North Dakota State College of Science
ALUMNI REVIEW
Connecting Wildcats
GIVING BACK MOVING FORWARD
From the Director’s Desk
For generations, the NDSCS Alumni Review has celebrated the stories, traditions, and people who make this college special. While honoring that legacy, we also believe this is the right time to evolve.
You may notice this edition looks a little different…and that is intentional. Our goal is to create an Alumni Review that helps you feel more connected than ever before to the students, alumni, and life-changing work happening across NDSCS.
HOW WE INVEST. HOW WE IMPACT.
Your support powers opportunities that change lives and strengthen NDSCS.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Opening Doors
Helping students afford an NDSCS education and graduate with less debt.
FACULTY & STAFF
SUPPORT
Empowering Excellence
Helping faculty and staff create exceptional experiences that inspire and prepare our students.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
Fueling Learning by Doing
Investing in equipment, technology, innovation and hands-on learning experiences.
BUILDING & GROUNDS
Building the Future
Supporting facilities and spaces where Wildcats learn, gather and grow.
As part of this renewed approach, many alumni features and honoree stories have been expanded online. Throughout this publication, we invite you to visit our website to read full biographies, explore extended stories, and stay connected to the people and moments shaping NDSCS today.
We also want this publication to better reflect the full work of your Alumni Foundation. While scholarships remain at the heart of what we do, donor support also strengthens academic programs, faculty and staff excellence, and the buildings and spaces where Wildcats learn and grow. We want you to better understand how the Foundation functions, the impact it has, and the many ways you can be part of it.
At the same time, we are renewing our focus on alumni engagement. Whether you graduated 5 years ago or 50 years ago, you are, and always will be, part of the Wildcat family. We want to hear your stories, visit your communities, celebrate your successes, and create more meaningful ways for Wildcats everywhere to stay connected.
Most importantly, we want you to choose how you want to be part of the future of NDSCS.
ALEXA BALLINGER
If you spend enough time on the NDSCS campus, chances are you’ll run into Alexa Ballinger.
Maybe she’s in the automotive lab turning wrenches. Maybe she’s singing in choir, performing with jazz band, or leading worship. Perhaps she’s welcoming visitors as an ambassador, participating in Science of Leadership, or working in the Alumni Foundation office. Wherever she is, one thing is clear — Alexa has embraced the NDSCS experience with enthusiasm and purpose.
Originally from Fargo, N.D., Alexa grew up in a close-knit family and enjoys music, nature, fishing, and hunting. But what stands out most is her willingness to jump into every opportunity.
Alexa chose NDSCS because she wanted something different than the traditional four-year route and was drawn to the strong sense of community.
“I love the community NDSCS brings to the table,” Alexa shared. “There is a community anywhere you look to find it.”
As an Automotive Technology student, Alexa has followed a passion she discovered in high school.
“I’ve always loved cars,” she said. “I wanted a career where I can help people and do something where you can actually see the progress you’re making.”
One of her favorite experiences so far has been taking apart a differential in class alongside the only other female student in the program.
“There’s less pressure in school because you can ask questions and really learn,” Alexa explained. “You can take things apart, understand them, and grow.”
Beyond the classroom, Alexa stays heavily involved in campus life through choir, band, jazz band, Wildcat Singers, Science of Leadership, Ambassadors, and Auto Club, where she will serve as treasurer this fall. She also works at Luther Family Buick GMC and serves as a worship leader at Atonement Lutheran Church.
When asked who has impacted her at NDSCS, Alexa quickly recognized the people who make campus feel welcoming — from food service staff to President Rod Flanigan and his wife.
To Alexa, being part of NDSCS means having a team of people who genuinely care and want you to succeed.
After graduation, she plans to complete a ministry internship in California while pursuing an online degree in ministry, with hopes of becoming a youth pastor while continuing to use her automotive skills to help others.
Her advice to future students?
“This college is perfect for building relationships, exploring interests, and figuring out what’s right for you.”
That sounds a lot like what being a Wildcat is all about.
ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS
We proudly honor the 2026 NDSCS Alumni Foundation Alumni Award Recipients for their excellence, service, and contributions that continue to inspire the NDSCS community
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS of the YEAR
Ron L. Anderson 1962
These words from Ronald L. Anderson, a 1962 Electrical Engineering graduate, reflect the impact of his revolutionary sweet-corn husking machine. His design outperformed eight competitors and helped position A&K Development Company as the global leader, now serving more than 40 countries with a 90% market share.
Ron holds 16 patents, with another on the way, and credits both his determination and his time at NDSCS. As a student, he worked janitorial jobs to support himself, including in the Electrical Technology building, where an instructor’s mentorship shaped his technical and interpersonal skills.
The world has a problem, and ‘we’ solved it.
Founded in a single-car garage in 1980, A&K Development has grown internationally while staying grounded in a simple mission: listen to customers and deliver practical, affordable solutions. Ron’s success traces back to his early days at NDSCS, where guidance and opportunity helped launch a remarkable career.
DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNUS of the YEAR
Brandon Ralph 2000
Brandon Ralph, class of 2000, is being recognized as the NDSCS Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year for his entrepreneurial success, community impact, and enduring Wildcat spirit. A standout student-athlete from Minot, N.D., Ralph found his path to NDSCS, becoming a member of the 1999 Wildcat Football Team inducted into the NDSCS Hall of Fame while also competing in track and field. Ralph credits NDSCS and his coaches for teaching him discipline, teamwork, and accountability—lessons that helped shape his success in business and leadership.
Following his college years and nearly two decades of coaching track, Ralph pursued his passion for entrepreneurship, growing Bruno’s Pizza into a Bismarck staple and helping lead one of North Dakota’s premier music events through ND Country Fest. His commitment to business, relationships, and strengthening his community exemplifies the spirit of NDSCS alumni leadership.
JEFF & MAXINE LEINEN FAMILY ENDOWMENT
For Jeff and Maxine Leinen, giving back to the next generation isn’t simply an act of generosity — it is a way of honoring the values that shaped their lives.
Established in 2019, the Jeff & Maxine Leinen Family Endowment was created to support students pursuing agricultural education at NDSCS while helping strengthen the future of farming and rural communities. By maximizing the North Dakota Challenge Grant, Jeff and Maxine ensured their investment would have an even greater impact for years to come.
Both proud NDSCS graduates, the Leinens understand firsthand the importance of education and opportunity.
Jeff, a 1976 graduate of the Electrical Technology program, and Maxine, a 1975 graduate of the Distributive Education program, built not only successful careers, but a life centered around hard work, faith, family, and community.
For nearly 40 years, Jeff and Maxine have farmed in Richland County, building Leinen Farms into a respected agricultural operation in the Red River Valley. Their work has focused primarily on wheat, corn, and soybean production, while remaining deeply connected to the local farming community.
But success, they believe, carries with it a responsibility to give back.
Having been blessed through agriculture, the Leinens wanted to create opportunities for future generations who share a passion for farming and agriculture. Their endowment reflects a deep appreciation for the role NDSCS plays in preparing students through hands-on learning and real-world experiences.
Leave a Legacy that Lasts
“Education creates opportunity,” Jeff and Maxine have long believed, and they know firsthand the difference an NDSCS education can make.
Their commitment to NDSCS extends beyond philanthropy. Jeff currently serves on the NDSCS Alumni Foundation Board and the NDSCS Land Lab Advisory Board, helping shape opportunities for students while strengthening agricultural education for the future.
The Leinen Family Endowment stands as more than a scholarship — it is a lasting investment in students, agriculture, and the future of rural North Dakota.
Because for Jeff and Maxine, the greatest harvest isn’t measured only in bushels, but in helping others grow.
There is never a wrong time to begin thinking about your legacy. Whether you establish an endowment today or through a future estate gift, you may benefit from income tax deductions, capital gains savings, and estate tax advantages depending on the assets used. Contact the NDSCS Alumni Foundation to learn how your impact can last for generations.
GATHERING TOGETHER
Red Tie Gala
What an evening for the Wildcats!
On April 10, the Red Tie Gala brought more than 370 Wildcats, alumni, and friends together at 44 Venue in Colfax for an unforgettable evening of generosity, celebration, and Wildcat pride. Building upon the incredible legacy of our longtime DREAMS Auction, the Red Tie Gala honored tradition while embracing a bold new vision for the future.
The evening was filled with laughter, fellowship, meaningful stories, exciting auction moments, and a shared commitment to student success. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees, the event exceeded expectations and generated meaningful support for scholarships, academic programs, and the transformational experiences that define NDSCS
To everyone who attended, gave, sponsored, volunteered, or simply championed our mission—thank you. Because of you, students at NDSCS will continue to experience the power of hands-on learning, opportunity, and a community that believes deeply in their future.
In February, the NDSCS Alumni Foundation proudly hosted the inaugural Empower: An Evening of Cocktails & Couture, bringing together women and community supporters for an inspiring evening focused on confidence, leadership, generosity, and opportunity.
Guests enjoyed a keynote from Rebecca Undem and culinary creations by NDSCS alum Brittany Harty, all while supporting future students through the Women for NDSCS Endowment.
We are grateful to Dee Jensen for her vision in launching the event and Women for NDSCS Endowment, Michele Flanigan for her planning and memorable desserts, and the many businesses, models, volunteers, sponsors, and guests whose support made the evening a success. Empower was more than an event—it was the start of something meaningful that will continue to impact future generations of Wildcat students.
MEET AND GREETS
Mark your calendars—summer is shaping up to be a great time to reconnect!
MEDORA University Spirit Night July 17
NEW SALEM ND Country Fest July 8 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID NDSCS
We’re hitting the road with a series of Meet & Greets, and we hope to see you along the way. More details coming soon, but for now, save these dates:
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LET’S CUT A RUG IN
NASHVILLE
Turn your love for NDSCS into an unforgettable experience in Music City.
Join the NDSCS Alumni Foundation as they travel alongside our Culinary Department to Nashville, January 3–9, 2027. This immersive trip blends iconic sights with hands-on culinary experiences—perfect for Wildcats who appreciate great food, music, and connection.. Reconnect with fellow alumni, explore Nashville’s rich culture, and savor every moment.
Alexandria Minnesota Fall 2026
Spots are limited— watch for registration details coming soon to our website.
800 Sixth Street North • Wahpeton, ND 58076
FARGO Folkways Night Bazaar July