ALUMNI
M A G A Z I N E Spring 2020 | Volume 103 | Issue 2
W HEN T HE WORL D IS
UPSIDE DOWN
The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, impacting virtually every aspect of life as we know it. As UND alumni, we press on.
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UNDalumni.org Photo by Sam Melquist
Together we are building a home for future generations of business leaders.
Make your gift by June 15! Contact Kim Woods, ’82 701.777.4106 | kimw@UNDfoundation.org
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Mike Kobbervig SVP/Retirement Plan Services Division Manager
The relationships I formed with UND students, faculty and community members are still some of my strongest friendships. My greatest takeaway during my time at UND was learning to relate to people. UND taught me the importance of creating strong relationships with a variety of people – skills that are an important part of my career as I help people create, implement and monitor savings and investing plans for retirement. 25790
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from the
Photo by Sam Melquist
EDITOR
I took over as editor of this magazine on March 18, 2020 – the same week that UND moved classes to remote instruction, issued a directive for personnel to work from home if possible, and canceled a slew of events as the coronavirus pandemic began to hit home. Despite not being able to be physically near my new colleagues, two simple facts unite us: we love this university and we are inspired by you, our alumni and friends. We’re inspired by the joint leadership of Josh Wynne and Andy Armacost — an interim and an incoming president — who calmly lead alumni and friends of the University of North Dakota. We’re inspired by alumni like Dr. Monica Mayer, ’95, a leader in the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation helping Native American tribes prepare for the coronavirus. We’re inspired by the 100+ donors who’ve generously given to the UND Angel Fund to support our students in need during this critical time.
INSIDE
We’re inspired by the new graduates like Kate Long (pictured on the cover), whose final semester has been upended by the pandemic. You can learn more about Kate on page 41. Your world has been turned upside down, but you press on. So please, let us know how you are. Whether you’re a health care worker on the front lines, a pilot questioning your future, a teacher learning how to educate from a distance, or just have a story to share, I want to hear from you. Email me at alumnimag@UNDalumni.net. Take care and be well,
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Alyssa Konickson, '06 Editor, UND Alumni Magazine
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CANCELED COMMENCEMENT
Graduation ceremonies have been canceled due to COVID-19 for the for the first time since the Flood of 1997. By Dima Williams
UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
IN THIS ISSUE 16
LEAD STORY
READY TO LEAD Andy Armacost takes the helm as UND’s new president on June 1. By Milo Smith
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CONTENTS From the CEO
10 From the President 11 On Campus 16 Features
36 Class Notes 44 Giving Circles 46 UND Babies & Celebrations 48 In Memoriam
32 Locker Room
ON THE COVER
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CIRCLING THE WAGONS
How friendship prepared Judge Jade Rosenfeldt for the bench and supported her through tragedy.
Kate Long, a first-generation college student, planned to walk in the Spring 2020 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 16 – but the coronavirus pandemic altered her plans. “The cover sums it up – everything’s been turned upside down,” she said. Learn more about Kate on page 41. Photo by: Sam Melquist
By Jenn Lukens
UNDalumni.org
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VOL. 103 NO. 2
SPRING 2020
CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86
UND Alumni Magazine Editor Alyssa Konickson, ’06
Lead Designer & Photographer Sam Melquist
Writers Milo Smith; Jenn Lukens; Alyssa Konickson, ’06 Contributing Writers Leanna Ihry, ’02; Patrick C. Miller Connor Murphy, ’15; Dima Williams Mitch Wigness
Contributing Photographers Sara Titera, Shawna Noel Schill; ’06, Mike Hess Milo Smith; Connor Murphy
Marketing & Communications VP of Operations Bob Knutson, '79
Associate VP of Engagement Sarah Prout, '07
Senior Director of Public & Media Relations Milo Smith
UND Alumni Association & Foundation Board of Directors Chair Sara Garland, ’68, ’72 Vice Chair Dr. John Gray, ’87
Directors Darla Adams, ’84, ’85; Lisa Barnes, ’88; Cindy Blikre, ’91; Angie Freeman, ’91; Phil Gisi, ’82; Mike Hamerlik, ’84, ’88; Marten Hoekstra, ’82; Jonathan Holth; Linda Laskowski, ’72, ’73; Dr. Michael LeBeau, ’02; Rick Lee, ’78; Doug Mark, ’86; Chuck MacFarlane, ’87; Rob Mitchell, ’74; Carrie McIntyre Panetta, ’88; Karen Phillips, ’77; Doug Podolak, ’72; Jim Poolman, ’92; Jodi Rolland, ’92; Karen Thingelstad, 89; and Chad Wachter. Ex Officio Dr. Tom DiLorenzo; Nancy Peterson, ’90; Jed Shivers; Dr. Joshua Wynne, and DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86.
The UND Alumni Magazine (ISSN 26896753) is published four times a year by the University of North Dakota Alumni Association, 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 the UND Alumni Magazine, 3501 University Avenue, Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157. For inquiries about advertising, additional copies, reprints, submissions, or general comments, contact 800.543.8764, 701.777.5819 or AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net.
BLEED GREEN
Did you know that you can opt to receive your Alumni Magazine electronically instead of in the mail? If you’re interested in going green, email your request to AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net.
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UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
WE PRESS ON.
‘ZOOM’ING IN
UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink, '86, leads a remote staff meeting via Zoom with special guest Mark Lindquist, a motivational speaker and professional singer known for singing the National Anthem at UND Hockey games.
My, how life has changed.
We find ourselves in a completely different world than the last time the UND Alumni Magazine landed in your mailbox. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted all of our lives. As a society, we’ve taken measures to limit exposure and “flatten the curve” to not overwhelm our health care system. UND took unprecedented steps in mid-March to send students home and finish the semester with online classes. That will continue through at least the summer session. In-person Commencement ceremonies for spring and summer have been canceled for the first time since the flood of 1997. My heart goes out to our graduating seniors who have seen their worlds turn upside down. As they become members of this alumni family, I want them to know that we are here to help them transition into the next stage of their lives.
UND Angel Fund
It’s hard to fathom the stress that our students are under during this crisis. In addition to the disruption of their campus routine, many students have lost jobs due to restrictions on service industry work that is the primary income source for many.
UND Angel Fund is an important resource for those facing difficult financial situations. Administered through the Division of Student Affairs & Diversity, the Angel Fund is not a new concept; it has been quietly helping UND students for quite some time. In light of the pandemic, I encourage you to consider a gift to the UND Angel Fund. It would be tragic if a student were to give up their dream of a college degree due to the financial insecurity they are facing at this moment. Together, we can all make a direct difference in the lives of our outstanding students. You can make a gift at UNDalumni.org/angel.
from the UND’s two presidents
I’m so proud of the efforts of interim President Joshua Wynne and incoming President Andrew Armacost during this crisis. Though his official start date isn’t until June 1, Dr. Armacost has been a key decision maker as Dr. Wynne has been so collaborative in recognizing that current choices will have a tremendous impact on the new administration. These two and the entire administrative team have been nimble and decisive at a time of great uncertainty, and I commend them for their efforts to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. I give special applause to Provost Thomas DiLorenzo, who has been the University’s point person on UND’s COVID-19 response. I also want to wish him a happy retirement as he steps down on June 1.
Our response
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation has been doing its part to protect our alumni, friends, and staff. We postponed all spring events and most of our staff has been working remotely since midMarch, making it more difficult to fulfill our vision of fostering connections, inspiring generosity, and advancing the University of North Dakota. Difficult – but not impossible. We have always used digital means, printed materials, and phone calls to supplement face-to-face meetings with alumni. Now, we are relying more on these methods and trying new ways to support and connect with our alumni and friends.
CEO
effective advocate of UND and its amazing students! Thank you for all that you do to make UND great. Sincerely,
DeAnna Carlson Zink, '86, CFRE UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO deannac@UNDfoundation.org
We appreciate your understanding as we adjust to this crisis, and I promise we will come out the other side as an even stronger and more UNDalumni.org
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PENROSE PANDEMONIUM
Fans erupt after freshman Shane Pinto's overtime goal on Feb. 29 in Ralph Engelstad Arena. UND hockey clinched the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's regular season title with a 2-1 win over Western Michigan to win the Penrose Cup for the first time since 2016. For more on the historic season, turn to page 32. Photo by Shawna Noel Schill
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Interim UND President Josh Wynne and incoming UND President Andy Armacost address a gathering of UND alumni on Jan. 31 at Forthright Café in Austin, Texas.
Tie a knot and carry on
Photo by Milo Smith
Interim and incoming presidents Josh Wynne and Andy Armacost balance transition of duties with collaborative pandemic response.
Dear Alumni & Friends, As interim and incoming presidents, we had a plan for an orderly transition of the University of North Dakota’s leadership. After two months of being on campus and traveling around the state to meet with key constituencies, Andy Armacost would take over as the University’s 13th president on June 1, 2020. But, as every good general knows, no plan survives contact with the enemy. In this case, the enemy was the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. What appeared as a manageable health care problem in early February turned into a fullblown pandemic and national emergency by mid-March. It was during this time UND students studying overseas were brought home and the announcement was made for nonessential University employees to work from home. This was followed by the difficult decisions to not bring the students back to campus after spring break and to switch entirely to online teaching. Once the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak became clear, we made even tougher decisions to continue online teaching through the spring and summer semesters, as well as canceling spring and summer commencement ceremonies.
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The need to implement these measures came as a blow. Institutions of higher education are fully engaged in the most effective forms of teaching and learning. But we both recognized these steps were an absolute necessity in slowing the spread of COVID-19, flattening the curve of new cases to avoid totally overwhelming the health care system, and gradually bringing the disease under control. Someday, when history records how UND dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, the fortuitous might be noted. It happened when UND had two presidents for the price of one – two presidents from different professions who just happened to have complementary skills, backgrounds and experiences. Our ability to work together closely and in a coordinated fashion over the past three months has created a strong professional and personal relationship that will carry forward in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 and well beyond. And, thanks to the Age of the Internet, it was possible for UND’s incoming president to immediately become engaged in working with the University’s leadership team while remaining physically distanced from campus.
The Duke of Wellington, the British general who famously ended Napoleon’s brilliant military career at Waterloo in 1815, once compared the French emperor’s strategic plans to a finely crafted leather horse harness. The harness, he explained, looked fine and worked well until it broke; then it became useless. “I made my campaigns of ropes,” Wellington wrote. “If anything went wrong, I tied a knot and went on.” Although we are far from done in dealing with the impacts of COVID-19, we have learned a great deal about how to best respond to rapidly changing events. While there’s no perfect plan, our ability to innovate, to remain flexible and to persevere when faced with the most difficult of challenges will carry us through. Together, we will prevail. Together, we are One UND. Interim President Joshua Wynne
Incoming President Andrew Armacost
ON CAMPUS
Stronger together
As we all work to keep our physical distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the UND community unites in supporting our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. For more updates on the campus response, visit blogs.UND.edu/coronavirus.
Series confronts aviation industry downturn The Aviation Industry Speaker Series is confronting the current realities facing aviation graduates and students. Learn more at aero.UND.edu/aviation/ industry-speaker-series.html
The UpSide When the world is upside down, we focus on the upside. The UpSide was created to put a little more spring in your step this season. Learn what UND programs, leaders, alumni, and students are doing to keep the world, and the University you love, going strong. • Messages from UND leaders • Impact of the UND Angel Fund • Ways to engage your UND spirit • COVID-19 responses • The latest from social media UNDalumni.org/UPSIDE A positive perspective from our home to yours.
Researchers track, map, and model pandemic Several efforts at UND are documenting COVID-19 on a more granular level than many of the global models often referenced by national media. Department of Geography instructor Joseph Mbuh, graduate geography student Anai Caparo, and Ryan Adams, director of the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, are doing separate studies to study the virus’s trajectory and help decisionmakers tackle crucial considerations.
UND coalition brings drones into the coronavirus fight The Center for Innovation and Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS) are partnering in a coalition of unmanned aerial system (UAS) industry leaders in the fight against the novel coronavirus. Flight tests operated by Grand Forks-based drone service provider SkySkopes are underway to test the abilities of drones to spray disinfectants, deliver priority supplies and the capacity of the drone to sense body temperatures remotely. “We see this as our duty to develop ways to kill the virus, as well as find ways to get the United States back online with drones,” said Matt Dunlevy, President and CEO of SkySkopes. “I have not seen a partnership like this before, and we have a mission set like I’ve never seen before.”
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ON CAMPUS
F E AT U R I N G
A CANCELED COMMENCEMENT CLASS OF 2020
For some, cancellation of graduation ceremonies brings back memories of the last time it happened on the UND campus: during the Flood of 1997. By Dima Williams
K
im Dietrich heard the news on TV: commencement at the University of North Dakota had been cancelled. At the time, the announcement didn’t really bother the dietetics senior. Married and slightly older than the average college student, Dietrich would later recall “other heavy life things” such as her parents and grandparents’ wellbeing that had loomed larger in her mind. The year was 1997. Spring floodwater had surged over Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, shuttering businesses, closing UND’s campus, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and cutting the academic year short. The historic 1997 flood followed a severe winter, when roughly 10 feet of snow fell and late-spring blizzards battered the Red River Valley. Yet, Brandon Scheel, who graduated with a degree in business management that year, said few could predict the unusual fury of the Red River of the North and the Red Lake River as they spilled from their shallow beds.
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“We didn't expect it to get nearly as bad as it got,” he said. “We just thought it was going to be a bad flood year.” “It came very quickly,” says Bob Boyd, who served as dean of the division of continuing education at the time. “I believe that major evacuation was on April 18 or 19. That's when most of Grand Forks was evacuated.”
the flood fight by fixing sandwiches for first responders. She and her husband joined scores of other civilians sandbagging. Earlier that spring, Dietrich was busy with final school projects and practicums. She had not realized the direness of the circumstances until then. “My husband and I took a drive one night and I was, ‘Oh my, we have an issue,’” she said.
Seniors, who were a mere month away from graduation, finished their courses (like the rest of the students) prematurely, their mid-semester grades turning into final marks. There was no spring commencement, which, if it had been another regular year, would have transpired at the Hyslop Sports Center.
The flood spared the apartment complex where Scheel lived in his final year at UND. His girlfriend at the time, though, resided in East Grand Forks. Scheel drove nearly 70 miles south to Fargo, where he crossed the Red River into Minnesota, and returned north to help her escape the flood.
“I remember feeling really mixed emotions,” said Scheel. “Part of me was still the young student, saying ‘Oh, great, no finals.’ And part of me was, ‘Wait a minute, no graduation, no chance to say goodbye to a lot of people.’”
From disappointment to lifelong connection
Scramble to push forward
The cancelation of the commencement ceremony also strained administrators, faculty and staff, who missed the opportunity to rejoice in their students’ accomplishments, Boyd recalled.
As the water rose, Dietrich joined the dietetics program’s effort to help
“We were reminded that commencement is more
complicated than just the ceremony itself,” Boyd said. “Commencement was always a validation of the purpose of the University.” Dietrich gathered with her family in their lake home, while Scheel attended a “fake graduation ceremony” organized by his mom, who had even crafted a makeshift diploma for him. He would later get the real thing in the mail. So would a slew of other 1997 seniors. Some opted to participate in a joint spring-summer commencement on August 1, when North Dakota’s three members of Congress gave special remarks. Even if the spring flood of 1997 separated seniors from one another, their university and professors in a time that should have been all about hope and positivity, the experience united that year’s class. “We have this shared connection with everybody that graduated in 1997 from UND,” said Scheel. “Some of us got out of there with all of our belongings. Some of us got out of there with none of our belongings. But you have this shared experience and something that
SANDBAG CENTRAL
Students and volunteers sandbag near Smith Hall in April 1997.
WATERFRONT INTERVIEW UND President Kendall Baker is interviewed by a CNN news crew during the Flood of 1997.
“You are not going to go through [an in-person] commencement, but the University won’t forget you. The University will still be proud of you.” BOB BOYD FORMER VP, STUDENT & OUTREACH SERVICES AND DEAN, DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
continues to bring you together decades later.” That could very well be the case for the UND graduates of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic has shifted instruction to remote delivery and moved commencement to a virtual alternative. “In the absence of traditional ceremonies, it’s important that the University create
a virtual commencement to honor and celebrate the academic accomplishments of our graduates and to engage them and their families to help bring closure to their UND experience,” said Fred Wittmann, UND director of events. ///
LEGACY CORDS
If your mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa attended UND, you are a legacy. Traditionally, new graduates get their legacy cords at commencement, and we want to make sure our legacies still get their cords despite the cancellation of graduation ceremonies. Get your legacy cords at UNDalumni.org/Legacy.
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ON CAMPUS
FEAST OF NATIONS
The 58th Annual Feast of Nations took place March 7 at the Alerus Center. The spectacular event saw 1,000 people enjoy an evening of food, fashion, music, dance and culture, all of it presented by the UND International Organization and UND. Photo by Mike Hess
PAVING THE WAY
Dr. Don Warne discusses American Indian health policy with UND Master of Public Health Program students at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Warne led the push for UND’s new doctoral program in Indigenous health. Photo by Mike Hess
First in the world The University of North Dakota is making history by offering the world’s first doctoral program in Indigenous health. The Ph.D. degree is launching this spring, and prospective students have been inquiring about the program for months, said Dr. Donald Warne, director of the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs at UND, who led the push for the new program.
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“There is a need for well-trained administrators with a deep understanding of Indigenous health issues,” said Warne, who also serves as professor of family and community medicine as well as associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. “There is nothing like that in the world.” With a holistic vision that starts with educating middle school students and taking them through high school, college and beyond, Warne said that
UND will offer the world’s only Indigenous health doctoral program, the only online bachelor’s/ master’s degree combination in public health, and one of very few MPH degrees with a focus on Indigenous health. As of May 2019, INMED has graduated 244 American Indian/Alaska Native physicians, making it the most successful Indigenous medical training program internationally and in history. The new program will be linked to the INMED and MPH programs. ///
ON CAMPUS
Photo by Connor Murphy
A leader in oil research
Space Force leader visits campus It’s the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, the first separate service created since the Air Force’s inception in 1947. And in the weeks after the establishment of the U.S. Space Force, the first university that the new service’s chief chose to visit was UND. Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, the Space Force’s first Chief of Space Operations, visited UND on Friday at the invitation of Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., where he met with University officials and members of the University’s Air Force and Army ROTC detachments. He also addressed an audience of ROTC and Space Studies students and faculty, emphasizing how much the American military and the rest of the country’s way of life relies on the use of space-based communication technologies. Calling for a university-affiliated research consortium specifically to aid the advancement of Space Force-adjacent technologies, Raymond expressed admiration for the University’s ongoing research efforts that readily connect to matters of national security.
Daniel Kwasi Adjekum, an assistant professor of aviation in the UND John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, has been awarded $755,000 to support research as part of a larger $7.25-million Gulf research program. The initiative aims to develop an improved culture of safety in the oil and gas industry. Adjekum, an internationally respected aerospace researcher, is uniquely qualified to transfer knowledge and skills from the aviation domain to oil and gas work. He has published extensively on safety Daniel Kwasi Adjekum culture in aviation and is a highly sought source on the topic for major media networks.
World’s first drilling lab UND will soon host the world’s largest – and only – full scale oil drilling and completion lab. “This drilling and completion Vamegh Rasouli laboratory, when fully completed, will be a $40-million experimental facility that does not exist anywhere else in the world,” said Rasouli. Petroleum engineering students will be able to simulate general drilling and deep drilling, along with testing different rocks, including shale. They will also be able to simulate oil reservoir conditions, including temperature, pressure and fluid flow. Doctoral students will be able to perform research that benefits the state of North Dakota. ///
With UND Continental Resources Distinguished Professor of Petroleum Engineering Vamegh Rasouli as a coprincipal investigator, the UND research team represents a strong interdisciplinary partnership between aerospace and engineering.
During a brief press conference following his town-hall-style presentation, Raymond touched on the means by which UND can contribute to the Space Force’s mission of protecting the country’s assets in space.
2020 GAMERS
A new collegiate esports program will provide students with a collaborative, competitive and educational experience through gaming during their time at UND. Photo by Mike Hess
“It’s a critical and exciting time to be in the space business,” Raymond said. “There is a lot of great research going on [at the University]; there’s a Space Studies program here. As we develop future Space officers, I think this school has a great opportunity.” ///
UND enters esports game The grand opening for the Nexus Esports lounge at the UND Wellness Centered showcased how the University of North Dakota is “leveling up” for some serious competition. Just inside the entrance to the Wellness Center, the Nexus Esports lounge features 12 gaming PCs with more than 15 titles installed, including some of the biggest games in esports. With that, Matthew King, the University’s recently hired esports coordinator, is taking steps to launch competitive esports activities, which include three separate rosters and support roles for each game.
The esports program is supported through the College of Education and Human Development. King comes to UND with experience in creating esports ecosystems at other institutions and supporting varsity programs. Combined with his tenure as a manager and coach for a semi-professional League of Legends team, King plans to collaborate with students, faculty and staff at UND to create a robust, diverse and competitive gaming scene in North Dakota. ///
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FEATURE
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READY TO LEAD Dr. Andrew Armacost officially begins as UND’s 13th president on June 1, but the COVID-19 pandemic pressed him into service months early. By Milo Smith Photography by Shawna Noel Schill ///
WEB EXTRA
Learn more about UND’s new president Andy Armacost at UNDalumni.org/alumnimag.
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“H
i. I’m Andy Armacost.”
Just a month after being selected as UND’s 13th president, Dr. Andrew Armacost is greeting guests at his first alumni social. It’s January 31, and, though he won’t officially take over as UND’s president until June 1, Armacost is talking with alumni at a social in Austin, Texas. Upon being introduced to the 52-year-old future leader of UND, Forrest Bjerkaas, ’81, had one question: “Why UND?” Armacost didn’t hesitate. “Amazing school. Amazing programs. Great medical school. Great law school,” he said. “What drew me to UND is I was looking for a university that had a commitment that was broader than just bringing people in to go to school, something that was about developing leaders, developing people who are going to contribute in important ways. UND has a great track record of doing that.”
Air Force Academy Armacost is coming to the UND presidency after completing his service as Dean of the Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With more than 30 years on active duty and 20 years at the Academy, Armacost served in the rank of Brigadier General as the Chief Academic Officer. As a member of the Academy’s senior leadership council, he was part of the team that guided an annual operating budget of more than $500 million and a capital improvement portfolio of nearly $1 billion. As the Dean of the Faculty and Chief Academic Officer, he had direct responsibility to a faculty of 550, an academic program with 31 majors, and a student body of 4,300. He was a champion of shared governance, academic freedom, inclusion, student growth, and applied learning and research. Armacost’s degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern
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and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Operations Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Armacost and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters: Ava, a 2018 graduate of Northwestern, and Audrey, who is graduating from the University of Oklahoma this spring.
Presidential search Armacost was the preferred candidate out of a pool of 61 applicants. He was one of six finalists who came to campus for two-day visits in November 2019, with Armacost and two others getting one more interview before the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) in early December. Following those interviews, Armacost was named President of the University of North Dakota. Dr. Casey Ryan, SBHE member and Presidential Search Committee co-chair, said following the selection, “Through the process, we realized that we wanted a president who has a philosophy that is consistent with North Dakota values. Dr. Armacost is that person.”
Getting to know Andy In January, the North Dakota SBHE approved a plan to pay Armacost on a part-time basis until his official start date in June. The plan allowed Armacost to visit Grand Forks on a regular basis to make connections with students, faculty, staff and community leaders. He also was able to attend meet-and-greets with alumni around the country. “I felt that one of the most important things I could do as the incoming president is to start building and solidifying relationships with the alumni community,” Armacost said. Following the first social in Austin, which Armacost called “a magical night,” he was asked what it was like to introduce himself as the incoming president of the flagship university of the state of North Dakota. “Every time, I almost have to pinch myself. I say, ‘Wow, I can't believe this opportunity has come into play
for me and for Kathy,’ and we're just so much looking forward to getting on campus and taking the reins.” Two weeks later, Armacost was again socializing with a group of UND alumni; this time in Carefree, Arizona, at Bouderanch, the eclectic outdoor art space owned and curated by John Laasen, ’67, ’68, and his wife, Jayne. While mixing with the attendees, 93-year-old Ray Kobe, ’55, asked Armacost, “What do you see as your biggest challenge?” Armacost stated that there were several. He told Ray and his wife, Liz, that the national trend on enrollment in colleges is pointing downward due to a dip in the birthrate during the 2008-09 recession. He said the challenge will be for UND to position itself to compete for incoming freshmen over the next decade. He also said he wants to focus on building a strong sense of community on campus. “We’ve had some turmoil in terms of turnover,” he said. “and I want to stabilize things and really make sure that students, faculty and staff feel part of something bigger than just themselves. I think goodness happens when we can do that.”
Social distancing ends socials By mid-March, the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of additional meetups with alumni in Naples, Florida; Phoenix; and Fargo. Armacost says it was disappointing to miss out on opportunities during his transition phase to continue to learn valuable lessons from his alumni encounters. “The warmth and support and the hope and optimism that the alumni community has for the future of UND is really motivating to me. As I hear their stories, I learned a lot about people's backgrounds. I learned about tin huts and boxcars and strange living conditions back in decades yore. It's amazing to hear these stories and how each person's experience on the campus really defined their lives and made
them who they are today. We need to make sure we keep that in mind as we create experiences for our students today.”
Campus collaboration While putting an end to alumni socials, the coronavirus pandemic ramped up Armacost’s involvement in campus decision making. Thanks to a working relationship between himself and interim President Joshua Wynne forged early in his transition, Armacost has been a partner in all the important decisions made regarding UND’s response to the pandemic. “He and I speak two or three times a day. We compare notes and opinions about decisions that are upcoming. And Josh has been absolutely fantastic when he recognizes a
VISITING WITH ALUMNI
Incoming president Andy Armacost visits with Ray Kobe, '55, and his wife, Liz, at an alumni event Feb. 21 at Boulderanch in Carefree, Arizona. Photo by Milo Smith
decision is going to extend into my tenure. He's been so gracious and so willing to partner and to discuss all these ideas. It's been just a tremendous transition and a great collaboration as the campus faces this global pandemic.” As Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Wynne, who is also a practicing cardiologist, has brought his medical knowledge to bear on the important decisions regarding the university’s response to the pandemic. “His knowledge of the medial and safety issues, not just in medical facilities, but also for the general population, is tremendous,” Armacost said. “It’s been a real bit of luck that we’ve had a medical doctor serving as our president.”
Armacost is thankful that Wynne will return to his post as dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and will be a “highly valued” member of the President’s Cabinet.
The first 90 days A frequent question of the presidential candidates was “What do you hope to accomplish in your first 90 days on campus?” Armacost says his answer has certainly changed giving the current crisis no one could have anticipated in the fall of 2019 when the search process began. While the priorities remain, the fallout from COVID-19 could have long-term impacts on the University of North Dakota in terms of enrollment and state budget for higher education.
“The most important thing we can do is make sure that what makes UND so great, and that’s the sense of community, remains alive and well. The support that the faculty and staff and students are providing to each other as we go through this crisis is important. It’s the bedrock of the institution and we need to make sure that we keep focusing on building and amplifying that sense of community.”
rises to the occasion. To be part of this team, this campus, Grand Forks, and the state of North Dakota is just a tremendous opportunity.” ///
The move The Armacosts plan to move to Grand Forks in mid-June from their home in Colorado. Andy says he and Kathy are excited to get to UND. “This is a truly amazing opportunity and especially during times of challenge. This is where the character of the University really UNDalumni.org
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FEATURE
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SERVICE BEYOND MEASURE Justice Gerald VandeWalle is the longest-serving Chief Justice of any state Supreme Court in the nation. Now, at age 86, he has stepped down as Chief – but continues to serve the Court. By Leanna Ihry, ’02 Photography by Sam Melquist ///
F
or North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Jerry VandeWalle, ’55, ’58, HON ’15, the Capitol in Bismarck is home away from home. After all, it is where he has spent most his time for the last six decades. First, in the North Dakota Attorney General’s office; later, as a justice on the North Dakota Supreme Court; and, eventually, from 1993 on as Chief Justice on the Court. Justice VandeWalle stepped down as Chief in December, but continues to serve on the Court at the wise age of 86. Knowing each nook and cranny of the capital building like the back of his hand, Justice VandeWalle leads us on a tour down the long and spacious sunlit hallways. He smiles and says, “hello” to almost everyone he meets ─ knowing most by their first names. He is intentional and genuine with his actions and words, displaying a true and thoughtful interest in others. He leads us up a staircase to the second floor of the building where we enter a beautiful historical courtroom. This, he explains, is where the Supreme Court convened years ago. He’s a bit nostalgic as he looks around the room filled with reminders of hearings and decisions passed. It’s the courtroom where he first began to serve behind the bench in 1978.
As we sit down to visit about his days as a young boy growing up in Noonan, North Dakota, his time at the University of North Dakota School of Law and his significant career of service to the state, it’s evident that the milestones in Justice VandeWalle’s life are abundant. His life of humble beginnings, honesty, dedication and honor go far beyond his title.
Humble beginnings Becoming a lawyer wasn’t an aspiration for young Jerry. In fact, he explains that he was most content with his nose buried in one of his mother’s books. The youngest of two boys, his father was a dairy farmer. “Those cows sent me to school in more ways than one,” he remarked. The college he chose was UND ─ not for any reason ─ other than he wanted to attend a large school and two of his high school classmates from his class of 10 were also attending. Upon enrolling at UND, Jerry chose to major in accounting, and that is when he eventually felt the “spark” to attend law school. “I took a business law class from Louie Kulas during my third year of college and it just clicked. Good professors can make all the difference in the world,” he said.
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PASSING THE GAVEL
Justice Jerry VandeWalle, ’55, ’58, HON ’15, served as Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1993-2019, making him the the longest-serving Chief Justice in the nation. On Dec. 31, 2019, Jon Jensen, ’93, took over as Chief.
“Taking an issue and reading and reviewing and resolving ─ law school was a snap compared to accounting,” he smiled. Justice VandeWalle graduated first in his UND Law class of 1958, and after admission to the bar that July, he joined the North Dakota Attorney General’s office ─ officially beginning his long and prolific career of service. “My education at the UND School of Law really provided me with the solid education I needed to jumpstart my career. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for UND,” he said.
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Honesty Upon sitting down to visit with Justice VandeWalle, it’s evident that he cares about people. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” he asks. “Tell me about yourself.” He has a demeanor that puts one at ease ─ perhaps not a typical stereotype for a judge, but, Justice VandeWalle’s accomplishments are anything but typical. Since becoming a fixture at the North Dakota
State Capitol in 1958, Justice VandeWalle’s career of public service has remained unmatched; rising from Special Assistant to the Attorney General to First Assistant Attorney General to the beginning of his judicial career in 1978. Applying for the Supreme Court wasn’t a decision he took lightly, as he really enjoyed his role in the AG’s office. But some gentle nudging from a few friends motivated him to throw his name in the hat. “There was an opening [for a Supreme Court Justice] and I wasn’t sure if
“If I have done one thing in my life to be successful it’s been being smart enough to surround myself with good people.” I was going to apply, but at the time I was a master bridge player and four of us would travel around together. They pushed me and threatened me [laughter] so I went home and applied. And, here we are 42 years later,” he explained. Justice VandeWalle was elected as Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court in 1993 and re-elected for five subsequent terms, making him the longest-serving Chief Justice in the nation before handing over the gavel to fellow UND School of Law alumnus Jon Jensen, ’93, on December 31, 2019. VandeWalle explains that his longevity proved to be an asset time and time again. “You start on these projects and there is big hoopla and then one is forgotten. But, you see, that doesn’t work well with me. That’s the advantage of having a long-term chief justice. I was able to see a lot of projects and issues to their fruition.” When asked why he believes he was successful as a chief justice for 27 years, his answer is simple. “If I have done one thing in my life to be successful it’s been being smart enough to surround myself with good people.”
Dedication and honor Though VandeWalle has stepped down as Chief Justice, he has no plans of leaving the North Dakota Supreme Court. “I am not retiring, though I am more than old enough to retire,” he laughed. “I have four years and 11 months on my term. It’s day by day. I promised myself when I can no
longer do it, I will leave. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the state and I’m surprised at the gratitude I’ve received when I should be thanking the people for allowing me to do it,” VandeWalle said. In February, Justice VandeWalle was honored for his years of service to both the University of North Dakota as well as the state and nation at a special ceremony at the Heritage Center in Bismarck. Hundreds of people including VandeWalle’s colleagues, friends and family came to say thank you to the distinguished judge. UND School of Law Dean Michael McGinniss spoke of Justice VandeWalle’s unwavering support of UND Law. “I cannot begin to adequately recount the many ways in which he has generously contributed his time and talents to the law school. Each year, I have witnessed his devotion to spending time with our students through classroom visits and other presentations …. He has also been an extraordinary advocate for the School of Law and its pivotal importance for our state as a critical resource for educating its future lawyers and judges.” In a heartfelt special announcement, Dean McGinniss continued, “And it is my pleasure to announce, in gratitude for all that he has done in service to the State of North Dakota and its law school, the University of North Dakota will rename that beautiful courtroom [large, traditional-style courtroom on the third floor of the School of Law] to honor Justice
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TRIPLE HONORS
At the Distinguished Alumni Social event held in his honor, Justice Jerry VandeWalle, ’55, ’58, HON ’15, speaks to guests Feb. 4 at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck. VandeWalle received the UND President’s Medal of Honor and UND Spirit Award, and had a courtroom at the UND School of Law named for him at the event. Photo by Milo Smith
VandeWalle. It is a recognition that is most fitting, and so greatly deserved.” An emotional and humbled Justice VandeWalle wiped tears from his eyes as the crowd rose to their feet in applause. A second award was presented to VandeWalle by UND Interim President Joshua Wynne, who thanked the Justice for his service to the state, the University and his love for his alma mater by presenting him with UND President’s Medal; the highest honor the University can confer. Last but not least, UND Alumni Association and Foundation Chief Executive Office DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86, surprised the Honorable VandeWalle with the Spirit Award from the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. “We have a name for those whose vision, tenacity and service has made this University the exceptional institution that it is today. We call them UND heroes, and we are honored this evening to add your name to the list of Spirit Award recipients and recognize you for being a UND hero,” Zink stated. VandeWalle reflected on the evening and stated, “That was really a highlight of my career and my life. I had no clue I was getting those awards.”
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In addition to the noted accolades, Justice VandeWalle also received The Sioux Award from the UND Alumni Association & Foundation in 1992; the North Dakota State Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 1998; and in 2015 he was the 42nd recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Roughrider Award; University of North Dakota Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters and, in 2016, University of Mary degree of Doctor of Leadership. Reflecting back on his life and years of service, Justice VandeWalle says, “When I was appointed to the Court my first concern was that I would do something that would reduce respect for the Court and the rule of law. While that concern remains, even today, I have come to realize that a defensive posture alone will not and cannot maintain respect for our system of justice. I hope that the small steps we have taken have had a positive impact on our citizens’ respect for our justice system and the rule of law. While I would not want alone to be remembered for my tenure on the bench, it is a privilege and an honor to serve North Dakota for these many years. I am grateful for the opportunity to do so.” ///
As the flagship university for the great state of North Dakota, we’ve become known for certain things that are forever UND. The great successes of our alumni – doctors, nurses, researchers, and the many others who meet adversity head-on – are a testament to our belief that results matter.
We lead not by telling, but by doing. That proud work ethic instilled in you is dedicated to empowering leaders who roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
We are forever UND.
FEATURE
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In Her Corner How friendship prepared Judge Jade Rosenfeldt for the bench and supported her through tragedy. By Jenn Lukens Photography by Sam Melquist ///
WEB EXTRA
For more on Jade's journey visit UNDalumni.org/alumnimag.
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I
t hangs from her neck on a silver chain. The small disk holds the tiny fingerprint of Jade (Collins) Rosenfeldt’s late daughter, Adeline, who passed away on November 28, 2017, at Sanford Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Fargo. “She had very long, dainty fingers,” Rosenfeldt remembers. “She was just starting to have those smiles at her brothers and us.” The necklace lies under her black robe when Rosenfeldt, JD ’08, takes her place at the bench in the Clay County Courthouse. The Moorhead native was named the Seventh District Court Judge for Minnesota in November 2019, just two years after losing her 3-month-old daughter. It’s a position Rosenfeldt didn’t imagine obtaining by age 37, but several significant experiences – and people – impacted her life’s direction.
A mentor’s advice As a child, Rosenfeldt was the victim of an assault. The prosecutor on the case, Lisa Borgen, a ’96 UND School of Law alumna who later served as Minnesota’s Seventh District Court Judge, not only helped the family win the case, but also became Rosenfeldt’s mentor. “It was very profound to see a woman as the county attorney in that leadership role,” Rosenfeldt recalled. “I got a firsthand view of the legal system and how that worked, and I knew I wanted to do something in that realm.” After Rosenfeldt graduated from Concordia College, Borgen directed her to UND, touting the local connections the School of Law would provide. Borgen’s advice proved true for Rosenfeldt, who landed a clerkship at the Clay County Attorney’s Office through a UND connection after her first year. “It really set everything in motion for me. …That was one of the first opportunities that UND provided.” UND offered more than professional opportunities for Rosenfeldt. During law school, she met two of her best friends, Lori (Cowan) Conroy,’09, and Aubrey Zuger,’08, with whom she found common ground. All three were first-generation college students who went on to make their mark in law: Rosenfeldt as a District Court Judge, Conroy
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as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota, and Zuger as Shareholder in Fredrikson & Byron Law Firm and the President of the North Dakota Bar Association. The friendship strengthened after graduation as their careers and families grew, weekend getaways were scheduled, and early morning runs became regular. The bond got even stronger through Adeline.
Friendship through tragedy Rosenfeldt had just finished defending a client in a custody hearing when she got the call from Adeline’s daycare on that cool morning in November 2017. “They said she wasn't
breathing. Of course, I couldn't even fathom what they were saying. I thought, ‘Okay, maybe she's choking.’ I never in a million years thought it was what it ended up being.” Rosenfeldt and her husband Steve, a pharmacist, raced to the daycare. “They were working on her in the ambulance. I could see her little pink sock,” she said, voice trembling. Adeline had suddenly quit breathing while on her stomach, an incident that the family emphasizes was no fault of the daycare. Later that afternoon, Rosenfeldt was planning to meet Conroy and Zuger for lunch but ended up calling for their help instead. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what was going
Whether it’s being the victim of a crime, losing a sibling, or grieving the loss of a child, Rosenfeldt’s own hardships and background in social work give her empathy for those on trial before her.
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A POSITION OF HONOR
Judge Jade Rosenfeldt, JD ’08, a native of Moorhead, presides as Minnesota’s Seventh District Court Judge in her home county.
on. But from that moment, it’s as if Lori and Aubrey just swooped in and took over.” From day one, the duo, along with another Law School alumna and close friend, Layne Chiodo, ’08, planned meal trains, arranged care for the Rosenfeldts’ two sons and created a CaringBridge website. They remained a constant presence with the Rosenfeldts at the hospital. “When you're going through that with somebody whose child is dying, there are a lot of really amazing things that the hospital staff do,” explained Zuger. The friends helped the nurses trim locks of Adeline’s hair and take her fingerprints that were later made into necklaces. “I wear mine every day,” Zuger said, pulling hers out from under her collar. Conroy explained their dedication: “We have
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this saying in our family that’s ‘circling the wagons,’ and I think that's what you do. You do the hard things, trying to remember that your role is a supportive role to help lift them in their time of need.” Through the course of a week, Adeline’s health did not improve. Doctors found three viruses in her body that may have contributed to her respiratory arrest. Adeline stayed at Sanford for a week on life support. “I slept in that little bed with her for days, just hoping, praying, that something would happen – that she would respond in some way.” The few signs of recovery slowly faded, and the family made the difficult decision to take Adeline off life support. “My husband and I put her on our chests, and she passed away,” said Rosenfeldt through tears.
Running for Adeline The months that followed are foggy for Rosenfeldt. Her family received as much help as possible, including a weekend retreat for grieving couples and time off from her job at Vogel Law Firm. Adeline’s older brothers, Weston (9) and Henrik (6), still miss their baby sister and wish they could have shared the toys they saved for her. As someone who also lost a sibling while in college, Rosenfeldt can relate to their pain: “I remembered just how hard that was on my parents, and I don’t want my children to think that the happy times are over. So we have really tried to focus on the positive.” Some of Rosenfeldt’s sweetest memories of Adeline were daily walks through their Moorhead neighborhood. “I’m a believer in exercise and how important that is for keeping
SWEARING IN
With her family standing by, Judge Jade Rosenfeldt was sworn in as Seventh District Court Judge for Minnesota by Amber Gustafson, ’07, Clay County District Court Judge.
THE BOND OF FRIENDSHIP
Friends and law school classmates Lori Conroy (left) and Aubrey Zuger (right) have remained close to Judge Jade Rosenfeldt through thick and thin.
Photo by Cori Jensen
your mind healthy. Adeline and I were walking, and probably the next step would have been running, pushing her in that stroller with Aubrey and Lori.” The three are planning to run in memory of Adeline in the Fargo Marathon again this year, Adeline’s fingerprints clasped around their necks, sporting pink shirts that say “Run for Adeline.” Others will join the effort to help raise money for children’s charities.
A new perspective from the bench Whether it’s being the victim of a crime, losing a sibling, or grieving the loss of a child, Rosenfeldt’s own hardships and background in social work give her empathy for those on trial before her.
“For people going through really rough times, sometimes the last thing they need is someone yelling at them or telling them how terrible they're doing,” she explained. “Maybe they need some encouragement, and maybe they need more resources. Maybe they need someone to believe in them.” Rosenfeldt was selected over applicants with more years of experience to preside over cases in Minnesota’s Clay County as the Seventh District Court Judge. To help her prepare for the interview process, Conroy and Zuger drilled Rosenfeldt during mock interview sessions.
her and against her, whatever Jade does, she does wholeheartedly.” Though professional appointments have placed them on the stand against one another at times, their friendships have prevailed. While Conroy and Zuger praised their colleague and friend’s effort, Rosenfeldt responded with a nod to her cheering section. “It's just women supporting other women. We're really close friends. I just hope that everyone can have that – people in your corner who believe in you,” she said. ///
“She hit 10s the whole way. We were so excited,” said Conroy. The three were together when Rosenfeldt found out the good news. “Jade deserves this. Having practiced with
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LOCKER ROOM
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
CONFERENCE CHAMPS
The UND hockey team hoists the Penrose Cup on Feb. 29 in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Photo by Shawna Noel Schill
How will the 2019-20 University of North Dakota hockey team be remembered?
W
ith the No. 1 position in the Pairwise Rankings — the system devised to determine NCAA Tournament teams —the UND hockey team seemed poised to make a strong run at its ninth national title. That is until the COVID-19 pandemic halted their season. No postseason tournament. No chance at finishing what they had started back in October. No way to measure up with historic teams of the past. Sure, this team will have its legacy on a white conference champion banner at its home rink, but was there more in store? The Fighting Hawks had missed out on the national tournament in each of the last two seasons and that didn't sit well with returning captain Colton Poolman. He had seen his older brother win an NCAA championship just four
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seasons ago and he wanted to help lead the organization to its ninth title. So, he bypassed NHL free agent opportunities to finish what he started: Getting the team to the ultimate prize and finishing his degree in biology. The journey began right after the close of the 2018-19 season, a year that saw the team lose many tight games. With new assistant coach Karl Goehring, ’01, aboard to help kickstart a sluggish power play, UND immediately saw dividends on its offseason work. Joining the mix was graduate transfer Westin Michaud, who would surely add to the power play after 14 career power play goals in his first three seasons at Colorado College. Second-round NHL draft pick Shane Pinto would add some scoring
punch as the duo led the Fighting Hawks in goals this past season as those close losses turned into wins — and many of them. This team donned its black jerseys (their “business suits”) during key occasions — in fact, right off the bat in the season opener against Canisius. That game set the tone in a 5-0 win for North Dakota, which rediscovered its scoring and kicked off another season-long storyline: strong goaltending. Sophomore Adam Scheel was among the best goaltenders in the entire country in the first half of the season, piling up a 14-1-2 record in the first half with a sparkling 1.56 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. Backup junior Peter Thome later stepped in and solidified things with a 1.37 GAA and a 7-1-2 record in his 11 games. In a season that ended full of question marks, the
2019-20 AWARDS Jordan Kawaguchi *Hobey Baker Award Hobey Hat Trick finalist *USCHO Player of the Year *AHCA All-America West First Team *USCHO.com All-America First Team *College Hockey News All-America First Team *All-NCHC First Team *NCHC Forward of the Year *NCHC Player of the Year finalist *NCHC 3-Stars Award *UND's Most Valuable Player
HOBEY HAT TRICK
Jordan Kawaguchi (29) lead the 2019-20 UND hockey team, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in the country. Photo by Russell Hons
Head Coach Brad Berry *Spencer Penrose AHCA Award co-winner *College Hockey News National Coach of the Year *USCHO.com National Coach of the Year *NCHC Herb Brooks Coach of the Year *NCHC regular season champions To read the full story and see a complete list of team awards, see fightinghawks.com.
only question in goal was who was number one — and there wasn't a wrong answer. So, then, how will this season full of the question marks and what-ifs be remembered? Will it be the team that silenced the critics early by starting the season 14-1-2? UND’s only loss before the calendar year turned came at Minnesota State, a team that finished No. 3 in the PairWise Rankings and had won 11 consecutive games at home until North Dakota tied the Mavericks 4-4 on Oct. 11. MSU had won 23 of its last home 24 games and had not allowed four goals to any opponent in that stretch. In that 17-game first-half, North Dakota outscored its opponents, 71-27. Will it be the last time they played at home (Feb. 29), scoring an overtime goal to clinch the NCHC's Penrose Cup as the regular season champions? It looked bleak just moments earlier when Western Michigan scored an apparent goal early in overtime. However, the goal was waved off and North Dakota had another shot in front of
its home fans. Shane Pinto delivered, sending raucous fans at Ralph Engelstad Arena into a tizzy. Will it be the demolishing of rival Minnesota at Mariucci over Thanksgiving weekend? UND feasted early and often on the Gophers on Thanksgiving Day with three first-period goals to jumpstart a 9-3 thrashing. Eight different goal scorers dotted the score sheet for UND. The Hawks would piece together another win Friday, 3-2, for a sweep at Mariucci, its first sweep of Minnesota since 2006-07. Will it be the national spotlight that shown on Jordan Kawaguchi and his run at a Hobey Baker Award? Kawaguchi went from zero preseason allconference accolades to finishing in the final three for the Hobey Baker Award to go along with a boatload of All-America honors. The junior was second in the country in points (15 goals, 30 assists for 45 points) and was the USCHO. com National Player of the Year and the NCHC’s Forward of the Year. He paced the NCAA in game-winning points with 13, scoring five
game-winners and assisting on eight more. His highlight-reel, between-the-legs goal thrust him immediately into the Hobey Baker conversation as he spearheaded North Dakota’s return to national prominence. And how, then, do we recognize such a season? It's easy to look up into the rafters at the Ralph and see the nearly dozen-and-a-half white banners signifying conference championships and eight more green national championships to measure how great those teams were. But how do we completely tell the story of 2019-20 properly many years down the road? One that didn’t get a chance to measure itself up to the likes of the 1987 Hrkac Circus, the 1997 and 2000 championship teams under Dean Blais or even Coach Brad Berry’s first team (2016) that all of these seniors witnessed winning the year before they got a chance to suit up in Kelly Green. Only time will tell, but this UND hockey team was special, regardless of the finish. /// — by Mitch Wigness
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LOCKER ROOM
CELEBRATION
The UND Men’s Basketball Team celebrates its Summit League Tournament quarterfinal win against the University of South Dakota on March 8. Photo by Dave Eggen
A YEAR OF FIRSTS
UND men’s basketball team finished the season strong under first-year head coach Paul Sather.
T
FIRST-YEAR COACH
Head coach Paul Sather completed his first year at the University of North Dakota. Sather joined the team after serving as head coach at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., for the past nine years. Photo by Russell Hons
he 2019-20 season was a year of firsts – and seconds – for the UND men’s basketball team.
With a win over Nebraska, they beat a Big Ten opponent for the first time since 1933. They were first in the nation among all Division I men’s basketball programs in community service hours. And, in his first year as head coach, Paul Sather led the team to a Summit League title game – only the third coach to ever do so. The team – picked to finish the season in eighth place – came in second. “How we finished – the run we made towards the end of the season – it says a lot the leaders on the team,” Sather said. His team had already lost to the University of South Dakota twice this season, most recently one week before the conference tournament, when the Fighting Hawks dropped the regular season finale 77-67. They met up with Yotes again in the first round of the tournament, getting their revenge and winning the quarterfinal round. “Beating South Dakota was a big win for our program,” Sather said. “And then getting all the way to the championship game showed the belief the guys had in each other. It was a fun way to end a season, no question.” They lost to North Dakota State University in
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the Summit League championship, but it doesn’t leave a bitter taste in Sather’s mouth. “I was really proud of our guys and how they continued to fight for this team,” he said. “To make a run like that at the end of the season, it says a lot about their character.” Earlier in the season, the team had beat the Bison in a thriller, with senior Marlon Stewart hitting a game-winning three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left in front of a full house at the Betty on senior night.
Fans of the team will likely talk about that game for years, but it’s not what Sather’s taking away from the season. “Every day, those guys focused on getting better, being a team, and fighting for each other,” he said. “That win was fun, but the day-to-day work that they brought made it a lot more fun.” /// — by Alyssa Konickson, ’06
4.0 STUDENTS IN FALL 2019 >>>> Student-athletes at the University of North Dakota represent our university in the best possible light, whether in the classroom, community, or competition. As they work to finish the spring semester remotely, we want to share some fall semester stats that show you why they make us #UNDproud.
3.375
OVERALL DEPARTMENT GPA
278
4.0 STUDENTS CUMULATIVE >>>>
15 15 OF
STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH A 3.0 GPA OR HIGHER
36 63
60 30
23RD
CONSECUTIVE SEMESTER WITH 3.0 OVERALL GPA
PROGRAMS WITH 3.0+ CUMULATIVE GPA
STUDENT-ATHLETES ON THE PRESIDENT'S LIST STUDENT-ATHLETES ON THE DEAN'S LIST
4,005
HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
CLASS NOTES
JERSEY JUBILATION Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.; UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86; and UND Provost Tom DiLorenzo present Harold Hamm, HON ’20, with a UND hockey jersey during his honorary degree celebration on Feb. 28.
CAREER HONOR 1939
Tom Glasscock, ’39, ’40, was recently interviewed by the Miami (Oklahoma) NewsRecord about his time as a Navy physician during World War II and his involvement on D-Day. Glasscock, now 101, joined the Navy in 1943.
1981
Accolades for an oilman
Gabriele (Krantz) Nelson, ’81, is the nutrition education assistant in Benson and Ramsey counties in North Dakota.
On Feb. 28, Harold Hamm received an honorary degree from UND in recognition of his standout career and his support for the University and its students. Hamm is the founder and current executive chairman of Continental Resources.
Penny Miller, ’81, ’85, has retired after 31 years as a North Dakota Supreme Court clerk.
1982
1948
Lynn Aas, ’48, ’49, a World War II veteran, is featured in "Four Hours of Fury." The 2019 book, written by James M. Fenelon, is about the war's largest airborne invasion and the final push into Nazi Germany.
Jerome Gunderson, ’82, ’06, an information technology teacher at Grand Forks Central High School, has been named 2019 Teacher of the Year by the North Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education.
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., was on hand to present Hamm with a UND hockey jersey and arranged a video of congratulations from President Trump, which played at the UND vs. Western Michigan Broncos hockey game, to help mark the occasion.
1968
1984
Hamm has paid a number of visits to UND over the years to meet with students and faculty of the College of Engineering & Mines and the nearby Laird Core and Sample Library, a state resource of geological records and
Dr. Duane C. Anderson, ’68, ’70, has been inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Society's Hall of Fame.
1971
Robert Black, ’71, is CEO of Linton (N.D.) Hospital, which has been recognized among the 20 highest-ranked critical access hospitals in the nation by the National Rural Health Association.
1976
Carl Hokenstad, ’76, retired from the City of Bismarck (N.D.) Community Development Department after 41 years of service.
1979
Tom Larson, ’79, has been promoted to senior vice president of ag and commercial lending at First Western Bank & Trust in Minot.
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Photo by Shawna Noel Schill
Steve Brekke, ’84, has joined Walhalla Insurance Agency/Koda Bancor. From 2006-20, Brekke was Senior Associate Athletics Director, Athletics Major Gifts at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.
1988
David Moyer, MD ’88, joined the family practice team at Rainy Lake Clinic in International Falls, Minnesota. Beth (Lewellyn) Thune, ’88, ’89, is Anne Carlsen Center's vice president of the West Region. In her role, she will oversee Anne Carlsen services in Bismarck, Minot and all of western North Dakota.
samples, which have proved important for oil and gas exploration in western North Dakota. In 2012, Hamm gave $10 million to UND to establish the Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering, in addition to funding various scholarships and awards for education and research. He has also donated more than $65 million to various organizations to combat diabetes. “It means a great deal to me having this honorary degree. It makes me very proud,” Hamm said. “Just thinking about some of the work that’s been done here; the great students here to get training and degrees and what that means to them – there is lots to be proud of.”
Herr to be honored
The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) approved Henry Herr, ’68, ’71 to receive an honorary doctorate degree from his alma mater.
During his 40-year career, Herr helped found healthcare companies Healthways and AmSurg. As chief financial officer, a member of the companies’ boards and an executive leader, Herr
helped envision the transformation of healthcare, create thousands of jobs, serve millions of patients and build multi-billion-dollar companies. “He is the embodiment of UND’s leader-in-action spirit and the epitome of the hopes and dreams we have for all students and graduates of this great University,” said Interim President Joshua Wynne. Herr won the Sioux Award, the highest honor given by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation for achievement, service and loyalty, in 2015. ///
1991
Shaun Havis, ’91, is Director of Development for Valley Senior Living Foundation. Jill (Kohlman) Sando, ’91, is Target's chief merchandising officer for style and owned brands.
APPLAUSE FOR ALUMNI
A need for speed
CLASS NOTES
RJ McGill, ’14
1992
John Norberg, ’92, ’96, is a hand surgeon with Sanford Orthopedics and Sport Medicine Walk-In Clinic in Fargo N.D.
1995
Corey Harbott, ’95, ’98, has been appointed district court judge in Minnesota's Ninth Judicial District.
1997
Tom Dosch, ’97, has been hired by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation as development director for the UND School of Law. Dosch is a former UND assistant football coach. Aaron Heitke, ’97, is chief patrol agent of the San Diego (Calif.) Sector of the Border Patrol, overseeing 2,400 law enforcement agents at eight stations along the Pacific Coast.
1999
Joel Bird, ’99, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Bismarck, was named to the list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors by Forbes magazine. Johnathan Judd, ’99, is director of equity and inclusion at Minnesota State Community and Technical College Moorhead. Judd also serves as Moorhead's mayor. Jason Kirchmeier, ’99, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Bismarck, was named a Best-in-State Wealth Advisor by Forbes magazine.
1998
Kris Dahl, ’98, is a senior vice president of RBC Wealth Management. He has been named to RBC's elite President's Council for outstanding performance and professional growth.
2000
David Schlafman, ’00, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Bismarck, was named to the list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors by Forbes magazine.
DEVELOPING OUR YOUTH
Former UND speedster RJ McGill, ’14, helps up-and-coming athletes reach their peak velocity. He also helps at-risk children, teens and adults access education.
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Photo by Milo Smith
J McGill, ’14 used to delight UND football fans with his speed and quickness. In his senior season, the Phoenix-area native was second on the team in allpurpose yards and tied for second in receiving yards, despite missing the last six games due to injury.
what I added to the business: marketing, an updated website, and knowledge of how to expand our brand.”
RJ credits his speed to training to his father, who, along with his best friend, started a business called Extreme Speed Training in the late ’90s. RJ trained with his father from a young age and now works with his dad in Phoenix.
RJ, though, does work a second job. He’s a program coordinator for New Horizon Community Care, a nonprofit agency that serves at-risk children, teens and adults in the Phoenix area.
In addition to working with young athletes to develop their speed, RJ has put his UND Communications degree to work beefing up the business’s marketing. “My dad is very old school,” RJ said. “He knows how to train, knows how to talk, and is a great face for the company. But, as far as the business side, that is not him when it comes to marketing and things like that. That’s
RJ says the efforts have paid off as his father has been able to commit to the business full-time instead of working a second job.
“I help develop programs for youth and adults to help them get their GED or high school diploma while helping deal with their behavioral struggles.” This spring, RJ has been finishing up his master’s degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Add in two young sons and RJ McGill is busy. “Yes, very busy,” he said. “Once I’ve earned that degree, it will free up so much time, and I’m just excited to be able to utilize what I’ve learned
to expand the business. Who knows where it will take us.” RJ says his time in Grand Forks was influential in forming his character. “You learn how to be on your own, far away from family,” he said. “It really helped shaped me as a man, just learning how to handle my business. I had to look at every trip going back to North Dakota as a business trip, cause I had to handle school, I had to handle my health, I had to handle sports. I had to learn how to be responsible in a whole different way.” Another character-builder from his time in Grand Forks? The weather. “Football is one thing, but trying to deal with that cold in North Dakota, you just learn how to battle. It’s a whole different type of mental toughness.” /// — by Milo Smith
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CLASS NOTES
APPLAUSE FOR ALUMNI Jaramie Schoepp, ’00, is VP, Senior Credit Officer, at Bank Forward's South Fargo office.
Hockey, hockey, hockey! Dustin Frize, ’01; Jeff Panzer, ..’01 Kari (Wirtanen) Hearn, ’06, ’12, ’15; Traci (Korynta) Kovar, ’99
Andy Solsvig, ’00, is director of the Canyonlands Field Airport in Grand County, Utah.
2003
Amy (Tallackson) Suda, ’03, ’08, completed her Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner exam and plans to open her own dermatology/aesthetic practice, Skin Rehab, in Grafton, N.D.
2004
Erik Peterson, ’04, has earned the ND Aviation Mechanic of the Year award. He is lead maintenance technician for Bismarck (N.D.) Aero Center. Dr. Michelle Thomas-Langan, ’04, is superintendent of Belcourt (N.D.) School District. Ashley Salberg, ’04, is the director of The Soul Spa at the Westin Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi
2005
Brad Stai, ’05, has been promoted to vice president and trust officer at First Western Bank & Trust.
ON-ICE CONNECTIONS
Four UND Athletics letterwinners (from left) Dustin Frize (baseball), ’01; Jeff Panzer (hockey), ..’01; Kari (Wirtanen) Hearn (volleyball), ’06, ’12, ’15; Traci (Korynta) Kovar (cross country/track), ’99 cheer on their sons (left to right) Mason, Jace, Tyler, and Grant as they play hockey in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
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hen you go to UND, there’s a good chance that hockey gets in your blood.
For Jeff Panzer, the All-American hockey player and Hobey Baker finalist, it was easy – clearly, hockey was already a way of life. But for Dustin Frize, Kari (Wirtanen) Hearn, and Traci (Korynta) Kovar, it may not have come quite so naturally. They were athletes – respectively lettering in baseball, volleyball, and cross country/track at UND – but not necessarily hockey players. “In fact, two families didn't come from hockey backgrounds growing up,” Traci said. Today, the former student-athletes – who all also married UND alumni (Jami (Hollarn) Frize, ’04; Angie (Passa) Panzer, ’99; Greg Hearn, ’00; and Jared Kovar, ’97) – trade their UND green for East Grand Forks (Minn.) Green Wave regalia in support of their sons Mason, Jace, Tyler, and Grant as they take to the ice.
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Joshua Strege, ’05, was hired as a principal process engineer in Energy Systems Development at the Energy & Environmental Research Center at UND. “We let them explore the sports they liked, and these boys picked and love hockey,” Traci said. This past season, the boys’ fifth-grade hockey team took third place at the District Tournament and finished the season in the Gold Bracket at Squirt International, going 4-1 and falling just short to the eventual champions of the tournament, Fargo Black. Jeff and Greg were two of the four coaches on the team. Traci says the parents were not all friends in college because their paths didn’t cross at the time; rather, they were acquainted through their kids. And hockey. Because when you go to UND, there’s a good chance that hockey gets in your blood. /// — by Alyssa Konickson, ’06
2006
Alyssa (Shirek) Konickson, ’06, is Director of Storytelling & Content Strategy and UND Alumni Magazine editor for the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. John Lundby, ’06, has been named market president by U.S. Bank in Bismarck. Nicole (Lunzman) Smestad, ’06, is Marketing Manager of True North Equipment. She is based out of the company's Resource Center in Grand Forks but works with all eight locations.
2007
David Bullock, ’07, has released two new books about space and space exploration: a nonfiction book about the emerging private space sector called 2008-2018: A NewSpace Primer; and a children's book entitled What is Up in Space?
CLASS NOTES
APPLAUSE FOR ALUMNI
Momming for good
Kathy (Schill) Schommer, ’07, ’10, ’11
FARGO FAMILY
Kathy (Schill), ’07, ’10, ’11, and Eric Schommer, ’07, ’13, live in Fargo, N.D., with their children, June (5), Lucy (5), and Margot (2). Kathy started Fargo Mom, a locally focused parenting website, in January 2020.
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hen Kathy (Schill) Schommer, ’07, ’10, ’11, moved to Florida in 2013, she found herself living in a beautiful new city, with her wonderful new husband, working in a fulfilling new career that aligned with her master’s degree in Social Work. She was a family case manager at The Sulzbacher Center, a nonprofit agency specializing in the assistance of individuals facing homelessness. “I was really proud of that job,” Kathy said. “People I worked with had a whole host of needs and I was helping to connect them with resources to fill those gaps.” And so, when she and Eric, ’07, ’13 learned that they had twins on the way, Kathy faced a difficult decision: to keep working at a job she loved, or to take some time off her career to care for her infant daughters. “I didn’t necessarily want to leave that job, but it just made sense at the time.” When June and Lucy were born in February 2015, Eric, a recent medical school graduate, was working 60+ hours per week as a resident at Mayo Clinic and she found herself 1,800 miles from her family and support system back in North Dakota. “Days got lonely during that transition,” she said. Enter Jacksonville Mom, a locally focused parenting website written by other mothers in the area and was part of the nationwide network City Mom Collective. “I was so far away from a lot of friends and family, and I found a community through them,” she said.
Photo by Jessi Lee Photography
Kathy put her writing skills attained through her UND Marketing undergrad degree to use as a guest writer for the site. She also coordinated playdates and other events with other moms in the area, and she joined Postpartum Support International as a volunteer support coordinator, helping women in her area get connected to resources to address their postpartum mental health needs. When she and Eric moved back to Fargo in 2018 to be closer to family with her then 3-year-old twins and 4-month-old daughter, Margot in tow, she says she recognized a need. “I had never been a mom here, and I realized that parents didn’t have a singular resource for finding resources they need.” She put her old skills of making connections to good use, and on January 22, 2020, Fargo Mom was born. On that same day, she also launched a postpartum support group for new mothers in Fargo. “You go into social work because you want to help people, and I was missing that,” she said. “So, this was a way for me to go back to helping people – and I could do it largely from home.” She has a team of about 35 mothers – including 9 UND alumni and counting – who voluntarily contribute regular content, but she hopes to grow her team into a few paid positions as the site becomes more established.
schools in Fargo closed and concerns started to grow, Fargo Mom published a comprehensive resource guide for local parents and began publishing up-to-date, relevant content to help moms in the area. “We’re connecting with other moms over how scared and confused we are, but we’re also providing messages of hope and encouragement.” For example, the group has started a Mom Motivation Monday series, where they provide encouraging messages, such as “You are stronger than you know; take care of yourself !”. In early April, Fargo Mom began selling “Strong as a Midwestern Mother” t-shirts, partnering with Shirts from Fargo and the United Way of Cass-Clay. All profits from the shirt sales are given to Home for Good, an initiative to provide home essentials to community members that are transitioning out of homelessness. “Home is such a safe place to be right now,” Kathy said. “We just like the idea of helping other families and individuals have a secure home with all the basics they need when they’re transitioning from homelessness to moving into a new home.” It appears she’s come full circle. Kathy Schommer is back to helping the homeless – and an entire region of mothers along the way. /// — by Alyssa Konickson, ’06
Kathy says that the COVID-19 pandemic has been an opportunity to showcase what Fargo Mom has always been about: helping moms connect with others going through similar experiences. When UNDalumni.org
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CLASS NOTES
APPLAUSE FOR ALUMNI Brandon Pittenger, ’07, ’11, has been promoted to president at FM Title Company in Fargo.
Like father, like daughter Richard Holand, ’72, Mary (Holand) Martin, ’00
Wolfgang Wright, ’07,’09, has published his debut novel, "Me and Gepe." He also runs a YouTube channel on creative writing, called Writing with Wolfgang Wright.
2008
Ryan Gardner, ’08, is interim director of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department in Bismarck.
2009
Tyler Bakke, ’09, ’14, is a senior business development analyst at Knife River Corporation in Bismarck, N.D.
COMMITTED TO CHILDREN
Richard Holand, ’72, served Park River Elementary School as principal from 1971-2001. Now, his daughter, Mary Martin, ’00, has taken the reins as principal at the same school. Photo by Sara Titera
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ichard Holand, ’72, served Park River Elementary School as principal from 1971-2001. Now, his daughter, Mary Martin, ’00 has taken the reins as principal at the same school. Over the three decades Richard Holand, ’72, was principal at Park River (N.D.) Elementary School, he took time to build relationships with his students. “I would wait for them to get off the bus and most of the time I was on my knees, because there were so many kids waiting for a hug.” Richard, who led the school from 1971 until 2001 when he retired, said daily check-ins with students made all the difference in the world. “I always wanted those kids to know I care about them. I wanted them to have happy days at school and know they can achieve their dreams,” Richard smiled. It’s those sentiments, love and care his daughter Mary (Holand) Martin, ’00, is carrying on today as she has filled her father’s big shoes as principal of Park River Elementary. “I have a passion for kids and helping them be successful. I get that from my dad,” Mary said. Though Mary always knew she wanted to work with children, becoming a principal wasn’t in her plan. “I envisioned myself as a teacher,” she said. “We have pictures of her in kindergarten sitting on a stool reading to the class. It has always been in her. She could do anything she tried,” her father proudly stated. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in education from UND and went on to pursue a master’s degree
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UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
at Concordia St. Paul. After teaching in Colorado for several years before returning to Park River to teach the fifth grade for 15 years, she decided school administration was the career path she would pursue. “Right away I was worried when I became principal that I would miss out on time with the kids, but now I get more time with all of the kids,” she said. Mary lives out her father’s virtues of building relationships with students through greeting them in the hallways as they come and go, reassuring them that they are valuable and bring an abundance to the world and by helping them cultivate their passions and use those passions to make a positive difference. “Sometimes they just need that extra person to encourage them, support them, and believe in them,” Mary said. Besides Mary and Richard, educators are prominent in the Holand family. “There are 39 teachers in our extended family. Every Christmas and Easter are a teachers convention,” Richard laughed. With 30 years at the helm of Park River School for Richard, he is hopeful his daughter continues to lead for at least two decades. “That would be pretty amazing if between the two of us we have half a century as principals,” he proudly said. Committed to children just like her dad, Mary feels blessed to carry on her father’s legacy. “It really is a joy to be in education and to be with these kids each day. And to build on what my father started is very rewarding,” Mary concluded. /// — by Leanna Ihry
Jacob Geiermann, ’09, ’13, is an attorney with JD Legal Planning, PLLC. He also serves as a fellow with the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law section of the American Bar Association and serves on the Board of Directors of the Red River Valley Estate Planning Council. He was named a Super Lawyers Great Plains Rising Star in 2018 and 2019. Keith Parks, ’09, is Police Chief in Pine Ridge, South Carolina.
2010
Jersey Benson, ’10, has been promoted to vice president of commercial lending & business banking manager at First Western Bank & Trust in Minot, N.D. Brett Erickson, ’10, has been promoted to vice president at FM Title in Fargo, N.D.
2011
Andrew Askew, ’11, ’14, is vice president of public policy for Essentia Health. Based out of St. Paul, he will be responsible for Essentia's government relations and public policy strategy for North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Matthew Bakke, ’11, ’13, is superintendent of Devils Lake (N.D.) School District. Desire'e Steinberger, ’11, RD, LRD, has joined Trinity Health in Minot, N.D., as director of Nutrition Services.
CLASS NOTES
APPLAUSE FOR ALUMNI
Achievement through adversity
Kate Long, ’20
ON THE COVER Kate Long, ’20, wasn’t sure she wanted to walk in the University of North Dakota’s spring commencement ceremony on May 17, 2020. It was going to be so long – and besides, she planned to go to law school and would walk in that more meaningful ceremony in a few short years. When her grandmother, Linda, called with the news that she would be flying from Houston, Texas, to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to see her oldest grandchild receive her diploma, Kate had no choice but to change her plans. She would make her proud grandmother happy by walking through the ceremony.
DREAM CHASER
Kate Long, ’20, also pictured on the cover of this magazine, reflects on her final semester as a UND student, which was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Sara Titera
But Linda’s plans to fly, and Kate’s plans to walk, were dashed when the coronavirus pandemic made travel inadvisable and canceled UND’s spring graduation ceremony altogether. Linda wouldn’t get to see Kate receive her diploma, an achievement she wanted to witness out of pride for her granddaughter. After all, Kate was about to become the first in their family to earn a university degree. “My parents did fine without a college education, so higher ed was never something that was forced on me,” said Kate, a Political Science major who also completed minors in History and International Studies. “My parents never said, ‘You should go to college.’ It was ‘Only go to college if you really want to, because it’s expensive.’” But Kate had dreams, and her parents supported her when she said she wanted to chase them. She liked debate and government classes, and was particularly motivated by social justice. Her self-described “pet cause” drives her to pursue her goals. “I would love to work for the International Justice Mission that fights human trafficking,” she says. Her journey to a bachelor’s degree has been slightly winding. Kate’s family moved to Watford City, N.D., during her senior year of high school, so she took a year off after graduation to work and establish residency. Then, she spent two years at Williston (N.D.) State College, achieving her associate’s degree before deciding that UND was the place for her. She was drawn in by the political science and history programs – and of course, the relatively affordable tuition rates.
In her quest toward fighting for justice, Kate applied for and has been accepted to St. John’s University School of Law in New York City – an area of the country particularly shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic (at the time of printing, NYC had amassed 139,385 positive cases and 10,657 had died from the virus). Once again, she faces an uncertain year ahead. “If I’m not able to go, I might need to take a year off,” she said, but she says her feelings of unease pale in comparison to her classmates. “It makes it easier because I’m not looking for a job right away; I can’t imagine how stressful that would be. A lot of people have just moved back home because they don’t have jobs,” she said. “It’s weird not knowing what the future brings.” Even so, her last semester at UND has been upended by the pandemic. As someone who likes to be prepared, she had already made a trip to Sam’s Club to stock her apartment with enough supplies and groceries to get her and her roommates through the next several weeks. But some things are impossible to prepare for. “I wasn’t prepared for not going back to classes and losing the automatic support system of my professors and classmates,” she said. “It’s hard losing my last semester.” Her jobs at Texas Roadhouse and UND’s Center for Innovation have cut hours, resulting in smaller paychecks. But those cuts have resulted in something else: More time for the important things. “It’s been a time to focus more on school. And I’ve been planning out nice meals for myself and my roommates. We planned a wonderful movie night that we would never have had time for otherwise,” she said. “You definitely have more time to connect with people and I really enjoy that.” The history buff acknowledges that living during this “intense historical event” will impact her in ways that she can’t yet grasp. But she’s taking it one day at a time, sitting back and observing people’s reactions to the circumstances. “I’ve learned that it draws out the worst in people,” she said. “But it also draws out the best.” /// — by Alyssa Konickson, ’06
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CLASS NOTES
2012
Bailey Anderson, ’12, ’14, is a Consultant at OpGo Marketing, Fargo, N.D.
Melissa (Roller) Kellebrew, ’14, has been promoted from Senior Associate to Manager at Brady Martz & Associates in Minot, N.D.
2016
Dr. Lana DeCoteau, ’12, has retired as superintendent of Belcourt (N.D.) School District.
Tom Rafferty, ’14, serves as chair of the Minot (N.D.) Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jacob Hanson, ’16, has been promoted to Senior Associate at Brady Martz's Minot, N.D., office.
Jessica (Pearce) Lupkes, ’12, is an HR officer at Choice Bank in Grand Forks.
Nicole Thorstad, ’14, is a licensed clinical social worker with the Mid Dakota Clinic palliative medicine department.
Sarah Langlee, ’16, is a physical therapist for Centrex Rehab in Edina, Minnesota.
2013
Traci (Bentrup) Sletmoe, ’13, an engineer in KLJ's West Fargo office, has earned her professional engineering license in North Dakota.
2014
Jacob Friesz, ’14, an engineer in KLJ's Bismarck office, earned his professional engineering license in North Dakota.
2015
Dessa Bergan, ’15, is a licensed Mental Health Professional at Northland Counseling Center, providing therapy services in Lake of the Woods (Minn.) County, based largely out of Lake of the Woods School.
Brianna Berry, ’16, is a territory medical sales manager for Tidi Products in Minneapolis.
Leslee Graff, ’17, is a physician assistant at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center, Iowa. Holli Marquart, ’17, is a nurse practitioner with the Wound & Hyperbaric Center team at Jamestown Regional Medical Center. ///
Nicholas Stanislowski, ’16, is a research scientist at the Energy & Environmental Research Center at UND.
2017
Christopher Deery, ’17, is the Cass County Veterans Services Officer. Deery is a National Guard veteran who has been helping homeless and other veterans in need for the past four years.
FIND THE FLAME WINTER 2019
Several readers submitted correct answers to the Winter 2019 "Find the Flame" contest, and three lucky alumni were drawn from the correct entries to win a prize from us. They found the flame hidden in the corn near the train on the upper left corner of the page. Be sure to search for the flame on the cover of this issue. If you find it, email AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net.
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UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 5 - 10, 2020
We recognize that Homecoming could look different this year; nonetheless, we’re gearing up. You’re invited back to your home on campus for the usual Sioux Awards, Athletics Hall of Fame, parade, tailgating, football, & hockey. In addition, President Andy Armacost will be inaugurated, ATO will celebrate the grand opening of their new house and host a reunion, and more.
Get updates at UNDalumni.org/homecoming
s! n o i t a l u t a r g n Co The Sioux Award is the highest honor given by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation for
SIOUX AWARDS OCTOBER 8, 2020
achievement, service, and loyalty. Since its inception in 1962, this distinguished award has been presented to leaders in government and business, high achievers in various professions, and alumni who have dedicated their lives to service for others. We are proud to announce the 2020 Sioux Award recipients: Dr. Michael Brown, ’80, ’82 | Erwin , ’83, ’85, & Colleen (Finnen), ’84, ’85, Martens Werner Nistler, ’68 | Terry Severson, ’65 | Lisa Wheeler, ’75, ’82 The Young Alumni Achievement recipients are role-models for those who follow them on campus, as they prove that success can come to those with focus, drive and a willingness to work hard. They are: Lu Jiang, ’12 | Peter Stenehjem, ’07 Learn more about these UND alumni leaders in the next issue of the UND Alumni Magazine.
THANK YOU DONORS The UND Alumni Association & Foundation sincerely thanks all alumni and friends who have made gifts and commitments to support students, faculty, programs, and places at UND. Thank you for all that you do! The following donors reached a new giving circle in the Eternal Flame Society between October 1, 2019 – March. 31, 2020. * indicates deceased For more information about the Eternal Flame Society, visit UNDalumni.org/EternalFlame
Jon & Carol Mielke Kevin & Jeanne Moug Robert & Rebecca Muhs Michael J. Nicolai Otter Tail Corporation Foundation Gary & Nancy Petersen Dr. Wally & JoAnne Radtke Dr. John W. & Suzanne B. Shore Dr. Warren, Jr. & Dena Stanchfield Thomas & Sabina Sullivan Allan* & Betty Swanson Jerry & Carolyn* Van Eeckhout The Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle Jonathan & Amy Warrey
Douglas J. Green ('74, '86) & Esther K. Hjalmarson Green ('74)
Larry G. Solberg
Drs. Richard & Diane Harder
Doris E. Steingraber
Jennifer & Casey Heller Donald D. Hensrud, M.D. Jared Herndon
CIRCL E
$1,000,000 - $4,999,999 Jill M. Cholewa & Steve Cholewa
P R E S IDE N T ’ S
CIRCL E
$10,000 - $99,999 Keith & Barbara Aasen Air Line Pilots Association International
Paul J. & Lynn E. Korus
Sandra & Gerald Bishop Education Scholarship
Dr. Mark & Lori Schneider
John & Jodi Bjornson
Sidney Green Four LLC
Patricia Bohnet & Lowell Liebenow
Jim & Barbara Williams
Bucks' Books Melissa J. Burchill Roderick C. Carey
T HO M A S CL IF F OR D
CIRCL E
$100,000 - $999,999 Dr. Charles & Janine Bridgeford Matthew* & JoAnn Butler John S. & Linda Charlesworth Jeff & Melinda Gau Barbara & Gregory* Heck Mark & Betsy Jackson Joshua & Sara Lord Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies Dean E. May
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UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
James Casler Twyla I. Chun Jeanne & Peter Crain In Memory of Nicole Jeanne Thorson Helen A. Dahl* Dakota Gasification Company Lucy A. Dalglish Thomas & Anne DeSautel Daniel & Andrea Dufner Aaron & Jessica Dunphy Kathy (Fritsch) & Gordon Eagon Chad & Emily Flanagan Dennis H. Fossum Lori (Fritsch) & Tim Freilinger Joe & Roxanne* Fritsch Gowan Properties LLC
David & Tonya Stende The Delta Airlines Foundation
Michael V. Hilgers
Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program
Jesse J. Howard
Steve Williamson
Joanne & Robert* Howard
Winmar Sleep Center
Michael A. Howard
Thomas J. Wynne
William & Dr. Heather Howard Sam & Mary Johnson Donald & Cheryl Johnston Christopher & Nanette Kennelly Stephen P. Kranz Russell W. Kraus
W IL L I A M B UDGE
Matthew & Dr Brooke Solberg
Caesar Larson Nick & Heidi Lee Levine Family Endowment Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Grand Forks Lithia Toyota Scion of Grand Forks Ralph & Tami Llewellyn Scott A. Lundberg Charles & Linda MacFarlane Mike Marttila MMOPA Safety & Education Foundation Wayne S. Mohr, M.D. Larry R. Mullins Alison G. Myhra Aaron Ness Andrew L. B. Noah Drs. Arlan & Diane Norman North Dakota Pipeline Company Philip J. Olson* Paul F. Sulllivan & Associates A. Jeanne Pfeiffer Psychotherapy Associates, PC Leon & LauraLee Riske Jodi Thompson Rolland Henry F. Rompage Karen R. Ruth William & Carolyn Satterfield In Honor of David & Linda Kjelstrup Dr. T.A. & Maureen Schultz David J. Skar, PE RADM Paul & Jackie Soderberg
L E G A CY
CIRCL E
The Legacy Circle includes donors who have indicated they plan to give to the UND Foundation through their wills. Tom & Robin Biel Linda Butts Ruth Connors Dr. Clifford "Kip" A. Cranna, Jr. Dr. John H. & Carlyn Dalness Dennis H. Fossum Dr. Thomas & Carolyn Hamilton Gerald W. Hunt Mike Jacobs & Suezette Bieri Randy & Marcia Johnson Scott S. Johs Louie* & Dorothy Kulas Keith & Jo Streyle Dr. Robert & Barbara Veitch David J. & Gay C. Shemorry Williamson
SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.
UND ANGEL FUND
• A family emergency
• The sudden loss of a job
• Unexpected medical expenses The present circumstances are affecting students in ways that are beyond their control. The UND Angel Fund provides financial help for students so these kinds of challenges aren't a barrier to completing their education. Your generous support can help our students get the help they need in this uncertain time. UNDalumni.org/Angel
All gifts made to this unrestricted fund are tax-deductible.
UND BABIES
FEATURED CUTENESS
CELEBRATIONS
Wyatt R.J. Darling was born on Nov. 22, 2019 to Haley (Prozinski), ’15, ’18, and Blake Darling. The family lives in Devils Lake, N.D. Wyatt joins a proud family of UND alumni, including his uncle Blake Prozinski ’17; grandma and grandpa Lara (Olsen), ’90, and Tony Prozinski; and late great-grandparents, Patricia (Haley), ’59, and John Olsen, ’60.
If you would like your announcement to be included in the next UND Alumni Magazine, send a high resolution photo to AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net. We look forward to helping you celebrate! 1
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UND BABIES
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Camden Farmer was born on Oct. 21, 2019 to Gregory, ’05, and Shannon Farmer. He joins big brother Zachary at the family’s home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Noah, ’11, and Shelly (Wolf) Dombrovski, ’09, ’11, welcomed Blake Steven Dombrovski on March 23, 2019. The family of 5 lives in Woodbury, Minnesota.
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Elliot Hayes Lewis was born Aug. 14, 2019, to Elijah Lewis, ’15, and his wife, Angel. They currently live in Las Vegas.
Keira Yvonne Miller was born Oct. 1, 2019 to Chris and Nicole, ’12, Miller. The family lives in Grand Forks, where Nicole is a Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Student at UND. Joseph Plumer Jr., ’15, and Lindsay Plumer, ’17, celebrated the first birthday of their son Rory Sage on Nov. 18, 2019. They are excited to welcome their second baby in May 2020. The family lives in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.
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UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
7
Jenna (Wheeler) Perrault, ’17, and 10 Jackson Perrault, ’15, met while cheerleading at UND and were married on July 7, 2019. Their wedding party includes UND alumni Kelsey Pierson, ’16, and Riley Lind, ’17.
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Sarah (Mazar), ’15, originally from New Jersey, and Caleb Schoonover, ’15, originally from Wisconsin, began their long-distance relationship in 2009, and were married on March 16, 2019. Sarah is employed at UND and Caleb at Plains Chiropractic. The couple resides in Grand Forks.
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Judy (Brostrom), ’68, and Lynn Redington recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple resides in Huntsville, Alabama.
CELEBRATIONS 6
Jared Axberg, ’18, and Cassie (Poitra) Axberg, ’18, were married on September 1, 2019. The couple now resides in Bellingham, Washington.
3
The Selke Hall West Wing celebrated 52 years of friendship in February 2020 at a reunion in San Tan Valley, Arizona. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are Jane (Hardmeyer) Baker, ’71; Carole (Saunders) Call, ’71; and Pam (Nelson) Olson, ’71. In the back row (left to right) are Cherie (Geiser) Faulk, ’72; Jennifer (Thunem) Messmer, ..’69; Luann (Holden) Siekas, ’71; LaRay (Davidson) Pujo, ’71; Lois (Anderson) Miller, ’72; and Karen (Miller) Hoffner, ’70. ///
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IN MEMORIAM
It is with great honor we dedicate these pages to alumni and friends of the University of North Dakota who have recently passed away. These members of the alumni family helped ignite the spirit of UND, paving the way for a bright future. Photo by Sam Melquist
1930s
Dr. Magnus Braunagel, ’49, ’50 Littleton, Colo.
Howard Huber, ’52 Hazen, N.D.
Phyllis (McMahon) Zane, ’54 Spokane, Wash.
Robert Cooper, ’57 Golden Valley, Minn.
Shirley (Deeter) Dahl, ’49 Fargo
Jerry Johnson, ..’52 Chandler, Ariz.
Marge (Gust) Geatz, ..’55 Grand Forks
David Holten, MD, ’57, ’58 Albuquerque, N.M.
Margaret (Lund) LeRette, ..’39 Banning, Calif.
Marvin Lykken, ..’49 Newport Richey, Fla.
Paul Richter, MD, ’52 Fergus Falls, Minn.
David Gullikson, ’55, ’56 Casper, Wyo.
Elroy Hoverson, ’57 Mesa, Ariz.
Marion (Schutt) Stenerodden, ’39 Lincoln City, Ore.
S. Jeanne (Stenson) Miller, ’49 Jamestown, N.D.
James Roller, ..’52 Grand Forks
Marian (Day) Herzer, ’55 Edmonds, Wash.
Jack Kristensen, ’57 Stavanger, Norway
Donald Raatz, ’49 Bismarck, N.D
Mary (Safstrom) Alford, ’53 Dothan, Ala.
Dr. Roger Higdem, ’55, ’59 Kimberly, Idaho
Dr. D. Jerome Tweton, ’57 Fessenden, N.D.
Raymond Sinkbeil, ’49 Medicine Lodge, Kan.
Sherry (Schjeldahl) Bergland, ..’53 Bozeman, Mont.
Duane Knutt, ’55 Moorhead, Minn.
Nancy (Habiger) Cooper, ’58 Golden Valley, Minn.
Mary Ann (Keck) Thal, ’49 Denver, Colo.
Oscar Bergos, ’53, ’59 Moorhead, Minn.
Curtis Nelson, ’55 Bottineau, N.D.
Dennis Ellingson, ’58 Minneapolis, Minn.
Betty (Berg) Dunsworth, ’53 Richmond, British Columbia
Darleen (Nelson) Black, ..’56 Avon, Minn.
G. Edward Karel, ’58 Walhalla, N.D.
Lester Hippe, ’53 Olympia, Wash.
John Eisbrener, ’56 Trail, Minn.
John Lau, ..’58 Edina, Minn.
Beverly (Gooselaw) King, ’53 Dearborn, Mich.
Katherine (Thomas) Engel, ’56 Grand Forks
Joan (Pflugrath) Matthews, ..’58 Tracy, Calif.
Vernon Neil Kvernum, ..’53 Williston, N.D.
James Gibbs, ’56 Brentwood, Calif.
Wallace Owen, ’58 Bismarck, N.D
Roger Lindberg, ..’53 Augusta, Australia
Ernest Gilbertson, MD, ’56 Fargo
Dr. Paul B. Simons, ’58, ’60 Columbus, Ohio
G. R. Swafford, MD, ’53 Sacramento, Calif.
Leibert Greenberg, ’56, ’58, ’69 New York, N.Y.
Dr. Richard Vick, ’58 Macomb, Ill.
Douglas Tripp, ’53 Duluth, Minn.
Larry Hatch, ’56, ’58 Fargo
Darlene (Langle) Williams, ..’58 Park Rapids, Minn.
William Behrbaum, ’54 Carlsbad, Calif.
Erick Johnson, Jr., ..’56 Buffalo, Minn.
Peggy (Costain) Albers, ’59 Dallas, Texas
Lester Fosberg, ’54 Alvin, Texas
Rev. Lincoln Leer, ’56 Scottsdale, Ariz.
Dr. Wilbert Fischer, ’59, ’72 Fargo
Paul Gableman, ’54 Duluth, Minn.
Richard Lovegren, ’56, ’61 Irvine, Calif.
Keith Johnson, ’59 Grand Forks
Roald Mattson, ’54 Minot, N.D.
Robert Raisler, ..’56 Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Daniel Kenna, ’59 Fargo
Erwin Samuelson, MD, ’54 Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Helen (Lillehaugen) Walser, ..’56 Rochester, Minn.
Janice Liddle, ’59 West Fargo, N.D.
Adam Schweitzer, ’54 Bismarck, N.D
Jack Bailey, ’57 McIntosh, Minn.
Wilfred Nieting, ’59 Medical Lake, Wash.
M. Charlene (Hanson) Schjeldahl, ’38 Oneonta, N.Y.
1940s Doretta (Peterson) Alger, ’41 East Dubuque, Ill. James Oliver, MD, ’41 Moorhead, Minn. Mary (Walton) Hoffman, ’42 Eugene, Ore.
1950s
Elaine (Jacobsen) Steele, ’42 Berkeley, Calif.
Neome (Hultstrand) Bushaw, ’50 Grand Forks
Grace (Kachelhoffer) Wiggen, ’42 Rochester, Minn.
Theodore Dahl, ’50 Kansas City, Mo.
Maureen (O'Keefe) Bryant, ..’43 Batavia, Ill.
Glen Egstrom, ’50 Los Angeles, Calif.
Ansel Braseth, ..’44 New Castle, N.H.
Richard Healy, ’50, ’51, ’52 Fargo
Joan (Melicher) Magnusson, ’44 Bellingham, Wash.
Dr. Ralph Kolstoe, ’50 Grand Forks
Catheleen (Wallgren) Strinden, ..’44 Williston, N.D.
Majduddin Jaffer, ’51 Monmouth, Ore.
Norma (Nystrom) Dahl, ’46 Anoka, Minn. Margaret (Olson) Scouton, ..’46 Minot, N.D. William Buckingham, MD, ’48, ’49 Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Eileen (Van Garven) Etzkorn, ’48 Huntsville, Ala. Deane Moen, ..’48 Hunter, N.D.
48
A. Kirk Lanterman, ..’51 Seattle, Wash. Paul Marturano, ’51 Chisholm, Minn. Dean McInnes, ’51 New Richmond, Wis. Mollie (Knudsen) Murphy, ..’51 Las Vegas, Nev. Gunnard Ness, ’51 Fargo Marcell (Schonberger) Wergeland, ..’51 Moorhead, Minn.
UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
Maridell Reid, ’59 Jamestown, N.D.
Carol (Klingenberg) Kavli, ’62 Grand Forks
Al Wartner III, ’64, ’70 Mesa, Ariz.
Stanley Jenson, ..’68 East Grand Forks, Minn.
Carmen Plummer, ’71 Wahpeton, N.D.
Harold Sorlie, Jr., ’59 San Diego, Calif.
Gary Larson, ’62 Grand Forks
Wayne Davis, ’65 Grand Forks
Liisa (Nygard) Johnson, ’68 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Robert Rosendahl, ’71 Winnipeg, Manitoba
O. Keith Spies, ..’59 Fargo
Dr. C. William Leifur, ..’62 Naples, Fla.
Fred Gray, ’65 Ottawa, Ill.
Richard McConnell, ’68, ’69 Drayton, N.D.
Janet (Jacobson) Stevenson, ’71 Billings, Mont.
Sandra (Anderson) Martz, ..’62 Mayville, N.D.
Robert Hamblet, ..’65 Fargo
Mary Lynn (Axtman) Scmaltz, ’68 Fargo
John Stoffel, ..’71 Grand Forks
Dr. Dwayne Ollerich, ’62, ’64 Sioux Falls, S.D.
Janice (Stave) Moen, ’65 Michigan, N.D.
Dr. Gordon Senoff, ’68 Winnipeg, Manitoba
James Templin, ’71 Maple Grove, Minn.
David Olson, ..’62 Seattle, Wash.
D. Jack Robertson, ’65 Poway, Calif.
Bruce Stewart, ..’68 Crary, N.D.
Montford Anderson, ’72 Aurora, Colo.
John Olsrud, ’62, ’67 Bismarck, N.D
Carol (Baier) Salerno, ..’65 Harvey, N.D.
Lynette (Woeste) Blakeman, ..’69 Bismarck, N.D
Jacquelynn Brown-Stratford, ’72 Jamestown, N.D.
Richard Paquin, ..’62 Mentor, Minn.
Dr. John Deutscher, ’66 Menomonie, Wis.
Dr. Foster O Bucher, ..’69 Starbuck, Minn.
Richard Carlson, ..’72 Grand Forks
Dr. George Pepple, ’62 Ponca City, Okla.
William Gipp, ..’66 Bismarck, N.D
Charles Diehl, ’69 Edina, Minn.
Leon Royer, ’62 St. Paul, Minn.
Jane (Dickson) Graveline, ’66, ’84 Bismarck, N.D
Garry Dixon, ..’69 Dauphin, Manitoba
JoAnn (Mason) Christensen, ’72, ’80 Wexford, Pa.
Michael Vance, ’62 Luterville, Minn.
John Kaspari, ’66 Minneapolis, Minn.
Charles Gates, ’69 Grand Forks
Thomas Casey, ..’63 Buffalo, Wyo.
M. Kay (Christenson) Kettner, ’66 Wausau, Wis.
Robert Lentz, ’69 Mesa, Ariz.
Jon McDonald, ..’63 East Grand Forks, Minn.
Dr. Duane Lawrence, ’66, ’74 Grand Junction, Colo.
Paul Craig Moen, ..’69 Mayville, N.D.
Duane Morberg, ..’63 Bemidji, Minn.
Dale Moench, ’66 Fargo
Larry Scouton, ’69 Minot, N.D.
Gary Nelson, ’63 Stanley, N.D.
Junita Nielsen-Goertzen, ..’66 Horndean, Manitoba
Danni Willey, ’69 Klamath Falls, Ore.
George Plaas III, ’63 Victorville, Calif.
Dale Peterson, ’66 Fargo
Jim Wolfe, ..’69 Winnipeg, Manitoba
John Thorgrimsen, ’63 Vancouver, Wash.
Dr. Allan Zimmerman, ’66, ’68 Fargo
Myron Dammen, ’64 Minot, N.D.
Russell Boeddeker, ’67 Kingman, Ariz.
Constance (Wegerle) Fandrich, ..’64 Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Patricia (Monnens) Collins, ’67 Dubuque, Iowa
1960s Richard Breuing, Sr., ’60 Burnsville, Minn. Donn Hartford, ’60 Chaska, Minn. Arthur Heigaard, ’60 Metter, Ga. Alois Hillstrom, ’60 Seattle, Wash. Kenneth Linstrom, ’60 Rapid City, S.D. Karen (Fischer) McCarthy, ..’60 Tempe, Ariz. Clinton McDougal, ’60 Thief River Falls, Minn. Joseph Streeper, ’60, ’62 Velva, N.D. Darrell Wood, ’60 Surprise, Ariz. G. Paul Zimmerman, ..’60 Phoenix, Ariz. Sharon (Orvik) Bernier, ..’61 Tempe, Ariz. Howard Freije, ..’61 Grand Forks Ella (Walsh) Hurt, ..’61 Lake Bronson, Minn. Gary Johannesson, ’61 Green Valley, Ariz. Roger Lehne, ’61 Fargo Robert MacLeod, ..’61 Grand Forks Fred Maides, Jr., ..’61 Grand Forks Jerald Mortenson, ’61 Minneapolis, Minn. Patrick Tallman, ..’61 Max, N.D. Douglas Berge, ’62 Walker, Minn. Dr. Theodore Easton, ’62 Clearwater, Fla. Michael Grabowski, MD, ’62, ’63 Port Orchard, Wash. Earl Hanson, ’62 Redding, Calif. Nancy (Leedahl) Hanson, ..’62 Hoople, N.D. William Higgins, ..’62 Mandan, N.D.
Leo Fettig, ..’64 Bismarck, N.D Arlene (Lang) Gran, ’64 Fargo William Graveline, ’64, ’68 Grand Forks Jeffrey Hansen, ..’64 Grand Forks Roger Helming, ’64 Whitewater, Wis. Roger Lundstrom, ..’64 Thief River Falls, Minn. Janice (Senechal) Martin, ..’64 Minot, N.D. Johnny Morrison, ..’64 Kemah, Texas Gerald Nelson, ’64 Sun Prairie, Wis. Mary Jo Wammer, ..’64 Warroad, Minn.
Mark Cram, ..’67 Mesa, Ariz. Dr. Carla (Wulff) Hess, ’67 Grand Forks
1970s Blair Flegal, Jr., ’70 Fargo Joseph Gerszewski, ’70 Fargo Robert Hamilton, MD, ’70, ’74, ’76 Scottsdale, Ariz.
Corene (Anderson) Dunn, ’72 Minneapolis, Minn. Dwight Filbert, ’72 Ellendale, N.D. Nita Kordonowy, ..’72 Lindstrom, Minn. James Kummer, ’72 Victoria, Minn. James Litzinger, ’72 Devils Lake, N.D. Samuel Netterville, ’72 Fort Yates, N.D. JoAnn (Rholl) Quanrud, ’72 Manvel, N.D. Roger Rohrer, ..’72 Minot, N.D. Carol (Brown) Sundby, ’72 Turtle Lake, N.D. Harold Vanscoy, ’72 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Charles Cariveau, ’73 Austin, Minn.
Jerome Jorgenson, ’70 Minot, N.D.
R. Susan (Miller) Goehring, ’73, ’91 Wimbledon, N.D.
Joyce Kleven, ’70, ’72 Bemidji, Minn.
Robert Howard, ..’73 Williston, N.D.
Sidney Lerfald, MD, ’70, ’72, ’73 Charleston, W.Va.
Richard Hurst, ..’73 Grafton, N.D.
James Stennes, ..’67 St. Paul, Minn.
Colleen (Love) Van Sweringen, ..’70 Camas, Wash.
Jonathan Jennings, ’73 Bozeman, Mont.
Gary Thune, ’67, ’74 Fargo
Priscilla Joyce Els, ’71 Houston, Tex.
Jack Werner, ’67 St. Paul, Minn.
Catherin Ganyo, ..’71 Grand Forks
Jerome Broadhead, ’68 Mesa, Ariz.
V. Lynn Jaehning, ’71, ’72 Littleton, Colo.
David Fauske, ..’68 Eagle River, Alaska
James Moses, Jr., ’71, ’72 Westcliffe, Colo.
Robert Halliday, ’68 Burnsville, Minn.
Bruce Pallansch, ’71 Devils Lake, N.D.
Duaine Kanwischer, ’67 Mesquite, Nev. J. Daniel Lingor, ’67 Frontenac, Kan. Michael Olsberg, ’67 Valley City, N.D.
Roger Larson, ’73 Berthoud, Colo. James LeClair, ’73 Mayville, N.D. Roger Mergenthal, ’73 Hillsboro, N.D. Rodney Roaldson, ’73 Courtenay, N.D. Francis Selph, ’73 Albuquerque, N.M.
UNDalumni.org
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John Sharkey, ’73 Mc Lean, Va.
Jeniva (Huber) Djoseland, ’79 Minnewaukan, N.D.
Brian Reinke, ’86, ’86 Hankinson, N.D.
William Thoms, ..’73 Little Falls, Minn.
Lyle Larsen, ’79 Watford City, N.D.
Dr. Robert Seidel, ’86 Grand Forks
Wayne Wilson, ’73 Bismarck, N.D
William McDaniel, ’79 Montgomery, Texas
Diana (Coil) Gobell, ’87 Sioux City, Iowa
LeRoy Anderson, ’74 Fargo
Gary Mickelson, ..’79 Fergus Falls, Minn.
Helen (Meduna) Kadrmas, ’87 Dickinson, N.D.
Duane Halvorson, ’74, ’88 Minot, N.D.
Elizabeth (Schilling) Sheldon, ’79 Camillus, N.Y.
Joyce (Klamm) Johnson, ’88 Grand Forks
Lee Haugen, ..’74 Grand Forks
Glenn Togstad, ’79, ’86 Sioux City, Iowa
Christopher Kasprowicz, ’88 Maple Grove, Minn.
Robin Johnson, ..’74 Warren, Minn. Mary Lyons, ..’74 Belcourt, N.D. Michelle (Kenville) Miller, ’74 Escanaba, Mich.
1980s Donald Prouty, ..’80 Bismarck, N.D
Darla (Schanz) Matt, ’88 Grand Forks Tracy (Buness) Bronken, ’89, ’96 Meridian, Idaho
Arthur Rice, ..’80 Grand Forks
1990s
William Schmisek, ’80 Grand Forks
Dr. Barbara Bowman, ’91, ’94 Soldier, Kan.
Kristin Anderson, ’81 Grand Forks
James Germann, ’91 Sidney, Mont.
Thomas Biolo, ’81 Fond Du Lac, Wis.
Edward Hellekson, ’91, ’94 Baxter, Minn.
Judi (Gourd) Ami, ’75, ’76 Fort Totten, N.D.
Dr. Raymond Fischer, ..’81 Grand Forks
Charlene (Abele) Langen, ’91 Kennedy, Minn.
Carla (Blue) Freeman, ’75 Grimes, Iowa
Marian (Day) Gompper, ’81, ’84 Bismarck, N.D
Vivian (Hanson) Meehan, HON ’92 Deerfield, Ill.
Brad Silverman, ’75 Chandler, Ariz.
Terry Moe, ..’81 East Grand Forks, Minn.
Dr. Harold Larson, ’92 West Fargo, N.D.
Thomas Abe, ’76 New Town, N.D.
Jon Nelson, ..’81 West Fargo, N.D.
Mark Messner, ’92 Liberty Hill, Texas
Wekota (Tecumseh) CrowGhost, ’76 McLaughlin, S.D.
Carl Orthman, ..’81 Valley City, N.D.
Deborah (Fanfulik) Reierson, ’92 Grand Forks
Alice (Kryszczuk) Richards, ..’81 St. Paul, Minn.
Charles Hagen, ’93 Minot, N.D.
Richard Walsh, ..’81 Grand Forks
N. Scott Baker, ..’94 New Town, N.D.
Paula Enyeart, ’82 Cuba, N.M.
Emily Elliott, ’95 Portland, N.D.
Lt. Col. Carl Winbauer, ’82 Crestview, Fla.
Barry Schonteich, ’95 Grand Forks
Jay Dahlgren, ’83 Grand Forks
Nancy (Ashe) Fischer, ’96 Great Falls, Mont.
Duane Iverson, ..’77 Williston, N.D.
Suzan (Dahlgren) Huus, ..’83 Grand Forks
Seth Pederson, ’96 North Bend, Wash.
Tim Melgaard, ’77 Canyon Lake, Texas
Jeffrey Sieg, ’83, ’05 Emerado, N.D.
Scott Graham, ’78, ’83 St. Cloud, Minn.
Kim (Kroeber) Buchholz, ’84 Fargo
Lowell Schweigert, ’78 Grand Forks
Joel Schneider, ’84 Bismarck, N.D
Denise Stenberg, ’78 Lakota, N.D.
Joy (Krogen) Chalmers, ..’85 Green Valley, Ariz.
Margot (Hullinger) Behsman, ’79, ’83 Cloquet, Minn.
Barbara (Morris) Parker-Pahl, ’85 Rochester, Minn.
Dr. Elizabeth (Reimer) Myers, ’74, ’85 Moorhead, Minn. Colman Quill, Jr., ..’74 Minot, N.D. Gladys (Breidenbach) Trytten, ..'74 Grand Forks
Dale Lemke, ’76 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan William Stewart, ’76 Monte Rio, Calif. Robert White, ’76, ’84 Emerado, N.D. Kenneth Christianson, ’77 McCall, Idaho Monty Hoerauf, ’77 Goldvein, Va.
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Diane (Sandell) Peterson, ’85 Chisago City, Minn.
UND Alumni Magazine | Spring 2020
Rhonda (Muller) Stroup, ’96 Minneapolis, Minn. Ian Gust, ’97 Apache Junction, Ariz. Gail (Baumgarn) Richter, ’97 Casselton, N.D. R. Keith Ecklund, ’98 Olive Branch, Miss. ElRoy Haadem, ’99 Bismarck, N.D
2000s Elwyn Harrington, ’03, ’04 Crookston, Minn. Corey Johnson, ’03 Fargo Emily (Haywood) Krob, ’03 Brooklyn Park, Minn.
2010s Chalyse (Wynne) Koshikawa, ’11 Grand Forks Joshua Johnson, ’13, ’14 Dublin, Ohio Christian Schmuck, ’17 Chicago, Ill. Sylvie Pate, ..’19 Carrington, N.D.
Dorothy Busch Grand Forks Sheila (Pratt) Cannatti Battle Creek, Mich. Russell Demeyere Warren, Minn. W.G. “Bert” Dickson Gilby, N.D. Robert Dohman East Grand Forks, Minn. Ludvig Egstad Grand Forks Vernon Fitzsimonds Walhalla, N.D. Alvina (Ponto) Germundson McVille, N.D. Eliot Glassheim Grand Forks Wallace Haney Grand Forks
FACULTY/STAFF
Clifford Kannegieter Gold Canyon, Ariz.
Richard Beringer Middleton, Wis.
Harriet Kasprick Chanhassen, Minn.
Kevin Bergland Avon, Minn.
Tish Kelly Fargo
John Dixon Plymouth, Minn.
Odin Kvamme Grand Forks
Steven Dufault Crookston, Minn.
Margaret (Brunsdale) Larson Fargo
William Estrem Naples, Fla.
John Letness Crookston, Minn.
Marlene (Kringen) Ferguson East Grand Forks, Minn.
Eric Meberg Park River, N.D.
Jan Gierman Grand Forks
Orville Ness Northwood, N.D.
Lynette (Boushey) Hofland East Grand Forks, Minn.
Lee Norman East Grand Forks, Minn.
Joyce Hoverson Gilbert, Ariz.
Bobby Owens Grand Forks
Lane Jackson Grand Forks
Sandra Rader Fargo
Dorothy (Rolczynski) Lunski Grand Forks
Martha (Nordenstrom) Sather Fosston, Minn.
Eloise (Hegg) Robertson Devils Lake, N.D.
Lyle Swanson Grand Forks
FRIENDS
Joan (Booth) Thom Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Theodore Allmaras New Rockford, N.D. Carol (Young) Anderson Rapid City, S.D. Kent Anderson Grand Forks Frances Bergantine Fargo LaVerle Brehm Grand Forks Jocelyn (Birch) Burdick Fargo
Ole Trontvet Grand Forks Robert Warner, MD Anoka, Minn. H. J. Wogsland Grand Forks Charlotte (Jagow) Bratvold East Grand Forks, Minn. A double period (..) in front of a year indicates the year that a nongraduate left UND. ///
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