Nistler College 2022 Magazine

NISTLER COLLEGE MAGAZINE

A NEW ERA: Historic Grand Opening of Nistler Hall

Pg. 19

$1.3 M

AWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPS

Approximately 350 students received scholarships

Nistler College reached new heights with $1.1 million awarded in scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year.

39 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The UND Women in Business club connects and empowers students within their first year.

41 THE REACH OF RESEARCH

Nistler College leads the way in quality education and outstanding research.

We are tremendously grateful to all the donors that have supported this integral initiative for our students.

MAKE AN IMPACT

To make a gift towards this important initiative please visit the UND Alumni Association & Foundation at https://undalumni.org/guide-to-giving or contact our Development Directors below:

Jay Erickson

Director of Development for NCoBPA

701.777.3693

jaye@UNDfoundation.org

Cassie Bowers

Director of Development for NCoBPA

701.391.1381

CassieB@undfoundation.org

Editorial Team Design

Editorial Management

Laura Arneson

Director of External Relations

Contributing Writers

Abby Wilfert

Kate Oachs

Laura Arneson

Shea Olson

Izzy Waite Design

Contributing Photographers

Izzy Waite

Shelby Rae Photography

JLG Architects

PCL Community Contractors

2 University of North Dakota | Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Greetings! It is with great excitement that we can share this special new building edition of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration magazine.

Through the extraordinary support from our alumni and friends, we were so proud to celebrate the grand opening of Nistler Hall on September 30, 2022! This historic project will change the future of the Nistler College, and will touch every single student, faculty, staff, and alumni of our college, now and forever.

The gratitude that we have for all that made this project possible is immense. From the donors, the architects, contractors, faculty, staff, UND Foundation, UND Leadership, and of course the city and state partnerships, it is because of all of you that we are officially in this magnificent building.

Together, we are truly building the future of Higher Education, with state-of-art technologies, hybrid classroom designs, and a beautiful space for our students, campus, and community to call home.

We are so incredibly honored to have this building named after Werner and Colleen Nistler, who are remarkable examples to our students for their business success, philanthropic spirit, and the strong value system that the Nistlers have instilled in their business endeavors and passion-driven lives.

The past few years, our students, faculty, and staff have shown outstanding resiliency and perseverance as we navigated through unprecedented times in higher education.

Our faculty established new learning environments and developed innovative ways of teaching by employing hybrid, on-line, and in-person class structures. We are extremely grateful for their tremendous dedication that you can read more about in this issue. Our students have continued to excel academically, and engage in experiential experiences both on and off campus. Not only did they adapt to new learning environments, but they continued to find new ways to network and connect through online and in-person career fairs, internship opportunities, and mentorship experiences connecting from all around the world!

Now we are able to connect, collaborate, and celebrate not only our new home, but being together and adapting to new ways of learning and working together.

From all of us at the Nistler College, we thank you for your continued generosity and support. We would love to host you back on campus and show you around our new home!

With gratitude,

Amy B. Henley, Ph.D.

Dean, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration Professor of Management & Strinden Endowed Chair

LEADERSHIP BEYOND THE FIELD

Teamwork, confidence, and a whole lot of fun, are just a few of the goals that coaches Noah Schaffner and Jagger Ferden have for their players.

Schaffner and Ferden are first time coaches for the Grand Forks Park District Youth Baseball program, but they are no strangers to the field as they both have participated in sports growing up and are currently football players for the UND Fighting Hawks Football Team.

“I came from a family of coaches so I feel like I have been around coaching my while life,” says Schaffner.

Their experience may be new as coaches but what they brought to the players was observed by many parents and attendees. “You could see how much they cared about each individual player and the positive impact they made on them as role models and athletes was tremendous,” says parent of Tball player Laura Arneson.

Every Tuesday & Thursday morning this summer you would see Schaffner and Ferden and all of the coaching staffing waiting with a smile as the tball baseball players came filing into Ulland ballpark with their hat, glove, and bats.

When the game was about to start you would hear the coaches call out “huddle up” to all the players who would then run quickly to assemble by their coaches with pride. The coaches greeted the players by name and their energy was contagious as the young players excitedly followed them to their field for the game.

“The kids always make me happy,” says Ferden when describing his favorite part about coaching. “It is always fun to see how joyful the experience is for them and it made me excited to want to show up and coach them every day.”

Being positive role models are important to Schaffner and Ferden. “I learned a lot from my head football coach in high school. He always wanted to include everyone and build confidence in his players. He taught us to be ok with leading,” says Ferden.

This leadership taught in athletics, and passed on to these young athletes will go far beyond the field. Schaffner is currently a sophomore at UND and majoring in Business Economics. Ferden will be a junior majoring in Banking and Finance, and Management. Their leadership experiences will continue to propel them forward into successful careers in business.

“We are so proud to have Noah and Jagger part of the Nistler College,” says Dean Amy Henley. “This is exactly the type of leadership we encourage Nistler

students to engage in and see how they are making a difference in the lives of these young athletes and in their community.”

Being a part of the UND Fighting Hawks Football team has taught Schaffner and Ferden the importance of always representing your team positively and hard work ethic. “As an NCAA Athlete you never know who is watching so we always want to make sure we are making a positive impact,” says Ferden.

“In sports you learn how to be determined, never give up, and always strive for something more,” says Ferden. “I always wanted to play for UND so receiving an offer here was a dream come true,” says Schaffner.

“Our football program takes great pride in being part of the Greater Grand Forks community and understands that we are afforded opportunities to be a positive influence on young lives. It was pleasing to receive feedback that Noah Schaffner and Jagger Ferden were impacting young athletes by developing personal

characteristics that will benefit these individuals throughout their lifetime. Noah and Jagger displayed awesome leadership by making a significant contribution in a positive manner to the youth of our community,” says Coach Bubba Schweigert.

Schaffner and Ferden’s commitment to their teams was not only impressive by truly touching to witness. “I just loved Tuesday and Thursday mornings,” says Schaffner when reflecting on his season of coaching these first time baseball players.

2022 BE BOLD SUMMIT BECOMING BOLD

In a flurry of blue and purple, the Be Bold Women in Leadership Summit sprung into its second year. The event was generously sponsored by UND alumna Mary Fischer, the Hultberg Endowment, the Mellem Symposium Endowment, and US Bank.

2022 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Activities kicked off with breakfast in the new UND Memorial Union. More than a hundred NCoBPA students clad in business professional attire networked with leaders from UND and the greater Grand Forks community.

UND Alumna, Mary Fischer led an insightful discussion during the Hultberg Panel featuring female leaders from diverse fields.

Representing healthcare, higher education, and construction were Dean Amy Henley, Mary Fischer, Meghan Compton, Meloney Linder, and Sally Miskavige. The group discussed their personal experiences with worklife balance and self-confidence in traditionally male-dominated industries.

A prevailing theme of bold decisionmaking continued into the keynote presentation by Tammy Miller, Chief Operating Officer for the State of North Dakota Governor’s Office.

Born into a low-income household in Brocket, ND, a town of 57 people, Miller carefully considered each step on her path to a successful career and life.

Tammy J. Miller

2022 BE BOLD PANELISTS

Her move to the State of North Dakota Governor’s Office came after a celebrated 30-year career in financial, regional, and executive leadership at Border States, an employee-owned supply chain solutions company.

Dean Henley says, “We were honored to have Tammy Miller as our keynote for this year’s Be Bold event. Her expertise in business and government is a perfect example for our students to see how their leadership skills can expand into various sectors.”

To round out a full morning of activities, students were given the chance to apply their newfound skills with a session on LinkedIn conducted by Kathy Lund, Director of the Pancratz Career Development Center.

Lund challenged the audience to develop and engage with their network on LinkedIn. “Set a goal for yourself to comment on posts that inspire you, share your latest accomplishments, and connect with the people you meet here today,” she encouraged.

The takeaways of such an event are best described by the students themselves. Huanan Tao graduated in May 2022 with a major in Business Economics and will begin the Master of Science in Applied Economics and Predictive Analytics program this fall. He intends to begin dental school afterward, bringing with him unique expertise in business.

“Without witnessing these leaders’ achievements and hearing their stories in person, I don’t think our education on women in leadership would be complete,” says Tao. “Be Bold revolutionized my

Meloney Linder, Meghan Compton, Dean Amy Henley, Mary Fischer, and Sally Miskavige

thinking on leadership, letting me realize that great talents are hidden in each one of us regardless of gender. It is through taking bold actions that they are extracted, leading us to success.”

Another student, Marissa Linback recently returned to UND for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accountancy following a career in hospitality and restaurants.

Linback, who hopes to someday become the CFO of a brewery, says, “The Be Bold Leadership Summit was a motivational

boost at the end of a very busy semester! It was great to hear how local women have succeeded in their careers by betting on themselves and making big career moves.”

Meanwhile, Kayla Klatt, a May 2022 graduate of the Master of Business Administration program, winner of the UND Center for Innovation’s Women’s Entrepreneur Award, and owner of a food photography business, believes Be Bold “is an exceptional opportunity for students to listen and learn from female leaders across the industry.”

“Additionally,” says Klatt, “they are able to network and build relationships with other driven, young leaders. I am thankful for the chance to attend this event!”

Thanks to the support of donors, business leaders, and members of the NCoBPA, the second Be Bold Women in Leadership Summit successfully served to empower NCoBPA students to more confidently pursue their boldest aspirations.

A LEGACY BUILT ON CONNECTIONS

Kim Woods retires after an impactful career of making a difference in the lives of students and faculty for generations to come.

Woods and her sister Karla Harmon, ‘85 UND alumna, will continue to make a difference with the Hoggarth Family Scholarship Endowment they established to honor their parents within the Nistler College.

It’s all about connections. This statement truly embodies the work of Kim Woods and her 16-year career at the UND Alumni Association and Foundation. But her commitment to connections started far before that with her 25-year career at Alerus Financial, her UND education, and her time growing up on a farm.

Kim Woods (Hoggarth) grew up in Courtenay, ND, which is a rural town that has dwindled from 300 residents during Kim’s residence to 50 residents today. Her small-town upbringing taught her the importance of community, teamwork, adaptability, and a strong work ethic.

“Growing up on a farm and growing up in a small community instills engagement,” says Woods.

Through her family’s numerous endeavors as farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurial business leaders, she developed her work ethic and perseverance.

“I never thought of work as a chore. It was a necessity,” says Woods.

Woods shared that her parents instilled a respectfulness for others, taught them to work hard, and have true grit. “They always made work fun and entertaining, and centered around family,” says Woods.

Giving back to the communities in which they did business was also a priority for the Hoggarth family. Woods remembers filling bags of candy at Christmas and supporting the numerous communities where those businesses were located.

“We learned the importance of giving back and being extremely supportive of others,” says Woods.

Woods learned how to fly a plane with a landing strip on their farm. Her father earned his pilot’s license, as flying was a family hobby. She always went with him — on her 16th birthday she soloed, and then obtained her license on her 17th birthday. Her interest in aviation was one of the factors that drew her to attend the University of North Dakota in the fall of 1978.

“I wanted to stay close enough to home, but still go out on my own,” says Woods. “It is so important to mature as a young adult and find your own way.”

When arriving at UND, Woods did not know anyone other than her roommate, so she knew she needed to get connected right away.

“I knew to make this experience the best I needed to get involved and connected to the University,” says Woods. To do

this, she went to all of the sporting events, held internships, played on softball teams, and worked part-time jobs at the GF Herald and First National Bank.

Woods majored in Communications with a minor in Marketing. She lived in Selke Hall for two years which was just across the street from the UND Alumni Association & Foundation where she would spend a considerable part of her career.

After graduating from UND in June of 1982, Woods accepted a fulltime position at First National Bank, now Alerus Financial, where she had previously been working as a bank teller. She started full-time in customer service and over the course of her 25-year career in banking, she held roles in the areas of personal banking, private banking, sales management, and relationship banking.

This past summer marked her 40/40/40 milestones; 40 years since she graduated college, 40 years since she started her full-time job at the bank, and 40 years of being married to her husband Roger Woods.

PART 2

After a successful career at Alerus Financial, Kim found herself being heavily recruited by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation and UND to work in the area of development.

UND President, Dr. Kupchella, Dean of the College of Business & Public Administration, Dr. Dennis Elbert, and CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, Tim O’Keefe, began recruiting her for about 9 months.

“I say, ‘They wore me down,’” laughs Woods. “I was flattered by their interest and that they thought I could fundraise.”

2021 SIOUX AWARDS

Kim Woods, Colleen Nistler, Werner Nistler, and DeAnna Carlson Zink

Woods says she had great respect and trust for the leadership at UND and thought it would be great to have two amazing careers that could benefit Grand Forks and the University.

“The community of Grand Forks and UND are both extremely important to me,” says Woods.

Woods went on to have a 16-year career with the Foundation as the Senior Director of Development for the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and Associate Vice President.

As one of the most successful development officers and ambassadors for UND, Woods jumped on board right at the start of the North Dakota Spirit Campaign for UND.

She was integral in growing the overall endowment, increasing the number of student scholarships awarded, endowed faculty positions, legacy gifts, College symposiums, and last but not least, she was the lead fundraiser on a $70 million building campaign project for the new Nistler Hall with the building becoming the grand finale.

“I loved the journey, and I loved the excitement in helping donors find purpose in giving back,” says Woods. “Going forward, this building will attract new students, faculty, and leaders to the College.”

Beyond the numbers, the relationships and friendships built by Woods with donors are outstanding.

“I value all of the friendships and look forward to continuing to stay in touch with them,” says Woods.

Many donors thank Woods for getting them reconnected to the University and finding them impactful ways to give back to their alma mater.

WHAT’S NEXT

In her retirement years, Woods says you will most likely see her driving past the new building on a weekly basis and pinching herself. But for all who know and love Kim, the burning question continues to be, “What’s next?”

“When you figure that out, let me know,” she says with a laugh. “I am going to start with a time of reflection and gratitude. Taking care of Kim.”

She says she will be prioritizing family and friends, the lake, and travel.

“I don’t see myself drifting too far away from what gives me joy and satisfaction in our community,” says Woods. “At this age, using my connections, experiences, wisdom, and finding out how to continue to apply those resources are the most exciting parts of the next chapter.”

Woods says her style is to be open to new possibilities. “I love not knowing

what is next, but I will know it when I see it.”

Woods didn’t take long to find a few new endeavors. Currently, Kim is teaming up with other GF community members on a Center for Exploration campaign to build a children’s museum and destination park in GF. Kim is enjoying her time attending her grandchildren sporting events and spending more time with family and friends. She also looks forward to new travel destinations.

For Woods, it is truly all about connections.

Connections through her college years to settle down in Grand Forks for her career.

Connections through friends to meet her husband Roger leading to 40 years of marriage.

Connections from her part-time job to launch her career at Alerus Financial.

And most importantly, her connections to all of our students, our alumni, our faculty, and our community. Because of her commitment to all of those things, we have had the honor of being connected to her. We will continue to be grateful for what she has brought to not only our university and our state, but also to each of us that has had the honor of working with her. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to connect with her in the next chapter.

“Kim is one of those special individuals who is thoughtful in every interaction she has. She always makes the other person feel like the most important person in the room, and her kindness and grace always shine through. Personally, my life is better for knowing and working with her. Because of Kim, I am a better Dean, a better wife, mother, friend, and just a better person.”

Amy B. Henley, Dean of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

“Kim has been a vital part of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation team for the past 16 years and her crowning achievement is nearing completion at the corner of University Avenue and Centennial Drive. But the new Nistler College of Business & Public Administration building is just part of the vast legacy that Kim leaves behind. Countless students have benefited from her dedication to UND.”

DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation

“Kim’s sincere passion for UND and its students has been deeply felt by alumni, and that passion contributed greatly to her years of achievement for the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and the Alumni Association & Foundation. Kim has been a pleasure to work with over the years.”

Henry Herr, UND Alumnus

“Kim genuinely cares about the success of others. Her natural leadership presence and bright personality bring people together to accomplish the unthinkable. She has accelerated my professional growth in more ways than I can count and her impact goes much further than just those she formally mentors.”

Shannah Gonzalez, UND Alumna and former Mentee of Kim Woods

“It would be hard to overstate Kim Woods’ contributions to UND and the Grand Forks community. Through building authentic and lifelong relationships, she has helped countless people to find the joy in giving – in a way that will impact the lives of generations of UND students. Her legacy is unparalleled in the world of philanthropy.”

Kristi Hall-Jiran, UND Nistler College Advisory Council Member

“Kim Woods is one of those rare individuals blessed with the talent to genuinely connect with people and build meaningful, long-standing relationships. She tirelessly shared the vision of UND and the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration with people around the country, generating excitement and raising funds. Her commitment, drive, and contagious optimism were the keys to bringing the Nistler College to life. We and future generations owe Kim our deepest gratitude.”

Colleen and Werner Nistler Jr., UND Alumnus

BUILDING A NEW ERA

Nistler College entered a new era with the opening of Nistler Hall in Fall 2022.

INSIDE NISTLER HALL

20

Total Classrooms Foot Outdoor Patio Faculty Offices Tons of Steel

20 12,000 2 1 96

Conference/ Meeting Group Rooms

838 296 10,000 86

Skyways Large Café/ Atrium/Community Plaza/Auditorium Steps Square Yards of Carpet Feet Tall

LEADING THE WAY COLLEEN AND WERNER NISTLER

Being of service to others and supporting education are keystones in the lives of Colleen and Werner Nistler. Evidence of this commitment is the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, which will serve and influence countless future generations.

Raised in large families devoted to faith in God, their parents instilled in them the importance of unwavering values and hard work. The couple combined their upbringing and education to create numerous entrepreneurial enterprises. Most notable is a company Werner founded in 1980: Touchmark, which develops and operates full-service retirement communities in the U.S. and Canada. In 2002, Colleen and Werner founded the Touchmark Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to enhancing the well-being of seniors.

In 2014, they led the formation of Swede Hills Vineyards, 10 acres of Pinot Noir grapes planted in Portland, Oregon, followed by the winery, Amaterra, meaning “for the love of the earth.”

Many business and education boards have benefited from Werner’s insights. In 2017, he was inducted into the University of North Dakota Accounting Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was a national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2019, the North Dakota Board of Higher Education and UND recognized Werner and Colleen for their achievements and philanthropy by announcing the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration. In 2020, UND bestowed Werner with the prestigious Sioux Award for his professional accomplishments and service.

Colleen and Werner thank their parents, their six children, the Touchmark family, the University of North Dakota, and God for providing inspiration and guidance throughout their lives.

THE NEW HOME OF NISTLER COLLEGE

was built on a foundation of 12 key strategic components:

Accessibility/Openness

Our 111,000 square foot building is located along University Avenue in the heart of UND.

Daylighting

Natural light is accessible throughout the building.

1 5 9

Distance Learning

Enhanced technology throughout the building maximizes connections both on and off campus.

Collaboration

Two skyways will connect Nistler College to neighboring Chester Fritz Library and Merrifield Hall.

Community Plaza

Community hub and atrium provide large, multi-use auditorium space.

2 6 10

Public/Private Balance

A variety of spaces which will allow stakeholders and students to collaborate or work privately.

Storytelling/Branding

Vibrant visual designs will share the stories and successes of UND’s Nistler College and its alumni.

Small Study Spaces

Group rooms and study nooks throughout the building provide diverse environments for learning.

3 7 11

Flexibility

Allow for adaptability and changes as needs evolve.

Food/Drink

The main floor café is adjacent to the open atrium and community plaza.

Real World Career Prep

Student Engagement provides space for collaboration for a variety of opportunities.

4 8 12

‘Right Size’ Spaces

Maximize efficiency by providing multiple size rooms and configurations to form ideal conditions.

EVOLUTION OF NISTLER HALL BUILDING NEW FOUNDATIONS

The dream to build a new home for the College of Business & Public Administration has been in motion for far over a decade.

With the lead gift from Werner and Colleen Nistler in 2019, this dream started to

become a reality. Then followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of new projects were becoming very unknown.

Through the support of our state, alumni, and friends, this project defied the odds and broke ground in the Fall of 2020.

The project was able to stay ahead of the majority of inflation spikes that occurred in late 2021 and persevered through the exceptional leadership and dedicated team.

HOMECOMING 2022 CELEBRATIONS GRAND OPENING NISTLER HALL

Homecoming 2022 marked a historic time as we celebrated the Grand Opening of Nistler Hall! Our week was filled with excitement as we hosted the Morrison Leadership Summit, Accounting Hall of Fame, Faculty & Staff Luncheon, Nistler Hall Ribbon Cutting, and our Grand Opening Distinguished Leaders Dinner in our beautiful new building.

Grand Opening Dinner

Morrison Leadership Summit – Featuring UND Alumnus Greg Page

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration

Accounting Hall of Fame

THANK YOU BUILDING BENEFACTORS

BARBARA AND KEITH AASEN

LANDON ADOLPHSON

MERLE AND JILL ADOLPHSON

KENNETH AND CAROLE AITCHISON

ALERUS FINANCIAL

BRENT AND LAURA ANDERSON

ANDERSON STEEL ERECTION SERVICES

DONETTE AND MYRON ARNDT

STEPHANIE AUSTIN

DEAN BACHMEIER

LANDON BAHL

EIDE BAILLY

KEITH AND LILA BAKER

LYNN JORGENSON BARNHART AND SHAWN BARNHART

B. JOHN BARRY

BASIN ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE

DAVID AND DIANE BENDER

LINDSAY AND ANDREW BENSON

JOHN AND NANCY BERG

BERGER ENTERPRISES

GERALD AND CONNIE BERNARDY

RYAN AND RACHEL BESTE

JARED AND LINDSAY BICKLER

BRENT AND HEATHER BIELEC

GEOFFREY BILLINGSLEY

PERRY BJORNRUD

BRIAN AND KAREN BLUHM

PAUL AND GAYLE BOHRER

BORDER STATES ELECTRIC

TIMOTHY AND SALLY BOSH

BRADY MARTZ AND ASSOCIATES PC

JOSH AND KELSEY BRANDSTED

ALICE AND DAVID BREKKE

BREMER BANK

SCOTT BRANVOLD AND LYNDA

DAVIDSON

DAVID A. BROWN

GAYLAN AND JANICE BUNAS

JOHN AND NANCY BURBIDGE

ALAN AND JILL BURCHILL

RICK AND JODY BURGUM

PAUL AND S. GAIL BUSCH

JOHN AND ELIZABETH CARDARELLE

AMY, DAVID, AND COLLIER CASON

CH ROBINSON WORLDWIDE

SUE AND TOM CHEVINS

JILL AND STEVE CHOLEWA

NEIL AND ANGELA CHRISTY

1926

1917

Initial business courses offered

1922

First bachelor’s degree awarded

Initial accreditation received by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

1924 School of Commerce established

CITY OF GRAND FORKS

CL LINFOOT COMPANY

AMY AND ANTHONY CLARK

THEODORE CLAUSEN

CMS, LLC

JEANNE AND PETER CRAIN IN MEMORY OF NICOLE JEANNE THORSON

HOWARD AND ANN DAHL

DENNIS AND MARY DAHLEN

SAMUEL DAUFENBACH

TOM AND ANNE DESAUTEL

MICHAEL AND SARAH DEVRIES

DAWN DEXTER

MICHAEL AND JILL DONAHUE

JENNIFER AND RANDAL DUFFY

LAURA AND MICHAEL DULITZ

NIKKIE, SHAWN, JAYCE, AND WYATT

DVORAK

CATHERINE EAGAN-SPICER AND STEVE SPICER

SHELLEY EARSLEY

MARK EDSTROM

DAVID AND JEAN EHREN

DENNIS AND DORA ELBERT

BLAKE AND MEGAN ELLEFSON

EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT

COREY ENGER

DANA AND SHAWNDA ERETH

JAY ERICKSON

TYLER FALK

JODY AND DUANE FERAGEN

VERN AND SANDRA FINDLEY

FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK

CHAD AND EMILY FLANAGAN

DEREK AND JENICA FLANAGAN

HENRY AND JULIE FRANTZEN

ANGIE AND RUSS FREEMAN

DANIEL AND TAMI FUNK

CHRIS, MICHELLE, NORAH, AND CAL GARSKE

GATE CITY BANK

JEFF GAU

JEFF AND CATHY GENDREAU

PHILIP AND PATRICIA GISI

PHILIP AND PATTY GOETZ

KEVIN GRAY

DOUGLAS GREEN AND ESTHER HJALMARSON GREEN

CLIFFORD GROSZ

HAROLD AND IONE GUSTAFSON

DEBORAH AND GARY HAGEN

LORILYNN AND THOMAS HAHN

MARK AND JULIE HALL

KAYCE AND GABE HALLEY

TREVOR HASTINGS

KRISTI AND ERIC HECKELMAN

MIKE AND LORI HENDRICKSON

HENRY AND JUDEE HERR

NANCY AND PAUL HETTWER

DAVID AND GLORIA HINRICHS

1926

Beta Gamma Sigma chapter established

1937

First master’s degree awarded

1955

Renamed the College of Business & Public Administration

1968

Gamble Hall opened

ANDREW AND KELLY HOFFARTH

JOHN AND KAYE HOFFERT

EDWARD AND CAROL HOFFMAN

KRISTIAN HOLM

TIMOTHY AND CONSTANCE HOLMEN

CHARLES AND JULIE HORTER

JEFFREY AND STEPHANIE HOUDEK

HARRY AND MARILYN HUBBARD

HUGO’S

DOUGLAS IKELMAN

MARK AND BETSY JACKSON

JUDY AND DAVID JAHNKE

JLG ARCHITECTS

ARLIE JOHNSON AND MICHELLE ROWE-JOHNSON

DAROLD AND ARDELLA JOHNSON

DONALD AND JUDITH JOHNSON

GARY AND DIANE JOHNSON

LAURA JOHNSON

CHARLES AND KAREN JUNTUNEN

JAMES AND JOANNE KACK

V. FRANK AND MAXINE KADLEC

KEVIN KAMRADT

JULIANA AND PAUL KIERSTEIN

JOLETTE KIHLSTROM

WILLIAM AND JANICE KING

RICHARD AND CYNTHIA KINNEY

JOHN AND SANDY KLEIN

DAVID AND ELLEN KLYM

RYAN AND STEPHANIE KOPSENG

PAUL AND LYNN KORUS

RITA KOSMATKA

JULIANNE KOTRBA

THOMAS KUDELKA

THOMAS AND MILLICENT LABERGE

MATTHEW LABERNIK

PAM AND LONNIE LAFFEN

A. KIRK AND JANET LANTERMAN

MAXINE LARSON

KEITH E. AND JUDY LAVACHEK

RICK AND LORI LEE

ALAN AND JOANNE LEUPP

JIEFENG LI

CORY LIEN

EVAN LIPS

RALPH AND TAMI LLEWELLYN

PAULA AND LAWRENCE LOENDORF

RITCHIE LOERCH

DUSTIN AND MEGAN LONG

JACK LONG

JAMES AND JANET LOOS

JOSHUA AND SARA LORD

RICK AND HOLLY LOWENBERG

JANE FERCHO LUDLOW

LUNSETH PLUMBING & HEATING

DAVID AND CATHARINE LUTGEN

KEITH AND MARY MAGNUSSON

KRISTI MAGNUSON-NELSON

PATRICIA KALIL MARGARIT AND JOSEPH MARGARIT

JAMES AND CRISTA MAIDES

DOUG AND KATIE MARK

GARY AND JANE MARSDEN

STEVEN AND CYNTHIA MARSDEN

EDMUND AND BARBARA MARTIN

JUAN AND STEPHANIE MARTINEZ

JEFFREY MARTZ

BRIAN AND DOROTHY McCLURE

MDU RESOURCES GROUP INC.

RODNEY AND JOYCE MEDALEN

ADAM MEIXNER

TOM AND KONNIE MIDDLETON

CHARLES AND RITA MIELKE

JON AND CAROL POLIVKA MIELKE

MINNKOTA POWER COOPERATIVE

KOURTNEY MISIALEK

CHARLES MISKA

LAURIS MOLBERT

MOORHEAD ELECTRIC

DARREN AND ALLI MOQUIST

DALE AND BARBARA MORRISON

KEVIN MOUG

MONICA AND MARK MUSICH

KENNETH NELSON

MARK AND JAN NELSON

R. DUANE AND LILA NELSON

JENNIFER AND JAY NEPPEL

AARON NESS AND MANDY MAXON

WERNER AND COLLEEN NISTLER

HARVEY AND MELANIE NOTEBOOM

BRIAN, KATE AND PARKER OACHS

ROBERT OLAFSON

ROBERT AND MAVIS OLSON

KYLE AND VANESSA ORWICK

OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

GREG AND CINDY PAGE

LINDA AND MARK PANCRATZ

HURSHA AND BHAVIK PATEL

PCL & COMMUNITY CONTRACTORS INC.

NANCY PEDERSON

CLARK PENAS

STEPHANIE AND JASON PETERSON

TAMMY AND SHAWN PETERSON

DOUG AND RITA PODOLAK

JIM AND NICOLE POOLMAN

DAVID PROCHASKA

HAROLD AND DIANA RANDALL

DAVID AND DORIS REEVE

KEITH AND STEPHANIE REIMER

RYAN RENNER

MICHAEL AND LAURA ROBINSON

TODD AND GRACE ROBINSON

BRENT ROEDER

ORLANDO AND ROBERTA ROLLEFSTAD

DAVID RYGH

ANTHONY AND LINDA SALERNO

SANDFORD VERMEER, INC .

WADE AND AMY SANDY

STEVEN AND SARAH SARBACKER

2005

First endowed chair and A. Kirk Lanterman Investment Center established 2010 The Pancratz Career Development Center established

SCHEELS ALL SPORTS

DALE AND SUSAN SCHMID

JAMES SCHMIDT

JIM AND ANN SCOULAR

SHANNON AND GREG SMIDT AND FAMILY

ROBERT AND JULIE SMITH

JOHN AND MARGARET STAPLES

DAVID AND TONYA STENDE

S. PETER AND STACEY STENEHJEM

STEVE AND GRETCHEN STENEHJEM

STERLING CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME

JAMES AND JAN STEWART

JENNIFER STONER

LEE SUNDBERG

BRETT AND JAMIE SVIDAL

JOSEPH AND MARIE TALLEY

THE BARRY FOUNDATION

KYLE THEIGE

KAREN THINGELSTAD

DENNIS AND JUDY THOMPSON

SUSAN THOMPSON

NORMAN AND KIMBERLY TIMMINS

TRAILL PAINTING

STEVEN AND RENAE TROYER

ROBIN AND STEVE TURNER

KATHLEEN AND DOUG TWITE

U.S. BANK GRAND FORKS

LOREN UNTERSEHER

TRAVIS AND CORINDA VANDYKE

JEFF AND KIM VIGEN

CHAD AND STACY WACHTER

GREGORY AND SARA WALD

LARRY AND KIM WALL

JEFFERY AND CHARLENE WANEK

JONATHAN AND AMY WARREY

STEVEN WATSON

CRAIG AND NANCY WELKEN

ARDEN AND ROLLAND WILLIAMS

CARRIE CAMPBELL WILLIAMS AND BRIAN WILLIAMS

JIM AND BARBARA WILLIAMS

MARGARET AND LARRY WILLIAMS

ROD AND ARLENE WILSON

SARA AND GREGORY WOHL

KATHLEEN CLOWER WOLF AND MICHAEL WOLF

T. MAUREEN AND PATRICK WOLLAK

LARRY AND DEBRAH WONDER

KIM AND ROGER WOODS

STEPHEN AND ANN WRONSKI

WILLIAM AND MARGARET WYMAN

RYAN AND HOLLY YOUNGGREN

REMINGTON ZACHER

BRIAN ZERFACE

DEANNA CARLSON ZINK AND WAYNE ZINK

2019

Name of the College changed to Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

2020

2021

Over $1 million dollars in scholarships available

Middleton School of Entrepreneurship & Management established

2022

Completion of Nistler Hall

NAVIGATING A NEW LANDSCAPE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

In the spring of 2020, higher education institutions had to pivot, much like everything else in the world, with the COVID-19 pandemic. While many universities had some experience teaching both online and in hybrid models, not all classes, classrooms, or faculty members were conducive with these new platforms.

Universities had to quickly adapt and respond to fully online and interactive systems. Faculty members had to adjust their courses and find ways to deliver their curriculum in new and innovative ways.

As we now examine the current state of the higher education sector, it is essential to be agile in accommodating the changing environment.

Nistler College faculty members, Rob Warren, Instructor of Marketing, Dr. Paul Sum, Professor of Political Science & Public Administration, and Dr. Tammy Gerszewski, Clinical Professor of Accountancy, each took different pedagogical approaches and had unique takeaways from the pandemic.

A major outcome for Warren was finding new ways to help students learn and receive immediate feedback. “The introduction of AI concepts has really aided in this area,” says Warren.

Warren also learned to create mini lectures on key points. Warren indicated that at the start of COVID the standard practice was to record a 50- or 75-minute lecture and post it for students to watch. Warren says it quickly became apparent that this was not working.

He says, “I drew on my experience working in electronic news gathering and started producing shorter mini-lectures that covered one or two topics like a news story.”

To supplement these lectures Warren uses external resources. “Social media is one of my favorite areas to use,” says Warren.

“COVID sped up the change I saw coming when it comes to interacting with students,” says Warren. “Students, like most members of the Gen Y or Gen Z, are addicted to mobile devices.”

Prior to COVID, Warren says, he tried to discourage the use of them, but now he has learned to embrace them and integrate them into class.

For Dr. Paul Sum, the COVID adjustment was not a single event but a sequence of events that impacted his teaching.

“The first was the immediate shutdown of the University, which forced us all to teach remotely for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. The second was

returning for the Fall 2020 semester when the University was under tight restrictions, but limited in-person interactions were permitted with social distancing and masking,” says Dr. Sum.

During the second phase, he indicated that the biggest hurdle was the limits placed on the number of students allowed in a room, generally one-third of capacity. “For me, that meant 14 students and I could be in a room designed to hold 50 students,” says Dr. Sum.

Dr. Sum indicated the third phase was Fall 2022, when the masking requirements remained in place, but some of the social distancing was relaxed so that room capacities returned to preCOVID levels.

“I adjusted my teaching delivery and course organization for each of the phases, retaining certain elements from one phase to another. I found that technology had progressed in a way that enhanced my ability to teach and opened new possibilities for student engagement in courses. While I cannot say COVID was a positive force, I did innovate in ways that improved student experiences overall,” says Dr. Sum.

During the first phase of the shutdown, Dr. Sum was able to change his course to a Zoom-only format fairly seamlessly

due to his experience with hybrid formats at the graduate level. He modified assignments to better serve students in a virtual format and recorded lectures to allow for flexibility.

Dr. Sum indicated that the second phase allowed for more planning and provided the opportunity for some students to attend in class. In Fall 2020, he offered only 100- and 200-level courses and felt he needed closer contact with students.

Dr. Sum organized his courses through a seminar format.

“Each course met three days per week (MWF). I divided each class randomly

into three groups (ABC). Group A was required to attend ’seminar‘ on Mondays, Group B on Wednesdays, and Group C on Fridays. Each group had 14 students, which fit the social distancing requirements of the room. Students could attend in person or via Zoom, but the total number of students would not exceed 14,” says Dr. Sum

Dr. Sum says the seminars were improved through his introduction of discussion boards where he asked students to summarize and comment on readings and lectures before class.

When the third phase hit, Dr. Sum was able to conduct in-person classes. “Still, some students were hesitant to return to the classroom, and others were expected to miss extended periods due to illness. Thus, I retained the Zoom options for all students,” says Dr. Sum.

Dr. Sum will keep a number of adaptations he developed during the pandemic and will continue to refine his course delivery and assignments to meet the evolving needs of students.

Some of the elements he will continue include having a Zoom (distance) option in all of his courses, offering assignments

that accommodate distance students, fully utilizing the available technology, and making better use of group work through video calls.

With his “seminar” formats, Dr. Sum is using this general approach for lowerlevel courses as a new process to cover material for that day while reinforcing other concepts and ideas from the week.

Much like Dr. Sum and Warren, Dr. Tammy Gerszewski also had to quickly pivot over spring break 2020 in preparation for online teaching. Dr. Gerszweski says that she used that week to enhance her digital communication and teaching strategies with Zoom, Yuja, and Blackboard.

Dr. Gerszewski moved all of her exams to Blackboard with Zoom live monitoring. With students being in different time zones, she prepared mini-lectures and recorded problem-solving exercises. She posted these to Blackboard for students to view and use as guides to solving their homework assignments. Dr. Gerszewski held virtual office hours and conducted individual meetings with her senior/ graduate course students so she could understand from their perspectives what was or was not working.

“All my feedback was positive –students loved the short video lectures and the individual meetings!” says Dr. Gerszewski.

When Fall 2020 came around, Dr. Gerszewski conducted live lectures with Zoom and Wacom technology. “While students were home on their computer ’Zooming‘ into the class, I was in the classroom teaching the material. The challenge here was letting students know that I was aware of them even though they were not physically in class,” says Dr. Gerszewski.

In the 2021-22 academic year, Dr. Gerszewski decided to have her courses meet in person. “They enjoyed being back in the classroom. However, understanding that students could and would likely get sick, I wanted to continue to utilize the teaching modalities previously utilized,” says Dr. Gerszewski.

Dr. Gerszweski prepared mini lecture/ problem tutorials for the course and posted them on Blackboard for students to access. She explains, “Feedback from my past students indicated that it was much easier for them to digest the ’snippet‘ videos versus watching a 50-minute lecture/problem tutorial of the live class.”

When reflecting on what she learned during these unprecedented times, Dr. Gerszewski says, “I love having students in the classroom!”

She also found that students enjoyed the lecture and problem-solving videos, that she was able to learn new teaching tools and apply them across courses, and that she could be flexible with adding new teaching tools on the fly.

When looking to the future, Dr. Gerszewksi will expect students to attend class in person, but she will continue to utilize and create lecture and tutorial videos as they are beneficial and requested by students. “I will likely expand these to cover more topics and post these materials daily,” says Dr. Gerszewski.

Nistler College faculty demonstrated exceptional resiliency and remained dedicated to finding the best delivery for their courses during this time of monumental changes in the higher education landscape.

The new Nistler Hall will be equipped with flexible learning environments with over half of the classrooms designed as active learning classrooms. All classrooms will be outfitted with enhanced technology to allow for hybrid class structures, enabling more online and interactive learning systems.

While COVID-19 may have catapulted the higher education system into more online pedagogical systems, our faculty will continue to evaluate and optimize the best way to deliver various courses and develop increasingly purposeful learning platforms.

Paul Sum

Director, MPA Program/Professor

Department of Political Science & Public Administration

Rob Warren Instructor

Department of Marketing

Tammy Gerszewski

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Accountancy & Information Systems

BUILDING ON ETHICS

UND Alumnus Bob Olafson has been supporting the College by providing a platform for ethical conversations for over a decade.

Growing up on a farm near Gardar, North Dakota, Bob Olafson took advantage of all of the opportunities he could. “In a small town, you get to know everyone and participate in anything you would like,” says Olafson.

And Olafson truly did that by engaging in sports, music, the yearbook, and the school newspaper at Edinburg High School. His curiosity and team spirit followed him to UND, where his dad, his brother, and his sister are alumni. Olafson was an active member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, which is founded on the pillars of fellowship, leadership, scholarship, and service.

Olafson began his time at UND as a Math major, and during his 4th year of college decided to add Business to his course plan. He graduated with his Math degree in 1971 and then took a semester off for active duty in the North Dakota National Guard. Following active duty, he returned to UND to complete the final semester of his Business degree in the fall of 1972.

“The country was in a recession at that time, with not a lot of hiring going on,” says Olafson.

Not sure exactly what his next steps would be, Olafson scheduled an oncampus interview with Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance based out of St. Paul, which he heard was currently interviewing for many types of positions.

When Olafson had the interview, the recruiter told him about the opportunity to become an actuary.

Olafson was invited to St. Paul for an interview and was offered a position with the company to join the actuarial profession. Olafson took the job, which marked the start of his 39-year tenure with the company and the profession.

“The combination of math and business was a good start for going into the actuarial field,” says Olafson.

As the company grew to later be known as Securian Financial, so did the many roles that Olafson held.

The core of the work Olafson did was based on developing pricing for group life insurance products and analyzing past results. “I had to use the best information I had to predict forward on potential costs and assumed interest rates,” says Olafson.

He started out by learning about the actuarial profession, and later took on additional accountabilities with supervisory roles, management, as well oversight in the areas of sales, marketing, and customer service.

“One area I always kept my hand in directly was pricing for bigger clients,” says Olafson. Olafson’s final role prior to retirement was serving as the Senior Vice President of Group Insurance.

During his time at Securian, Olafson occasionally found himself in situations where he was faced with ethical questions. “For example, at one point several competitors (in the insurance business) were agreeing to do something that didn’t seem right. By doing so, they would have access to a lot of clients, but we didn’t think it was right, and so we said, ‘no,’” recalls Olafson.

This turned out to be a good decision as the competitors thereafter received

BOB OLAFSON

Olafson speaking at the ethics dinner before the keynote presentation.

negative publicity and Securian Financial was held in a positive light.

“It can be hard to stick to your guns – in business and in life,” says Olafson. “We could have had more short-term success and brought in more business, but it wasn’t right.”

At this time, Olafson was also starting to reengage with the University of North Dakota. The former CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Tim O’Keefe and then Vice-President DeAnna Carlson Zink had asked to meet him for dinner.

“DeAnna and Tim wanted to talk about a capital campaign to fix up Gamble Hall,”

says Olafson. “It was at the right time in my life, so I asked them to come back with some ideas.”

The next visit was with DeAnna and Dean Emeritus of the Nistler College Dennis Elbert, who shared a few ideas with one of them being an ethics symposium. Having been faced with ethical dilemmas recently in his career, Olafson connected to this idea, and in 2005, the first Olafson Ethics Symposium was held.

“I felt like this would be a good opportunity to provide a platform for people to talk about ethics,” says Olafson.

Now 17 years later, the Olafson Symposium has developed into a

signature event for the Nistler College with a valued platform of ethics, a cornerstone pillar for the College. “All of the symposiums have been good and very different each year,” says Olafson. Additionally, the symposiums have fostered collaboration across the University with partnerships with numerous colleges and offices such as Aerospace, Arts & Sciences, and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.

Community leaders have also been engaged as expert panelists, networking opportunities, and attendees for the keynote lecture and dinner panel.

Each year the symposium evolves as different topic areas are explored based on national trends, making the lecture timely and informative for students, faculty, and the local community.

When asked about the impact of giving towards this initiative Olafson says, “The main thing for me is that I didn’t realize it would feel so good. If I just gave a gift to fix up an office it wouldn’t have been as lasting, but this gift keeps encouraging me to come back and meet all kinds of faculty, staff, and students.”

Olafson enjoys the connections and the way he is able to be involved with this type of experience every year. Olafson also has stayed engaged with the College by serving on the Nistler College Advisory Council for 9 years, and now serving as an emeritus council member.

“Students have shared how much they appreciate it, and it feels great to think I am doing something of value for students and faculty,” says Olafson.

KEYNOTE Q&A

Dean Amy Henley and UND Alumnus Mark Chipman

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

After a year of classes moving online and students moving off-campus, the extracurriculars that once shaped the ‘college experience’ had begun to lose momentum.

An anomaly in light of this trend, one UND student organization was not only founded, but also flourished: The Women in Business club.

Six NCoBPA students and a staff member drew upon their business acumen to identify an unfulfilled desire within the College.

A recent analysis found that a mere 33% of the NCoBPA’s student population consists of female students.

“When you’re in your classes at UND, you do notice the lack of women when looking around the room,” says Cassidy Kuntz, a May 2022 graduate of the Master of Accountancy program at UND.

Over the 2021-2022 academic year, Kuntz worked alongside her peers and club co-founders — Taryn Hoffer, Lauren Cain, Grace Brown, Eliza Schueneman, and Abby Wilfert — to address this issue.

These students were hand-selected by Kathy Lund, Director of the Pancratz Career Development Center and the advisor for Women in Business. Since joining the UND staff 14 years ago, Lund

often dreamed about finding a way to connect women at UND with each other, alumni, and other professionals.

Lund says, “Since the beginning, our goal has been to build community and help women navigate the obstacles and opportunities they will encounter throughout college and in the workplace.”

“College can be challenging on several levels,” affirms Grace Brown, who recently graduated with majors in Finance and Management. “For me, getting connected with the University community helped mitigate some of those challenges and was by far the most rewarding aspect of my time at UND. I believe Women in Business has become an organization that facilitates connection and empowerment.”

This mission resonated with NCoBPA students and quickly gained traction, allowing the club to amass nearly 50 members within the first year.

The UND Women in Business club successfully connects and empowers NCoBPA students during its first year.

Taryn Hoffer, former President of Women in Business, led the charge for organizing featured speakers, workshops, game nights, study-a-thons, and networking events.

As Hoffer and the other club executives brought attention to the new organization, Women in Business was instantly met with support from faculty and staff.

In the fall, NCoBPA Dean Amy Henley met with the club to share her personal career journey from public accounting into academia, followed by an interactive discussion about women’s roles in the workplace. Later in the year, Management Instructor Kay Powell presented on intergenerational leadership.

Business leaders also volunteered to contribute to Women in Business. Among them were Sarah Newgard, a local entrepreneur, and Kristi Hall-Jiran, Chief Philanthropy and Partnership Officer at Altru Health System, who spoke on confidence, motivation, and relationship-building.

“There is so much to be learned from professionals who have industry experience and stories about situations we could all encounter in our careers,” says Lund. “These events are also incredible ways to build networks and make lasting connections.”

The club is constantly seeking out alumni and friends willing to share their expertise, either in person or virtually.

On a smaller scale, the organization prioritizes peer-to-peer interactions. These are the favorite activities of Eliza Schueneman, incoming President of Women in Business.

“It’s during those member meetings when, in the mix of playing Pictionary, you end up talking about shared classes or give advice about choosing courses in the upcoming semester,” Schueneman explains. “You really do see how much you have in common, and you leave the night with a new friend!”

Such friendships are not limited to business and public administration

majors. The Women in Business club welcomes students across campus, such as an Engineering student with an interest in innovation and a Biology Pre-Med student hoping to someday open a private practice.

Schueneman says, “This is a great club for any major to find not only the resources to achieve one’s career goals, but genuine friendship as well.”

The Women in Business student organization emerged in alignment with other initiatives in the UND community, such as the Women for Philanthropy Luncheon and the NCoBPA’s Be Bold Women in Leadership Summit. Not by coincidence, each represents an ever-growing discussion around female leadership.

And the conversation is just beginning, according to Schueneman and Lund, who plan to expand the club’s impact during the next academic year.

“We had an outstanding baseline year where we established the fundamentals of the organization, and now, we’re able to grow and host larger events in conjunction with the NCoBPA,” says

Shueneman. “This club has so much potential with a motivated incoming executive board. I’m excited to see Women in Business continue to benefit students in years to come.”

Lund mirrors a similar vision, saying, “I hope we can continue to foster a collaborative, supportive environment, create opportunities to build our networks and our knowledge, and grow our reach and membership. I hope that as students graduate, they stay connected and share information about what they’ve learned on their professional journeys so we have a continuous cycle of learning and collaboration.”

Indeed, the cycle is already in motion. As Kuntz prepares to take the CPA exam and begin as an Audit Associate for Baker Tilly, she says, “I look forward to coming back to the UND career fair. I imagine standing at my company’s booth when a student gives me their resume and it says, ‘Women in Business.’ There will be an immediate sense of connection.”

UND WOMEN IN BUSINESS CLUB FOUNDERS

Eliza Schueneman, Cassidy Kuntz, Taryn Hoffer, Abby Wilfert, and Grace Brown

THE REACH OF RESEARCH

A two-sided coin, the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration leads the way in both quality education and outstanding research. The latter often receives less exposure, but is no less critical.

Research fuels the success of students, faculty, communities, and the College. It attracts the finest educators to teach at the NCoBPA. It creates a platform for students and faculty to collaborate. It invites leading scholars to inspire students through seminars and lectures. It grows into transformational programs across the region.

“Research constitutes a core mission of flagship universities and can bring about discoveries that have major societal impact,” says Dr. Chih Ming Tan, NCoBPA Associate Dean of Research.

Dr. Tan explains that career advancement for scholars — in the form of promotions or tenure — is largely dependent on research productivity.

“To the extent that we cultivate and nurture a research environment, we simultaneously strengthen our ability to recruit and retain the most talented professors at UND. He adds, “And, naturally, we want our students to be trained by the best!”

There is a personal dimension to this issue as well. In the vast majority of cases, people who become scholars could have chosen to pursue other lucrative careers, but they instead chose to dedicate a significant number of years toward completing a doctoral degree.

Dr. Tan says, “This tells us that these are people who find deep fulfillment in the creative process, the freedom to pursue discoveries, and the opportunity

to share their work. They are truly passionate about pushing forward the intellectual frontier in their subject areas. The enthusiasm they bring to students is infectious and directly contributes to student outcomes.”

“And that is why it is important for us to build and sustain a strong research culture at UND – it is a key ingredient in persuading others to join our community and to invest in our success just as we invest in theirs,” states Dr. Tan.

FACULTY AND STUDENT COLLABORATION

Graduate Assistant Rijana Adhikari and Associate Dean of Research Dr. Chih Ming Tan.

Each year, NCoBPA alumni throughout the world recognize the impact of research and graciously provide their support.

One way they do this is by supporting seminars and lectures, which bring top researchers to campus to interact with faculty and students.

Sponsored by UND alumnus Paul Korus, the College’s Korus Seminar Series in Economics and Finance has,

for nearly a decade, featured speakers from University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Federal Reserve, and other well-known organizations.

Korus and fellow alumni Jim Williams and Rick Burgum, have also funded a distinguished lectureship series that allows the College to welcome eminent scholars in economics to give public lectures at UND. Those scholars have

included macroeconomist Dr. Robert Hall of Stanford University and health economist Dr. Janet Currie of Princeton University.

Seminar and lecture participants spend the day learning about recent discoveries. In the process, those from outside of North Dakota become more familiar with the NCoBPA’s research efforts.

“These seminars connect our faculty and students to the cutting edge of research

in their disciplines and facilitate the active exchange of ideas,” says Dr. Tan. “Alumni support empowers us and our leaders to make an impact and to take this institution forward.”

Dr. Tan, who is a Page Endowed Chair in Applied Economics, notes the value of endowed faculty positions. “Wouldn’t it be great if students could learn from the very professors who wrote their textbooks? From people like Dr. Sean Valentine, a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor whose textbook on human resource management is now in its 14th edition.”

These professors bring extensive networks and program management expertise. The newly-hired Burwell Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship, Dr. Sanjay Goel, is a premiere researcher in the area of family business. Dr. Tan says, “Dr. Goel will be instrumental in helping us build out our Entrepreneurship programs, which have seen enormous interest from students.”

Similarly, Drs. Jason Jensen and David Flynn are establishing an applied research arm of the NCoBPA — the Institute of Policy and Business Analytics (IPBA).

Dr. Jensen, the IPBA’s Executive Director, says, “Our focus is on serving the state and region by providing study results that inform decision-making.”

The Institute creates opportunities for faculty and students to engage in all stages of the research process, involving everything from conducting surveys and focus groups to analyzing existing economic data.

This is where the NCoBPA’s unique competencies in both business and public administration become pivotal.

An affiliated faculty member for the IPBA, Dr. Tan says, “The NCoBPA has many key capabilities in data analytics, economic impact analysis, policy

and regulation, business ethics, and entrepreneurship. We know that UND has many distinguishing strengths in aerospace, autonomous systems, energy, and rural health, to name a few.”

He describes the IPBA as a connection point between the NCoBPA and the greater UND community, which gives rise to multidisciplinary, synergistic effects. Many NCoBPA faculty members participate in grant applications and publish in peer-reviewed journals related to unmanned aircraft systems and energy production.

Dr. Tan says, “The Institute clearly demonstrates the value and impact of our College’s expertise to UND’s strategic mission.”

Since its inception in 2019, the IPBA has received numerous grants and research contracts from local and state entities, along with support from alumnus-donor Paul Korus.

The IPBA’s prominent location in the new Nistler Hall will, according to Dr. Jensen, “expand research partnerships and collaborations within the College, across campus, and beyond. We want to make an impact by becoming the go-to research center in the state to inform public policy and business decisions.”

Their efforts are already spurring change. The IPBA has connected NCoBPA faculty with state agencies such as the North Dakota Department of Commerce and Grand Forks Housing Authority.

They have examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on workforce development and labor supply, business sentiment, and demographics.

“Their findings have resulted in white papers that have made their way to state lawmakers, as well as the executive branch,” says Dr. Tan.

Along with the faculty, research is also opening doors for students.

Dr. Jennifer Stoner, a recently tenured Associate Professor of Marketing and Morrison Endowed Fellow, actively engages students in her research.

One such student is Rijana Adhikari, who completed her second master’s degree at UND in May 2022.

Originally from Nepal, Adhikari grew up fascinated by her father’s work as a manager. She would frequently ask him how he became skilled at working with people of diverse backgrounds. Each time, he would respond, “It comes with experience.”

“I want to be you when I grow up,” she told him. Adhikari’s father had no formal business education, but he and other members of her family encouraged her to pursue UND’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Adhikari, alongside her MBA coursework, served as a Graduate Assistant for Dr. Stoner.

“She let me know that if I ever wanted to do research on my own, I could,” says Adhikari.

Not until taking a required course in econometrics, however, did Adhikari fully realize her enjoyment for data analysis. She quickly turned to Dr. Stoner for consultation, who suggested she explore the Master of Applied Economics and Predictive Analytics (MSAEPA) program within the NCoBPA.

“The Institute clearly demonstrates the value and impact of our College’s expertise to UND’s strategic mission.”

DR. TAN

Adhikari was immediately drawn to this possibility, accompanied by the prospect of continuing her work with Dr. Stoner and the Marketing Department.

Shortly after graduating from the MBA program and joining the MSAEPA program, Adhikari began assisting Dr. Stoner with a study on anthropomorphism, the application of human features to nonhuman objects. An example of this marketing phenomenon is the collection of humanized candy characters for M&M’s, or Mr. Peanut for Planters nuts.

“We are researching how anthropomorphism impacts food consumption,” explains Adhikari. “We conducted online surveys and observed participants’ eating behaviors in a lab.”

Dr. Stoner and Adhikari are now in the process of submitting their study for journal publication.

Earlier in the year, meanwhile, Adhikari was given the chance to present their work at a university-wide event called the Three Minute Thesis (3MT). UND students nearing graduation compete for scholarships by summarizing their thesis projects within three minutes.

The Department of Economics & Finance connected her to another careeradvancing opportunity: an internship with the Energy and Environmental Research Center. There, she spent a summer analyzing the cost of using food waste to create biofuel.

Reflecting on the MSAEPA coursework, Adhikari says, “I don’t feel limited to only financial or data analysis jobs. The courses incorporate many computing programs like STATA, R, and SQL. This broadens my qualifications.”

All of Adhikari’s experiences at UND have expanded her professional network, strengthened her technical skill set,

and clarified her personal goals. She is now exploring opportunities in analytics, human resources, and research with an interest in someday returning to school for a PhD in Economics.

As someone who has visited many parts of the world, Adhikari has grown fond of North Dakota. “I always tell my parents who are still living in Nepal, ‘It’s really cold outside, but when I enter the NCoBPA, the people are so warm that the cold outside doesn’t even matter anymore.’”

Adhikari says, “Whenever I meet new people, they smile back at me. This is what makes me want to stay. I love the people here and I love UND.”

From the faculty to the students, every corner of the UND campus is touched by research. Its reach, further magnified by generous alumni, will benefit individuals and communities long into the future.

STEPPING INTO THE ARENA

Fenworks, a company led by UND alumni and current students, is paving the way in the esports education industry.

Electric is the only word to describe the energy of 400 esports-enthusiasts pouring into the Alerus Center in April 2022. Roughly 150 students gathered to compete in what national-level administrators later called ‘one of the best K through 12 esports tournaments they had ever seen.’

“Right here in Grand Forks,” Kaleb Dschaak says with pride.

Dschaak, a 2020 Marketing and Political Science graduate of UND, is the founder and CEO of Fenworks, an emerging education company and the host of this state tournament.

The inspiration for Fenworks originated during his tenure at UND. His role as UND Student Body Vice President lent

unique insight into the needs of educators and students.

“It was a pivotal experience to connect all of the elements in the educational systems, listen to decision-makers, and engage in important dialogues about technology-related skill development and mental health,” says Dschaak.

So when one educator reached out to him, saying, “We’re really struggling to start a young esports program. Can you help us?” Dschaak took action. Through the UND Wellness Center, he began an esports program with three hundred K-12 students from local school districts.

A snowball effect ensued, supported by Dschaak’s mentors, Delore Zimmerman and Don Morton. “It slowly built over time

into what you see today with more than fifteen employees and a ton of growth, customers, and success that is creating an excellent experience for students,” says Dschaak.

Fenworks now coordinates with over 30 school districts to start, manage, and effectively run esports programs. The company trains coaches provided by the school to seamlessly lead competitions for students. “We do what a lot of state organizations do for other school activities,” explains Dschaak. “We serve as the backbone to make those activities successful.”

Not limited to esports, Fenworks builds a variety of products to help students learn, develop, and grow both inside and outside of the classroom.

FENWORKS TEAM MEMBERS

Grace Wagner, Carter Anderson, Kaleb Dschaak, and Robert Whiting

“You look at these in-demand jobs that we have no pipeline to fill, you listen to state decision-makers who say that we struggle to push students into these pathways. Partially, it is because we don’t give them a way to connect on a passion level,” explains Dschaak.

“We have no way to incentivize, encourage, or get kids excited about signing up for computer science or drone classes, but when you have an activity where you’re competing and making friends and having fun, now you have that incentivization factor and we’re going to see it continue to yield dividends.”

Fenworks measures its performance through surveys, which have shown customer satisfaction rates as high

as 95%. Along with levels of program adoption, the company also tracks the students’ success after their participation in the program.

While only two years into operation, numerous alumni of the NCoBPA have already joined the Fenworks team. Among them is Carter Anderson, who graduated in 2020 with majors in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

A lifelong gamer and the Esports Director for Fenworks, Anderson has recognized the surprisingly positive influence of esports on children. He notes, “Gaming has a bad stigma in our society. However, it is entirely based on coordination of players, so my ability to communicate and strategize has actually improved as a result.”

In his current role, Anderson has noticed the impact of the company’s programs on students’ academic performance.

“We had a school in our program at the beginning of the year with 10 students who wanted to participate, but did not meet the required minimum GPA,” says Anderson. The school informed Fenworks that the students were working tirelessly to improve their grades. Before the esports season started, all 10 students became eligible.

Dschaak adds, “We see our services and products deployed to both our really high performers in the classroom and our students who don’t perform as well. We have neurodivergent students who thrive in our programming and Fenworks gives them an opportunity to be in the spotlight when many have never had that opportunity before. They’ve never stepped into the arena.”

According to Fenworks data, as many as 80% of the students in the esports program had never previously been involved in a school activity.

This is only one reason UND students are flooding to work for Fenworks. The company recently received the Grow Grand, Best Place to Work Award from the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals association.

With more than two-thirds of its workforce consisting of UND alumni or current students, Dschaak says, “Fenworks is a great opportunity for people who want to be a part of building something.”

Anderson adds, even as recent college graduates, he and his coworkers are given the chance to develop their own departments and lead the charge in a growing industry.

Similar sentiments are echoed by Robert Whiting, the CFO of Fenworks. Majoring in Finance at UND, he describes the opportunity to raise capital at a young age as “a rare and tremendous growth opportunity.”

Whiting draws on his experiences and connections from Dakota Venture Group, a student-run venture capital organization at UND, to guide his decision-making. He also regards many NCoBPA faculty members as mentors.

“I have received immense support from Ken Bulie, my Business Law professor and our company’s SCORE mentor, as well as Robert Pawlewicz, my former Intermediate Accounting professor, and local business leaders like Bruce Gjovig, Phil Gisi, and Landon Bahl.” Whiting says, “Having a network of people who have been in my shoes before has been invaluable.”

Anderson and Grace Wagner, the Marketing Director for Fenworks and a 2022 Marketing graduate, equally benefited from their UND education. Anderson’s position at Fenworks was the perfect post-graduate combination of his interests in marketing and entrepreneurship. Wagner, on the other hand, began working for the company before graduation and enjoyed applying

ideas from her marketing coursework directly to real-world projects in social media, graphic design, website development, and general market research.

For Dschaak, the network he gained from UND and the Grand Forks community was invaluable. “Many of the teachers and administrators who use our products are UND graduates, so continuing to develop those close relationships through UND is really important to us.” He emphasizes, “There’s just so much connection.”

And connection is exactly why Dschaak chose to keep his business in North Dakota. “The fact is we were not just a number by remaining in Grand Forks and maintaining our partnership with the University. Our employees have laid down roots here. Staying connected to the community has had numerous benefits and hopefully we can see those carry on.”

Whiting eagerly looks toward the future as new opportunities steadily arise. “We are closing our first seed round and will begin a new round soon. We’re also initiating employee stock options, so all of us will have ownership in the company. We’re looking to continue to add schools and students that are passionate about esports. And we are always looking to connect with school leaders across the midwest.”

As Fenworks continues to grow, Whiting can’t wait to hire more UND grads and expand nationally within the five-year spectrum.

“From the highest level,” says Dschaak, “our objective is to continue providing great opportunities for students to get involved. We are constantly developing new partnerships and building new intellectual property, so that we can engage students in ways they’ve never been before. That’s our number one focus and that means growing our programs, bringing more people to the table, and beginning to shift the culture.”

The recent esports state tournament underscored the potential for Fenworks, but more importantly for students.

Anderson and Josh Bitterman, an Esports Program Coordinator, designed every aspect of the tournament, from drone cages and virtual reality to cornhole and old arcade games.

“We had more activities than you could imagine,” says Dschaak.

Organizations throughout the community came together in a combined effort. UND alumni and friends from HB and the Alerus Center brought Anderson and Bitterman’s dreams on paper to life. Meanwhile, UND was the tournament’s primary sponsor, led by Meloney Linder’s Marketing & Communications office.

Whiting says the event demonstrated that “we care about our customers; we care about providing the best experience possible for students. The people there saw what Fenworks is all about.”

“I’m personally not a huge gamer,” Wagner admitted, “but the state

tournament really put into perspective how what we’re doing affects these students, these parents, and the entire community. Watching the kids feel like they belong was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Dschaak recalls, “As everyone was leaving just the ceremony — the energy, the games, hearing the parents and grandparents cheer — there was a huge source of pride. We listened to the kids talk about the experience and this was clearly life-changing for them. This was their moment. Some of those kids didn’t get that until their senior year of high school at our first esports tournament. Because of that, we’re going to keep getting bigger, we’re going to keep getting better, and we’re going to keep providing a great opportunity for these kids.”

MENTORSHIP KNOWS NO BORDERS

This year marks a landmark achievement for the Pancratz Career Development Center as they welcome their first international mentorship pair.

Modest Beginnings

Kathy Lund, Director of the Pancratz Career Development Center is proud of how far the Mentor Program has come since she joined the Center in 2012. When Lund first took over the Program, it had no formal timeline and she did not personally know any of the mentors.

Over the years, the Program has expanded into a cohort-based model supplemented with events including a Mentees Thanksgiving and an end-ofyear celebration, along with volunteer

events and checkpoints along the way. Lund noted that one of the biggest developments of the Program was enhancing the pairing process to focus on more than just field, but also considering some of the “intangibles” such as personality and strengths. Even though this is the most time-consuming part of the process, it has led to some great pairings. One of these pairings just made Pancratz Center history as the first international mentorship.

Celebrating the First International Mentorship

Lund knew that not just anyone was cut out to be paired with someone on the other side of the globe. After meeting with current student Sabina Haase, she knew that alumna Hannah Dohmeier would be the perfect mentor to help her achieve her goals. Haase, originally from Fort Worth, Texas, is double majoring in Marketing and German, with a minor in Communications. Dohmeier, originally from Germany, graduated from UND in 2013 with a degree in Airport Management and a minor in International Business. She currently resides in Norway, where she works for Zalaris, a human resources and payroll services company. This was a match made in heaven with Haase’s interest in international business, and her plan to study abroad in Germany in Summer 2022.

Dohmeier was once a mentee in the Pancratz Mentor Program. She had benefited from the insight given to her by her mentor, Doug Podolak, a former executive for Northwest Airlines. “Doug has been my backbone throughout

these years and has given me guidance, reassurance, and strength. This was key for me in my personal development and career,” says Dohmeier. Their relationship is still strong to this day, as advice is just a Zoom call away. This understanding of the importance of having a mentor and being a mentor was why Lund was so confident that this international mentorship would succeed.

Aside from learning about resumes, interview skills, and international business, Haase also learned about Dohmeier’s experience at UND. The two shared many of the same experiences, and are grateful to have that common ground. The downside of having a mentor almost 4,000 miles away is that it can be hard to find a time to meet that works for both parties, but the two have discovered a sweet spot around Haase’s lunchtime and before Dohmeier’s bedtime. Although there are certain benefits to having a mentor who lives down the street, “an international mentor/mentee can widen the scope of the conversation and knowledge exchange, as well as potential international career development,” says Dohmeier.

What’s next for the Mentor Program?

Lund is looking forward to seeing where the Program will go in the coming years. She notes that this pairing has been exceptionally exciting because it has shown her that “the program has no limits and that mentorship can be done from anywhere, even in different time zones, even across different countries.”

Another aspect of this pairing that excites Lund is the future of “second generation mentors,” in which someone who was once a mentee is now giving back and serving as a mentor to current students. Lund hopes to see this trend continue.

Right now, the focus is on expanding the depth of the Program and adding more events and more opportunities for mentors and mentees to connect. Lund encourages students and alumni to apply for the Program if they are interested. It is a commitment that has proven time and time again to lead to extraordinary results for everyone involved.

“A factor that was stronger than the physical distance was our bond through international and cultural experiences and knowledge.”

HANNAH DOHMEIER

SABINA HAASE

HANNAH DOHMEIER