UND Alumni Magazine Winter 2022

STAND UP AND CHEER!

UND’s Pride of the North marching band celebrates 25 years.

TIM KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE #UND PROUD

At UND, I received a world-class education close to home. My education, experiences and relationships played a significant role in shaping who I am, and have provided countless opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Bell’s commitment to family atmosphere, personal service and paying it forward to our communities makes us a perfect fit for our UND friends and family!

Tim Gelinske

EVP/Strategic Initiatives and

One of my family’s favorite traditions is hearing the UND fight song, “Stand Up and Cheer.” Since they could barely speak, my sons have known every word. Fortunate enough to attend a variety of UND Athletics events, at ages 6 and 8 they’ve heard the Pride of the North marching band play “Stand Up and Cheer” countless times at parades and after every touchdown.

To me, nothing says “UND pride” like belting out those words while standing up and clapping with UND faithful in a moment of celebration. It’s only apt, then, that our beloved marching band be named Pride of the North. This issue of the UND Alumni Magazine, dedicated to them, celebrates the many events and traditions that wouldn’t be the same without the Pride, including Homecoming and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. I’ve been unofficially calling this the FoMO issue of the magazine. (FoMO = Fear of Missing Out). And let me tell you, if you weren’t fortunate enough to make it to campus this Homecoming to celebrate your alma mater with fellow UND alumni in October, my hope is that your FoMO is so great that you’ll mark your calendar to celebrate with us next year Oct. 2-7. Until then, we’ve provided some lyrics on the page to the right so you can practice “Stand Up and Cheer” for yourself.:)

Happy reading, Alyssa Konickson, ’06 Editor, UND Alumni Magazine

STEEPED IN TRADITION

'63,

STAND UP AND CHEER

Stand up and cheer; stand up and cheer for North Dakota! Pledge your loyalty for she's your Alma Mater true! Rah! Rah! Rah! Our teams are fighting, and we are here to see them through! We've got the team. Rah! Rah! We've got the steam. Rah! Rah!

So North Dakota here's to you!

PEP IN THEIR STEP

The beloved Pride of the North marching band celebrates its 25th anniversary.

From DeAnna

ABUNDANCE OF FANFARE

105 NO. 4 WINTER 2022

UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

Chief Executive Officer

DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86

Vice President of Marketing & Communications Sarah Prout, ’07

UND ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Editor

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

Lead Designer

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

Photographer Sara Titera, Graphic Designer

Writer

Milo Smith, Senior Director of Public Relations & Videography

Contributors, UND Alumni Association & Foundation

Jeannie Tvedt, Senior Database Coordinator

Melissa Garceau, AVP of Operations

Ana Wilebski, ’19, Associate Director of Campaign Writing

Ellie Johnson, ’15, Social Media & Event Coordinator

Contributors, UND Marketing & Communications

Mike Hess; Shawna Schill, ’06; Patrick Miller; Janelle Vonasek, ’89

Contributing Photographers

Russ Hons, Nick Nelson, Connor Senkyr

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair

Dr. John Gray, ’87

Vice Chair Jim Poolman, ’92

Directors

Darla Adams, ’84, ’85 Troy Bader, ’85

Lisa Barnes, ’88 Kelly (Keeler) Caruso, ’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 Karen Phillips, ’77

Lara (Olsen) Prozinski, ’90 Jodi Rolland, ’92

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

Karen Thingelstad, ’89 Kathryn Uhrich, ’86 Chad Wachter

Ex Officio

Andrew Armacost Karla Mongeon-Stewart

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

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.

What else can be said about a week in which we dedicated a new home for the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, won every athletic contest, celebrated six outstanding alumni at the Alumni Honors Banquet, and hosted the very first downtown pep rally in Town Square.

We also saw reunions held for cheer team and Pride of the North alumni, which had current students and alumni performing together at the Homecoming football game. It was so fun to see alumni and students standing shoulder-to-shoulder celebrating the University of North Dakota. We often talk about alumni reaching back and helping students today and tomorrow, but this was a situation where students got to see what it was like to be an alum and maybe gain a different perspective on what Homecoming means — even when you leave this university, it’s still your home.

NISTLER RIBBON-CUTTING

What a joy to see the faces of those who came to the Nistler Hall ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Friday of Homecoming! The building is truly a stunner with its expansive student spaces and high-tech classrooms. To be able to celebrate the grand opening with Werner, ’68, and Colleen Nistler and their immediate and extended family was so special. To walk through the building is to also be reminded of the direct impact our alumni and friends are having on students. There are more than 60 spaces in the building named after donors. We held private ribbon-cutting ceremonies for a number of these spaces and it was an emotional experience for many who had been part of the effort to build a new business building for more than a decade.

A GENEROUS SPIRIT

Something exceptional occurred at our Board of Directors meeting during Homecoming. Among the usual board business, UND Student Body President Faith Wahl and Chief of Staff Dani Korsmo gave an update on the student experience on campus. They noted that the demand at the on-campus food pantry and for the emergency Angel Fund had been particularly strong this fall, indicating that students are struggling. Following their presentation, board members, of their own volition, donated nearly $40,000 for those two important causes.

One other story of the power of philanthropic spirit that I find so touching: that of Grace Bowen, 1917, whose endowment has funded more than 1,000 student scholarships over the decades (you can read more about this story on page 50.

These two stories show that your generosity, either immediately through emergency food or monetary grants or long-term through

It was a Homecoming like no other!

UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink addresses the crowd at the grand opening of Nistler College of Business & Public Administration's Nistler Hall.

endowments, makes a tremendous impact on the student experience on campus. As you consider your year-end giving, please consider UND in your plans. The students of today are walking the same path you did and they are so very thankful for everything you do to make their experience special.

HALL OF FAME GAME

If home is where your alumni are, then Las Vegas was a temporary home for UND during the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game in late October!

Thousands of fans descended on Sin City for the game and all the activities surrounding it. There is a reason that the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame continues to make sure UND is one of the teams to play in this annual game. No other fan base has the passion and travels as well as UND!

It was so much fun to see a sea of green on Freemont Street on Friday night and at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. Way to support your Fighting Hawks!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As we enter this holiday season, please know how grateful we are for the alumni and friends of this outstanding University. You are our biggest gift and we are so very thankful for your support.

Amid all of the fanfare of the past couple of months, our UND alumni family also experienced a great loss with the death of Earl Strinden on Oct. 18. Our mission to support UND students, faculty, alumni and the greater community can be traced directly to the passion and dedication of Earl and his wife, Jan, who passed earlier this year. Earl had such a strong belief in the power of a college degree and what it could do to propel students to live the American dream. He believed that philanthropy could change lives and help grow the University. Every day he worked to build the University of North Dakota into an institution our state could be proud of.

On a personal level, I am eternally grateful for the mentorship I received from such a caring and dedicated servant leader.

Read more about him on page 26.

#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.

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS LAB OPENS AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

UND’s Space Studies department has a new lab, but you won’t be able to find it near the Human Spaceflight Laboratory in Clifford Hall on campus. Nor will you find it across the interstate, where the Inflatable Lunar/Mars Habitat is located.

Nor will you find it anywhere else in Grand Forks, or even North Dakota. Instead, you’ll have to go nearly 2,000 miles south and east — to the Space Coast itself. At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, on Merritt Island, Fla., UND now has a lab all its own.

Space Studies has taken up residence in the Space Life Sciences Laboratory, a building in NASA’s Floridian hub.

The move was years in the making, and the hope is to maintain an official presence for years to come, said Pablo de León, [1] professor, chair of the Space Studies Department and director of the Human Spaceflight Laboratory.

SECONDARY EDUCATION NEW OFFICE ADDRESSES TEACHER SHORTAGES

UND’s College of Education & Human Development has launched a new venture to address teacher shortages throughout the state and nationwide,

Key personnel for the new Office of Teacher Recruitment and Retention include Director Ashley Smalley, a former West Fargo middle school teacher who is nearing completion of a doctorate in educational leadership from UND, as well as new Outreach Specialist Monte Gaukler, a former Grand Forks teacher and UND adjunct professor.

“Our teachers are being asked to play more roles than ever, while they face unprecedented challenges from school districts, communities and state and federal governments,” said Smalley. “They feel unsupported, unappreciated and mentally and physically overwhelmed. Solving the problem of keeping educators in the profession, and inspiring future educators, will require systemic changes and reforms.

“Teachers are the heart of our schools, so we have to make positive changes for them and for our children.”

NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE ECOSYSTEM EXPANDS

Members of North Dakota’s congressional delegation [ 2] visited Grand Forks Air Force Base on June 28, along with national space experts and UND President Andrew Armacost, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the U.S. Space Development Agency’s latest initiative in the state.

The ceremony marked the selection of GFAFB as the site of the SDA’s Space Networking Center, a facility that will be used to support a lowEarth-orbit satellite mission, which will serve as the backbone for U.S. military communications across the globe.

The high-tech facility is the most recent initiative in the North Dakota space and unmanned systems ecosystem.

“The SDA’s Space Networking Center, which will be developed by General Dynamics, Iridium, Raytheon and other partners, will place North Dakota at the center of U.S. space operations,” said Hoeven, R-N.D. “Further, the LEO satellite mission and the Sky Range hypesonic missile testing program are two more strong examples of the partnerships we’ve established to secure Grand Forks’ role in the future of our nation’s defense.”

UND AEROSPACE GETTING THE LEAD OUT

UND Aerospace announced in July it soon would be the largest public flight school in the nation to fully switch to unleaded avgas or aviation gasoline.

The fuel is called UL94 and is produced by Swift Fuels, a West Lafayette, Ind.-based research-and-design firm that develops fuel process technology and makes high-performance fuels. Swift Fuels is the sole producer of UL94 unleaded avgas, which will be used at UND in place of 100 octane Low Lead fuel, also known as 100LL.

The leaded fuel is currently being used by airports and flight schools across the country. Switching to unleaded avgas will help UND save money through reduced aircraft-maintenance costs, and is a “greener,” cleaner fuel than the existing legacy avgas.

“It’s exciting because we are looking at the future of general aviation,” said Robert Kraus, dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. [ 3 ]

AROUND CAMPUS

INAUGURAL DEI CONFERENCE DRAWS MULTITUDES

UND’s inaugural conference on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, “The Future is Now: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Higher Education and Beyond,” featured scholars from universities and colleges from across the United States. Faculty, staff, and students from across the North Dakota University System visited the UND campus to participate in the event.

Tamba-Kuii Bailey, [ 4 ] special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion, said registration for the conference reached maximum capacity at about 400.

“That says to me, it says to all of us, that there’s this need, and people are hungry for this information,” he said. People are doing good work in the area of DEI, including working with diverse and multicultural communities of students at UND, Bailey said. That work comes in the areas of research and teaching, as well as teaching pedagogy.

RESEARCH

UND WILL HELP MAP ARCTIC TERRAIN

UND has been named part of a $17 million cold-weather research effort in collaboration with three other universities and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab.

Over the next four years, UND will work alongside Virginia Tech — the project’s principal investigator — as well as Stonybrook University and the University of Minnesota to conduct Arctic research and develop the Defense Resiliency Platform Against Extreme Cold Weather, for which the initiative is named.

UND’s share of the grant award totals just over $4 million, making it one of the largest in the history of the College of Arts & Sciences. With the goal of enhancing the superiority and effectiveness of the U.S. Army in extreme cold weather environments, UND’s role will bring together multiple North Dakota-based resources and collaborations to create the project’s cyberinfrastructure hub. \\\

From Andy TOGETHER, WE

SING

We’re at that time of year when “we raise our grateful song” – as voiced in UND’s “Alma Mater” – to give thanks and express gratitude for all we’ve received and to all those who have supported the University of North Dakota in many ways.

During another fantastic Homecoming in September, Kathy and I had the opportunity to meet and thank many of our wonderful UND alumni for the time, work, and generosity they provide the University, its students, faculty and staff. The occasion was marked by the dedication of the amazing new building for the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, itself a terrific example of what can be accomplished when the University and the UND Alumni Association & Foundation work in partnership with state and local leaders to give one of America’s top business schools one of the best homes in the nation.

As always, our Pride of the North Marching Band was a big part of Homecoming festivities. For a quarter century, the band has pepped up our University events, inspired us at parades and fired us up at athletic contests. I congratulate director Rob Brooks and all members of the Pride of the North Marching Band on 25 years of excellence in energizing the UND spirit.

Last month, we unveiled a new Strategic Plan to guide the University into the future. It represents a collaboration of about 200

students, faculty, staff and alumni working tirelessly to produce a draft document. After receiving input on the draft, a final version is expected in January 2023.

experiences that enrich the lives of North Dakotans and the global community through excellent teaching, innovative research, and meaningful engagement.

As UND marches with pride toward a new year and beyond, we can liken this plan to a canon, a musical principle in which the first melody of the song – the leader – is followed by repeating themes that emphasize the primary melody. As children, we learned a canon when we sang “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” One of the most well-known canons is heard commonly at weddings, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, which takes a simple theme and repeats it with stunning variations. Similar to a canon, the themes repeating throughout the Strategic Plan serve to emphasize and reinforce UND’s mission of providing exceptional educational

Our vision is to inspire a sense of wonder, a love of discovery, and a commitment to serve through shared values based on learning, equity, accountability, discovery, and service. UND will lead to meet the needs of North Dakota and the global community through a learning environment that promotes and encourages inclusive excellence, equity, and a culture of belonging.

As we move forward to finalize and then implement the Strategic Plan, my hope is that it will remind us of what we value, help us attract those we need to accomplish our mission, and, finally, bring us together to nurture and grow the talents of each member of our UND community. We are each called to lead, whether through our thought, character, action, or position. The foundation laid at UND makes this happen, and we begin with a clear vision of where we want to go and will continue reiterate the guiding principles upon which this foundation is built.

UND President Andy Armacost stands with his wife, Kathy, at the new mural next to Grand Forks’ Town Square. The mural, which incorporates some UND themes, was commissioned by the Downtown Development Association and UND and was completed in time for the UND Homecoming Pep Rally in Town Square.

“Similar to a canon, the themes repeating throughout the Strategic Plan serve to emphasize and reinforce UND’s mission.”

Lauren Cain of Oxbow, N.D., believes in keeping an open mind and an open door. She’s game to go anywhere and try anything. Anything, that is, except vegetables.

“I think I have to be the pickiest eater,” the UND graduate said with a laugh. “I know I haven’t eaten a vegetable in 15 years. I just can’t do it.”

Luckily, that vegetable aversion doesn’t extend to handling them. While Lauren studied Marketing and Operation & Supply Chain Management, she also lived it as an intern at Black Gold Farms.

The global operation headquartered in Grand Forks produces, packages and distributes sweet, red and chip potatoes nationwide. In fact, it’s one of the largest suppliers for Frito-Lay’s and Walmart.

For the first six months on the job, Lauren managed and dispatched 20 trucks a week to fulfill contracts across the country. The next six months, she switched to transportation logistics and data analytics.

The results of her research led the company to buy its own trucks and hire its own drivers — a decision that increased profits and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not too shabby for a part-time intern.

And that wasn’t the only door UND opened for Lauren. She also interned at Steffes Corp., where she generated more than $2.6

million in raw material purchases for the steel manufacturer.

Lauren said she inherited her strong work ethic from her business-minded parents, but she never had a definitive end goal when she started UND.

“I’ve just always thrived on working hard and staying very busy,” she said. “I never had a specific job in mind because I didn’t want to get tunnel vision and possibly miss out on a big opportunity.

“I’m huge into active learning and wanted to have room to grow. I’ve always been less focused on what my title is and more focused on how I can make the biggest impact for the company.”

It was equally important for her to help thousands of other students make their own impact while working at UND’s Pancratz Career Development Center. The center helps with everything from resumes, cover letters and mock interviews to hosting career fairs and providing free professional attire.

“One extremely helpful service to me was called Strength Finders,” Lauren said. “It identified my five strengths as relator, analytical, strategical, competition and achiever. Recognizing my strengths really opened my eyes to how I could be more of a team player and leader in my clubs and organizations.

“I learned invaluable skills on how to interact with companies, adults, students and everyone around me.”

LEADER IN ACTION

GRAD KEEPS DOOR OPEN, WALKS RIGHT INTO SUCCESS LAUREN

CAIN, ’22

And for someone involved in 10 student organizations — including Student Government and the Women in Business group she helped found — that skill set certainly proved beneficial. Excellent time management doesn’t hurt either when you’re averaging 22 credits and a 30-hour workweek.

But so much of success really comes down to people and making connections, Lauren said.

“I always made a point to connect with my professors,” she said. “They’ll go out of their way to help you succeed.”

Lauren’s final advice? Work hard. Stay busy. Always keep your doors open.

And she just walked through a really big one. Weeks before graduation, she got a job offer from Marvin, formerly Marvin Windows and Doors. She’s now a purchasing agent specializing in screens, silicones and chemicals — ordering up to 800,000 units for six different plants each week.

“It’s a ginormous organization,” she said. “It’s crazy, but thanks to UND, I’m here.”

LEADERS IN ACTION

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

UND.edu/leaders

Increasing support for our endowed faculty will allow us to:

Attract and retain outstanding teaching and research faculty

Draw top-notch students who want to work with leading scholars

GRATITUDE & DISTINCTION

UND holds inaugural endowed positions award ceremony.

Secure research grants and private support

For the first time ever on Aug. 24, the University of North Dakota honored the chairs, professors, and fellows whose distinguished positions were made possible through donor endowments. There are 44 total endowed positions at UND, and 28 of them were on hand to be honored. Donors had the privilege of seeing the impact of their gifts firsthand.

An endowed chair, professorship or fellowship is one of the highest academic honors the University can bestow on a faculty member, and it lasts for as long as the University exists. It is both an honor to the named holder of the position and an enduring tribute to the donor who establishes it.

Expand the University’s profile and participation across networks

These awards signify a station of importance – the medallion for endowed chairs and professors and the drape for endowed fellows. They are to be worn with a humble pride of one’s own accomplishments and gratitude for the donors who funded the position. They are to be worn at official UND events in which regalia is required, including commencement ceremonies and inauguration.

Foster media attention and bring in national conferences

Displayed on the front of both the medallion and drape is the UND crest with the motto, “Lux et Lex,” meaning Light and Law. Engraved on the back is the name of the endowed position and the person who holds it. \\\

One professor can touch the lives of many through the opportunities they create.

DR. CHIH MING TAN PAGE ENDOWED CHAIR IN APPLIED ECONOMICS

CELEBRATING SCHOLARSHIP

The multidisciplinary impact of endowed faculty is felt Around campus, and will make a difference on our world.

TECHNOLOGY

Daba Gedafa, Michael and Sitney Lodoen Endowed Professorship in Civil Engineering

Gedafa is part of a multidisciplinary team studying integrated deployment of new and emerging technologies and transportations such as advanced road sensor technology and vehicle systems automation.

SCIENCE

Wayne Barkhouse, Oliver L. Benediktson Endowed Chair in Astrophysics

NASA’s James Webb telescope allows us to see the universe, most recently Jupiter pictures. Barkhouse, along with his graduate assistants, is analyzing that data to understand humanity’s place in our universe.

EDUCATION

Ryan Summers, Rose Isabella Kelly Fischer Professor

Summers is conducting research on how state and federal standards impact K12 science education, providing crucial responses to the challenge of lower standardized science scores in the US.

PUBLIC POLICY

Jason Jensen, Korus Institute of Policy and Business Analytics Executive Director

David Flynn, Clow Fellow

The duo provides timely advisory reports to state and local policymakers on how the behaviors of North Dakota households and firms have changed in response to the pandemic, and the subsequent implications to the state’s economy and workforce.

INDIGENOUS STUDIES

Kathryn Rand, Floyd B. Sperry Professorship

Rand has co-authored three books on tribal gaming, shedding light on how federal, state and tribal law as well as political and policy considerations impact the success of a tribal income.

RURAL HEALTH

David Schmitz, Dr. Verill J. and Ruth Fischer Endowed Professorship in Family and Community Medicine

Andrew McLean, NRI / Lee Christoferson, Sr., M.D. Endowed Chair in Neuroscience

This team’s work has highlighted the acute shortage in the rural healthcare workforce, emphasizing how these shortages have negatively impacted our ability to properly address rising mental and behavioral health issues in North Dakota. \\\

‘IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY’

Hear from endowed chair Dr. Simona Barbu and the donors who made her position possible, Rick and Jody Burgum.

“To be bestowed an endowed position is a great honor ... None of this would be possible without the generous and steadfast support of our alumni, so thank you.”

BY MILO SMITH SENIOR DIRECTOR

THE PRIDE HITS

THEIR STRIDE

UND's marching band celebrates 25th anniversary.

Homecoming Week was a busy one for the 150 members of UND’s Pride of the North band. Not only did they march in the parade and at halftime of the football game, but they provided a musical punch to several other events throughout the week.

The list includes President Andrew Armacost’s Wake Up to UND breakfast, the first-ever downtown pep rally, the Nistler Hall ribbon cutting, UND Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet, two volleyball matches, tailgating, in the stands at the football game, and, to cap it all off, Saturday night’s exhibition hockey game.

Another Homecoming highlight: celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Pride of the North.

BRINGING BACK THE PRIDE

While bands have been a part of UND for most of its 130-year history, during the 1990s there was no longer a marching band on campus and what passed for a pep band was a handful of student musicians paid by a local radio station to play at hockey games.

That’s when Rob Brooks was hired with a charge to revive the pep band tradition.

“The idea was to bring back the athletic bands,” said Brooks, who still oversees the Pride. “I don’t think they realized at that time what could be done. We’d never had a full program that encompassed all the sports and everything that we do as the Pride today.”

In the fall of 1997, Brooks recruited 14 students to be part of his new program. Their first event was the Potato Bowl parade where they played from the back of a truck.

“When I look at the parades we do now and think back to those 14 kids that took a shot, it’s really, really great.”

By the end of that first year, the ranks of the Pride had grown to around 40 students.

Blaine Johnson, ’00, remembers well those early years as one of the founding members of the Pride of the North. He was back Homecoming weekend to march in the parade with the current crop of musicians.

Johnson says he doesn’t remember feeling that he was part of something special in bringing back the pep band, but he does remember the push for them to add marching to their repertoire.

“I remember Marilyn Hagerty writing in the Grand Forks Herald about how terrible it was that UND had a band that didn’t march,” said Johnson.

Johnson says there was some apprehension from the band at the time. “We were pretty comfortable with where we were at.” But now he says it’s “awesome” to see how far the band has come with its largest group ever in 2022.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

Johnson was one of 75 band alumni who came back to march with the Pride as part of the 25th anniversary Homecoming celebration.

Alaynee (Moen) Van Ornum, ’17, ’19, says she joined the band to be part of something bigger than herself. “I was a little scared

when I came to college that I wouldn’t be able to find something that I could get into. When I found the marching band, it was just really great because I just fell in and found my people.” Alaynee is pictured at right alongside her husband, Jake Van Ornum, ’14.

PART OF SOMETHING Ryan Bringgold, ’14, met his future wife in the band when he was a member in the early 2010s. “I was honestly kind of terrified coming to college. It was a big change for me moving away from home, so to be able to be a part of a bigger community, it meant a lot to me and it will mean a lot to everyone here today.”

Current members of the Pride say the feeling of community is still a strong part of the appeal. Wyatt Jones had dropped out of the Pride after his first semester as a freshman, but the lure was too strong and he found his way back to the band. Now he’s trombone

section leader and thrilled to experience the band’s resurgence following the COVID pandemic.

“To see all the people that are interested in music and to be part of the leadership has been so cool,” said Jones, a commercial aviation major. “We have a fire and passion for making music together. There’s something about that brother and sisterhood that’s just different. And I love it.”

Trevor Opsal says there is sense of pride in being part of the 25th anniversary edition of the band. “What I found here was just a love for the band, a love for music and a community that loves each other, too,” said Opsal, also a commercial aviation major. “We have such great leaders that have given us everything they have to keep this going. It’s really amazing.”

To attend a halftime-show band practice is to see all the effort that goes into those performances. The band gathers on a patch of grass west of campus

“This is a unique time in their life where they can focus on what they’re going to be doing the rest of their life, but still have a chance to be in something to support the university and be a part of something that’s unique and worthy of their time.”

ROB BROOKS

The Pride of the North marching band had 14 members when it was formed in 1997. Today, that number has grown to 150.

where the lines of a football field have been painted to help the marchers identify where they should be in relation to each other and the field. Three drum majors on ladders help the band keep time while frequent breaks are taken for Brooks and other band leaders to give instructions.

Practice begins a week before school starts in the fall with a band camp that includes three practices each day. That intense training gives way to a three-times-a-week practice schedule during the football season.

Brooks estimates the band will play at about 100 games and events

throughout the school year. That’s a heavy workload, but it’s one the students are proud to tackle.

“I think these students want to be a part of something great,” said Brooks. “I would say about 80% of the band right now is non-music majors. A large portion of them are from aviation and engineering, but we have majors from all over campus. This is a unique time in their life where they can focus on what they’re going to be doing the rest of their life, but still have a chance to be in something to support the university and be a part of something that’s unique and worthy of their time.”

AND THE BEAT GOES ON

Former marching band director happy to see Pride of the North Marching Band's success.

The director of the previous marching band at UND is thrilled by the ongoing success of the Pride of the North.

Mike Blake, ’74, ’76, was in charge of the UND marching band from 1980 to 1991, when its funding source evaporated. He was on the search committee that hired Rob Brooks to revive the pep band at UND and the two became close friends over the intervening years.

“It was really great that we got him,” said Blake of Brooks. “I’d go out to rehearsals and watch them practice. It was fun. I was really happy that he brought the marching band back because we certainly needed it.”

Mike taught percussion and jazz band and started the UND Steel Pan Band during his 42-year career at UND. He started as a yearly contract lecturer in 1979 and was hired as a tenure-track professor in 1995 … eight months after undergoing a heart transplant.

Mike was born with a congenital heart condition and had spent nearly two months in the hospital awaiting a transfer. His first chance at a donor heart at day 57 went instead to another man staying in the same ward. Doctors told him he had only a 10 percent chance of getting a transplant, but, five

days later, Mike received the heart of a young man who died in a motorcycle crash.

“The match was amazing and I’m still here after 28 years,” said Mike. He feels incredibly fortunate, especially in knowing that the other three men who were waiting with him on transplants all died within five years of receiving theirs.

Mike and his wife, Ginny, ’75, ’86, have stayed in touch with his donor’s parents. He attended the mother’s 75th birthday party and they were both there when Mike retired from UND in 2019.

Music has remained a focus in retirement. Mike plays drums with two longtime local groups – Jazz on Tap and Downtown Horns, and he teaches percussion lessons at a local music store.

In honor of Mike and his wife, Ginny’s, years of service to the community, the College of Arts & Sciences and the UND Alumni Association & Foundation created an endowment in their name. Mike and Ginny are excited to leave their legacy at UND by impacting the music department, percussion students and professors for years to come. You can support the Mike and Ginny Blake Music Endowment at UNDalumni.org/blake.

PRIDE IN THE PRIDE

The pride in their university is evident in the traditions that have taken hold over the years. The band ends every game with the playing of the Alma Mater and also ends each practice and meeting in a particular way.

As they gather together to go over any final instructions for the rest of the week or an upcoming show, Rob will ask if there are any final questions. Seeing none, he’ll call on a student who will ask “Fight Song and we’re done?” Rob will reply “Fight Song and we’re done.”

Then they will play the UND fight song, “Stand Up and Cheer” or sing it if they don’t have their instruments.

“People always ask me, ‘What’s your favorite part of the Pride?’” said Brooks. “And it’s always the same answer. It’s the students. Because seeing them care about something so much, it’s infectious.”

I'M WITH THE BAND

What does it take to prepare for the Homecoming halftime show? Scan with your phone's camera to go behind the scenes with the Pride of the North.

youtube.com/UNDalumni

WYATT JONES

commercial aviation Cambridge, Minn.

BELICIA MONCRIEFE commercial aviation Woodbridge, Va.

“We have a fire and passion for making music together. There’s something about that brother and sisterhood that’s just different. And I love it.”

CHRIS HARRISON music education Glenburn, N.D.

BLAKE ANDERSON music education

Grand Forks, N.D.

MORGAN RONNIE biology: pre-health Velva, N.D.

RAISE A GRATEFUL SONG

HOMECOMING WEEK 2022

Campus, community, and alumni come together for annual celebration of UND.

On Wednesday, the festivities veered into downtown Grand Forks, with the annual Hawks Hours at Bonzer’s Sandwich Pub and the first-ever Pep Rally in Town Square. Thursday night’s banquet honored recipients of the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership and the Young Alumni Achievement Award. And there’s more!

Turn the page to see more from the grand opening of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration’s new building, UND Athletics Hall of Fame, and of course the annual parade, tailgating, and football game.

HOMECOMING WEEK PRESENTED BY

MATT BONZER

Owner/Operator, Bonzer’s Sandwich Pub

For the past few years, Homecoming weekend has kicked off with a “Hawks Hour” at Bonzer’s Sandwich Pub. UND alumni remember and love Bonzer’s for its unpretentious vibe, frosty schooners of beer and Long Island teas, pickled eggs, and polish sausage sandwiches.

“It is a great event, and we love being part of it,” said owner and UND alum Matt Bonzer, ’07, ’11.

“It’s humbling to see how many alumni come back to town and choose to spend a chunk of their short time in Grand Forks with us at Bonzer’s.

Matt’s parents, Jon, ’82, and Cindy, ’79, opened the bar in 1983. Their concept is based on one of Jon’s favorite joints in his home town of Long Beach, Calif. called Joe Jost’s.

Matt says that UND has been interwoven into various aspects of his life for years, going back to his days of volunteering at the NCC swimming and diving conference championships at the Hyslop Sports Center. “I got to know many of the coaches and student-athletes, and a handful of them had big impacts on my life,” Matt said.

DERRICK DEERING

Project manager, PCL/Community, A Joint Venture

Derrick Deering, ’13, ’15 continues to serve as PCL/ Community’s project manager for the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration’s construction project. Prior to this project, the UND civil engineering grad worked on the new School of Medicine & Health Sciences, and has begun work on the renovation project to modernize Merrifield Hall.

“It’s fun being part of the university and seeing it grow and develop. It’s really rewarding being part of building the future at UND,” he said.

At the grand opening celebration, much credit was giving to the speed of the two-year major construction project that kicked off during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Seeing what people’s concepts and ideas were two, three years ago coming to fruition is amazing,” Derrick said. “As people walk in the front door, their heads look up and around in amazement at seeing the space. The general comment has been that it’s more amazing than they had even imagined, which is awesome to hear.”

600

people attended the Grand Opening of the Nister College of Business & Public Administration

A GRAND, GRAND OPENING

Hundreds gather to celebrate completion of Nistler Hall.

On Friday, Sept. 30, more than 600 people were on hand to welcome the new building located at the heart of campus. Werner and Colleen Nistler, whose generous gift of $20 million kick-started fundraising for Nistler Hall, were honored guests. Funds from the state matched their gift, and more than 250 donors contributed to the $70 million project. There are 62 named spaces in the building, most of which held their own private ribbon-cuttings during Homecoming Week.

JORDYN HAIDER

Owner, Alpha Lit Fargo/Grand Forks

For the past two years, Jordyn (Nostdahl) Haider, ’08 has brought her business, Alpha Lit, to campus during Homecoming week to give the scenery a little extra flair.

Alpha Lit is a marquee letter rental company that offers 3-foot letters and 4-foot numbers to light up any event. This year, Jordyn set up outside the Memorial Union, spelling out UND Proud. She was barely set up when students started stopping by to grab selfies with the lights.

“I think it’s fun for students on campus and alumni to come back and see the message of UND Proud and take advantage of a photo opportunity,” Jordyn said.

While the Memorial Union setup was most visible to those on that side of campus, Jordyn set up at six different events around town during Homecoming week, from a Thomas Rhett concert at the Alerus Center to a reunion event at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

“I love being back. I love driving through campus. I love walking through campus. I love to bring my family here. My kids love coming to the parade and football game every year,” she said. “UND shaped my future. I credit the clubs and experiences I had during my time as a student for helping me find a love for marketing and bringing me

BY PATRICK MILLER STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS EDITOR UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

THE LOSS OF A LEGEND, THE LOSS OF A FRIEND

Earl Strinden leaves legacy of service to state, UND.

The date was Oct. 29, 1996. The popular C-SPAN TV program “Washington Journal” was covering the topic of term limits for stateelected legislators. Earl Strinden, the former House majority leader of the North Dakota Legislature, was a call-in guest to the show.

On the program making the case for term limit initiatives launched in states across the nation was Paul Jacob, executive director of an organization called U.S. Term Limits. He used California as an example of the need for term limits.

Then Strinden got his opportunity to speak — and the North Dakotan left little doubt about his position on the issue.

“This is the problem when they try to standardize this across the United State of America — states are different,” he intoned. “We have 640,000 people in North Dakota. That isn’t even a suburb of Los Angeles.

“Their (California’s) legislators are full-time, full-paid (with) retirement programs, offices, perks,” Strinden continued.

“We have none of that in North Dakota. And so for them to come in and say, ‘North Dakota, this is what’s good for you,’ is wrong. They don’t know.”

Measure 5, as it was listed on the 1996 North Dakota ballot, lost 53% to 47%.

“We had a great time, and the most important thing is that we, I think, fulfilled our missions. It was to build a greater and better University of North Dakota. It was to make others feel important.”

EARL STRINDEN

EARL STRINDEN

1931-2022

“Earl Strinden epitomized both UND and the State of North Dakota.” UND President Andrew Armacost

“Earl impressed me because his speaking style reminded me of what I thought a great orator of the 1800s would sound like.”

Peter Johnson, director of governmental relations and public affairs for UNDAAF

“Earl Strinden’s love for North Dakota and UND was legendary, shining through in his dedicated service and exceptional leadership in the Legislature, the UND Alumni Association and the UND Foundation.”

N.D. Gov. Doug Burgum

“His vision changed the trajectory of our organization and the University.” DeAnna Carlson Zink, UNDAAF CEO

“From his role as House Majority Leader to his pivotal contributions to UND, Earl’s contributions to the growth and prosperity of Grand Forks and North Dakota will be felt for years to come.”

U.S. John Hoeven (R-N.D.)

“He earned the respect of his colleagues with his wry humor, skill at consensus building, and sincere interest in their lives.”

U.S Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)

UND Alumni Association for 31 years and the founder and CEO of the UND Foundation — which merged in 2014 to become the UND Alumni Association & Foundation (UNDAAF).

state’s history.”

Gov. Doug Burgum said, “Earl Strinden’s love for North Dakota and UND was legendary, shining through in his dedicated service and exceptional leadership in the

making the association one of the most successful fundraising organizations in North Dakota.

“He worked diligently for years to convince our board of directors and others in the

value of starting the foundation alongside the alumni association,” she said. “His vision changed the trajectory of our organization and the University when the foundation was formed in 1978 to act as the fundraising arm of UND.”

In addition, Carlson Zink said Strinden’s passion and dedication made it possible for UNDAAF to accomplish its mission of supporting UND students, faculty, alumni and the greater Grand Forks community.

“Earl had such a strong belief in the power of a college degree and what it could do to propel students to live the American dream,” she said.

“He believed strongly that philanthropy could change lives and help grow the University. Every day he worked to build the University of North Dakota into an institution the entire state could be proud of.”

U.S. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said Strinden left a legacy of service after dedicating decades of his life to bettering his community, state and nation.

“From his role as house Majority leader to his pivotal contributions to UND, Earl’s contributions to the growth and prosperity of Grand Forks and North Dakota will be felt for years to come,” Hoeven said.

U.S Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) called Strinden a North Dakota political legend and a born leader who sought pragmatic solutions.

“He earned the respect of his colleagues with his wry humor, skill at consensus building, and sincere interest in their lives,” Cramer said.

“He influenced the political and public service careers of many people, myself included, and set a very high bar for future generations to follow.”

THE PERSONAL SIDE

Jody Hodgson, general manager of UND’s Ralph Engelstad Arena, enjoyed a close working relationship with Strinden, whom he said played an instrumental role in helping the late Ralph Engelstad fulfill his vision of building the nation’s premier college hockey facility.

While most concentrate on the professional achievements and public service aspects of Strinden’s career, Hodgson said there was another side of him most didn’t know.

“It is Earl’s love of family that I think about most now that he is gone,” he said. “Earl was so proud of his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He once told me that he felt his greatest accomplishment in life had been

the success enjoyed by his children and their families. He was so very proud of all that his children and their families had accomplished.”

Strinden was married to his wife Jan for 68 years. She passed away on May 1 this year. \\\

1969 joins UND Alumni Association 1974 becomes CEO of UND Alumni Association

1975 becomes Majority Leader for N.D. House of Representatives

1978 forms UND Foundation

1988 recognized by Ronald Reagan as “one of the strongest and most respected legislative leaders in the state’s history.” 1992 honored with Henry Havig Award for Community Service by the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce

2000 retires from UNDAAF 2003 receives Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership from UNDAAF

2017 Strinden Road dedicated outside Gorecki Alumni Center

A Force for Good

Tip Enebak wanted to be a football coach. Instead, he took over the family business and built a highly successful operation — one that counts charity as one of its guiding principles.

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

PHOTOS BY MIKE HESS UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHER

On a rainy day in May, supporters of veteran services in the Twin Cities celebrated a major achievement. The veteransfocused Every Third Saturday organization held a grand opening for a new 10,000-squarefoot building that represents a leap forward in its ability to help struggling vets.

Tom McKenna had started the charitable organization a decade earlier when he began handing out underwear and socks to homeless vets. As the mission grew, he and his wife, Jessi, eventually moved into a small storefront. When that building was sold, Every Third Saturday bought an abandoned gas station across the street, but it soon became clear that the building was too far gone to costeffectively renovate.

That’s when Tom received a call that would change everything for the better. It was 2019 and the Minneapolis StarTribune newspaper had just done a feature story on Every Third Saturday. The next day, construction company executive Robert “Tip” Enebak, ’63, left a voicemail. Tom says he didn’t recognize the name, but he’s “certainly thankful I made that call back.”

Tip invited Tom and others from Every Third Saturday to a meeting at Tradition, the family of companies that had grown from a land development business Tip had taken over from his father shortly after graduating from the University of North Dakota.

Tip suggested that Every Third Saturday knock down the gas station and offered his company’s resources to help build new on the site. Tom says it was “surreal,” but he soon learned Tip was a man of his word. Tip not only got

his company involved, but convinced some of his competitors to also chip in … leading to May’s grand opening.

“Our family has been extremely lucky in business; we’ve done well,” Tip said. “You look around at the needs in the community and people that are struggling and it’s only right to give back.

“And it’s hard. A lot of people drag their feet because they don’t know about the efficiency of the organization; they don’t know where the money goes. But when we do this, we get in the middle of it. What’s their vision? What can we do to make it work? How can we help? And how can we leave that organization in a lot better shape than they were when we first engaged? Once we get you up on your feet, then we’re going to move on and do something else for other folks.”

Says Tom, “There are still times where something in the building catches my eye or just walking up to the building and think, ‘My gosh, he [Tip] doesn’t realize how many lives he’s impacted through his generosity.’ I think he has a general idea, but I don’t think he understands how many souls he’s affected.”

Tom Mckenna Veterans Advocate, Every Third Saturday

“My gosh, he doesn’t realize how many lives he’s impacted through his generosity.”

UND President Andy Armacost stands with his wife, Kathy, at the new mural next to Grand Forks’ Town Square. The mural, which incorporates some UND themes, was commissioned by the Downtown Development Association and UND and was completed in time for the UND Homecoming Pep Rally in Town Square.

Reckless Abandon

Tip Enebak played football at UND. Though he battled polio as a child and came to Grand Forks undersized at 5’ 10” and 185 pounds, Tip worked hard in the weight room and played offensive guard and middle linebacker. He was a co-captain as a senior.

He loved being part of the team, so 25 years ago, he and some teammates started a golf scramble in the Twin Cities for UND football alumni. UND Athletics recently took over planning to keep the annual tradition going into the future. “It’s just amazing when you have teammates that you’ve gone through ups and downs with, even if you haven’t seen them in 15 years, when you get together it’s like you never were apart. That camaraderie is still there.”

It was in the film review room that Tip would find the inspiration for his personal and, later, his

company’s motto. He recalls that Coach Marv Helling showed a play where a defensive player bounced off several linemen before getting a sack. “He stopped the film,” said Enebak. “He says, ‘Look, that’s what we’re looking for: playing with reckless abandon.’ And ‘courage, commitment, focus, and effort pursued with reckless abandon’ became my motto and the business’s too. We try to instill that in our companies in a good way.”

After college, Tip spent one year as the freshman football coach at UND before taking a job as a football coach and teacher in Great Falls, Montana. That turned out to be a short-lived assignment as he was called home to take over the struggling family construction company.

UND President Andy Armacost stands with his wife, Kathy, at the new mural next to Grand Forks’ Town Square. The mural, which incorporates some UND themes, was commissioned by the Downtown Development Association and UND and was completed in time for the UND Homecoming Pep Rally in Town Square.

“I know where to go in our company to find answers, but it’s the people who are doing the work. I guess I’m the head coach.”

Tip Enebak

Creating a Tradition

Enebak Construction Company (ECC) had been started by Tip’s grandfather, Sigurd, in 1905. Though it had its ups and downs over the years, it began to thrive under Tip’s leadership. In 1974, the company moved dirt to create the 485-acre Minnesota Zoo. In the 1980s, ECC excavated the site for the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. ECC has also built a number of golf courses, including working with golf legend Arnold Palmer on King’s Walk Golf Course in Grand Forks (on the wall of his office are photos of him arm-wrestling Arnold and with another golf legend, Jack Nicklaus, in a headlock. “We call it ‘change order negotiations,’” says Tip).

In 1999, a development and mortgage company were brought in under the “Tradition” name. Tradition is now the umbrella for two land development companies, five financial services companies, and five homebuilding companies — all based in Minnesota.

Though he has turned over ownership to his children — now the fourth generation to run the company — Tip, at 81 years of age, still goes into the office every day. “I just try to help them with my experience. I still run some of the ECC jobs. Mostly, I try to stay out of everybody’s way, but still be helpful.”

Force for Good

Tip also remains heavily involved in the charities he supports. He is a member of the board of directors of Tradition’s The Big T Foundation. The Foundation has funded affordable housing projects, a center that offers bereavement support to grieving children, veteran support agencies, and others.

This fall, The Big T Foundation brought together a half-dozen charities to see if there could be some benefit to working together on projects. Tip is encouraged by the dialogue and cooperative spirit that carried forward from that meeting.

“We want to see if we can make two plus two equal six,” Tip says of the effort to create synergy among the charitable groups.

Another focus of Tip’s charitable spirit is his beloved UND Football program. He has given generously to the team and has encouraged others to join him. His most recent endeavor is the Teammates Forever endowment. Tip has agreed to match $100,000 in donations to the endowment fund with a $500 donation allowing a former player to nominate a fellow player’s name to be part of the endowment.

At a foundational level, the Tradition companies and their employees follow Tip’s charitable example. They lend their expertise to charitable projects while Tradition Capital Bank donates 10% of its earnings to charity. Tip says they strive to be a force for good in all that they do.

“I know where to go in our company to find answers, but it’s the people who are doing the work. I guess I’m the head coach.”

Through all of his success, Tip still looks to his foundations. “Family is everything; without the support of my wife Diane and support of my children and now also my grandchildren, this would not be possible.”

KRIS ENGELSTAD DAUGHTER OF RALPH ENGELSTAD

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Thousands of UND alumni and friends swoop into Sin City for U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game.

Friday, Oct. 28 was a sight to see, when thousands of UND fans turned Fremont Street green. The legendary Las Vegas destination was inundated during a special fan experience ahead of the 2022 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game.

On Saturday, UND fans began to gather in the afternoon, as they took in the UND football program’s home win on the big screen in T-Mobile plaza ahead of a pregame party featuring the Pride of the North band and UND cheer squad, as well as the Las Vegas Golden Knights drum line.

Produced by the Ralph Engelstad Arena, Saturday night’s game featured the return of fan-favorite Mark Lindquist belting out “God Bless America” and REA regular Lacey Schuler singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

The social media hashtag was #AlwaysAHomeGame, and for UND fans, it certainly felt like just that.

UND fell 3-2 to Arizona State.

“I’m delighted to have everybody here in our city and I hope our city treats you well. Let’s just have a good time!”

LAS

ATHLETICS

STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Amanda Higginbotham UND Dance

Hometown: Southlake, Texas

Areas of study: Honors, Aeronautical Science (Commercial Aviation) and International Studies (emphasis in International Politics). Language certificates in French and Chinese.

Why UND? It was one of only two universities to offer my unique degree combination. When I toured campus, I noticed the stateof-the-art aircraft, in-tune practice pianos, charming architecture, relationship with professional companies, amount of opportunities, and feel of being “home.” UND offered an outlet for me to continue my passions, including dance, which was invaluable.

Favorite spots in Grand Forks: I love studying in Robin Hall, but the Memorial Union has Panda Express! Also, the Alerus Center on game day. The smiles from fans, the smells from tailgate, the emotions from winning … nothing quite like it!

Her dream for the future: One day, I would like to wake up, put on a uniform with four stripes on the shoulder, and head to the airport … or to the office. My goal is to be a commercial pilot before transitioning into management position (ideally VP of Flight Operations). I’m already blessed to be a pilot in Delta Propel, a selective aviation pathway program leading to Delta Airlines.

Amanda’s activities: Outside of being a Captain of the UND Dance Team, you can catch her leading as President of the Honors Program Student Organization, competing as VP of the Chess Club, performing as a pianist in Musical Melodies, serving as an officer on the Student Aerospace Advisory Council, and working as a STEM Ambassador for NASA through the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium. \\\

“I am grateful to take advantage of most opportunities offered to me, as it builds community, character, courage, and compassion.”

UND

A GAME-CHANGING FACILITY

FOR UND ATHLETICS

Dignitaries and supporters of UND celebrated the start of construction on Memorial Village with a groundbreaking ceremony in August.

The building, at the site of the former Memorial Stadium grandstand, is a public/private partnership between UND and a private development company, Memorial Village LLC.

“Today’s Memorial Village groundbreaking marks the exciting start of an absolute transformation for UND Athletics facilities – the first step in a series of monumental changes to come,” said UND President Andrew Armacost.

The proposed Memorial Village, with its planned Athletics Department and coaches’ offices, academic success center for student-athletes and community-gathering spaces – all on the ground floor – and several floors of market-rate apartments above, is like nothing else across the regional collegiate landscape. It’ll be connected by the Hawk Walk, along the historic Memorial Stadium north wall, to the Pollard Athletic Center.

EXCITING DAY

Developer Steve Burian pointed out that the partnership goes beyond the University and the development group. The city of Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, and the Grand Forks School Board all provided tax relief packages.

“I don’t know if you all know this, but Grand Forks is a special community across the state and region with a very unique and genuine collaborative spirit,” said Burian to the approximately 200 people who attended the groundbreaking.

Memorial Stadium was razed last year due to structural concerns. The stadium hosted UND football games from 1927 to 1999, as well as track and field meets and other events like the Prairie Rose Games and Special Olympics.

The Memorial Village will occupy the west side of the stadium and will be connected to the Frederick “Fritz” D. Pollard Jr. Athletic Center by an enclosed glass walkway, which will incorporate the stadium’s iconic brick wall that arcs around the north side of the grounds.

LOOKING AHEAD

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation continues to fundraise for an addition to the Pollard Athletic Center. That project will include locker rooms, weight room facilities and an area for the UND Sports Medicine Department.

“We are very close to completing the fundraising for Phase 2,” said DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could have another groundbreaking celebration in the spring and can open the Pollard Athletic Center addition at the same time the Memorial Village opens in 2024?”

“This project in coordination with the existing Pollard Center and, ultimately, the addition, will give our coaches state-of-the-art facilities to recruit and retain the top student-athletes for years to come,” said Bill Chaves, UND Athletics Director. The plan is to have the apartments ready for rent in the spring of 2024 with UND Athletics administrators moving into their office space in July of that year. \\\

CLASS NOTES

1967

Eugene Byron, ’67, ’69, was selected as parade marshal for the 123rd Annual 2nd of August Icelandic celebration parade in Mountain, N.D.

Richard Ulvin, ’67, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

1968

Ronald Bergh, ’68, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

1970

Daniel Prince, ’70, has retired after a 45-year career in the healthcare industry. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., where he’s writing his second screenplay.

1973

Scott Blanc, ’73, invented a cabling system that earned his employer its first patent. He is a principal engineer at Nortech Systems in Bemidji, Minn.

1974

Laural (Gidmark) Fisher, ’74, is a job coach for young adults with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and Fragile X syndrome at STARS Family Services in Wheaton, Ill. Prior to that, she worked 40 years in inpatient and community psychiatric nursing and adjunct teaching.

Audrey (Grandstrand) Kasprowicz, ’74, ’03, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

L. John MacMartin, ’74, retired after 32 years of service as president of

the Minot (N.D.) Area Chamber of Commerce.

1977

Terry Traynor, ’77, retired after many years of service as executive director of the North Dakota Association of Counties.

1978

Kevin Dunlevy, ’78, ’84, has established Dunlevy Law, P.A., in Minneapolis.

Nancy (Martin) Koehn, ’78, retired after 43 years at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo. Koehn worked 34 of those years as a charge nurse in the pediatric unit.

Paul Korus, ’78, ’80, was nominated to serve on the Chord Energy Corp. board of directors.

1979

Phillip McKenzie, ’79, was inducted into the Crookston (Minn.) High School Hall of Fame. He currently manages ground operations for the Denver Air Connection in Thief River Falls, Minn., and teaches oboe at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University.

Ron Shane, ’79, has retired after 29 years with Central High School in El Centro, Calif., where he taught career and technical education and coached football and track.

1980

Connie Sherwood, ’80, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

Thomas Shorma, ’80, president of WCCO Belting in Wahpeton, N.D., was

awarded the 2021 Global Ambassador award for his support of North Dakota’s international trade initiatives.

1981

Jane (Wagner) Freeman, ’81, ’84, is the new executive director for the Crookston (Minn.) Care & Share Center.

1982

Jerome Gunderson, ’82, ’06, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

David Oberstar, ’82, was selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America publication in the practice area of timber law. He is an attorney at Fryberger Law Firm in Duluth, Minn.

1983

Terry Dunphy, ’83, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

James Reinkoester, ’83, retired from American Airlines after flying their last 767 from Miami, Fla., to Santa Fe, Argentina.

Tim Seaworth, ’83, ’84, ’91, retired in June after completing a 35-year career as a student development professional that included 22 years as Vice President for Student Development at the University of Mary in Bismarck and 13 years at the UND Counseling Center. Tim and his wife, Marlene, ’80, live in Bismarck.

1984

Jeffrey Willert, ’84, retired after 30 years of service with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, finishing his career with the Los Angeles Field Office. Prior to his career with IRS CI, he worked as a staff accountant for Coopers & Lybrand in Anchorage, Alaska.

1985

Chris Hoversten, ’85, was

FIND THE FLAME

inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Todd Selk, ’85, is superintendent for the Fosston (Minn.) School District.

1986

Tim Loven, ’86, and Dawn Zimney, ’86, were inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

1987

Jane (Emerson) Holland, ’87, was hired as a senior proofreader by Flint Group in Fargo.

Steve Johnson, ’87, ’92, joined Essentia Health Fargo Family Clinic.

Therese (Stocker) Johnson, ’87, ’91, joined Essentia Family Health Fargo Clinic.

Timothy Schutz, ’87, was the first judge in 50 years from El Paso County to be sworn into the Colorado Court of Appeals.

1988

Denise (Hanson) Kolpack, ’88, was elected to serve on the Fargo City Commission.

1989

Elka (Davis) Herr, ’89, has been promoted to the senior universal banker at the Bismarck main and south branches of Starion Bank.

1990

Boyd C. Johnson, ’90, ’95, was appointed Chief Legal Officer by Spire Global Inc., a space-to-cloud data and analytics company headquartered in Vienna, Va.

Mike LaMoine, ’90, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Paul Noot, ’90, and his son, Dakota Noot, ’15, had their art exhibition, “Father and Son: The Beast Within Us,” presented by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association. The exhibit

CAMPUS HISTORY

THE MINUTEMAN EDUCATION PROGRAM

BY W. FREDERICK BARTZ, JR., ’71

Visiting Grand Forks last spring made me realize that it had been 50 years since Dec. 19, 1971, when I participated in the commencement exercises at the University Fieldhouse on the University of North Dakota campus. That day, I graduated with a Master of Science in Industrial Management, thanks to the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Minuteman School at UND.

I came to Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) after graduating Officer Training School and being appointed a missile launch control officer in the Strategic Air Command. I was glad to report to the 447th Missile Squadron of the 321st Strategic Missile Wing in September 1968. This was my chance to serve my country, as well as advance my education at the University of North Dakota.

The Minuteman Education Program (MEP ) was established for launch control officers like me because our missile alerts were scheduled around program classes, and we could study while on duty at the launch control centers. One of the program’s requirements was to complete an independent study. My subject was the Bank of North Dakota, and my faculty advisor was Dr. Richard Larsen, then Lieutenant Governor of the State of North Dakota.

Prior to receiving my draft notice, I had worked in the procurement function at Diamond Shamrock Corp., after graduating from Drexel Institute of Technology. The MEP courses helped me understand my employer’s manufacturing processes as well as our supply chain.

I met my wife, Sandy, in 1969, when I was home in Pennsylvania on leave. We married the following year and lived on GFAFB . She taught at Grand Forks Red River High School.

Diamond Shamrock kept a job open for me, so after graduation and a mandatory extension of my active-duty service, we headed to the new job assignment in Deer Park, Texas, on June 1, 1972 . My experience set me up for a successful career in procurement and internal audit, starting in the private sector and finishing in the public sector doing performance audits for the Ohio Auditor of State.

UNLOCKING THE HISTORY

So how was the Minuteman Education Program developed at GFAFB? Over the course of several days, the professional staff at the Chester Fritz Library’s Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections helped me identify several pertinent documents that answered my question.

The 321st Strategic Missile Wing was activated in November 1964 and became operational in December 1966. During this time, Strategic Air Command wanted to offer their missile launch control officers an opportunity to gain educational training. When plans for a graduate degree in Aerospace Management and an MBA program fell through, UND proposed a program like one they established at Minot AFB in 1962. This program, known as the AFIT/Minuteman School, was organizationally under UND’s accredited Graduate School and offered a master’s degree in Industrial Management. The Air Force Institute of Technology accepted UND’s proposal in late 1965 and the GFAFB/AFIT Minuteman School became a reality with the signing of a contract in January 1966.

Initially, classes and space for faculty and staff were housed in base trailer facilities. Eventually, they were moved to the GFAFB Education Center that was constructed in a building also used by the 319th Bomb Wing.

Wing Commander Col. Gerald Fall, in an August 1967 memo to 321st Missile Wing Officers, expressed his personal support for the MEP. He noted this was an opportunity to expand one’s understanding of management disciplines that contribute uniquely to career progression.

According to UND’s School of Graduate Studies, 119 Master of Science degrees were awarded though the MEP from 1969 to 1977. In addition, UND’s College of Business & Public Administration achieved accreditation in the early 1970s and began an MEP Master of Business Administration degree, with 341 graduates between 1973 and 1985.

Even though the program ended in 1985, it began a long and beautiful relationship between UND and GFAFB that continues today through education, innovation, and research. I am glad I took advantage of this opportunity when I was on active duty and have never once regretted it. \\\

FUNDRAISING BEGINS ON NEW FLIGHT OPERATIONS CENTER

Proposed building will replace current structure with a modern, updated space.

Fundraising is underway for a proposed new flight operations building for the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at Grand Forks International Airport.

It will replace the existing concrete operations building, as well as an adjacent hangar that has served for flight operations for decades. The proposed building will function as a centerpiece for aerospace students and flight instructors at GFK, bringing much-needed updates to facilitate learning and create a more comfortable and welcoming environment that can help recruit students, faculty, and staff.

For some 30 years, the current building has been the center of a program that has adapted, grown and changed. UND Aerospace attracts students from around the world, and just last year, students and flight instructors logged more than 126,000 flight hours, ranking GFK as the busiest airport in the nation on 11 separate occasions, in terms of flight operations.

But while technology, aircraft and the number of students have changed and grown, the flight operations building has remained the same. Mike Pieper, associate vice president of facilities, said the building has been remodeled over the years to accommodate increased use by students and

instructors, but no remodeling work can make the building larger; and in addition to aging, the building has issues with settling on the marginal soil on which it was built.

“They’re in desperate need, there’s no doubt about that,” Pieper said.

Robert Kraus, dean of Aerospace, said the project will expand on John D. Odegard’s vision of the future of aviation. That vision, found in the book “Flight of the Odegard” by Patrick McGuire, is about how to “train and fill the aviation world with sophisticated professionals.”

“Over the past 25 years, we have expanded upon John’s dream by developing an aviation program known around the world as the best in training, rigor and professionalism,” said Kraus. “This building will equip UND Aerospace with the space needed to create a high-tech connected ecosystem throughout our flight operations facilities and management. Our alumni will be fully prepared to step into their careers as world-class professional aviators and aerospace leaders.”

FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED FLIGHT OPERATIONS CENTER

• Multi-purpose hangar will celebrate the history of UND Aviation, allow for future expansion, enhance partnerships, and create a greater connection to campus.

• 3-story building will have a sleek simulated-wood and metal design, and students and instructors will have a generous 2-story view of the recently rebuilt north Bravo flight ramp.

• Will highlight efficient workflow, technology and natural light, featuring distinct areas for dispatch, records, instructor work areas and a flight store.

• Briefing/debriefing huddle rooms, soft seating areas and an executive board room.

recently was at the Taube Museum of Art, Minot, and is touring the state for the next two years.

1991

Tim Bishop, ’91, accepted the position of surveillance director of operations at the Four Winds Casino & Resorts in New Buffalo and Hartford, Mich.

1992

Sarah (Manns) Mudder, ’92, was selected as 2022 Communicator of Achievement by North Dakota Professional Communicators.

1993

Craig Larson, ’93, Chad Williamson, ’93, and Kory Zimney, ’93, ’94, were inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

1994

Paul Loraas, ’94, is being included in the Corporate INTL 2022 Annual Who’s Who Handbook as its mining law representative.

1995

Tom Erhardt, ’95, was named director of North Dakota Parole and Probation. Erhardt served for over 25 years in North Dakota’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prior to his new role.

Brian Overby, ’95, has joined Bell Bank as managing director for the wealth management division.

1996

Darin Johnson, ’96, was appointed director of buildings and grounds for the Grand Forks School District.

Sarah (Seitz) Robinson, ’96, ’98, ’10, was awarded the 2022 Frontier Award for Excellence in Continuous Learning.

1997

Susan Johnson Drenth, ’97, was named on JD Legal Planning’s 2022 list of Great Plains Super Lawyers.

Michelle Radke, ’97, joined Essentia Health Fargo as a family medicine physician.

1998

Tanya (Schroeder) Houle, ’98, is the La Conner, Wash., middle and high school assistant principal and career and technology education director.

Trisha (Nelson) Stefanski, ’98, was promoted to project director of the asset management office for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s combined Modal Planning and Program Management and Sustainability and Public Health Division.

1999

Gwen Lappegaard, ’99, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

Brad J. Lies, ’99, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Wade T. Swenson, II, ’99, joined Lakewood Medical staff as an oncologist.

2001

John R. Wetsch, ’01, teaches master classes in Cloud Computing at CalTech’s Center for Technology and Management Education.

2002

Brian Shawn, ’02, is the new play-by-play announcer for UND Football on Midco Sports television broadcasts.

Jeremy Trostad, ’02, is the director of operations at Summers Manufacturing in Devils Lake, N.D.

2003

Jason Butts, ’03, was recently hired as city attorney for Breckenridge, Minn.

Ivona Todorovic, ’03, ’05, was awarded North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year for 2022.

2004

Laura (Heckaman) Dokken, ’04, is the new Minot (N.D.) Public School business manager.

2005

Col. Lee M. Nenortas, ’05, commands the 22nd Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

2006

Ron Bardwell,’06, joined the anesthesiology team at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Grant Coauette, ’06, ’16, joined the family medicine team at the Sanford Bemidji (Minn.) Main Clinic.

Josh Deere, ’06, was selected as Altru Health System’s new president. Deere has served as chair of family medicine for four years, medical director of primary care for seven years and as interim chief medical officer.

Kendra (Siefken) Kamlitz,’06, ’10, is the medical director for Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont and St. James, Minn.

Jeremy Olson, ’06, is the new superintendent for the Bemidji (Minn.) Area Schools.

2008

Christine Hanson,’08, ’15, joins the family medicine team at the Sanford Bemidji (Minn.) walk-in clinic.

Beverly Larson, ’08, is the regional lead navigator at SunLife Health in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Holly (Silewski) Osborn, ’08, completed advanced certification in pediatric OT through the American Occupational Therapy Association. This certification is recognized among less than 1% of

cheersholiday

ALUMNI HONORS

Aerospace, Engineering celebrate alumni achievements

On Sept. 30, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences added Capt. Lyle Parker,’ 70, and Capt. Eric Poole, ’90, to the UND Aerospace Hall of Fame. Both had illustrious military careers, followed by success in corporate aviation, and both continue to make an impact at UND.

That same day, the College of Engineering & Mines inducted electrical engineer Scott Boe, ’87, chemical engineer Kristine H. Brindle, ’78, and geologist, the late Leslie Honeyman, ’69, ’73, into its Alumni Academy.

ALUMNI AUTHORS

Connie (George) L. Nelson, ’74, published “Cavalier: The Story of an Unsolved Murder in a Small Town,” a true crime memoir about the loss of her friend, Dr. Jack Wahl, ’66. “Cavalier” offers an impactful combination of personal reflection and true crime research.

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

December 12 at 4:30p at the Gorecki Alumni Center.

with DeAnna & Andy

practitioners nationwide.

2009

Tessa (Privratsky) Lagelin, ’09, was awarded the New Dentist Award by the North Dakota Dental Association.

2010

Chris Mackay, ’10, joined the Biosports physical therapy team in Wenatchee, Wash.

2011

Karey (Brewster) O’Hara, ’11, joins the Arizona State University faculty as an associate professor of psychology.

Erica (Wondrasek) Thunder, ’11, ’14, is the new Director of Diversity and Cultural Competency at the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

2012

Ryan Harty, ’12, has joined Dacotah Bank in Jamestown, N.D. as a business banker. He resides in Jamestown with his wife, Brandi, and three children.

Ashley (Streightiff) Sailer, ’12, was awarded the North Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education teacher of the year award. Sailer is in her eighth year at Midway Public School, where she teaches family and consumer sciences and sixth grade English.

Evan Trupp, ’12, is the new head coach for the Anchorage Wolverines.

2013

Matt Harder, ’13, was named the strength and conditioning coach for the Minnesota Wild.

Carter Rowney, ’13, has signed with Lowen Frankfurt of the German DEL hockey league.

Casey Sanders Berglund, ’13, was hired as the

Economic Development Manager for the City of West Fargo.

Kody Stark, ’13, has been promoted to vice president of insurance at AgCountry Farm Credit Services. He resides in Grafton, N.D.

2014

Tyrone Berentson, ’14, ’18, has accepted a position with St. Andrew’s Clinic in Bottineau, N.D.

Kristin Garaas Johnson, ’14, is the new director of curriculum & special education at Randolph Academy in Randolph, N.Y.

Ryan Smestad, ’14, has accepted the Packaging & Warehouse Supervisor position at American Crystal Sugar Company’s East Grand Forks factory.

2015

Thomas Erikson, ’15, joins the family medicine team at CentraCare at their Willmar (Minn.) Main Clinic.

Josh Teigen, ’15, was appointed Commerce Commissioner by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Dylan Togerson, ’15, ’19, joins Sanford Health in Wahpeton (N.D.) as a family medicine practitioner.

2016

Scot Mickelson, ’16, has joined Sanford Health in Bismarck as a family medicine practitioner.

Taylor Vasek, ’16, has joined the Sanford Health team in Thief River Falls, Minn.

2017

Zane McIntyre, ’17, former UND goalie, signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild.

Sarah Peterson, ’17, joined Beyond Realty as a marketing coordinator.

Luke Weston, ’17, has purchased Liebold Dental in Bottineau, N.D.

FROM UND TO THE NHL PETER

BOTTINI, ’15

People may think UND only sends hockey players to the NHL, but the University does more than that. Take Peter Bottini, ’15, for example. The UND alum is now social media marketing manager for the National Hockey League after honing his professional communication skills at UND.

Bottini was the keynote speaker at the 2022 UND Appreciation Communication Day. Designed to give current and prospective students a better understanding of the Communication major, the event featured panel discussions, student-project showcases and other demonstrations on the value of a UND Communication degree.

Peter made that point by describing his journey to his current position and how UND played a major role. “I was never a top-tier student, but I kept going and kept my head above water at least,” he said.

“But I also surrounded myself with internship opportunities, which kept me meeting the right people. And I took chances.”

Bottini’s most influential experience occurred while working as the digital media intern within UND Athletics. He and a fellow intern brought up the idea of a behindthe-scenes, all-access show for the hockey team. The show? “Through These Doors.”

“For the past 11 seasons, UND hockey fans have been treated to unmatched access to the best college hockey program in the country,” said Bottini. “Eleven seasons is insane to me. I worked on four, which means that for seven more years, interns, students and staff picked up the reins of that show and kept it going to inspire hockey fans all around the country and North America.”

On his journey to the NHL, Bottini also was an intern for the Minnesota Twins and worked for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds.

MEET PETER

The NHL’s social media marketing manager was featured in a video produced by UND. qrco.de/bdAKUJg

ALUMNI REUNIONS

2018

Shawn Coleman, ’18, was hired as a middle school band teacher at Hallettsville (Texas) School District.

Shane Gersich, ’18, signed a one-year contract with the Hershey (Penn.) Bears of the American Hockey League.

Tanner Holten, ’18, was appointed attorney for Crookston (Minn.) Housing & Economic Development Authority.

Ogochukwu Ozotta, ’18, was named one of six finalists at the annual ALLY Energy GRIT awards. She is a data scientist/ project assistant with the UND Department of Petroleum Engineering.

Zachary Ranisate, ’19, ’20, has been hired as engineer in training by AE2S, a civil and environmental consulting engineering firm.

Allison Walker, ’19, was hired by AE2S as a junior accountant.

2020

Auroura (Eckberg) Bentow, ’20, was promoted to senior lean manufacturing engineer on the enterprise team at Marvin Windows & Doors.

2021

Matt Kiersted, ’21, signed a two-year contract with the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

2022

41 YEARS STRONG CLASS OF 1966

Every year since 1981, the UND School of Law Class of 1966 has held a reunion. For those doing the math, that is 41 years and counting! The most recent reunion was held April 21-23 in Chandler, Arizona. Those attending were (bottom photo, left to right): Fred Gerszewski, Tim Keating, Michael Ward, Gerald Galloway, John Sherman, and Gary Maddock. Sid Overton attended but is not pictured. The 2023 UND School of Law Class of 1966 Reunion will be held in April in Coronado, California. The top photo is the Class of 1966 around the time of graduation.

More upcoming alumni celebrations:

SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON 100TH FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION

April, 15, 2023

Alerus Center | Grand Forks

For more information, please contact Garrett Hall at garrett2022@midco.net.

UND ALPHA PI CHAPTER OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Nov. 17-19, 2023

Grand Forks

More details can be found at oooaxoalum.square.site/alpha-pi-centennial or by emailing axo.alphapi100@gmail.com.

Taryn (Pfingsten) Pallen, ’18, was hired by EPIC Companies in Fargo. She will be involved in lead generation and guiding clients through the buying and design process of condominiums.

Dennis Pathroff, ’18, has been hired as a full-time lawyer lobbyist by GA Group, PC, in Bismarck.

Annie Richards, ’18, was named the first West Fargo Schools director of behavioral health and wellness.

Courtney Schneider, ’18, joined the team at Fargo Moorhead Chiropractic and Wellness.

2019

Matt Bradley, ’19, has been hired as engineer in training by Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., or AE2S.

Krista (Sauber) Christopher, ’22, has been selected to serve a one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Delaynee Fox, ’22, is employed with Robins Kaplan Law Firm as a human resource and talent coordinator. She lives in St. Louis Park, Minn.

Claire Hoplin, ’22, Samantha Schmidt, ’22, and Rainey Selvig, ’22, have been selected to serve one-year clerkships with the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Kelsey Krueger, ’22, joins Essentia Health Fargo as an emergency medicine specialist.

Krista Thielges, ’22, joins the Sanford Health Valley City (N.D.) Clinic as a family medicine physician assistant.

Former faculty

Brian Paulsen, former UND faculty, opened an art exhibit with his wife, Dianne, and granddaughter Ellie Knudsvig. The “Generations of Art” exhibition is at the ArtWise Gallery and Creation Space at the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks. \\\

‘WE CAN’T THANK THEM ENOUGH’

Bob and Jeanine Peabody make $2.6 million gift to UND Men’s Hockey program.

Bob, ’61, and Jeanine Peabody, ’62, of East Grand Forks have signed a gift agreement to donate $2.6 million to the UND Men’s Hockey program — $2.55 million through their estate plan and $50,000 to make an immediate impact on the program.

Bob Peabody played hockey at UND in the late 1950s. He played goalie on the 1958-59 team that won UND’s first national championship in the sport. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in business. Jeanine earned an English degree in 1962. The Peabodys own Lumber Mart in East Grand Forks and Grand Forks.

“We are very thankful to be as well off as we are at this point in our lives,” said Bob. “It’s time to reward those that have helped us get to this point. The University of North Dakota was good to both my wife and me and gave us the tools to be successful in life.”

The gift will fund needs within the hockey program.

“Bob and Jeanine are a very big part of our hockey family,” said UND Hockey Coach Brad Berry. “Their gift will impact the student-athletes that come through our doors every day. We can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for our hockey program.”

“We are so thankful to have people like Bob and Jeanine as part of our alumni family,” said DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.

“Their passion for their alma mater and UND student-athletes is evident in this extremely generous gift. It is a wonderful testament to their success and their philanthropic spirit.”

Bob and Jeanine have been prominent supporters of charitable and civic projects throughout the local area. Bob says their belief is that they are repaying old debts through their philanthropy.

Bob said, “If you forget who brought you to the dance then you missed the whole ballgame. Pretty simple. You have to go back and take care of those that took care of you when you needed it and say ‘thank you.’” \\\

1. Grant, ’17, and Ellen (Barnhart) Bruesch, ’17, were married on Aug. 6 at Quarterdeck Resort on Gull Lake in Nisswa, Minn.

2. Varun Krishna, ’10, and his family welcomed their second daughter, Nirvi, in July of 2022.

3. Trina (Whitney), ’14, married Alex Halupczok on October 15, 2021 in Las Vegas.

4. Robert Semingson, ’99, spent the day with the Stanley Cup in Mandan, N.D., with his friend Casey Bond of Mandan who is the strength coach for the Colorado Avalanche.

5. Dan Magner, ’12, celebrated with family at the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis.

6. Several members of the BSN Class of 1987 reconnected in Estes Park, Colo., and Rocky Mountain National Park 35 years after getting their degrees. They were (left to right) Robin (Romfo) Dosmann, Stephanie (Johnson) Mowdy, Sarah (Greisbach) Leverenz, Cheryl (Rheault) Rasmussen, and Susan (Amundson) Leupp.

7. David, ’19, and Bethany (Loock) Fehr, ’20, welcomed their son, Theodore, on Aug. 3.

8. Auroura (Eckberg) ’20, and Tyler Bentow ’17, were married on June 4. Tyler is a test engineer at Polaris and Auroura is a senior lean manufacturing engineer at Marvin.

9. Logan Bartolome, ’18, and Lexi Fry, ’19, Were married in July 8 In Alexandria, Minn. Lexi is a chemical engineer and Logan is a pilot for United Airlines.

10. Hasin Shahad Munna, ’12, Rumana Rashid, and their son, Zayd, welcomed Riza Ruheena Shahad on Nov. 7, 2021. The family lives in Houston, Texas,

11. Kathryn (Martin), ’18, & Tucker Williams, ’19, were married on June 18, 2022. The couple resides in Mandan, N.D. with their retriever mix, Echo.

12. Kyle and Karina (Wittmann) Knutson, ’08, and their daughter, Clara, celebrated the birth of Simon last summer. Clara and Simon’s grandparents are proud UND alumni: Fred, ’77, ’80, and MaryLou (Jerome) Wittmann, ’79. The Knutsons reside in Grand Forks and Karina works for UND.

13. JP William Boyce was born Jan. 18 to Trent and Kelsey Boyce, ’15. JP is named after his two grandpas, Jeffery and Paul.

14. Jordan and Whitney (Smith) Holm, ’18, were married Aug. 20 in Middle River, Minn. Whitney is a fifthyear teacher in Cavalier, N.D., where the couple lives.

15. Alaina Schmid, ’12, welcomed home a new puppy, Knix, this past July.

16. Becky and Bob Knutson, ’79, are proud to show off their 2-year-old granddaughters’ Fighting Hawks spirit! Bob is Vice President of Operations here at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.

17. Michael, ’17, and Laura (Roach) Dulitz, ’15, welcomed their twins, Henry and Archer, in June. Michael is the Opioid Response Project Coordinator for the City of Grand Forks, and Laura is Director of Prospect Research & Portfolio Development at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.

18. Lacy (Lilleboe), ’19, and Jesse Pehlke (formerly Pehlke-Hanson), ’20, married in July 2022 in Glacier National Park, Montana. Photo by Courtney Lynn Photography.

19. Colleen (Argenziano), ’12, ’15, and David Hathaway, ’16, introduce their three children Peregrine, Molly, and Sebastian. Molly is grandchild number 20 to Frank Argenziano, who retired as the Assistant Director of Aviation Safety and Security in 2017 after 43 years at UND.

IN MEMORIAM

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

1940s

Beatrice (Miller) Ducharme, ’40 Fort Collins, Colo.

Marian (Maloney) Stine, ’45, ’47 Fargo

Jewel (Simmons) Monroe, ’46 Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Donna (Thompson) Miller, ’48 Sonoma, Calif.

Mary E. Sullivan, ’48 Portland, Ore.

1950s

Anna Marie (Linehan) Clouse, ’50 Missoula, Mont.

Ronald K. Nesheim, ’50 Gastonia, N.C.

James V. Pella, ’50 Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Col. John L. Sproul, ’50 La Quinta, Calif.

Robert B. Bale, ’51 Mandan, N.D.

John G. Barnes, ’51 Anchorage, Alaska

Christine (Bjornson) Hughes, ’51, ’69 Cavalier, N.D.

Frank R. Jakubowsky, ..’52 Oakland, Calif.

Thomas L. Reynolds, ..’52 St. Cloud, Minn.

Connie (Johnson) Auran, ’53 Denver, Colo.

Donald G. Christy, ’53 Grand Forks

Robert E. Fredericksen, ’53, ’67, ’68

Sun City West, Ariz.

Dr. R.F. ‘Kris’ Krzmarzick, ’53 Vista, Calif.

Donald A. Wolf, ’53 Los Gatos, Calif.

W. James Branvold, ’54, ’59 Eugene, Ore.

Richard F. Larsen, ..’54

Santa Monica, Calif.

Raymond A. Paulson, ’54 Alexandria, Minn.

William O. Scouton, ’54 Lorton, Va.

Burton G. Underdal, ’54 Peoria, Ariz.

Mark O. Forkner, ..’55

Fargo

Beverly (Doescher) Price, ..’55 Burnsville, Minn.

Capt. Steve J. Reis, ’55 Lubbock, Texas

Dr. Donald M. Yamaguchi, ’55 Rolling Hills, Calif.

Charles K. Petter, ’56 Huffman, Texas

Leonard H. Anderson, ’57

Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Keith M. Banks, ’57 Calgary, Alberta

Leonard L. Bazey, ..’57

Stephen, Minn.

Marion (Hauf) Burgess, ..’57 Portland, Ore.

Richard L. Hansen, ’57, ’64 Sacramento, Calif.

Robert L. Huffman, ’57 San Antonio, Texas

Elden R. Lindquist, ’57 Springboro, Ohio

Sandra (Berg) Moen, ..’57 Moorhead, Minn.

Robert K. Snortland, ’57, ’62 Hancock, Mich.

David J. Heggen, ..’58 Fergus Falls, Minn.

Dr. Jackson W. Lind, ’58, ’60, ’92 Dent, Minn.

Richard O. Wenger, ’58 McKean, Pa.

Amy (Westrem) Carney, ’59 Zionsville, Ind.

Robert F. Dircks, ’59 Upland, Calif.

Michael F. Hauck, ’59 Gillette, Wyo.

E. Terry Roisum, ’59

Sioux Falls, S.D.

William F. Streck, ..’59 Willows, Calif.

1960s

Sandra (LaMont) Borg, ..’60

Mandan, N.D.

Zetta (Pedas) Chrissanthos, ’60 Redondo Beach, Calif.

Dennis W. Erickson, ’60 Baxter, Minn.

Charles R. Gendron, ’60 Temple, Texas

Richard A. Langlie, ’60 Champlin, Minn.

John A. Lee, ’60 Columbus, Ohio

Susan (Rosscup) Muralt, ’60 Missoula, Mont.

Ward A. Swenson, ..’60 Theresa, Wis.

Ralph E. Mahowald, Jr., ’61 Phoenix, Ariz.

Richard W. Maki, ’61 Blaine, Minn.

Richard A. Mills, ’61 Bloomington, Minn.

Joseph W. Poole, ’61 Mesa, Ariz.

Victor A. Schultz, ’61 Pacifica, Calif.

Jean (Thorfinnson) Cory, ’61 Clitherall, Minn.

David L. Brandt, ..’62 West Fargo, N.D.

Gerald D. Gunderson, ’62, ’68 Fergus Falls, Minn.

Delores A. Jenkins, ..’62 Rockledge, Fla.

Susan (Robbins) Maddock, ’62 Grand Forks

Carlyne (Flatten) Raymond, ’62 Walker, Minn.

Boyd E. Romine, ’62 Anchorage, Alaska

Patricia D. Schenck, ..’62 Dilworth, Minn.

Robert D. Siegel, ’62 Chanhassen, Minn.

Sharon Rae (Tollerud) Sims, ..’62 Crookston, Minn.

Geraldine (Tupa) D’Amico, ’63 Papillion, Neb.

Thomas C. Froehle, ’63 Celebration, Fla. Jeanette (Van Camp) Halcrow, ’63, ’81 Bemidji, Minn.

Jewel (Elofson) Moen, ..’63

Grand Forks

Donald G. Olson, ’63 Mankato, Minn. Ray W. Wiper, ’63 Mesa, Ariz.

Norman B. Batterberry, ’64 Garrison, N.D.

Karen (Caswell) Follrath, ’64 Alameda, Calif.

Janice (Mischel) Hegel, ..’64 Phoenix, Ariz.

Juel S. Hilde, ..’64 Grand Forks

Delmoure H. Hultgren, ’64 Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Richard H. Lundin, ’64 Vining, Minn.

Terrence G. Miller, ’64, ’65

San Benito, Texas

Donald E. Schoening, ’64 Yuma, Ariz.

Sandra (Asheim) Fisher, ’65 Bismarck, N.D.

Dr. Ronald R. Henrickson, ’65 Mequon, Wis.

Vern G. Koppelman, ’65 Fargo

Emanuel Marquis, ’65 Santa Cruz, Calif.

Thomas H. Marsden, ’65 Fargo

Mark A. Morque, ’65 Lebanon, Mo.

Dr. Maxine (Konig) Rasmussen, ’65, ’69, ’73

Grand Forks

Harlan D. Sayler, ..’65 Grand Forks

Gary E. Sitz, ’65 Marysville, Ohio

Harriet (Andrews) Willmeng, ’65 Grapevine, Texas

James P. Cwikla, ..’66

Thief River Falls, Minn.

William J. Delaney, ’66 Hamilton, Mont.

James C. Haahr, ..’66 Ottertail, Minn.

Michael M. Herrick, ’66, ’69

Alameda, Calif.

Ronald D. Lunde, ’66

East Grand Forks, Minn.

Gene Martin, ’66 Grand Forks

John Verworn, ’66

Plano, Texas

Alan A. Abraham, ..’67 Grand Forks

Gordon D. Brokaw, ’67 Williston, N.D.

Ronald A. Falk, ’67 Cavalier, N.D.

Ronald L. Klein, ’67 Bismarck, N.D.

Robert J. Lium, ’67 Plano, Tex.

James E. Messmer, ’67 Winter Haven, Fla.

Robert M. Rova, ’67

Hayden Lake, Idaho

Robert W. Wirtz, ’67, ’69

Bismarck, N.D.

Allen W. Bright, ’68 St. Cloud, Minn.

Steven R. Fisher, ..’68 Jenison, Mich.

Dr. C. James Haug, ’68 Mississippi State, Miss.

Robert P. Meidinger, ’68

Bismarck, N.D. Donald N. Carlson, ’69 Bemidji, Minn.

Sister Mary S. Ping, ’69 West Point, Iowa

Lynn R. Stauss, ’69

Grand Forks

1970s

David J. Brousseau, ..’70 Winnipeg, Man.

Jane (Selle) Fargo, ’70 Brainerd, Minn.

Curtis R. Hoppe, ..’70 Crookston, Minn.

Francis J. Lemer, ’70 Balfour, N.D. Josephine (Thompson) Stegall, ’70

Aiken, S.C.

David W. Tiistola, ’70, ’76 Brocket, N.D.

Robert H. Verdi, Jr., ’70

North Kingstown, R.I.

Randi (Tollefson) Braford, ’71 Plymouth, Minn.

Elizabeth (Johnson) Corr, ’71 Alamo, Texas

Inez (Elverud) Laugtug, ’71 Fargo

Evan W. Lips, ’71

Bismarck, N.D.

Monte D. Mehring, ’71 Overland Park, Kans. Bonnie L. Olson, ’71 Fargo

John J. Brelie, ..’72 Larimore, N.D. Robert J. Grabow, ’72 Carrollton, Texas

John C. Hart, ’72

Dallas, Texas

Lee (Wagner) Kraft, ’72, ’75

Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Richard Kulas, ..’72 Fargo

Dr. Michelle LaSeur, ’72, ’73

Conroe, Texas

Jane (Morton) Shaw, ’72 Miles City, Mont.

Marvin A. Sondag, ’72 Tempe, Ariz.

Jason C. Harlan, ’73 Santa Fe, N.M.

Nona L. Peterson, ’73

Renton, Wash.

Lee Goderstad, ’74 Minneapolis, Minn.

Lee H. Gudmundson, ’74 Kearney, Neb.

Eldon G. Leino, ..’74

East Grand Forks, Minn.

William R. Bement, ..’75 St. Paul, Minn.

Clair J. Ellison, ’75

Thief River Falls, Minn.

Warren D. Nelson, ’75 Battle Lake, Minn.

Diane (Erickson) Weispfenning, ’75 Jamestown, N.D.

Illona A. Jeffcoat-Sacco, ’76, ’03

Bismarck, N.D.

Doreen (Simpson) Oakland, ’77

Bismarck, N.D.

Michael T. Radtke, ..’77 Minneapolis, Minn.

Barbara (Streifel) Jensen, ’79, ’95 Grand Forks

1980s

Barbara Enger, ..’80

Jamestown, N.D.

Robert K. Foss, ’80

Evansville, Minn.

Dr. Craig B. Grorud, ’80, ’82 Maple Grove, Minn.

Paul J. Weinand, ’80

Pipestone, Minn.

Dr. Beth C. Anderson, ’81 Fargo

Wallace J. Feltman, ..’81 Grafton, N.D.

James F. Lester, ’81 Fargo

Vernon M. Lysford, ..’81 Oslo, Minn.

Julia (Erbele) Betcher, ’82 Minneapolis, Minn.

Dr. Donald R. Lamb, ’82 Fargo

Brent D. Longtin, ’82 Henderson, Nev.

John M. Stannard, ..’82 Edmonds, Wash.

Lisa K. Jager, ’83 Sacramento, Calif.

Carolyn (Adolphson) Hess, ’84 Plymouth, Minn.

Dr. Anne (Slattery) Nielsen, ’85, ’92 Manhattan, Kan.

Evangeline White, ’87

Fort Totten, N.D.

Natalie (Ross) Baird, ’89 Crookston, Minn.

Nancy K. Omdahl, ’89 Watkinsville, Ga.

1990s

Stephen D. Arel, ’90 Fargo

Judy (Peterson) Ryan, ’90

Devils Lake, N.D.

Charles H. Walden, ’92 Portland, N.D.

Dane M. Bjerke, ..’93 Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Stacey L. Hoffman-Casalenda, ’93 St. Paul, Minn.

Jason J. Lanning, ’94 Roosevelt, Minn.

Stacey D. Bykonen, ’95 Billings, Mont.

Berta L. Anstrom, ’96 Fargo

Julie R. Callahan, ’96, ’97 Worcester, Mass.

2000s

Dr. Marc J. Baumgartner, ’01 Rogers, Minn.

Megan N. Hanson, ’02 Lake Bronson, Minn.

Anita J. Woodbury, ’02 Wahpeton, N.D.

Lorilie M. Atkinson, ’09 Grand Forks

2010s

Ian G. Holen, ’12 Elk River, Minn.

Erica L. Duewel, ’13 Forsyth, Mont.

Michael D. Masullo, ’17 Enfield, Conn. Dean V. Moore, ’18 Livingston, Mont. John T. Zeman, ’19 Rochester, Minn.

2020s

Robert P. Mocadlo, ..’20 Grand Forks

Current students

Rachelle LaGree Watford City, N.D. Ella S. Sweeney Fargo Melissa A. Wilson Roseau, Minn.

Current faculty

Cheryl Terrance Grand Forks

Former faculty & staff

Kelly V. Brey Grand Forks Rick A. Fladeland Elbow Lake, Minn. Diane R. Holweger Grand Forks Gerald A. Lizakowski Grand Forks

Alma Virginia Pedeliski Bismarck, N.D.

Retired staff

Milton E. Derman Grand Forks Garl K. Rieke St. Paul, Minn.

IN MEMORIAM

PRESERVING TRADITIONS

KEVIN LOCKE, ’76

Kevin Locke, ’76, was an acclaimed Native American musician and hoop dancer who worked to preserve native musical traditions.

He died on Sept. 30 in Hill City, South Dakota, of an asthma attack at the age of 68.

Locke developed an interest in music while growing up on the Standing Rock Reservation. He learned to play and make traditional wooden flutes, arts that were close to dying out. Also waning was the art of hoop dancing, and Locke learned it as well. He began performing and touring in the 1970s, sharing the traditions of his Lakota ancestors with a worldwide audience. He recorded albums, both of his flute music and of storytelling, and he wrote several books. In 1990, Locke was honored with the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Locke attended high school at the Institute of the American Indian in New Mexico, and graduated with a degree in education from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree in education administration from the University of South Dakota. He worked for a time as a school teacher and administrator, and was admitted to law school but quickly dropped out, finding his life’s work in educating through his dancing, music and storytelling. \\\

ETERNAL FLAME SOCIETY

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

The following donors reached a new giving circle in the Eternal Flame Society between July 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2022.

*indicates deceased

WILLIAM BUDGE CIRCLE

$1,000,000 - $4,999,999

Bob & Jeanine Peabody

Norma & Joe* Peltier

THOMAS CLIFFORD CIRCLE

$100,000 - $499,999

Mike & Linda Appert

Scott & Kathy Boe

Dr. Gregory & Colette Greek Insitu

John & Sherri McGurran

Roger W. Melvold*

Michael & Debbie Pung

Scheels Sports & Sportswear

William O. Scouton*

Rose Skyberg

Dr. Stephen & Mae Tinguely

1889 LEGACY SOCIETY

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

Dr. Bridget Brooks & Jody Little

Lowell J. Gallagher

Bob & Jeanine Peabody

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

$10,000 - $99,999

Drs. Andrew & Rebecca Bakke

Orrin N. Bergan*

Cass County Bar Association

Paul B. Christianson, M.D.

James Fritz

Dr. Jonathan & Maniphone Haug

Heart of America Patriot Foundation

Janin E. Hutcheson

Jenomic LP

David & Kimberly Kleesattel

Rodger A. Marquardt*

Peabody Enterprises, LLC

Charles E. Peck

Diane & John Ponticello Gene & Karolyn Roebuck

Mark & Kari Roles

John T. Sandager

Duane H. Schurman

South Forks Lions Charity Fund

Brett & Jamie Svidal

Brian Terrance

Turtle Mt. Band of Chippewa Indians

UND President’s Office

Joann K. Walter WestRock

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

UND LEGACIES

A HALF-CENTURY OF IMPACT GRACE BOWEN, CLASS OF 1917

Grace Bowen graduated from UND in 1917 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Home Economics and Fine Arts before successfully operating a farming operation with her husband Lawrence for more than 40 years.

In 1996, she established the Grace Ellis Bowen Scholarship Endowment to award scholarships for the benefit of deserving students from North Dakota. Grace valued work ethic, desire, and scholastic achievement, which is recognized through the recipients of her scholarship.

Since the lone first scholarship award in 1997, the Grace Bowen Scholarship Endowment has grown to award 50 scholarships annually and has awarded over 1,000 scholarships since its creation. Because endowments are established in perpetuity, it will continue to award scholarships to deserving students forever.

Much of the growth of Grace’s endowment awards can be attributed to the bequest she left to the UND Alumni Association & Foundation in her estate.

Upon her death, her planned gift served to further enhance her scholarship endowment.

Grace’s lifetime giving to UND reached 35 years before she passed away in 1998. Since then, she has continued to award scholarships through her endowment, impacting students for the past 59 years and counting. \\\

TO:

FROM:

UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

3501 University Ave Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157

SMART WAYS TO GIFT A RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

You can make a gift beneficial to you needs while ultimately benefiting the University of North Dakota. These three retirement account gift options might be right for you:

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER

If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can give a gift directly from your IRA to the UND Alumni Association & Foundation (UND Foundation) without having to pay income taxes on the money.

BENEFICIARY GIFT

Naming the UND Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement account is a simple and flexible way to make a gift to UND. After your lifetime, your account will transfer tax-free.

TESTAMENTARY UNITRUST, AKA "GIVE-IT-TWICE" TRUST

This method allows you to transfer your IRA at death tax-free to fund a charitable remainder unitrust. The trust first pays income to loved ones you designate as beneficiaries before distributing the remaining funds to the UND Foundation.

If you have any type of planned gift for UND but have not previously informed us, please let us know! We would love to work with you to ensure your gift makes the maximum impact on the causes you care about at the University of North Dakota.

701.777.2611 | giftplanning@UNDfoundation.org

This information is provided as an educational service to our donors and is not intended as legal or tax advice. Please consult an attorney or tax adviser.