‘IT’S A GOOD FEELING’

Fall 2022 marked 10 years that the Gorecki Alumni Center has served as home to the UND Alumni Association & Foundation (UNDAAF) and more than 125,000 UND alumni. UNDAAF staff have raised more than a half-billion dollars working from the building. That work was make possible by a $5 million lead gift from Dorothy and the late Ben, ’62, ’63, Gorecki.

Ben loved that the building represents the “home” for our alumni and friends who return to campus, yet Dorothy said she’d rather not have her name on the building. “We don’t give for recognition,” Dorothy said. “I give where I see a need; where I see I can do good; that’s where I give.”

The Goreckis have done a lot of good over the years. When Ben started at UND in the late 1950s, the family already had three children. While Ben earned two degrees and worked part-time, Dorothy took care of the family and worked various jobs.

“We had a good life in Grand Forks. Ben was so dedicated to UND. He got two degrees and did so well after college using the knowledge he gained. He felt he owed the university; he felt he needed to give back.

“My husband just wanted to give, give, give!” Dorothy said.

After Ben graduated, the Goreckis started Gorecki Manufacturing, Inc., in Milaca, Minnesota, and ran the company for 40 years. At one time, they employed 450 people at three facilities.

The Goreckis focused their charitable giving on education, health and special needs of their communities, hoping to inspire others to give. In addition to his love of UND, one of Ben’s favorite projects was the Gorecki Guest House, which has 28 rooms available for families of patients at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Unlike Ben, Dorothy doesn’t have a favorite project. “They are all my favorites because they all filled a need.”