarck, has been named to the list Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, published by Barron’s Magazine. Dr. Stephanie Dahl, ’99, will lead the new Bismarck, N.D., branch of CCRM Fertility, specializing in fertility treatment, research, and science. Chaminda Prelis, ’99, ’04, is the new chair of the Department of Aerospace at Middle Tennessee University in Murfreesboro.

2000 Dr. Kari Berg, ’00, was honored with the 2020 Circle of Leadership/Circle of Excellence award at Dynavax Technologies, a California-based Biotechnology company. She is a regional account manager covering multihospital systems Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa.

Anthony Hebert, ’00, has joined The Village Family Service Center in Fargo as a development officer. Adam Kurtz, ’00, has been promoted to community editor at the Grand Forks Herald. Dave Schmlafman, ’00, was named to Barron’s Magazine’s list of Top 1,200 Financial Advisors. He is a private wealth advisor at Ameriprise Financial in Bismarck.

2001 Courtland Merrill, ’01, is a partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr’s Minneapolis office, drawing on 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer to help clients with claims involving patent enforcement and intellectual property rights.

2003 Jadee (Rosenquist) Hanson, ’03, is Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Code42 in St. Paul. Shari Jerde, ’03, ’09, a business education teacher and family and consumer sciences teacher at Community High School, has been selected as Grand Forks Public Schools’ 202021 Teacher of the Year. Kelsey (Solberg) Roth, ’03, has been promoted to vice president of human resources for western North Dakota at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Ryan Salisbury, ’03, ’09, is principal of Sheyenne High School in West Fargo. Paul Sallach, ’03, was named to Vegas Inc.’s list of 40 Under 40 people in business. Sallach is president of All In Aviation, which was awarded the Cirrus Training Center of the Year for North America.

Hunter Pinke practices in his new racing chair at the Pollard Athletic Center on UND’s Campus. This year, he will compete on the University of Arizona’s adaptive track & field and road racing teams. Even so, UND will always be home to Hunter, and he will always have a home at UND.

A L U M NI IN A C T IO N

GRATITUDE FOR KELLY GREEN H U N T E R PIN K E , ’ 21

After becoming paralyzed in a skiing accident during the winter of 2019, UND student-athlete Hunter Pinke didn’t let the life-altering experience slow him down. Overcoming the odds, Hunter graduated this spring from UND with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and served as a captain of his football team. He is currently enrolled at the University of Arizona in the Master of Architecture program and will compete for the Wildcats on the adaptive track & field and road racing team. Hunter’s “no bad days” attitude, resiliency and faith have contributed to the growing support of the #pinkestrong movement and recognition across UND, the state and the nation. Throughout Hunter’s journey, UND alumni have supported him with equipment, funds and encouragement. As Hunter takes up residence in the Grand Canyon State, he shares his parting words.

Dear UND, As I reflect on the past five years, I am filled with a variety of emotions. Joy, sadness, and admiration all have their place, but one stands above the rest: gratitude. I am a different person today than I was when I first got to UND. I have learned that adversity can bring about the most substantial change in one’s life. Depending on your response, it can either send you tumbling down a slippery slope of despair or shoot you upwards on a trajectory toward success. My adversity helped me grow up: I came to UND as a teenage boy, and I am leaving a young man. I am grateful for changes in my life over the past five years. Wearing Kelly Green with “North Dakota” across my chest was one of the greatest honors of my life. Not because of what I got to do, but rather because of who I got to do it for. I took pride in representing UND and the state of North Dakota. This is my home. These are my people. Three FCS Playoff appearances, two conference championships, and one bachelor’s degree later, I can say that all the hard work was worth it. I am grateful to have been a Fighting Hawks student-athlete. I hope when people see my story, they don’t just see a kid in a wheelchair. Instead, I hope they see how powerful faith can be. I hope they see that joy comes with every sunrise. I hope they see how a community helped me take the next step when I couldn’t on my own. I am grateful for my story. It would be impossible to repay what you all have given me. I wish I could shake your hand or give you a hug – maybe someday I will get that opportunity. To the UND administration, professors, cooks, janitors and support staff, thank you. To my coaches, teammates and friends, thank you. To you, the UND alumni, thank you. You have helped me improve, overcome and grow. I am grateful for you. Forever #UNDProud,

IN HIS WORDS

To hear Hunter’s message of thanks, scan this code with your phone’s camera app.

UNDalumni.org/magazine

UND, I am grateful.

CLASS NOTES

A L U M NI IN HI S T OR Y

2005

REMEMBERING AN AVIATION PIONEER

John Butgereit, ’05, is regional director of the North Central Human Service Center in Minot, N.D. Jason Loos, ’05, is the Lake Oswego, Ore., city attorney.

K AT HR Y N ‘ K AY ’ L AW R E NCE , ’42

Ben Schneweis, ’05, was named Associate Athletic Director at Concordia (Minnesota) College.

2006 Kelly (Seaworth) Coulter, ’06, is marketing director for Private Advisor Group, based in Morristown, N.J. Jennifer (Buckowski) LaFramboise, ’06, ’12, is owner and certified health professional at Total Skin Dermatology and Aesthetics in Grand Forks.

2008 Capt. Tyler Bonnett, ’08, an F-35B Lightning II pilot based at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., graduated with accolades from the Expeditionary Warfare School’s Blended Seminar Program. Shane Mahlum, ’08, is a business services officer at the Fargo Veterans Blvd. Branch of Capital Credit Union. Constance Soper, ’08, PA, specializes in family medicine at Essentia Health West Acres clinic in Fargo.

UNDalumni.org/magazine

Zac Wanzek, ’08, CFA, CPA, was named deputy chief investment officer for Bell Institutional Investment Management by Bell Bank. He lives in Fargo.

Above: Mike Lawrence, Kay Lawrence’s nephew, was joined by members of UND’s Women in Aviation chapter: (from left) Anna Hornboster, Sophia Jensen, Abigail Rizac, Hanna Anderson, Hanna Sampel, Julia Vitale, and Elizabeth Bjerke, associate dean, UND Aerospace.

BY PATRICK MILLER RESEARCH/ACADEMIC AFFAIRS WRITER | UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

As World War II raged on, a young woman took off from Avenger Airfield in Texas for a solo flight in a military training aircraft. She never returned.

through the Civil Aeronautics Authority. She graduated with a degree in education in 1942, then went to Seattle to work for the Boeing Aircraft Co. before becoming a WASP.

On Aug. 3, 1943, 23-year-old Kathryn “Kay” Lawrence became one of 38 pilots in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program to lose their lives. She was less than a month into her training at the airfield near Sweetwater, Texas, when the tragic accident occurred.

In May, six members of UND’s Women in Aviation chapter were joined by advisor Elizabeth Bjerke, associate dean and aviation professor at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, and Kay Lawrence’s nephew, Mike Lawrence, to lay flowers and place a flag on her grave. It was part of a Memorial Day effort by Women in Aviation International to #HonorTheWASP.

Lawrence’s single-engine PT-19 airplane apparently went into a deadly spin. She attempted to bail out but was unable to Mike was overcome with emotion as he pull her parachute’s ripcord, perhaps blacking out because of high g-forces. Her told stories about his Aunt Kay to the body was found near the wrecked aircraft. six UND students, some of whom are taking training to fly helicopters for the Lawrence is remembered for her service U.S. Army. He said his aunt never would and sacrifice, as well as for being the first have imagined so many women having woman to earn her pilot’s license from careers as pilots. /// UND’s College of Engineering & Mines

2009

2011

Lindsey Anderson, ’09, ’16, director of internal audit at Town and Country Credit Union in Minot, N.D., earned her Certified Credit Union Internal Auditor designation.

Eric Fredricks, ’11, is the Quad City section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ 2021 Young Member of the Year. He is a design engineer at CNH Industrial in Mount Joy, Iowa.

Krista Klabo, ’09, ’12, is the new school psychology and special education evaluation specialist at the Colorado Department of Education in Denver. Kayla (McDowell) Quinn, ’09, is a certified nurse midwife accepting new patients at Sanford Health in Fargo.

2010 Shelby DiFonzo, ’10, was named assistant director of special education for Fargo Public Schools. Savanna (Wissbrod) Hendrickson, ’10, ’11, is senior vice president of community banking at the Bank of Tioga (N.D.). Megan (Tracy) Maxon, ’10, has been promoted to mortgage banking officer at American Bank Center in Bismarck.

Jake Landry, ’11, was promoted to quarterbacks coach at Temple University in Philadelphia. Joe Laszewski, ’11, is a senior portfolio manager with Stack Financial Management in Whitefish, Mont.

Anne Sim, ’12, was appointed to the Transportation and Circulation Commission for the city of Fullerton, Calif. She serves as a mentor with the Business Communication workshop series for Foothill Consortium students, and is the principal at Attorney Anne Sim.

2012

2014

Rev. Carter Hill, ’12, serves as pastor at Grafton (N.D.) Lutheran Church.

Emily Westover, ’14, ’17, joined Sanford Health’s surgery team at the Bemidji (Minn.) Main Clinic. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

2015 Nick Dockendorf, ’15, is assistant vice president of mortgage loan origination assistants at Gate City Bank in Fargo.

2017 Falan Johnson, ’17, MLSW, joined Dakota Family Services in Fargo. She offers therapy for children, teens, and young adults, ages 7-25.

A L U M NI A U T H O R S

Check out more great reads on our Alumni Authors spotlight at UNDalumni.org/authors.

2018 Brittany (Race) Guttormson, ’18, was named Traill County teacher of the year. She teaches English in Hillsboro, N.D.

In July, Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson were inducted into North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Hall of Fame at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The twins became the second youngest recipients and the only siblings ever inducted. The state’s highest honor is presented to North Dakotans whose outstanding achievements in their field have been recognized on a national or international level. “I can’t think of two individuals who are more perfectly deserving of this award,” said North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Grand Forks natives, UND women’s hockey stars, and Olympic athletes, the Lamoureuxs won six World Championships, two Olympic silver medals and an Olympic gold medal before retiring from hockey in February of this year. Their recent book “Dare to Make History” covers the challenges and obstacles they faced as girl and women hockey players, as well as their battle for gender equity in the sport. “The saying ‘having the courage of your convictions’ means having the courage to do what you believe is right,” said UND President Andy Armacost. “Throughout every stage of their lives, Monique and Jocelyne have demonstrated what it means to be principled leaders in action.” ///

Melanie Pratt, ’18, is an Elementary Special Education Strategist at Barnes County North in Wimbledon, N.D.

UNDalumni.org/magazine

Mardeen (Whitty) Schultz, ’90, wrote and published her first children’s book. “Harry the Happy Troll” tells the story of a young troll who ignores the social norms of the troll world and befriends a human boy. You can find it on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

T HE L A M OUR E U X S

Michael Raich, ’13, is president of the Northeast Higher Education District of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Lauren Vad, ’13, founded the South Africa chapter of Warriors of Wildlife, an animal sanctuary at Simbonga Game Farm & Sanctuary.

Matthew Quinn, ’10, is the Plant Manager at Hankinson Renewable Energy, an ethanol facility in Hankinson, N.D.

DARING TO MAKE HISTORY

2013

Erica (Wondrasek) Thunder, ’11, ’14, was appointed as interim director of North Dakota Indian Affairs.

Emily Hills Boyle, ’12, has been promoted to the role of assistant vice president, senior universal loan officer at Gate City Bank’s South Washington location in Grand Forks.

CAREER HONOR

Merry Tesfu, ’18, is a reservoir engineer at UND’s EERC.

2019

CLASS NOTES

Conversations with UND’s influential alumni. Beyond the Pages is a virtual conversation series that convenes University of North Dakota alumni from a variety of fields. This is your chance to get a closer look at the changemakers we’ve featured in the UND Alumni Magazine. The latest episode looks back to summer 2020, where we hear from tribal leader Dr. Monica Mayer, author Larry Watson, and critical care nurse Caleb Behm.

CAREER HONOR

BETTER WATER, BETTER LIVES

UNDalumni.org/magazine

CH A R L IE V EIN , ’ 76

Charlie Vein, ’76, has retired as president and cofounder of engineering consulting firm AE2S after leading the company for 30 years. Short for Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC, AE2S was founded in Grand Forks in 1991 and now has 23 offices in eight states. Vein dedicated his engineering career to improving drinking water quantity and quality for residents across North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and beyond. Over the course of his career, he received several national industry water organization awards after leading water infrastructure projects ranging from rebuilding the Grand Forks water treatment system after the Flood of 1997 to tackling the water infrastructure needs of western North Dakota during the oil boom of the 2010s.

UNDalumni.org/magazine

As a UND student, Vein was a student-athlete in track and field. He has served the UND Civil Engineering Department Advisory Board and UND Men’s Track and Field Committee.

He leaves the company in the hands of fellow UND graduate, CEO Grant Meyer, ’98, ’99. “Charlie is a wonderful mentor who went into the engineering field to improve people’s lives by improving their drinking water. I can say without a doubt, Charlie made a difference in the lives of thousands and thousands of people – from the residents of large and small communities across the eight states where AE2S has offices to the people he’s helped through his charitable work,” Meyer said. ///

Gaimi Davies, ’19, is a ranch technician on an 80,000-acre bison ranch owned by Ted Turner in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Bryan Johnson, ’19, a former EMT and flight paramedic, is now a physician assistant at Sanford Health clinics in Canby, Minn., and Clear Lake, S.D., specializing in primary care and family medicine. Jacob Schmuck, ’19, has joined the Red River Regional Council. He lives in Grafton, N.D.

Kaleb Dschaak, ’20, is founder and CEO of Fenworks, which provides educational competition and coaching services to K-12 schools so they can run their own esports programs. He lives in Grand Forks. Trevor Hoggatt, ’20, is a pilot at ISight Drone Services. Dr. Chunxiao Li, ’20, is a reservoir engineer at the Energy & Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks.

2020

Megan Sevigny, ’20, teaches English at MayPort CG High School in Mayville, N.D.

Sydney (Einarson) Bata, ’20, has joined Einarson Law Office, PC in Grafton, N.D., as an associate attorney.

Travis Toivonen, ’20, was drafted by the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Morgan Tuss, ’20, has joined Patten, Peterman, Bekkedahl & Green PLLC, in Billings, Mont. Her primary area of practice will be general business and estate planning. Dr. Xincheng Wan, ’20, was hired by the EERC at UND as a reservoir engineer.

2021 Gracie Lian, ’21, was appointed as a student representative on the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. She is a graduate student at UND and has served as president of the North Dakota Student Association and UND student body president. Jack Tannahill, ’21, is a financial guide at Alerus in Grand Forks. ///

A L U M NI IN A C T IO N

BANGLADESH TO NASA, VIA UND M A N N A K H A N ’17, ’19

BY CONNOR MURPHY WRITER / EDITOR | UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

If over the summer you ventured up Harvard Street, north of Archives Coffee House, you might see Manna Khan, ’17, ’19, tending UND’s newest crop. The result of an effort led by Manna and fellow students and faculty, the two-plot campus garden has turned a demolition site into a place to grow, learn and share. Meanwhile, at her home, wired into one of the most technologically advanced agencies on the planet, Manna is sowing seeds of a different kind. She is a McNair Scholar who’s earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography at UND, and she’s well on her way to a doctoral degree in Earth System Science & Policy (ESSP). This summer Manna was selected for a virtual internship at NASA, working and interacting via computer with some of the world’s top experts in her field.

“I appreciate all your help and support throughout my academic journey,” Manna wrote in a thank-you note to her UND colleagues.

“Every day, I am still learning from you. Thank you!” The campus garden effort and her recent inroads at NASA are driven by Manna’s sense of social and ecological stewardship. Her long-term goal is simply stated: “I have to do something for the world, for the next generation. I want to leave something for my children.” Besides using her green thumb in Grand Forks, Manna is working with NASA’s History Division, using the agency’s database of satellite and ground measurements to study tropical cyclones, coastal flooding, and related hazards in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. “As a dual citizen, I feel for both of my countries,” Manna said. “But what I’m learning from UND, and

now from NASA, are skills and knowledge that I want to implement globally, especially in developing countries where people are suffering from the effects of climate issues.”

From Bangladesh to Grand Forks Manna’s journey at UND began shortly after she and her family moved to Grand Forks from California. She and her husband, Shafiqul, had operated a business after emigrating from Bangladesh 25 years ago, but thought North Dakota would be a better place to raise their son, Ahad, and daughter, Newzaira, as well as advance themselves. “We had experience, but we didn’t have degrees,” Manna said. “So, when we decided to close and move, we wanted to go somewhere better for our children that also had affordable opportunities for education.” For a time, Manna, her husband and daughter were all enrolled at UND in different fields. Shafiqul is soon to finish a Ph.D. in the College of Education & Human Development. Newzaira

graduated with a degree in psychology and has since moved to the East Coast to pursue a Ph.D. of her own.

“I have to do something for the world, for the next generation. I want to leave something for my children.” At UND, Manna has tried to make the most of her opportunities. Perhaps the most pivotal was the McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program – a program designed to prepare first-generation college students for postgraduate studies through research experiences and scholarly activity.

Through the mentoring and support of the McNair Program under Instructor Christopher Atkinson, UND’s Geography Department became a second family for Manna as she works toward her upcoming dissertation that will examine the effects of mitigating the Red River following the flood of 1997. Atkinson noted that her McNair-tied research spanned from Bangladesh to the Red River Valley. “She researched topics including recycling, trash and tipping fees as well as water and water pollution in Bangladesh, and increasing temperatures in North Dakota,” Atkinson said. “She represented UND well at many regional and national geography conferences.” ///

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Not bad for a nontraditional student who grew up in Bangladesh and struggled with English when she first enrolled at UND.

“I started with very little English with Dr. (Paul) Todhunter’s class. It has been quite a lot of experiences as a non-traditional, bi-lingual, and first-generation immigrant. As a slow learner, I had to translate every word from Bengali to English and from English to Bengali.

UN D A L U M NI

CELEBRATIONS If you would like your announcement to be included in the next UND Alumni Magazine, send a high resolution photo to AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net. We look forward to helping you celebrate!

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1 Corbin Bachmeier, ’98, and his wife Jessica welcomed their first child, Lillian Dakota, on March 2, 2021. The family lives in Bradenton, Florida.

2. Ashley (Hoffmann), ’13, and Calvin Crawford, ’15, welcomed their first child, Halley Aspen on May 17, 2021. Halley’s grandfathers are Leonard Hoffmann, ’78, Harley Crawford, ’79, her late greatgrandfather was John Crawford, ’48, and her godparents are Natalie, ’12,’ 17, and Nick Crawford, ’10.| 3. Lynn Aas, ’48, ’49, celebrated his 100th birthday on June 4 in Minot, N.D. Lynn is a World War II veteran and served as president of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at UND.

4. Ben Dove, ’83, and his wife, Donna, are proud to share the birth of their granddaughter, Norah, who was 3 weeks old when this photo was taken June 18 at Caswell Beach, North Carolina. 5. Mazie Kay and Micah Gene were born on November 11, 2020 to Kayla (McDowell), ’09, and Matthew Quinn, ’10. They join big sister Kinley, 9, and big brother Callen, 8, at their home in Fargo.

6. Wyatt Michael Baker was born May 4, 2021 to proud alumni parents Chloe (Opp), ’15, and Mike Baker, ’11. Wyatt’s big brother, Martin, welcomed him home in East Gull Lake, Minnesota. 7. Kelsey and Michael Curry, ’06, along with 4-year-old Iyla, welcomed Crew Curry on Aug. 15, 2020. Michael is a Store Director at Target and the family resides in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. 8. Olley George was born to Daniel and Melissa Ryan, ’20. He joins his siblings Karter Jo, Dex, and Lenna at their home in Surrey, N.D. 9. Annika Price, ’21, was proud to wear her UND Legacy Cord in celebration of her spring graduation. She is pictured with her grandma Donna (Spooner) Hegle, ’71; dad Jeff Price, ’93; and mom Zanthia (Hegle) Price, ’94.

9 10

10. Thomas Ross Martindale was born Sept. 8, 2020 to Nate, ’08, ’12, and Allison (Steffl) Martindale, ’12. The family lives in Bismarck.

11. Mariah,’17, and Brady Eilertson, ’15, welcomed their second daughter, Emma, in July of 2020. The family resides in Bloomington, Minnesota.

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12. Five years ago, Reid Taubenheim, ’18, asked Kyley Foster, ’19, to be his girlfriend outside Squires Hall with a Ring Pop. This spring, in that same place, Reid asked her to marry him. Kyley is a commercial aviation and unmanned aircraft systems graduate and was a member of the UND Track & Field team. Reid graduated with a degree in accounting and took part on the UND Football team. ///

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

1940s Charles E. Ego, ’40 Lake Oswego, Ore. Charles T. Bell, ..’41 Newport Beach, Calif. A. C. Tiedeman, ’42 Santa Rosa, Calif. Ingvald Odland, ..’43 Velva, N.D. Junis (Amundrud) Dostert, ’45 Fairdale, N.D. Laura Mae (Morrison) Gay, ..’45 San Diego, Calif. William H. Mickelson, ..’46 Lakewood, Wash. Mae Marie (Malm) Blackmore, ’47, ’78 Grand Forks Corrine (Berg) Sinclair, ..’47 Grand Forks Zane H. Fleischman, ’48, ’54 Yreka, Calif. Robert A. Hagen, ’48, ’66 Saint Paul, Minn. Shirley (Sobolik) Arff, ..’49 Corona, Calif. Leo A. St. Michel, ’49 Glastonbury, Conn.

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1950s

Mary (Reick) Graham, ’50 Indianapolis, Ind. DeWayne ‘Dewey’ King, ’50, ’66 Waukesha, Wis. Rodney E. Lund, ’50 Petaluma, Calif. John T. Anderson, ’51, ’52 Medical Lake, Wash. A. Gordon Bauer, ’51 Mandeville, La. Eli A. Layon, MD, ’51 El Centro, Calif. Donald K. Younggren, ’51 Minneapolis, Minn. John L. Stewart, DDS, ’52 Rochester, Minn. Jane (White) Dennis, ’53 Morgan Hill, Calif. Ellen (Kertz) Mudro, ..’53 Helena, Mont. Della (Uhlman) Danner, ’54 Amarillo, Texas James C. Smallwood, ’54 Kingwood, Tex. Dayton D. Burkholder, MD, ’55, ’56 Fargo Herman R. Doeling, ’55 Carrington, N.D.

Wallace F. Eidahl, ’55 Saint George, Utah Suzanne (Larson) Nelson, ..’55 Grand Forks Emmett R. Schmitz, ’55 Owens Cross Roads, Ala. Dr. Donald R. Tompkins, Jr., ’55 Austin, Texas Maurice Zweigle, ’55 Midland, Mich. Edward T. Bernhoft, ’56 Cameron Park, Calif. Daniel J. Buckmiller, ’56 Crookston, Minn. Marilyn (Ryden) Peterson, ’56, ’65 Fargo Walter M. Running, ’56, Lincoln, Neb. Frank N. Huber, ’57 Maple Valley, Wash. Raymond J. Parisi, MD, ’57, ’58 Cary, N.C. Robert E. Schonberger, ..’57 Ray, N.D. Thomas C. Carr, ..’58 Fargo Gordon R. Eider, ’58 Grand Forks Marlo (Powers) Gade, ’58 Grand Forks Thomas T. Berge, ’59 Grand Forks Joseph L. Ramnarine, ’59 Saint Paul, Minn. Gerald L. Roberts, ..’59 Morrison, Colo. Andrew G. Sherry, ’59 Minneapolis, Minn. Stanley J. Van Steenvoort, ..’59 Lenexa, Kan. Dr. Grant G. Zwick, ..’59 Valley City, N.D.

1960s John D. L. Droege, ’60 Denmark, Wis. Roger G. Estenson, ..’60 Climax, Minn. Gordon A. Everson, ..’60 Maple Grove, Minn. Carol (Irmen) Galt, ..’60 Maricopa, Ariz. Ronald E. Guttenberg, ’60 Glasgow, Mont. Kathryn (Mehegan) Johnson, ..’60 Saint Paul, Minn. Karl A. Lacher, ’60 Anoka, Minn.

Duane S. Littlejohn, ’60 St. Thomas, N.D. Orlan J. Loraas, ’60 Fargo Dorothea (Prete) McCallum, ’60 Dayton, Minn. Mary (Evenson) Anderson, ’61 Pagosa Springs, Colo. Norma Beveridge, ’61 Ashley, N.D. Tearie B. Cossette, ..’61 Rolla, Mo. Darrell C Houser, ’61 Gulf Shores, Ala. Irene J. Howitz, ’61 Idaho Falls, Idaho Lt. Col. Robert H. Ikelman (RET), ’61 Dixon, Calif. Margaret (LaVoy) Schoenborn, ’61 Crown Point, Ind. Craig L. Simmons, ..’61 Salem, Ore. Ruby E. Young, ’61 Irvine, Calif. Patricia (Schilling) Bishop, ’62 Mountain Home, Ark. Paul R. Ensrude, ’62 Grafton, N.D. Glenn D. Filipi, ’62 Fargo Jerome L. Jaynes, ’62, ’65 Apple Valley, Minn. Everett A. Schmeichel, ’62 Wahpeton, N.D. Robert T. Graber, ..’63 Rugby, N.D. John J. Wagner, ..’63 Belfield, N.D. Peggy (Murray) Beighley, ..’64 Ninole, Hawaii Thomas H. Carey, ’64 Gilbert, Minn. Kevin J. Donnelly, ’64 Bismarck, N.D. Byron J. Freeman, ’64 Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Ronald W. Gibbens, ’64 Grand Forks Carolyn (Cockle) Kolstoe, ’64, ’71 Grand Forks Darryl M. Larson, ’64 Minneapolis, Minn. Merle D. Malme, ’64 Mesa, Ariz. David R. Park, ’64 Royston, British Columbia David A. Woods, ..’64 Red Wing, Minn. Joseph S. Banister Jr., ’65 Jamestown, N.D. Paul S. Beighley, Sr., ’65 Ninole, Hawaii Lynn A. Christianson, ’65 Bismarck, N.D. Linda (Anderson) Colliander, ’65 Sun City, Ariz.

Donald H. Mikkelson, ’65 Hilton Head Island, S.C. Rev. Harvey K. Barkman, ..’66 Steinbach, Manitoba John D. Gerszewski, ’66 Onalaska, Wis. Carol J. Lillegard, ..’66 Sonora, Calif. Robert E. Norton, ’66, ’70 Grand Forks Lois (Piper) Sackrider, ’66 Hamden, Conn. Nicholette (Fiergola) Schulz, ’66 Laguna Woods, Calif. Clark P. Molstad, Ph.D., ..’66 San Bernardino, Calif. Thomas Q. Benson, ..’67 Littleton, Colo. Dwight S. Cuffe, ’67, ’71 Bloomington, Minn. Sister Kay Elmer, ’67 Manitowoc, Wis. Donald J. Hagel, ’67 Rockford, Ill. J. Allen Oby, ..’67 St. Thomas, N.D. James D. Ross, ’67 Millarville, Alberta Marcus C. Russell, Jr., ’67 Houlton, Maine Gary R. Borgen, ’68 Port Austin, Mich. Dale F. Keena, ’68 Detroit Lakes, Minn. Harold J. Opgrand, ..’68 Crookston, Minn. Kay (Torson) Wieland, ’68, ’69 Minneapolis, Minn. Carol (Johnson) Childers, ’69, ’70 North Wilkesboro, N.C. John C. Conrad, ’69 Kildeer, Ill. John E. Galleger, ’69 Eden Prairie, Minn. Phyllis (Laukala) Gordon, ’69 Bismarck, N.D. James E. McGuire, ’69 Grand Forks Kenneth J. Mozinski, ’69 Grand Forks Bonita F. Syverson, ..’69 Ulen, Minn. Dervin J. Wallin, ..’69 Minot, N.D.

1970s Dr. Robert L. Bergeth, ’70 Willmar, Minn. David T. Blomquist, ’70 Pembina, N.D. Dean A. Petska, ..’70 Devils Lake, N.D. Brenda (Hanson) SkarperudNelson, ..’70 Sun Lakes, Ariz.

Robert J. Webster, ..’70 Magnolia, Texas Juneal (Harper) Wiley, ’70 Fargo Wayne M. Eckart, ’71 Mapleton, Minn. Sharon (Wentz) Flynn, ..’71 Sioux Falls, S.D. Deanne (Anderson) Hall, ’71 West Yellowstone, Mont. David N. Knapp, ’71, ’78 Grand Forks Lois (Skaro) Olson, ’71, ’72 Fargo Kathryn (Buck) Hannah, ’72 Woodbury, Minn. Loralee (Lavelle) LaPointe, ’72, ’79 Vermillion, S.D. Mary Kay (Nielsen) Smith, ’72, ’87 Minot, N.D. Ardeth K. Stevens, ’72 Balfour, N.D. Mark Eric Crocker, ..’73 Fargo Hubert L. Ivie, ’73, ’76 Oakdale, Minn. Janice (Linfoot) Pratt, ..’73 Mandan, N.D. Susan (Carpenter) St. John, ..’73 Grand Forks Lynn L. Davis, ’74 Belcourt, N.D. Jane S. Nelson, ’74 Billings, Mont. Brother Joel Mark Rousseau, ..’74 Springfield, Ill. Kathy A. Spoor, ..’74 Grand Forks Delores (Wolf) Bader, ’75 Perham, Minn. Vernon G. Lambert, ’75, ’79 Fort Totten, N.D. James K. Leonard, ..’76 Portland, Ore. Steven L. Wonnenberg, ’76 Bismarck, N.D. Randall W. Moen, ..’77 Fargo Russell J. Newman, ..’77 Fargo Mary C. Loff, ’78 Grand Forks Kim R. Robinson, ’78 Las Cruces, N.M. Jonathan L. Vessey, ’78 Ormond Beach, Fla. S. Gail (Crockett) Hollifield, ’79, ’81 Freeport, Maine Patricia L. Sanderson, ..’79 Edmore, N.D. Kathleen F. Soli, ’79 Rapid City, S.D.

1980s

1990s LaDonna (Brave Bull) Allard, ’90 Fort Yates, N.D.

COMPASSIONATE GENEROSITY L A UR A G AY, . .’4 5

A desperate phone call from her father during Laura’s second year at UND convinced her to return home to Bathgate, North Dakota, to take care of her mother who was sick with cancer. While she considered it an honor to be by her mother’s side, Laura never returned to college. She did, however, stay in touch with Noble, a WWII soldier placed at UND through the Army Specialized Training Program.

2000s

The two were married, moved to Noble’s home state of California, started a real estate business and traveled the world until Noble’s death in 2018. While she remained in California, Laura never lost touch with North Dakota.

Brian M. Tinker, ’00 McClusky, N.D. Carrie Dahl, ’01 Saint Paul, Minn. Nancy J. Gulsvig, ’03 Oakes, N.D. Heidi J. Lako-Adamson, MD, ’04 Fargo Adam G. Gustafson, ’08 Moorhead, Minn.

2010s Daniel S. Ferdon, ’13 Aurora, Colo. Torin R. Heidt, ’18 Grafton, N.D. Christopher M. Peterson, ’18 East Grand Forks, Minn.

2020s Amy (Brucklacher) Dougherty, ..’20 Andover, S.D.

Current students Jacob Stippick Cherry Hill, N.J.

Faculty Tao Yu Grand Forks

Former faculty/staff Sherry L. Kapella Grand Forks Frank Slater Grand Forks Bryan G. Vendsel West Fargo, N.D. Lynn P. Woinarowicz Grand Forks

BY JENN LUKENS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

On May 6, 2021, Laura Gay passed away at age 95 in San Diego, California. In the weeks that preceded, we spoke with Laura on several occasions about her UND story and life after she moved to California. She always expressed concern for the welfare of UND students, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, she put her empathy to action and gave on several occasions to new funds created in response to the pandemic. Below is her story of compassion. Laura Gay attended UND from 1942 to 1945. She studied merchandising and lived in the old Davis Hall where she and her dormmates were “kept in line” by their housemother, Minnie Davis. “She was a tough old cookie, but she took care of us girls and made darn sure we didn’t do anything bad,” Laura chuckled.

Last spring, she learned about the UND Angel Fund, which was established to provide emergency aid for students. Their hardships reminded Laura of Camp Depression, the cabooses that housed low-income students who worked on campus in exchange for room and board while earning their degrees in the 1930s and ’40s. Compassion for students past and present moved Laura to give … and give again … and give again – close to $70,000 in total to the UND Angel Fund and Open Door Scholarships. “I was so lucky I didn’t have to worry about the money back then. But I’m sure with the way things are now, there are kids who do have to worry about money, especially if something happens to their family – a sickness or an emergency that comes up,” said Laura, recalling the reason she unenrolled from UND. Sickness and medical bills have contributed to the flood of applications from students for extra funding this past year. With her gifts, Laura ensured the ending of their UND journeys included what she had to leave behind: a tassel and diploma. As she put it: “If somebody needs the money to get through college, I want to help. I know that whatever we give is being used in the best way possible.” Laura is survived by her son, Mike, and daughter-in-law, Karen. They manage the real estate business in California that Laura and Noble established in 1950. ///

UNDalumni.org/magazine

Cynthia (Cubillos) Barclay, ’80 Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Peggy Stende Fugleberg, ’80 Saint Paul, Minn. William A. Henning, ’80 Hawley, Minn. Bernadette (Hutton) Peterson, ..’80 Grand Forks Keevin B. Stroh, ’80 Ashley, N.D. Linda J. Bode, ’81 Ester, Alaska John W. Harris, ’81 Colorado Springs, Colo. Robin (Kimmerly) King, ’81 Trenton, N.D. Susan (Henriksen) Knutson, ’81 Wayne, Pa. Bernhard Deitermann, ’82 Seattle, Wash. Lt. Col. Ronald C. Evenson, ’82 Brandon, S.D. Ross Hefta, ’82, ’84 Kingsport, Tennesee Douglas D. Zahn, ’82 Fargo Arnold V. Fleck, ’83 Bismarck, N.D. Paula (Himmelheber) Lee, ’83 Columbia, Md. Thomas C. McKay, ’83, ’86 Brookline, N.H. Kathy Murphy Braaten, ’84 Manvel, N.D. Erik J. Budd, ’84 Osage, Iowa Douglas P. Cook, ’84 Hartford, S.D. Susan (Barlow) Paul, ’84 Fargo Matthew G. Wynne, ’84 Tucker, Ga. Claire (Jansonius) Exner, ’85 Morris, Minn. David K. Horne, ’85, ’88 Fargo Barbara K. CharbonneauDahlen, ’87, ’90, ’95 Park River, N.D. Joy P. Johnston-Madison, ’87 Modesto, Calif. Robert G. Ackre, ’88, ’92 Cando, N.D. Blaine V. Houmes, MD, ’88 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Gwynn Misialek-Harlow, CPA, ’89 Centralia, Ill. Mark D. Viger, ..’89 Fergus Falls, Minn.

U N D L E G A CIE S

Lonnie R. Guderjahn, ’90 Urbandale, Iowa Larry A. Lysne, ’91 Fairbanks, Alaska Nancy (Creps) Wells, ’92 Maple Grove, Minn. Leanne F. Eagleman, ’93 Fort Thompson, S.D. Kimberly (Bachand) Johs, ’93 West Burlington, Iowa Tonya (Carlson) Eide, ’94 Villa Hills, Ky. Troy D. Asmus, ..’95 San Antonio, Texas Gregory J. Kurtz, ’95 Reynolds, N.D. Joseph J. McGillis, ’96 Williston, N.D. Scott A. Lima, ’97 Grand Forks Brian A. Studaker, ’97 Phoenix, Ariz.

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. Thank you for all that you do! The following donors reached a new giving circle in the Eternal Flame Society between April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021.

L E G A CY DO N O R

LEARNING & GIVING JOHN D AV E NP OR T

*indicates deceased

THOMAS CLIFFORD CIRCLE $100,000 - $999,999 John B. Davenport* Dr. Lloyd & Jacquelyn Everson Sherman E. Hoganson* Paula H. Lee* in Memory of Randy H. Lee Norman & Ann Hoffman Foundation Tom & Carolyn Hamilton Family Foundation

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE $10,000 - $99,999 Levi & Bethany Andrist

N.D. Foster & Adopt Parent Association

Ross T. Arthur

Dolores Olson

Michael H. Benz

Rick Palmer

The Chase Family

Dave & Suzanne Schweigert

CHS Hallock, LLC

John C. Staley

Florian Properties, LLC

Jennifer Stoner

Mark & Kathryn Holm

UPS Foundation, Inc.

Traci & Jared Kovar

LEGACY CIRCLE The Legacy Circle Society honors individuals and families who have made planned gifts (such as gifts in wills, charitable trusts, or beneficiary gifts of retirement accounts or life insurance) through the UND Foundation to benefit the University of North Dakota. Dr. Ronald A. & Dorine* Apanian Thomas R. Herman Don A. Mann Jim & Janey Wendschlag

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For more information about the Eternal Flame Society, visit UNDalumni.org/EternalFlame

John Davenport with his parents, Margaret and Willard, in the 1950s. Margaret was a longtime administrative assistant to UND’s VP of Academic Affairs, and Willard was the head of the Marketing Department at the UND College of Business and Public Administration.

Over the span of many years, the Davenport family has given so much to the University of North Dakota. In the 1940s until his death in 1963, Willard Davenport served as Chair of the Department of Marketing within the UND College of Business & Public Administration. His wife, Margaret, served several administrative positions on campus, the longest as administrative assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, from 1963-77. Their son, John, worked for a time in the Chester Fritz Library’s Department of Special Collections. He is said to have had a towering intellect, a biting and often hilarious wit, and a deep sense of right and wrong.

John died on Feb. 25, 2021, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, following a battle with COVID-19. He left to UND a generous estate gift to support the Davenport Family Special Collections Endowment and the Davenport Family Marketing Endowment. The Davenport family legacy will live on through his support of the Chester Fritz Library and UND marketing students. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to John and the Davenport family for making a lasting impact on the University of North Dakota. They may be gone, but they will not soon be forgotten. We are forever grateful to their legacy of learning and giving. ///

For more information on how to leave a gift or estate gift intentions, please contact our office at 701.777.2611.

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R E DUCE YOUR TA X E S

3 WAYS TO GIVE SMARTER INCR E A S E YOUR IM PA C T my

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GIFTS OF APPRECIATED STOCKS, BONDS, OR MUTUAL FUND SHARES ● Can be a tax-advantaged way to provide support for UND

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UNDalumni.org/guide-to-giving | 701.777.2611 1.800.543.8764 | giftplanning@UNDfoundation.org