UND Alumni Magazine Summer 2025

BETH KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE

#UND PROUD

“There is something special about UND students – they stand out for their grit, strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. These qualities, developed during their time at UND, help prepare them for success in their careers and are highly valued by companies like Bell Bank.”

Beth Eider SVP | Mortgage Marketing

CREATIVE CALLINGS

This edition celebrates alumni and campus artists shaping the world through metal, paint, words, music, and stage.

From studios to galleries to theaters, explore the vibrant stories of creators who turn imagination into impact.

A Message from the CEO News from Across Campus 06 08 36

Your Guide to Homecoming UND Athletics

Mastering Metal: Artist and innovator Dave Badman brings creative energy to Grand Forks.

Art in Motion: Casey Opstad’s 31-panel mural takes hospital visitors on a North Dakota Journey.

ON THE COVER

UND artists use brushes, batons, tweezers and more to shape their crafts. Special thanks to the UND Department of Art & Design, the UND Music Department, and Dave Badman for the use of their tools of the trade.

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56 Alumni Photo Share

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Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota In Memoriam Class Notes

Art in Action: Makers and storytellers create with purpose and perform with pride.

Shakespeare for All: Curt Tofteland brings the bard’s healing power to unexpected places.

A MESSAGE FROM DEANNA

ARTS FROM THE HEART

My school days of raising and showing livestock and as a student-athlete have been documented in these pages. But like many, the arts also played an important role in my childhood.

Growing up in Warren, Minnesota, I was the kid who played piano from age 5, thanks to my grandmother, a music teacher who was my first instructor. When I outgrew her lessons, she lovingly nudged me toward another teacher, ensuring the music never stopped.

By high school, I was all in — jazz band, choir, jazz choir, musicals, and every music competition I could enter. I played trombone and piano, and I loved every minute of it. One of my favorite memories is from our production of “Carousel,” where I played Carrie. Music wasn’t just something I did at school; it was part of our family. When my grandmother could no longer perform, I stepped in to accompany my father’s one-man comedy act as his pianist. He performed as “Sharlee, the Norwegian Farmer,” complete with bib overalls, a wig, and a flair for storytelling. We traveled to county fairs, churches, and community halls, where he’d sing made-up songs and deliver punchlines about his fictional wife, Lena, while I followed along on the piano. It was grassroots entertainment at its finest — and a cherished chapter in my life that deepened my love for performing and the ability for art to connect people.

Though I don’t play much anymore, music has remained a thread throughout my life. I accompanied my daughter during her vocal training and still find joy in those rare moments when I sit down at a piano. The arts have always been a part of my story, and they are a vital part of UND’s story, too. In this issue, we celebrate alumni who are shaping the world through creativity — whether it’s David Badman’s innovative art studio in downtown Grand Forks, visual artists who reach east to west, or a Shakespearean scholar who brings his talents behind bars.

Art, in all its forms, helps us understand who we are and where we come from. It connects generations, communities, and cultures. I’m proud to be part of a university that nurtures that spirit.

Homecoming 2025

Make plans now to attend Homecoming on Sept. 15-20. You can find a calendar of events and meet the recipients of this year’s Alumni Honors awards starting on p. 36. I hope to see you there!

UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink is pictured at the North Dakota Museum of Art (NDMOA), the official art museum of the state of North Dakota and one of the top five places to see art on campus. The others are the Memorial Union Gallery (The MUG), the School of Medicine & Health Sciences second floor gallery, the Columbia Hall Atrium, the Colonel Eugene E. Myers Art Gallery at the Hughes Fine Arts Center, and an off-campus bonus: the UND Art Collections Gallery at the Empire.

UND ALUMNI MAGAZINE

UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

Chief Executive Officer

DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Sarah Prout, ’07

UND ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Editor

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

Designer

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

Associate Editor

Stephanie Schultz, ’91, Writer & Editor

Contributors

Lindsay Benson, ’13, ’14, Operations Project Manager

Angela Brayton, ’25, Graphic Designer

Melissa Garceau, Associate VP of Operations

Jasmine Koenig, Digital Media Coordinator & Photographer

Jenn Lukens, Director of Stewardship & Donor Appreciation

Sam Melquist, Graphic Designer

Chad O’Shea, ’20, Associate Director of Stewardship Communication

Matthew Scheerer, Associate Director of Development Communication

Milo Smith, Senior Director of Public Relations & Videography

Jeannie Tvedt, Senior Database Coordinator

Sav Kelly, Grand Forks Herald

Shakespeare Behind Bars, Inc.

UND Marketing & Communications

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair

Darla (Kleven) Adams, ’84, ’85, ’07

Vice Chair

Troy Bader, ’85

Directors

Andrew Abernathey Lisa (Schmitz) Barnes, ’88

Twylah (Butler) Blotsky, ’93 Kelly (Keeler) Caruso, ’91

Chris Cooper, ’05, ’08 Lucy Dalglish, ’80

Kaleb Dschaak, ’20 Scott Fredericksen, ’74

Angie (Hovland) Freeman, ’91

Randy Gershman, ’84

Mike Hamerlik, ’84, ’88 Dr. Michael LeBeau, ’02

Nathaniel Leben, ’05

Gary Petersen, ’87, ’93

Lara (Olsen) Prozinski, ’90

John Solberg, ’76

Kathryn Uhrich, ’86

Reid Walker

Andrew Armacost

Chuck MacFarlane, ’87

Karen (Borlaug) Phillips, ’77

Jodi Thompson Rolland, ’92

Dave St. Peter, ’89

Chad Wachter

Ex Officio

Karla Mongeon-Stewart

Dr. Marjorie Jenkins Eric Link

Nancy Pederson, ’90

DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86

A New Stage for Theatre Arts

UND Theatre Arts has relocated to Starcher Hall after operating across five buildings — a move Department Head Emily Cherry Oliver called a “game-changer.” The space includes classrooms, gathering areas, a movement studio (pictured at right) and will soon feature a blackbox theater, expanded costume shop, and design/tech lab. The theater is set to open with its first production in fall 2026.

Performance schedule: theatre.UND.edu

Which of the following was accredited during the 2024-25 academic year?

A) Bachelor of Music Therapy

B) Department of Art & Design

C) Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

D) All of the above

RX for Pilots

New North Dakota legislation paves the way for the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine, a first-of-its-kind hub for pilot mental health and FAA medical certification.

“North Dakota has the highest number of pilots per capita in the country,” said Elizabeth Bjerke, associate dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. “This positions us to provide the comprehensive support they deserve.”

11,614

Average number of fans at UND home hockey games — more than any North American hockey team outside the NHL, and No. 1 in college hockey attendance for the 11th straight season.

18

Months to complete the new Flight Operations Building, which broke ground in June.

34

Consecutive semesters UND student-athletes have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

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UND service members died in World War I. A new Memorial Stadium monument honors them.

1,700+

Students graduated from UND in May. Welcome, new alumni!

QUIZ

D) All of the above

by Stephanie Schultz, ’91, Writer & Editor

FORGED

IN THE FORKS

Dave Badman’s four-decade design legacy

Dave Badman is a metalsmith, custom jewelry designer, and owner of Badman Design. His downtown design lab and showroom showcase his unique creations, blending mixed metals and terra-cotta clay, and evolving from jewelry and accessories to home décor, largescale installations, and outdoor sculptures.

“I changed from pepperoni to copper and gave myself six months to prove I could run a business.”

Dave Badman, ’88, has sold his jewelry in more than 200 department stores and specialty shops across North America. He’s moved thousands of earrings on QVC, employed several Grand Forks artists, and expanded his line to include home decor and furniture. Over nearly four decades, Badman Design has outgrown three downtown locations. But if Dave had listened to his parents, his business might never have existed.

Growing up on the Grand Forks Air Force Base, Dave was in and out of county jail. “I had all this creativity, and I couldn’t channel it,” he said. His parents urged him to enlist, hoping military structure would provide focus.

Instead, Dave enrolled at UND to pursue “something artistic.” An art professor saw his talent and encouraged him to try jewelry-making. Dave brushed it off: “Jewelry is for girls,” he said.

But then, he made a pair of earrings out of a penny and sold them for $6. “The kick of it was that people wanted to buy it. It was capitalism beating on my door,” Dave said.

Dave worked at a pizza place full-time throughout college and needed an extra semester to graduate. With a light class load, he used that time to test his business instincts, renting a tiny space for his first shop — Studio 18. “I changed from pepperoni to copper and gave myself six months to prove I could run a business.”

Highs and Lows

After graduating in December 1988, Dave peddled his jewelry in Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York. “I got thrown out of a lot of places. Some said my jewelry was too masculine,” he said. “But I got all different reasons.”

Eventually, two breakthroughs opened doors: A Chicago-based rep took an interest in his work; so did Dayton’s. The regional department store carried Badman Design in all its stores. By the mid-’90s, his jewelry was in Marshall Field’s, Nordstrom, and boutiques across the country.

“I had a catalog with 60 pairs of earrings in it, and that’s all I did,” Dave said, adding that a beeping fax machine announced orders. “I just hated that machine; I was burned out.”

Considering a career change, Dave started graduate school to explore teaching, only to realize it wasn’t the right fit.

Then came QVC. As part of a national promotion, the network selected products from 20 manufacturers in each state. Dave entered with a pair of gold and silver, multitextured earrings. His product was selected, and he hand-crafted 1,500 pairs for a live show filmed in Medora, North Dakota. It was 90 degrees, the lights were hot, and the crowd included then-Governor Ed Schafer.

It took Dave 4½ minutes to sell out.

More QVC orders followed. Friends helped fill massive shipments. Even on QVC’s worst sales day — Christmas Eve — Dave sold out of 1,000 pairs.

“I didn’t want to be known for QVC orders. We had a neat local thing.”

Badman Design employee Hayes Muiderman focuses on fine detail work, using hand tools and precision techniques to shape custom pieces.

When QVC reclassified his earrings from “manufactured goods” to “jewelry,” stricter standards meant a single inconsistency could trigger a full recall. Twice, Dave had to remake 1,500-pair orders. The second time, rubber bands used in packaging left marks on every earring.

Then, Grand Forks’ devastating 1997 flood washed 2,000 pairs of Badman Design earrings into the street. “That was a story QVC wanted me to tell on the air,” Dave said. He made 2,000 replacement pairs in a temporary studio at UND.

All told, Badman Design made 14,000 pairs of earrings for QVC. But once again, burnout loomed. “I didn’t want to be known for QVC orders,” he said. “We had a neat local thing.”

The Local Legacy

That “neat local thing” is nicely showcased each December through Badman Design’s annual Christmas ornament — a tradition that began in 1995 when Dave didn’t want to show up to a Tom-and-Jerry party empty-handed.

Now in their 30th year, the ornaments have become local collectibles. Dave designs the ornament each spring, and his team handcrafts 200, which quickly sell out during the holiday season.

His business has grown alongside the creativity of his employees, now operating from a 5,000-square-foot design lab and showroom.

Furniture became part of the mix when longtime staffer Mark Harmon joined in 1996. “We just started building stuff — tables, furniture,” Dave said. “People saw what we could do and began asking for other things.”

Mark Harmon, and his welding skills, were the inspiration for the studio′s furniture making.

For 30 years,

The Luxury of Saying No

Dave’s had plenty of sleepless nights wondering how he’d stay afloat. “In 38 years of grind, it has always worked out,” he said. “There’s been sacrifice. But something always comes out of nowhere.”

Today, Dave has earned something rare: the freedom to say no. “That never existed before,” he said.

Now, he creates what matters to him. “I’ll get inspired and do a mini-series — maybe 21 earrings,” he said. “I always make an odd number. Part of my quirkiness.”

He’s also contemplating his next chapter. “I’m coming up on 40 years,” he said. “That’s a neat little milestone.”

Dave has designed and sold an annual Christmas ornament, now considered local collectibles. He also created a large outdoor sculpture for UND Softball’s Albrecht Field.

In recognition of his legacy, Dave received the Grand Forks Deep Roots Award as part of the 2025 Grand Awards, hosted by Evolve GF and the Grand Forks Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. The honor celebrates a local entrepreneur whose roots run deep and who helps others grow.

Looking ahead, Dave knows he’ll need to evolve. “My customer, the one that started with me with the $8, $10, $20 earrings and saw the value of it rise, is dying, moving away, retiring, downsizing.”

To reach the next generation, Dave is teaming up with UND’s Nistler College of Business & Public Administration this fall. Badman Design will serve as a marketing capstone project, and he plans to bring on a social media intern.

The goal? Build a stronger online presence while staying true to the quirky, handmade charm that’s defined Badman Design from the beginning.

Dave’s first store, Studio 18, was often mistaken for a photography shop.

“I realized my last name — Badman — was a lot more memorable and fun to promote.”

CRAFTING CONFIDENCE

Aria Kindseth finds her artistic voice

“One thing Dave has taught me is that earrings don’t have to be symmetrical to be beautiful.”

Aria Kindseth’s first assignment at Badman

Design was painting jewelry bags, each one a tiny canvas. By her junior year of high school, she was soldering metal. “One thing Dave has taught me is that earrings don’t have to be symmetrical to be beautiful,” she said.

Now as a UND sophomore, she fluently talks shop, casually using terms like solder, tumble, and polish.

“A lot of things are mass-produced, but everything here is handmade. It’s not going to be perfect — and that’s what makes this shop special.”

Her favorite recent creation is a series of fish earrings. “I love their shape — the fins, the way each one turned out differently,” she said. She makes a few pairs at a time, carefully cutting, assembling, tumbling, and polishing each one — a process that takes several hours.

Dave has become a mentor, encouraging Aria to take entrepreneurship classes at UND. “You need to add some practicality to an arts education,” he said. “The arts don’t teach you how to sell.”

Aria’s drive amazes him. “She scraps up and starts working,” he said. “When she started, I asked her to stamp ‘2022’ and ‘Badman’ on some disks. I didn’t give her a number; I thought maybe she’d do 100. She did over 500!”

These days, Aria has a key to the shop, a sign of Dave’s trust.

“I told her it’s her vista,” Dave said. He’s excited to see where she goes. ///

Aria Kindseth paints bags for Badman jewelery purchases, each a piece of art.

Her favorite recent project: fish earrings. Each unique pair is an hours-long process.

by Stephanie Schultz, ’91, Writer & Editor

A ROAD TO REMEDY

Casey Opstad captures the rhythm of life across North Dakota.

Seasons, a 31-panel mural by artist Casey Opstad, ’00, takes visitors to Altru Hospital on a contemplative drive along North Dakota’s Highway 2, beginning with the first light of spring in Grand Forks and ending in the stillness of winter in Williston.

“It’s the idea of the seasons of life,” Casey said. “Real-life things happen in the hospital setting. I wanted to bring happiness, joy, or some sort of solace. It should be about contemplation.”

Each panel of the Grand Forks hospital’s art installation captures a scene — aspen groves, backyard gardens, Native American symbols, oil rigs, and hockey rinks — that evokes a place and time. For Casey, the images reflect personal memories from drives to holiday gatherings, weddings, and funerals.

“Everyone has stories — sitting in the backseat while your parents drive, scraping windshields in high school, and running out early to start the defrost in college.”

Painting the Familiar

Early in the process, Casey headed west from Grand Forks on Highway 2, photographing the passing landscape, revisiting memories of visits to his grandfather’s home in Minot and the shared experience of winter driving in North Dakota. “Everyone has stories — sitting in the backseat while your parents drive, scraping windshields in high school, and running out early to start the defrost in college,” he said. “It’s life in North Dakota.”

As the project grew, so did the team. Casey collaborated with his partner Abby Monock and fellow Minneapolis art school alum David Rathman. He reached out to his friend and fellow UND alum Walter Piehl, ’66, ’87, who helped refine the mural’s western trajectory.

Walter suggested ending at Fort Union, on the Montana border, and emphasized the need for Native American representation.

At his recommendation, Casey brought in Dyana Decoteau-Dyess, a Chippewa artist and Minot State University student.

“Dyana painted a scene from Fort Union with native symbols and blueberries. It’s about healing — she incorporated her history into that piece,” Casey said.

Casey said the mural unfolded organically. Emergency lights that line the hallway required breaks between panels, but the pieces, uniform in height and varied in length, maintained a visual rhythm.

“Physically, there’s continuity,” he said. “I was concerned it wouldn’t hold together, but in the end, the individual pieces are strong.”

A Little Magic

The way “Seasons” came together reminded Casey of lessons he learned at UND. He doesn’t think conceptually about his art. “I see as I make,” Casey said. “It was all about getting in there, learning how to do things, and then doing it.”

Now based in New York, Casey still feels a strong connection to Grand Forks, where he’s painted several murals. “They’ve always supported me there,” he said.

After graduation, he worked a series of jobs before returning to school at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

His big break came when tech training company General Assembly hired him to draw a chalk portrait of Steve Jobs — a gig that turned into a two-year-long tour sketching scenes in several cities. He has since completed commissions for PayPal, Venmo, Kenneth Cole, and New York University, among others.

“Abracadabra” is the word Casey’s girlfriend Abby used to describe Casey’s style and the finished “Seasons” project. “The mural evolved into what it needed to be. I let the piece change as it had to,” he said.

The end result: perspective.

“When people are at the hospital, they realize the little things don’t matter,” Casey said.

C FOR COLLABORATION!

Casey, pictured with Chad Caya, ’94, returned to Grand Forks this summer to restore the Coca-Cola mural on the east side of the Urban Stampede coffee shop downtown. Chad, owner of Caya Painting, and Casey have teamed up as the “C&C Mural Factory,” painting several murals across the city since 2020, starting with the wheatfield at the former Rhombus Guys Brewing Co.

“At the time, murals weren’t even allowed in the city,” said Chad, who navigated zoning and planning approvals to make it happen.

“Chad brings the technical expertise — sealing bricks, making sure the paint holds,” Casey said.

“The design and curves and everything is Casey’s. He fine-tunes the murals,” Chad said.

“Corriente Skull” is one of Walter’s more recent paintings. In addition to his to “Seasons” contribution, he has three other works on display in the hospital.

A COWBOY CANVAS

Walter Piehl brings Western Americana to Altru’s walls.

Artist Walter Piehl knows what it’s like to spend time in a hospital. In 2023, he underwent a double heart bypass and valve replacement at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. He’s grateful to the doctors who cared for him and appreciates the new Altru Hospital’s commitment to meaningful art. So when Casey Opstad invited him to collaborate on “Seasons,” Walter was all in.

Walter’s Rodeo Roots

Walter grew up on a farm near Marion, North Dakota, where his dad was a rodeo contractor. Walter followed the circuit as an announcer.

At UND, a professor suggested Walter paint what he knew. “It would be far better for you to paint the rodeo than continue with those lame and insipid landscapes,” he told him.

“That was sobering,” Walter said, “but also liberating.”

His first gallery acceptance in Scottsdale, Arizona, launched a decades-long career exhibiting across the Southwest. “Western art was in its heyday during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s,” Walter said. “I was very fortunate to be part of that.”

“I encouraged students the same way I was encouraged — to find their own niche in terms of subject and technique.”

Now, more than six decades into his artistic career, Walter is known for “Western Americana” art — a blend of Western themes and contemporary style. “It’s

not just rodeo and moving horses,” he said. “It includes still life — things like saddles, boots, and hats.”

His work has been shown in many museums, including the Eiteljorg Museum (Indianapolis), the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame (Colorado Springs), and the Yellowstone Art Museum (Billings, Montana).

The Artist and the Teacher

Walter spent nearly 50 years teaching at Minot State University before retiring in 2017. His advice to students: “Think outside the loop.”

“I encouraged students the same way I was encouraged — to find their own niche in terms of subject and technique,” he said.

Walter continues to create.

“I’m in the studio every day,” he said. “What else am I going to do?” ///

UND ARTISTS ON DISPLAY

Ten additional alumni contributed to the art at Altru, showcasing North Dakota’s spirit through paint, texture, and perspective.

Senta (Brookshire) Grzadzielewski, ’18

The Secret World of Reeves Drive

A self-taught artist who discovered her love of painting during the pandemic. Her work is a tribute and a love letter to the region.

Paul Gronhovd, ’90

Prairie Ambassadors, Summer Sky, Road Less Traveled, Dahlen Esker

A photographer and printmaker with experience in traditional darkroom processes and contemporary digital practice. He spent 30 years working at UND’s EERC and received the 2025 Grand Forks Mayor’s Choice Artist Award.

Todd Hebert, ’96

Three Bubbles and a Snowman

A UND associate professor of art & design and internationally recognized artist. His work explores the interplay of light, atmosphere, and everyday objects.

Michael Conlan, ’14 Tree Row Configurations

An interdisciplinary visual artist, curator, and educator. He uses sculpture, photography, and mixed media to explore the concept of place.

Haley Brothers, ’25 Serpent’s Valley

A painter who believes even a hint of color can transform a space. Her work features vibrant hues and imaginative settings.

Adam Kemp, ’89 in collaboration with Hanna Saagge Kemp

Lincoln Park

Born in a village northeast of London but now identifies as at least half North Dakotan. As a sculptor and educator, he’s known for his eclectic, communitycentered approach.

Jolene Mikkelson, ’98

Untitled Quilt

A retired occupational therapist who transformed her lifelong love of sewing into an art quilting practice. Her quilts evoke the warmth of home.

Jessie Thorson, ’05

North Dakota Birds on Trees

An artist whose love of animals and the Grand Forks community shines through in her work. Her graphic design background brings an interdisciplinary lens to her art.

Kelly

Thompson,

’85

Power of Peace

A painter who captures the beauty of the Red River Valley. His use of wood and canvas emphasizes the vastness of North Dakota’s rural landscapes.

by Stephanie Schultz, ’91, Writer & Editor

to from PRISON PROGRAMS PRAIRIE STAGES

Curt Tofteland brings Shakespeare full circle in his return to North Dakota.

This summer, Curt Tofteland, ’74, returned to North Dakota more than 50 years after his UND graduation to direct the North Dakota Shakespeare Festival. “As You Like It” premiered in Grand Forks in mid-June and traveled across the state to Medora.

“It’s bi-coastal,” Curt joked, adding that he hopes the festival will continue to grow. “I want to bring Shakespeare to the masses.”

Curt has been doing that for much of his career. A director, producer, and actor, he has been involved in hundreds of Shakespeare productions. But his most transformative work may come from the smallest audiences — those behind prison walls.

Curt Tofteland directs a 2001 performance of Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus” at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex.

Healing Behind Bars

Curt’s work with vulnerable populations spans five decades. As a teaching artist in middle and high schools, he saw the power of storytelling to reach struggling students. That path led him to juvenile detention facilities and eventually to adult prisons.

Curt notes that among the 1,200-plus characters Shakespeare created, incarcerated individuals can often find part of themselves. “What they can’t find in biography, they find in dramatic imagination.”

“WHEN

In 1995, he founded Shakespeare Behind Bars (SBB), one of the longest-running prison arts programs in the country. What began at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky, has since expanded to serve incarcerated, post-incarcerated, and at-risk individuals across adult prisons, juvenile detention centers, and virtual programs.

Through this process, SBB participants build emotional intelligence, coping strategies, and other essential life skills that prepare them for successful reintegration into society.

The impact is immeasurable. While the national recidivism rate is 67% within five years, the rate for Shakespeare Behind Bars participants is just 6% over nearly three decades.

A PERSON DOESN’T HAVE LANGUAGE FOR THE TRAUMA THEY HAVE SUFFERED, SHAKESPEARE DOES.”

SBB also includes a touring, returned-citizen memoir program.

“I believe in the healing power of the arts,” Curt said. “I am not a therapist who does work that is artistic. I’m an artist who does healing work that is therapeutic.”

He maintains that Shakespeare’s works give voice to the voiceless. “When a person doesn’t have language for the trauma they have suffered, Shakespeare does,” he said. “The trauma victim can explore it through this aesthetic.”

A 2003 production of “The Tempest” at Luther Luckett was featured in a documentary by Philomath Films. “Shakespeare Behind Bars” premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, was screened at more than 40 festivals worldwide, and picked up 11 awards. A follow-up film, “Shakespeare Beyond Bars,” is now in production and focuses on the reentry and reintegration journeys of formerly incarcerated SBB members.

Rooted in North Dakota

“Returning to North Dakota is a very sentimental journey back in time,” Curt said of the Shakespeare Festival. “I’ve never forgotten my familial or educational roots.”

Curt grew up in Martin, North Dakota, the eldest of five siblings. He was a bedtime storyteller who grew into a middle school poet and a high school actor. He arrived at UND a “full-fledged storyteller.”

And he never stopped.

“FOR ME, SHAKESPEARE IS THE ESSENTIAL STORYTELLER IN AN ART FORM THAT I FELL IN LOVE WITH AT AN EARLY AGE.”

While in Grand Forks, Curt Tofteland, ’74, received the Honored Alumni Award from the UND Department of Theatre Arts. The freelance theater artist and prison arts practitioner adds that to his many honors, which include two Fulbright Fellowships, honorary doctorates from Oakland and Bellarmine universities, and the Sidney Berger Award from the Shakespeare Theatre Association.

Curt’s work in prisons has sparked numerous programs, including Voices Inside, a 10-minute playwriting initiative at the Northpoint Training Center in Burgin, Kentucky. The program has led to inmate-authored plays that have been professionally produced and staged in New York.

Today, Curt lives in Holland, Michigan, and continues his work as a prison arts practitioner and freelance theater artist — directing, acting, producing, writing, teaching, and consulting.

After helping launch this year’s North Dakota Shakespeare Festival, he returned to Michigan to direct “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” for Hope Repertory Theatre.

Despite being immersed in Shakespeare’s canon as both actor and director for decades, Curt said he’s still learning from him. “Each time, I discover something new because I’ve aged and experienced more of life.”

Life, and specifically his work with Shakespeare Behind Bars, has shaped him in return. “I am more compassionate and empathetic — and less judgmental.” ///

This summer’s “As You Like It” production featured five other UND graduates. Actors Veronica Folkedahl, ’25, and Tyler Folkedahl, ’18, and costume designer Alex Rice, ’22 (pictured here) joined costume designer Emily Taylor, ’17, sound engineer Tyler Smith, ’22, and Curt, bringing Shakespeare to audiences across North Dakota.

ARTISTS IN ACTION

PERFORMANCE WITH PURPOSE

Through drag, Sarah Galbraith, ’12, creates space for expression and belonging.

Joy.

That’s what Sarah Galbraith, ’12, felt the first time she attended a drag show as a UND freshman. “I saw the ability to celebrate who you are. That got me in the heart. I fell in love with this space.”

Drag is an expressive art form. Performers challenge gender through costume, makeup, and performance. Sarah had a strong background in theater and music but wasn’t sure where she fit in — until she attended a drag king pageant in 2012 in Minneapolis.

The experience inspired her to begin performing as drag king BJ Armani. She launched BJ Armani’s Cabaret back in Grand Forks with a community-centered focus. Now hosted at the American Legion in East Grand Forks, the cabaret raises money for local causes — from helping homeless pets and veterans to stocking food pantries and delivering holiday gifts to children.

While shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” have made drag more mainstream, Sarah believes local scenes provide education and showcase a full spectrum of performers.

“All performance is art, and all art is valid. People might question, ‘Are they a femme presenting masculine?’ Who cares? I’m entertaining you.”

“Grassroots is your number one way of making communal change,” she said. “Grand Forks has an amazing community that wants these safe spaces.”

As a UND freshman, Sarah felt lost in 300-person lecture halls. “I dyed my bangs pink so my professors would remember me. I needed connection — and I didn’t have it.”

That changed when she found the Ten Percent Society (TPS). “It wasn’t until I met this entity that I felt that connection and that belonging. Home.”

TPS later evolved into OUT and Proud, which emphasizes visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. OUT and Proud hosts inclusive gatherings that connect new people and families. “We’ve had parents tell us they didn’t know this kind of support existed,” Sarah said.

Sarah calls herself a “zipper,” connecting people and organizations for the greater good. She’s also known as “Mom” to the “kids” she’s met through TPS, OUT and Proud, drag shows, and community events. “I provide safe spaces for youth to be able to express themselves freely — to be who they are and let them make the choices that they’re making.”

Now pursuing a master’s in social work, Sarah says she’ll keep advocating. “The extra letters behind my name will give me more credibility as I fight for my family.”

WRITING THE FINAL WORD

Bob Hagerty, ’78, teaches others how to preserve their life stories.

James R. (Bob) Hagerty, ’78, has spent decades chronicling the lives of others, but it’s his work in obituary writing that has become his calling. A veteran journalist with a long career at the Wall Street Journal and now a freelance contributor to the WSJ, the New York Times and other publications, Hagerty has carved out a niche telling the stories of lives well lived — and sometimes overlooked — with clarity, depth, and heart.

When he began specializing in obituary writing about a decade ago, it struck him how little adult children often knew about their parents’ lives. “A lot of good stories just kind of get lost,” he said. “Although children and friends have been told about these things, they only sort of remember it. And a story that you only half remember is usually not very good.”

“You really ought to write something down, because your family is probably going to make a mess of it, despite their good intentions.”

That realization led Hagerty to advocate for a simple yet powerful idea: write your own story. His book, “Yours Truly: An Obituary Writer’s Guide to Telling Your Story,” encourages people to take control of their narrative — not just for posterity’s sake, but as a way to reflect on one’s life journey. “If you can’t think of anything positive that might be said about you in your obituary, it’s not too late to try to improve the narrative.”

Hagerty offers practical advice for those intimidated by the task. Start with the basics — dates, places, names — and then go deeper. “Ask yourself: What was I trying to do with my life, and why? How did that turn out?” He emphasizes honesty over perfection.

“Your obituary isn’t a nomination for sainthood,” he joked. “It should include the good and the bad and do it in a way that doesn’t put blame on others.”

His own story began in Grand Forks, where both of his parents were journalists at the Grand Forks Herald. Hagerty knew from his time working on his high school paper that would be his path too, but rather than studying journalism at UND, he earned a degree in economics. He did, however, immerse himself in journalism by working on the student newspaper staff. Eventually becoming editor of the Dakota Student, he honed his craft and developed the work ethic that would carry him through a global career. “It’s unbelievable how much freedom we had to do what we wanted,” he said. “It was a great opportunity.”

From UND, Hagerty’s journey took him to the Wall Street Journal, where an internship led to a full-time job, and eventually to international assignments in Hong Kong and Europe. Hagerty continues to write obituaries and champion the idea that everyone has a story worth telling. “You really ought to write something down,” he said. “Because your family is probably going to make a mess of it, despite their good intentions.”

For Hagerty's tips on how to write your life story, visit UNDalumni.org/james-hagerty

ARTISTS IN ACTION

JUST LIKE DOC

Influenced by former UND Choral

Director Roger “Doc” Wilhelm, Dr. Stan Engebretson, ’72, ’73, led the National Philharmonic and conducted choirs and symphonies for more than 50 years.

Music has taken Dr. Stan Engebretson, ’72, ’73, around the globe. From his roots in North Dakota to the East Coast and all the way to Europe, Asia and Australia, Stan has spent his career hitting all the right notes.

His tune started in the tiny town of Litchville, North Dakota.

“My parents came from musical families. Music was in my DNA,” he said.

His earliest mentor was Litchville’s choral director Neil Olson. “He wrote annual musicals and everyone was in them. I just fell right into line.”

Stan studied piano at Valley City (N.D.) State University in high school, before heading to UND. “I was considered one of those that was going away — I went to Grand Forks,” he laughed.

Inspired by UND professor Roger “Doc” Wilhelm, he earned his doctorate at Stanford in Palo Alto, California. “I always admired his intellect; I always wanted to be like Doc,” Stan reflected.

After graduating, Stan led other university choirs and worked with local ensembles in Bismarck, Midland, Texas, and Minneapolis. Though he admits he could have stayed in Minneapolis forever, Washington, D.C., “was the right change for me.”

Stan was a professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, for 31 years, becoming a Fulbright Senior Scholar in Iceland while at GMU. In Washington, he served as organist at the historic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and conducted the Masterworks Chorus. In 2003, the chorus merged with the National Chamber Orchestra to form the National Philharmonic.

“My parents came from musical families. Music was in my DNA.”

Stan conducted the National Philharmonic for 20 years — starting with choral concerts and later assuming the symphony. The group performs in Bethesda, Maryland.

When he announced his retirement, the Philharmonic offered Stan the opportunity to conduct the concert of his choice. “Before they could finish the sentence, I told them ‘Berlioz’s Requiem,’” he quipped. He would lead 300 performers on the three-tiered stage.

In addition to his work as a conductor and educator, Stan has also published a book of spiritual hymns, and his arrangement of “Scarborough Fair” is still performed 50+ years later.

Stan was ready to retire when a former student called, offering him a job at the American Church in Paris, where she is the music director. “I retired at 10 a.m. and got a call from Paris at 2 p.m. I took this job to mentor her.”

Now she calls him “Doc.”

“If this place were only a museum, there wouldn’t be so much interest. It changes and evolves, and that’s what we are about as a nation.” ARTISTS

PRESERVING THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE

Under Chief Curator Betty Monkman, ’64, the White House’s decorative arts collection got white-glove care.

For 35 years, Betty Monkman, ’64, protected the art, furniture, and decorations in one of the world’s most famous homes: the White House.

From Bottineau, North Dakota, Betty began her career there in 1967 as a registrar, tracking artifacts in the White House collection. She became assistant curator in 1980 and chief curator in 1997, retiring in 2002. “The White House personifies the presidency,” she once told the Washington Post. “If this place were only a museum, there wouldn’t be so much interest. It changes and evolves, and that’s what we are about as a nation.”

Betty was one of just eight people to serve as chief curator since the office was created in 1961 (the ninth was hired in May 2024). Her tenure spanned eight presidents, from Lyndon B. Johnson to George W. Bush. She also authored two books: “The White House: Its Historic Furnishings and First Families” and “Furnishing the White House: The Decorative Arts Collection.”

Betty Monkman died on Jan. 7 at her niece’s home. The Washington Post remembered her as someone who “quickly earned the admiration of her colleagues with her knowledge, resourcefulness, and respect for the traditions and history of the residence.”

Sara Garland, ’72, former chief of staff for Sen. Kent Conrad, noted that Betty never forgot where she came from. “She often attended UND and other North Dakota gatherings in D.C.,” Sara said.

Over the years, Betty gave private White House tours to groups from UND — including her graduating class (which included future U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.), her Delta Gamma sorority sisters, and the 2000 NCAA Division I champion men’s hockey team.

In 1990, she spoke at UND as part of the Hultberg Lectureship, and in 2002, she received the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership.

“Even though her position as White House Curator was a very big deal, she was one of the most understated and modest individuals I ever encountered in D.C.,” Sara said.

“Given her personal and intellectual skills, it’s no wonder she successfully survived (and thrived) through eight presidencies.”

TUESDAY, SEPT. 16

Blood Drive

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wellness Center

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17

18:83 Speaker Series featuring Sarah Prout, ’07, UNDAAF Vice President of Marketing & Communications

2:30 p.m.

Memorial Union | Social Stairs

Hawks Hour

4:30 - 6 p.m.

Bonzer’s Sandwich Pub

UND Pep Rally

5 p.m. Food trucks open 6:15 p.m. Program Town Square (Downtown)

HOMECOMING WEEK

SEPTEMBER 15-20

Join us for a week full of tradition, pride, and celebration at the University of North Dakota. Homecoming is the perfect time to reconnect with campus, cheer on the Fighting Hawks, and showcase your UND pride!

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18

Alumni Honors

5:30 - 9 p.m. Alerus Center

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19

Fan Luncheon

11:30 - 1 p.m. Alerus Center

UND STEM Complex Groundbreaking

1:30-2:30 p.m. UND Campus

UND Athletics Hall of Fame: 50th Anniversary

4:30 - 9 p.m. Alerus Center

Scan the code for the full Homecoming Week schedule!

pd.UNDalumni.org/homecoming

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20

Homecoming Parade

10 a.m.

University Avenue

Tailgate & Celebrate Honoring milestone graduates from UND classes ending in 0 or 5

12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Alerus Center

UND Football vs. Valparaiso

3 p.m. Alerus Center

Every year during Homecoming Week, we honor the University of North Dakota’s most esteemed alumni with the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership and the Young Alumni Achievement Award.

The Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership is the highest honor given by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation for 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 in service to others.

This year’s Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership honorees are:

● Phil Gisi, ’82

● Jill (Erickson) Newby, ’83

● Dave Hakstol, ’96

● Dr. John Gray, ’84, ’87, & Karen Schmidt-Gray, ’82

This year’s Young Alumni Achievement Award winners are:

● Lisa Persuitti-Huber, ’05, ’08

● Dr. Michael Greenwood, ’07, ’11

● Hunter Pinke, ’21

This year’s awards banquet will be held on Thursday, September 18, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks.

pd.UNDalumni.org/alumni-honors

Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership

PHIL GISI

Hometown /// New Rockford, North Dakota

Area of study /// Business Administration & Accounting

A Chance Meeting /// Even though they were on campus at the same time, Phil didn’t meet his wife, Trish, ’82, in Grand Forks. They met at Red Willow Lake Resort near Binford, North Dakota, on the Fourth of July.

Phil Gisi, a 1982 graduate of the University of North Dakota, has built a career that reflects the values of his alma mater: hard work, innovation, and service. A “serial entrepreneur” with ventures in healthcare, hospitality, energy, and real estate, Phil has grown from his roots in small-town North Dakota to lead companies employing thousands — while never losing sight of the importance of mentorship and community.

After an early career in North Dakota’s oil industry ended with the mid-80s price bust, Phil pivoted into healthcare, a move he said “completely happened by accident.” Hired as a hospital controller in Minot with no prior healthcare experience, he quickly rose to CFO and later CEO.

That first-job breakdown instilled in Phil a habit of diversification and seizing opportunities. “Fear of failure” became a powerful motivator. “I always created a backup plan for myself,” he said. “When I saw an opportunity, I would take advantage of it.”

Phil

That mindset led to the founding of multiple ventures, including Edgewood Healthcare and Edgewood REIT, which now support more than 3,000 employees and nearly 1,800 investors.

“You don’t see success in business like I’ve seen unless you have a lot of really good people around you.”

Despite his success, Phil remains grounded. “You don’t see success in business like I’ve seen unless you have a lot of really good people around you,” he said, crediting his teams and his wife, Trish, for their steady support. “I don’t want to run a company.

I hate operations, but I love the company,” he added, emphasizing his role creating the vision for a company and hiring the best people to run operations.

A passionate mentor and philanthropist, Phil has long supported UND students through scholarships, board opportunities, and personal guidance. “I think I have something to offer them… I want to see them be successful,” he said. His early investment in the student-run Dakota Venture Group included a student seat on the board of Edgewood REIT, giving them real-world experience in highstakes business decisions. “They get a lot out of that — and I get a lot out of it too,” he said.

Reflecting on his UND education, Phil said, “It took me probably 15 years to look back and say, if I hadn’t done that, I don’t know what I would have been.”

Today, his legacy is not just in the companies he’s built, but in the lives he’s shaped as a visionary and mentor.

co-founded Edgewood Healthcare, which now has 64 senior housing facilities across 7 states.

Before airlines were ready for women in the cockpit, Jill (Erickson) Newby, ’83, was ready to fly. Forty years later, she’s one of United’s longest-serving pilots and among the first 30 women hired by the company.

Jill’s career didn’t take off right away.

“I literally wrote to all the airlines, asking for some direction on how to be a pilot,” she said. They all sent her applications … to be a flight attendant. After graduating from UND and interning at FedEx, Jill got a shot at United. “During the interview, they asked me about John Odegard. I said, ‘Great, call him!’ I knew they loved the UND program.”

The aviation program, once dubbed the “Harvard of the airways” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, stood out for its structure and sense of community. “Everybody helped each other,” Jill said. “It wasn’t a competitive environment.”

Sioux Award for

Distinguished

Achievement & Leadership

JILL NEWBY

Hometown /// Burnsville, Minnesota

Area of study /// Aviation Administration

Making Dreams Come True /// Jill pilots flights for children traveling through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “They seem to always pick Hawaii, and I am the lucky one that gets to help them!”

United hired Jill in 1985. She credits to UND’s strong reputation and supportive culture.

Jill’s resilience was tested years later when her husband died in a work accident, leaving her to raise their two young sons. Jill stepped away from flying for five years — but ultimately returned.

For the past decade, she’s chosen to fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii every weekday except Wednesday, when she visits the Santa Monica Farmers Market near her Manhattan Beach home.

When she learned she was receiving the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership, Jill said. “I thought, ‘Gosh, how did they pick me?’”

“I said, ‘That’s not the way this story ends. I want to go back. I love what I do.’”

Today, Jill is United’s number one 757/767 pilot. Her seniority gives her first pick of flights, schedules, and vacation time.

Jill has flown for United for 40 years

and

To help process the moment, she called fellow trailblazer Jean (Hailey) Harper, ’79, one of the first women hired by United and a 2003 recipient.

“She was so positive and explained things that pumped up my ego a little bit,” Jill said.

Now getting ready to retire, Jill is thankful for her journey, even the turbulent parts.

“It hasn’t always been easy,” she said. “But it’s the best career out there. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

is the airline’s #1 757/767 pilot.

Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership

DAVE HAKSTOL

Hometown /// Warburg, Alberta, Canada

Area of study /// Business Administration

Head Musketeer /// Hakstol began his coaching career as the general manager and head coach of the Sioux City Musketeers from 1996-2000. He was named the USHL Coach of the Year in 1997-98.

Dave Hakstol, ’96, discovered his love of hockey growing up on a farm in Warburg, Alberta, but it was playing hockey at UND — and the atmosphere of the Old Ralph Engelstad Arena — that ignited his passion and turned hockey into a lifelong calling.

Dave skated for UND from 1989 to 1992 and went on to play and coach professionally in the IHL and USHL. A call from then-UND head coach Dean Blais brought him back to campus in 2000 — this time, behind the bench.

In 2004, Dave — at just 35 years old — succeeded Blais as UND’s head coach. He led UND to the NCAA Tournament in each of his 11 seasons at the helm, including seven NCAA Frozen Four appearances and several conference titles. He earned multiple Coach of the Year honors as a premier college hockey coach.

“We talked about the UND culture a lot, but more importantly, we lived it. I’m proud of the great success we had, and my love for UND will never change.”

“It was 11 years of great memories for me and my family,” Dave said. “It was difficult to leave UND without winning a national championship, but I was thrilled for the players, coaches, staff and fans to see them achieve that goal one year later.”

In 2015, Dave accepted the head coach job with the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming just the fourth coach who jumped straight into a head NHL job from the NCAA. He later became the first head coach of the NHL’s newest expansion team, the Seattle Kraken, in 2021. In seven NHL seasons, he won over 200 games and reached the playoffs three times.

“Entering the highest level of the profession, I wanted to absorb as much information as possible from the people and resources surrounding me while confidently following my own instincts and experiences in making decisions,”

Dave said. After taking a break to focus on family, Dave is jumping back into the NHL as an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche this season.

Receiving the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership brings it all full circle for him, as many of his favorite memories trace back to UND.

Dave coached more than 30 players who went on to play in the NHL, including Jonathan Toews and T.J. Oshie. His 289 career wins are the second-most for a head coach in UND Hockey history.

Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership

DR. JOHN GRAY & KAREN SCHMIDT-GRAY

Hometown /// Stanley (John) & Minot, North Dakota (Karen)

Area of study /// John: Medicine; Karen: Journalism, Public Advertising, and Speech Communications

Philanthropic Spirit /// John and Karen started giving back to UND together when they were still students. “We participated in fundraisers like Sleep Outs, Sigma Chi Derby Days, and many more,” Karen said.

As underclassmen at Minot State University, Dr. John Gray, ’84, ’87, a football player, met Karen Schmidt-Gray, ’82, a freshman who wanted to see the world. The two quickly formed a strong bond after their first date on a chilly February evening. Karen transferred to UND her sophomore year; John continued at Minot to play football. He experienced a season-ending injury early on, forcing him to consider his future and his dream of becoming a doctor. It was then that John decided, “I am going to UND, and I am going to medical school.”

The following year, John joined Karen at UND, where Karen became vice president of Delta Gamma and John spent long hours studying, working toward his medical degree. The couple became interested in philanthropy, which continues today.

After graduation, Karen took an out-of-state sales position while John finished school at UND. Karen continued her career in the travel industry until she and John started their family, at which point Karen opted to stay home to raise their children.

“UND was literally everything to me –it shaped my life.”

John fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, specializing in nephrology. He completed his residency at Hennepin County Medical Center and has practiced medicine at Kidney Specialists of Minnesota (KSM) since 1992. He has also held various leadership positions, serving as a board member of North Memorial Medical Center and President of KSM. John credits his success to his education.

She actively supports her community by volunteering in educational and literacy groups.

John is deeply grateful to Karen, whom he sees as the heart and strength of their family.

They are still deeply connected with UND. John served on the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Board, and both served on the North Dakota Spirit Campaign and Forever UND Campaign committees.

“We believe UND gives you an education. You go out, make something, and give back,” Karen said. “Then UND gives us more back in return.”

John and Karen dreamed of a Hawaiian honeymoon but settled for a rainy weekend at Lake Metigoshe. 11 years later, they brought their children to Hawaii for the first time and have visited 7 times since.

achievement award

Young Alumni Achievement Award 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.

Lisa Persuitti-Huber, ’05, ’08

Vice President of Marketing & Business Development, University of Minnesota Alumni Association

Hometown /// Andover, Minnesota Area of Study /// Communication and Business Administration

45

young UND alumni have received this award in the past 2002 first year of the Young Alumni Achievement Awards

2 alumni have won both Alumni Honors awards: Astronaut Karen Nyberg, ’94, and former Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter, ’89

A defining moment at UND: A class trip to Minneapolis changed everything. We visited the Minnesota Twins, and I asked President Dave St. Peter — a fellow alum — how to break into sports. He told me, “Go back to campus, walk into the Sports Information Office, and say you’ll do anything.” I did just that. His story taught me the value of starting small and working your way up. That moment changed my life.

Proudest professional accomplishment: Founding the Minnesota Alumni Market — a platform that started with 14 alumni-owned businesses and now features 250 — has been incredibly rewarding. We’re just scratching the surface.

What does UND mean to you? Everything. It’s where I met my husband, Max, and built the foundation for my life and career. Our daughter is named Dakota — a daily reminder of what UND gave us. The names you carry and use matter.

Advice for today’s students: Be scrappy. Ask for what you want. No one is thinking about you — so raise your hand, speak up, and make the most of your time here.

Michael Greenwood, ’07

Ophthalmologist, Vance Thompson Vision

Co-founder, Green Man

Hometown /// Jamestown, North Dakota Area of Study /// Biology

Career advice from Dr. Greenwood: You learn lessons from each obstacle and apply it to the next.

I think it’s really about loving the process and finding out what you love to do. We’re always learning, always growing, always taking lessons from one thing and applying it to the next. Just love what you do and enjoy the journey. It’s not about the end result; it’s about moving forward. If you keep showing up and keep getting the work done, good things will come.

Goal-setting for students: Set goals, write them down, and work toward those goals. You’ve established what you want to accomplish, and it makes it easier to prioritize your life based on your goals. Every decision you make is either going to work you toward your goal or away from your goal.

On winning the Young Alumni Achievement Award: I think it always feels good when you get selected for something, and this was totally unexpected. It’s a nice nod to everybody else that has helped along the way. Whether it’s getting recruited by Bubba (Schweigert), or my teammates, my family, my wife — there’s no way that I could have can accomplished any of these things without a good support team. It’s a really special thing and I’m so grateful to have that.

Hunter Pinke, ’21

Co-Owner, Design Consultant, Pinke Lumber Inspirational Speaker

Hometown /// Wishek, North Dakota Area of Study /// Mechanical Engineering

My path since UND: I got my master’s degree from the University of Arizona and played wheelchair basketball for three years. That was a way of telling the world my injury didn’t win. It might have changed me, but it didn’t beat me. I could still compete for a national championship and reach my goal of becoming an Academic All-American.

Remembering UND Football: Freshman year, winning the Big Sky Championship and rushing the field. Senior year, going out for the coin toss at NDSU in my wheelchair. I always imagined that moment looking differently — I didn’t have my helmet on, but I was still at midfield calling heads or tails. And I won the coin flip, so I did my job.

On being an inspirational speaker: I was told early on in my recovery that I had to decide where my life was going to go. You can be depressed, or you can use this as a springboard to change lives through struggle. That was an easy decision for me. When it comes to inspiring people with a message, I will never see the full return on investment, but hopefully, my best is enough to help somebody else become their best.

The Playbook

Your UND Homecoming-themed activity book!

WORD SEARCH

how fast can you find them?

Answers on page 66

Grand Forks

Alumni

North Dakota

Fighting Hawks UNDproud ForeverUND Tailgate

STORY SCRAMBLE: A DAY IN THE LIFE

It was a adjective Saturday morning. The Fighting Hawk was already verb ending in -ing with excitement. It was time to hop into the official UND type of vehicle and head to campus for the parade. The streets buzzed with plural noun as the Homecoming festivities kicked into full swing.

UND fans lined the streets, waving and shouting, “ word or phrase ” The Hawk verb ending in -ed down the parade route, tossing plural noun into the crowd and giving high-fives to everyone in sight.

After the parade, it was time to hit the tailgating scene. The air was filled with the smell of type of food and the Pride of the North played name of song The Hawk joined a group of students doing the type of dance and even challenged a few kids to a game of sport .

The tailgate fun was winding down, but the real excitement was about to begin as the Hawk verb ending in -ed toward the Alerus Center. Inside the stadium, the adjective crowd went wild. The Hawk flew around, waved a giant noun , and hyped up the fans with every UND touchdown.

By the end of the day, the Hawk was verb ending in -ing but filled with UND pride. It was another unforgettable UND Homecoming.

verbs = action

CROSSWORD

3. UND’s mascot, a fierce bird of prey

4. On September 25, 1963, which U.S. president visited UND?

6. UND’s hometown

8. Official student newspaper

10. Name of the beloved 9th president of UND, who held the office from 1971-92

11. UND’s athletic teams were briefly known by this nickname before 1930

14. Home of UND Hockey

16. In 1889, the student body chose pink and green as school colors, reminiscent of what flower?

17. Number of graduates in the first graduating class

Down

1. This nickname was used for the horseand-carriage bus that brought students to campus in the 1880s

2. The first building on UND’s campus, home to classrooms, offices, and a library

5. Marching band that leads the Homecoming parade

7. Coach Eric, head football coach

9. Building where many students dine in their first year

12. UND Fight Song

13. Our first three presidents were all graduates of what university?

15. UND’s official motto

Tag @UNDalumni and use the hashtag #UNDproud for a chance to be featured!

COLOR ME

THE HAWKTAIL

a refreshing mocktail with an optional 21+ twist

SELF PORTRAIT

Class of Major draw yourself as a UND student

Ingredients (makes 1 drink):

• 3 ripe strawberries, hulled

• Juice of ½ a lime

• 3-4 fresh basil or mint leaves (optional)

• Ice

• 1.5 oz (1 shot) vodka or white rum (optional)

• Lemon-lime soda to taste

• Lime sparkling water to taste

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle the strawberries with lime juice and herbs (if using).

2. Add a handful of ice and the optional alcohol.

3. Shake well for about 15 seconds to chill and blend.

4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.

5. Top with lemon-lime soda and lime sparkling water. Gently stir to combine.

6. Garnish with a lime wheel, strawberry slice, and a sprig of basil or mint.

POP QUIZ

1. Stanley O. Johnson created what iconic campus sculpture in 1963?

A. Old Main Memorial Sphere (Eternal Flame)

B. Armillary Sphere (Sundial)

C. Soaring Eagle

D. Adelphi Fountain

2. In the school song “Stand up and Cheer,” what line follows: “Stand up and cheer; stand up and cheer for North Dakota!”

3. Who was the first UND president to hail from the great state of North Dakota?

A. Webster Merrifield

B. Thomas Clifford

C. George Starcher

D. Andrew Armacost

4. In 1969, UND students protested the Homecoming Queen contest through a write-in campaign. Who did they try to nominate?

A. Dottie the Dolphin and Tony the Turkey

B. Maggie the Frog and Alfred the Pigeon

C. Frank the Chicken and Marvin the Dog

D. Susie the Sheep and Paula the Parrot

5. What year was the UND Football program established?

A. 1994 B. 1924 C. 1954 D. 1894

6. What percentage of UND’s student body comes from North Dakota?

A. 22%

B. 42%

C. 54%

D. 39%

Answers on page 62

that take us back to our college days

We asked for your help in building a playlist that captures the spirit of UND campus, and you delivered! Scan to listen.

pd.UNDalumni.org/official-playlist

Student-Athlete Spotlight

“Since coming to UND, I have so much more confidence.”

SERVING CONFIDENCE LEO GALLIANO, ’28

Hometown: Walis, Switzerland

Area of Study: Accounting

Accolades: Summit League Men’s Tennis Newcomer of the Year.

As a freshman, Leo finished the regular season with an impressive 17-3 overall singles record.

Why UND? UND’s tennis coaching staff is great, and I had a good feeling about them..

Favorite area of campus: The tennis facilities are great for our program. I also love Nistler Hall and the College of Business & Public Administration.

Future Goals: I plan to pursue a professional tennis career or find an accounting job.

Who’s your idol? (Retired professional Spanish tennis player) Rafael Nadal. I have the (bull) tattoo, so it’s pretty obvious. What are your hobbies? Playing video games, watching other sports, and hanging out with friends.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would travel to Italy to relax by the sea and enjoy good food. What would you say to the donors who made your scholarships possible? I am grateful to them, and I just want to thank them because I couldn’t play without them.

Alumni Spotlight

A HALL OF FAME ADDRESS

Jim Kleinsasser, ..’99: Nothing like being booed by 64,000 fans to convince you to learn from your mistakes.

University of North Dakota Hall-of-Famer Jim Kleinsasser returned to his alma mater as keynote for the 2025 Spring Commencement ceremonies.

Kleinsasser, a North Dakota native who played all 13 years of his professional football career with the Minnesota Vikings, was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame earlier this year. During his career at UND, Kleinsasser was a three-time first-team All-North Central Conference pick and a two-time firstteam All-American.

“Do not fear adversity. Most adversity will strengthen you in unimaginable ways and help you better handle challenges that lie ahead.”

Following are excerpts from Kleinsasser’s commencment address:

UND isn’t just a university, it’s a community. It’s a community that will positively impact you throughout your life, if you let it.

Which brings me to my first piece of advice: stay connected.

Stay connected to your classmates and professors. They will keep you grounded in your values and be an invaluable support system. No matter where you go in this world, it will be a huge comfort to have a trusted group to share celebrations with and talk through problems that arise.

To this day, I have a large group from UND that I keep close and are invaluable to me.

READ JIM’S FULL ADDRESS

To hear how two embarrassing fumbles made Jim Kleinsasser a better player, scan the code. UND.edu/today

My second piece of advice is to show up every day. Don’t give yourself excuses or outs. Develop good habits that keep you moving towards your goals.

When you don’t feel motivated to do something, you must tell yourself to just show up. You might not be the best on that day, but you’ll be better than the version of you that didn’t show up.

Showing up and being present will always give you a chance to advance towards your goals.

From this day forward, I hope that you all show up every day, meet adversity with an attitude of growth and change, and stay connected to this university so you have a support system behind you when facing that adversity.

And always remember, you are great! You are a graduate of the University of North Dakota!

Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota

Together, we are undertaking a $625 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to build a UND for the future. Thank you to the alumni and friends who give. Your generosity allows the torch of knowledge to be passed on to those who will lead the way.

JACQUE (GEVING) EVERSON, ’66

A MEANINGFUL RETURN

Jacque (Geving) Everson, ’66, has a long history of volunteering for the national chapter of her sorority, Delta Gamma, and in the communities where she has lived. Still, she felt called to make a meaningful impact at UND.

“Around 2010, I started thinking I wanted to do something for my local chapter,” she said. “I wanted it to have some meaning.”

That thought turned into action after Jacque attended a Delta Gamma Lectureship in Values and Ethics in Akron, Ohio, featuring actor Michael J. Fox. “He’d been living with Parkinson’s for many years,” Jacque said. “I had the privilege of speaking with him one-onone, and that really inspired me.”

“Around 2010, I started thinking I wanted to do something for my local chapter. I wanted it to have some meaning.”

In 2011, Jacque partnered with the UND Delta Gamma chapter to establish the Delta Gamma Foundation/Everson Family lectureship in Values and Ethics — putting UND among just 20 campuses across the country to present the values- and ethics-focused event. Held biennially, the series has welcomed speakers like abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart, TV journalist John Quiñones, Olympic gold medalists Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, and former UND athlete Hunter Pinke.

This spring, Jacque traveled to Grand Forks from her home in The Woodlands, Texas, to hear professional surfer and best-selling author Bethany Hamilton share her story of resilience — from losing her arm in a shark attack to returning to competition and using her platform to inspire others.

Nearly 1,500 people attended the event — a testament to the enduring impact of Jacque’s lead gift and her commitment to sparking conversations that matter.

Help Delta Gamma bring the next inspiring speaker to campus.

pd.UNDalumni.org/dg-lectureship

THE DOSSER FAMILY

THROUGH GRANT’S EYES

Like most artists, Grant Dosser of Minneapolis saw the world differently. “He definitely had an eye. He was a great photographer and painter,” his mother, Stephanie, said. Shadows of cars on a brick wall, the geometric patterns of electrical wires overhead — he noticed beauty in the mundane. Grant’s eye for unique perspectives extended to people as well.

“He had a way of walking into a room and gravitating toward the most interesting people. It was like he had a gift for seeing the people who were invisible to others,” his father, Greg, said.

An aspiring graphic designer, Grant planned to transfer to UND in fall 2018. After an emergency appendectomy that March, he was prescribed pain medication, which led to a struggle unknown to his family and friends. A few months before he would’ve arrived on campus, he tragically passed away from an accidental overdose.

“We got the acceptance letter from UND the day after he died. That was really hard,” Greg said.

In the wake of heartbreak, Grant’s family established the Grant Dosser Memorial Scholarship to honor his passion and potential.

“We specifically asked for it to be for an art student,” said Stephanie. “I’m sure Grant would be really proud.”

with

through “Art of the Heart,” where Grant’s artwork is sold as note cards. Proceeds support adolescent mental health and addiction.

Now in its sixth year, the scholarship has been awarded to several students, including Alyson Bosch, ’25.

Alyson says she carried Grant’s story with her during her time at UND. “I also lost a close family friend, and his family started a similar scholarship, so I’ve seen firsthand how grief can be turned into something good.”

The scholarship eased financial pressures and gave Alyson time to expand her portfolio. As a graphic design intern at the Chester Fritz Library, she created signature materials for the Music Department, the UND Writers Conference, and the Faculty Showcase.

She now works for a regional company designing brand materials. “I’m literally working my dream job right now … and this scholarship truly helped drive that path for me,” she said.

The Dossers want every recipient of the scholarship to feel seen the way Grant would’ve seen them: “Our hope is that they know they’ve been noticed, that they have skills and are being rewarded because they have potential,” Stephanie said.

Honor Grant by supporting the Grant Dosser Memorial Scholarship. pd.UNDalumni.org/give

For help with addiction or mental health, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or text/call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. UND students can also reach out to the University Counseling Center for in-person or telehealth support.

The Dossers partner

others in the Twin Cities who’ve lost children

THE CAMPAIGN

Eternal Flame Society

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

The following donors reached a new giving circle in the Eternal Flame Society between April 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025.

WILLIAM BUDGE CIRCLE

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

Massachusetts Indian Association

DR. CORA SMITH CIRCLE

$500,000 - $999,999

Dr. Francine Cronshaw & Russell Selleck

THOMAS CLIFFORD CIRCLE

$100,000 - $499,999

Centurion Foundation

General Mills Foundation

Marcia Cheney & Arthur Larsen*

Walter & Melissa Johnson

Nancy R. Rentfrow

Sharon L. Shaide

Shell Companies Foundation, Inc.

Dr. Paul* & Deborah* Silverman Krolik in Memory of Dr. Louis B. & Thelma K. Silverman

Donald & Lisa Wharton

FOREVER UND CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

“We are but two loyal souls among the thousands who carry forward the mission of UND. We demonstrate our passion for the University through actions and are driven to make it better through our words and deeds.”

KATIE (DAVIES), ’86, & DOUG MARK, ’86 BUDGE CIRCLE

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

$10,000 - $99,999

Alison K. Anderson

Steven I. Apfelbaum

Lynn C. Jorgenson Barnhart

William J. Behrmann

Brad & Cynthia Beyer

Rebecca Bichel

Jeffrey & Rebecca Bjornson

Dennis M. Borowicz

Lindsay & Nicholas Cox

Samuel E. Daufenbach

Evergreen Insurance

Express Employment Professionals

Erik & Tina Fabian

F-M Forklift Sales & Service

Rodney & Beckie Freeman

Stefanie Gefroh, M.D. & Matt Ellison

Brian & Kate Greicar

Kyle T. Hanson

Layne Hanson

HeroX

Marci Hilts

Marlan* & Nancy (Borgeson) Hvinden

Mary Ann M. Jackson

Dr. Paul & Christine Kilzer

Dr. Robert J. Kraus

Dana Krumrey

1889 LEGACY SOCIETY

Travis Kurtz

David & Dawn Laughridge

Chad & Danielle Leigh

Dr. Donald* & Donna* Levi

LucentHD

Midcontinent Communications, Sioux Falls

Jeff Miller

Jacqueline Miller Moen

Tyler J. Narloch

Dr. Joel K. Ness

New Century Ag

Gregory & Theresa Nolte

Rachel W. Peterson Nelson, M.D.

Sheila Salwei

Shannon & Lori Schell

Steven & Laurie Schumer

Mercedes A. Terry

The Tax Law Office

Barbara Tischart

Patrick A. Tupa

Josh & Amanda Vesterso

Shawn & Paula Walters

Mary & Scott Welder

Jamie Wentz

Bruce Williamson

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

Mike J. Skiple*

*indicates deceased

Champions Club memberships are now included in lifetime giving totals. For more information about the Eternal Flame Society, visit UNDalumni.org/giving-impact/donor-recognition.

1. Whitney Holm, ’18, and Jordan Holm welcomed baby girl, Magnolia, on March 15, 2025. Big brother, Leo, can’t get enough of his sister!

2. Raquelle (Ackre), ’21, and Parker Aube, ’21, were married in 2023 and welcomed Georgia in March 2025. She is already a UND fan.

3. Samantha (Szczech) Axt, ’09, was crowned 2025 West Wind Princess at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Samantha is a clinical social services supervisor in Washington County, Minn.

4. Eller Bonifacio, ’11, showed up as “Deadpool” to a UND hockey game. Joined by his daughter, Eliza, and niece, Kendall, Eller’s dance moves were captured on the big screen.

5. Katie (Grabowski), ’15 and Alex Mathern, ’16, welcomed daughter Delaney on March 17, 2024. They live in Phoenix.

6. Rachel (Richter), ’16, ’22, and Luke Lordemann, ’14, welcomed son Beau in October 2024.

7. A family of UND alums celebrated another grad in May. Pictured are Drew Severson, ’18, Morgan (Dahlke) Severson, ’19, Rachel Dahlke, ’25, Emily (Dahlke) Cage, ’21, Betsy (Conzo) Vicari, ’99, Gayle (Conzo) Dahlke, ’91, and Scott Dahlke, ’91.

8. Beth (Morris) Hirt, ’03, Bryan Hirt, ’03, Paul Schneider, ’03, and Mats Liden, ’02, ’07, were among the UND swimming and diving alumni who came back to Grand Forks for a reunion in November.

9. Robert Hedrick, ’82, is a U.S. speed skier. In the 2025 World Championships, he hit 121 mph on the slopes. Ranked 34th in the world, Robert lives in Seattle with his wife Ana, and two daughters, Angelina and Gianna.

10. Thomas Nelson, ’98, and his wife, Kristine, introduced their son Johnathan to UND hockey last winter.

11. Kaden and Kelcy (Landa) Vugteveen, ’17, are the proud parents of Saylor.

12. Desire’e Steinberger-Blevin, ’11, ’22; Pamela (Lemire) Steinberger, ’78; Charles Steinberger, ’22, John Steinberger, ’70, ’76, and Alex Steinberger, ’14, are all proud to carry on the Steinberger family tradition of UND grads.

13. Trisha (Stegman), ’86, and Tim Leonard, ’87, with their daughter, Carly, serve as balloon handlers in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade each year. Last year, they guided the Po Kung Fu Panda balloon. The Leonards live in Colorado.

14. Ross Almlie, ’95, and Cindy Klug, former UND staff, hosted the UND Aunt Bea Golf Classic in Chandler, Ariz. Next year’s event: April 10, 2026, in Chandler.

15. Sylvie Ann, the daughter of Megan Nill Waller, ’12, is already a UND fan!

16. Brad Geisler, ’13, and Rob Geisler, ’86, are son and father Delta Airlines captains.

In Memoriam

1940s

Corinne (Glander) Mote, ..’47 Phoenix, Ariz.

Jacqueline (Hanson) Warmbo, ..’48

Minneapolis

Norma (Modisette) Terry, ..’49 Huntsville, Ala.

1950s

Frances (Waldren) Graalum, ..’50 Fargo

A. Beverly (George) Freese, ’51 Mesa, Ariz.

Orville Johnson, ’51

Albuquerque, N.M.

Norma (Erickson) Raney, ..’51 Grand Forks

Paul Thonn, ’51

Fargo

Marlene (Thompson) Bang, ’52 Beatrice, Neb.

Walter Moran Jr., M.D., ’52, ’53 Swanton, Md.

Stanley Nichols, ..’52 Houma, La.

Karen (Bergesen) Stangebye, ’52 Roswell, N.M.

Carl Taubert, ’52 Lakeville, Minn.

Catherine (Eccles) Clement, ’53 Grand Forks

E. Bruce Hagen, ’53, ’55 Bismarck, N.D.

Daniel Kratochvil, ’53 Grand Forks

Bruce Thue, ’53

Los Angeles

Phyllis (Gillespie) Ehlen, ’54 Fargo

Donna (Simonson) Fisher, ..’54

Glen Carbon, Ill.

Dr. Glenn Hoberg, ..’54 River Falls, Wis.

E. Mardell (Kvitne) Lindberg, ’54 Waterloo, Iowa

Rev. G. Stan Rosengren, ..’54

The Dalles, Ore.

M. Darlene (Kranzler)

Derman-Auch, ’55

St. Paul, Minn.

Marlene (Faut) Harrie, ’55

Twin Falls, Idaho

Medard Kaisershot, ’55

Minneapolis

Dr. Marian McKechnie, ’55 Cavalier, N.D.

Georgiann (Shults) Regelsky, ’55

Irving, Texas

Susan (Rudrud) Simons, ..’55

Grand Forks

Dr. Jack Glander, ’56

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Elton Gudvangen, ..’56 Denver, Colo.

Dr. David Grove, ’57

Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Theodore Holl, ’57

Waubun, Minn.

Alan Wilwand, ’57, ’61

Omaha, Neb.

G. David Dixon, M.D., ’58, ’59

Sun City, Ariz.

Edward Harvey, ’58

Cincinnati, Ohio

Glenda (Breckey) Huseth, ..’58

Tioga, N.D.

Joan (Smith) Jacoby, ’58

La Vista, Neb.

Rose (Martin) Markovic, ’58

Wilmington, Del.

Gerhard Meidt, ’58

Waukee, Iowa

Barbara (Hertsgaard) Norby, ’58

Bismarck, N.D.

Charles Powell, ’58

Centennial, Colo.

Dennis Sobolik, ’58, ’59 Hallock, Minn.

Carol (Goven) Doyle, ’59

Fairfax, Va.

Gary Fontaine, ..’59

Osage, Minn.

Sylvia (Eidsvold) Fougeron, ’59

Brevard, N.C.

James Johnson, ’59, ’63

Lakeville, Minn.

F. Ross Metzger, ’59

St. Paul, Minn.

Karen (Larson) Reede, ’59

Fountain Hills, Ariz.

Janice (Quenrud) Reynen, ..’59

Fargo

Donald Schoenwald, ’59

Franklin, Tenn.

1960s

Lt. Col. Jerry Knudtson (Ret.), ’60, ’61, ’63

Charlestown, Ind.

Rev. Dr. David Kruse, ’60

Eau Claire, Wis.

Dr. Lynn Odne, ..’60

Audubon, Minn.

Gerald Oppermann, ..’60

Minneapolis

Philip Overby, M.D., ’60

Minneapolis

Chester Yon, ’60, ’61

Fountain Hills, Ariz.

David Blanchard, ’61 Winnipeg, Man.

Gerald Foote, ’61 Grand Forks

Dale Johnson, ’61 Wales, N.D.

William Johnson, ’61, ’63 Northwood, N.D.

Jean (Erickson) Keating, ’61

Edina, Minn.

Ramona Krile, ’61

Minneapolis

John Mariani, ’61

Long Lake, Minn.

Dr. Robert Stoudt, ..’61

Campbell, Calif.

Harvey Haukaas, ’62, ’63

Ashland, Wis.

James Schlosser, ’62

Fountain Hills, Ariz.

Bernard Altenburg, M.D., ’63

Ponsford, Minn.

Evelyn Berg, ’63

Rapid City, S.D.

James Britton, ’63, ’65

Turtle Lake, N.D.

Raymond Green Jr., ’63

Fargo

Thomas King, ..’63

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Margaret (Larson) Lager, ..’63

Chanhassen, Minn.

Gerald Nelson, ’63

Hillsborog, Ore.

Charles Orvik, ’63, ’67

Maple Grove, Minn.

Richard Steffen, ’63

Anoka, Minn.

Wayne Barsness, ’64

Rocklin, Calif.

Paul Bridgeford, M.D., ’64

Arlington, Va.

Kenneth Hallgrimson, ’64

Grand Forks

Marcia (Nelson) Jarrett, ..’64

Eugene, Ore.

Mary (Semler) Krogh, ..’64

McVille, N.D.

Judith McCabe, ’64

Rochester, Minn.

Bonnie (Ellingrud) Orvik, ’64

Maple Grove, Minn.

Larry Widmer, ’64, ’67

Wichita, Kan.

David Ashby, ’65

Dorinstosh, Saskatchewan

Patricia (Trudel) Gausvik, ..’65

Scottsdale, Ariz.

James Common Jr., ’66

St. Paul, Minn.

Tana Hagen-Merwin, ..’66

Princeton, Minn.

Lucille (Smith) Mischel, ..’66

St. Paul, Minn.

Carol (Cramer) Runkle, ’66

Beavercreek, Ohio

Maxine (Wilson) Trenbeath, ..’66

Mesa, Ariz.

Janice (Reep) Ward, ..’66

Fargo

George Wilson, ’66

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Dr. Wayne Worner, ’66

Blacksburg, Va.

William Crocker, ’67

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Dean Hornbacher, ’67

Fargo

Tilman Hovland, ’67

Rugby, N.D.

Gary Koth, ..’67

Glendive, Mont.

Lloyd Kvam, ’67

Grand Forks

Maryann (Skeen) Burton, ..’68

Castaic, Calif.

Kim Watne, ’68

St Louis, Mo.

Dorothea (Olson) West, ..’68

Fargo

Leonard Gardner, ’69

Minnetonka, Minn.

Shirley (Seter) Johnson, ’69

Minot, N.D.

Clair Opsal, ’69

Billings, Mont.

1970s

Cheryl (Frasier) Amundson, ..’70

Williston, N.D.

Janet (Sandmeyer) Blackler, ..’70

Bigfork, Mont.

Dr. Cheng-Jen Chen, ’70 Holmdel, N.J.

Cheryl (Neste) Kuykendall, ’70 Sanford, Fla.

Carole (Carpenter) Lysne, ’70 Minnewaukan, N.D.

Mary Jo (Braaten) McGuire, ’70 Dent, Minn.

Cynthia McLean, ’70, ’93 Boise, Idaho

Jeannen (Finley) McMillan, ’70 Grand Forks

Howard Paulsen, ’70

Devils Lake, N.D.

W. Michael Sacrey III, ’70 Stevensville, Md.

Dean Zink, ..’70

Carrington, N.D.

Helen (Olsen) Egstad, ..’71

Fergus Falls, Minn.

Margaret Stewart Ingalls, ‘71

Minneapolis

Hollys (Narveson) Peterson, ‘71 Minnewaukan, N.D.

Ronald Schmidt, ’71 Rice, Minn.

Julia (Wright) Celley, ’72

Bismarck, N.D.

Mary Chisman-O’Connell, ’72, ’85, ’94 Reynolds, N.D.

Gerald Kallberg, ’72 Graham, N.C.

James McNally, ..’72 Lisbon, N.D.

Dr. Janet (Worth) Moen, ’72

Bemidji, Minn.

Mark Peterson, ’72, ’76 Brandon, Manitoba

Patrick Silovich, ..’72 Forest Lake, Minn.

Peggy (Tyler) Undlin, ’72 Lansford, N.D.

James Griffin, ’73 Larimore, N.D.

Jeffrey Jackson, ..’73 Boise, Idaho

Marvin Jemtrud, ..’73 Larimore, N.D.

Geraldine (Thomas) Kraft, ..’73 Grand Forks

Robert Senske, ..’73

Aurora, Ill.

Leonard Brossart, ..’74

Bismarck, N.D.

Patijean (Maxwell) Cates, ’74, ’78

Hurst, Texas

Harold Chase, ’74

Rock Springs, Wyo.

Elmer Faser, ’74

Sun City West, Ariz

Kenneth Ficek, ..’74

Prescott, Ariz.

Marlan Hvinden, ’74

Grand Forks

Kenneth Lucier, ..’74

Moorhead, Minn.

Caroline (Erickson) Scott, ’74

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Lt. Col. James Weber (Ret.), ’74

West Grove, Pa.

Rick Myers, ’75

Santa Cruz, Calif.

Gail (Paur) Confer, ’76

Gilby, N.D.

Thomas Gabrielsen, ’76

Grand Forks

Charles Haga, ’76, ’78

Grand Forks

Anne Sandsmark, ’76

Wesley Chapel, Fla.

Gregory Stephan, ’76

Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Jeffrey Luer, ’77

Star Valley Ranch, Wyo.

Stephen McDonald, ’77

Kennewick, Wash.

Gordon Opstad, ’77

Grand Forks

George Waller, ’77

Balsam Lake, Wis.

Jerald Hjelmstad, ’78

Bismarck, N.D.

Stephen King, ’78

Casselton, N.D.

Elaine (Miller) Ross, ’78

Brookings, S.D.

Gary Winbourn, ’78, ’86

Seneca, S.C.

Sister Michael Emond, ..’79 Dickinson, N.D

William Toprock, ..’79

Grand Forks

1980s

Josephine (Elter) Deitz, ..’80

Grand Forks

Ronald Fischer, ’80

Grand Forks

L. Sean Key, ’80

Fargo

Patrick Leier, ’80

Fargo

Esther (Goulet) Martin, ..’80

Grand Forks

Dr. Bruce Montplaisir, ’80 Pierz, Minn.

Dr. Gail (Bjelverud) Brostrom, ’82 Stillwater, Minn.

Michael Eastman, ..’82 Boise, Idaho

Jodi (Brosdahl) Helle, ..’82 East Grand Forks, Minn

Michael Holehouse, ..’82

Sharps Chapel, Tenn

Martin Spargo Jr., ’82 Grand Lake, Colo.

Laurie (Fuller) Fontaine, ’83 Cavalier, N.D.

Donald Sears, ’83

Fargo

Debra (Neumann) Lacher, ’84

Minneapolis

Paula (Sigurdson) Otto, ’84

Fargo

Ted Kuusisto, ’85, ’86 Parkton, N.C.

Marcel Sluke, ’85

West Fargo, N.D.

Paul Sturdevant, ..’85 Perham, Minn.

Troy Pladson, ..’86

Sun City West, Ariz.

Ronald Capistran, ’87 Grand Forks

Larry Parvey, ..’87 Grantsville, Utah

James Mose, ’88 Greenfield, N.H.

Richard Poppke, ’88 Hugo, Minn.

Mary (Liska) Just, ’89 Grand Forks

1990s

Lillian (Martinez) Mack, ’90, ’92 Chandler, Ariz.

Luann (Kadrmas) Letang, ’91 Dickinson, N.D.

Richard Nameniuk, ..’91 Mobile, Ala.

Mary (Sanders) Hanson, ’92 Mesa, Ariz.

Sylvia (Waagen) Rutten, MD., ’92, ’95 Huntington, Ind

Stephanie Gossen, ’93

Athol, N.Y.

Jodell (Anderson) Johnson, ’93

Moorhead, Minn.

Shauna Dakken, ’94

Alden, Minn.

Gloria (Carlson) Fagerlund, ’94

Grand Forks

George Kelley, ’94

East Grand Forks, Minn.

Karla (Appleby) Steen, ’96

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Carol Jones, ’97

Mandan, N.D.

Michael Marshall, ’97

Duluth, Minn. 2000s

Dr. Darlene (Bergh) Berg, ’00

Fosston, Minn.

Michaele (Myers) SalazarCuriel, ’02

Franklin, Ind.

Sara (Owens) Beck, ’03, ’11

Williston, N.D.

Michael Hager, ’07

Grand Rapids, Minn. 2010s

Alex Kordahl, ..’16

Fargo

Austin Ditzig, ’19

Blaine, Minn. 2020s

Chujun Wang, ..’24 Pittsburgh, Pa.

Former Faculty & Staff

William Becker, M.D

Lake Park, Minn.

Jeri (Willden) Dunkin

Sunshine, La.

Lars Helgeson

Belen, N.M.

Martha Lovejoy

San Antonio, Texas

Lora Mills

DuBois, Pa.

Dr. Glenn Olsen

St Paul, Minn.

Michael Skiple

Olathe, Kan.

Class Notes

1949

Kenneth Placek, ’49, turned 102 in May. After piloting almost 100 combat missions in World War II, Placek had a successful career in the insurance business. He lives in Castaic, Calif.

1957

Marlin Thompson, ’57, developed and patented a unique rotary piston engine. He is the semiretired owner of a small company that designs and builds custom automation machinery in Springfield, Mo.

1970

Bob Crawford, ’70, was named one of the Top 50 Pro Bono Lawyers by the State Bar of Arizona for the second consecutive year, and third time overall. Crawford, who has done volunteer tax preparation for AARP for 14 years, served as the 1969-70 UND Student Body President.

1974

Owen Anderson, ’74, received the Ernest E. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award from The Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of natural resources law, policy, or scholarship.

Gerald Stokka, ’74, is the 99th Little International Agriculturist of the Year for his dedication to animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, his community and North Dakota. He lives in Cooperstown, N.D.

1975

Robert Reigle, ’75, is an ethnomusicologist and saxophonist who established the music bachelor’s program at the University of Papua New Guinea. Reigle also created the first ethnomusicology doctoral program in Turkey, at Istanbul Technical University, where he taught from 2002-17.

1976

Geof Bush, ’76, was Grand Marshal of the Belleville Central Business Community’s Memorial Day Parade. Bush, of Van Buren Township, Mich., enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1969, and served until 1973. He received the FAA Master Pilot Award in June 2024.

1978

John Thelen, ’78, ’81, is retiring after serving 10 years as the Northeast Central Judicial District Judge, which serves Grand Forks and Nelson counties.

1980

Merle Adolphson, ’80, retired after 39 years with United Valley Bank in Argyle, Minn.

Marcie Parker, ’80, was named book review editor for “Issues in Mental Health Nursing.” Parker, a certified family life educator, is also a member of the “Family and Community Health” editorial board. She lives in Chanhassen, Minn.

Wanda Parisien, ’80, is president of Turtle Mountain College in Rolette County, N.D. She brings 40 years of education experience, including eight months as interim president, to the job.

1981

Michael Grandall, ’81, was inducted into the North Dakota High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. He coached track and field and cross country at UND for 31 years.

Carter McNamara, ’81, recently retired from a successful 25-year career at Authenticity Consulting where he consulted, wrote, taught, and coached professional and organizational development.

CROSSWORD: Across: 3. Hawk 4. JFK 6. Grand Forks 8. Dakota Student 10. Thomas Clifford 11. Flickertails 14. Ralph Engelstad Arena 16. Prairie Rose 17. Eight Down: 1. Black Maria 2. Old Main 5. Pride of the North 7. Schmidt 9. Wilkerson 12. Stand Up and Cheer 13. Yale 15. Lux et Lex

1982

Erik Askegaard, ’82, ’86, has stepped down after 15 years as Crow Wing County District Court Judge, serving the 9th judicial district in Minnesota. He lives in Brainerd.

Mike Burbach, ’82, editor of the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, was a featured speaker at UND’s annual Hagerty Lecture.

1984

Terry Rasmussen, ’84, is president and CEO of Thrivent, chair of the H.B. Fuller Board, and this fall will begin serving as chair of the American Council of Life Insurers. She is one of four female CEOs of Minnesota-based Fortune 500 companies.

1985

Shari Hensrud, ’85, ’90, ’92, is head of investment strategies at MissionSquare, a public sector retirement planning firm.

Greg Sweeney, ’85, was named chief investment and economic strategist for Bell Institutional Investment Management based in Fargo.

Kory Sondreal, ’85, retired from Alerus Financial as a senior retirement business advisor after 40 years with the company. Sondreal was the first person from North Dakota to earn the designation of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist.

1986

Jim Sweeney, ’86, is president of Fargo Jet Center, which Aviation International News ranked in the top 5% of fixed-base operators (FBOs) in the Americas and the No. 1 FBO in the Midwest for 2025.

1987

John Larsen, ’87, is on the boards of directors for PG&E Corporation and its subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Larsen retired as Alliant Energy CEO and board chair in May.

Carmen (Heinen) Simone, ’87, is interim president at Lake Region State College. She is also campus dean and CEO at Dakota College at Bottineau. Both schools are in northcentral North Dakota.

1988

Marilyn (Koble) Vetter, ’88, CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, was UND’s 2025 Glenn Allen Paur seminar speaker. Her topic was “Science and Storytelling: How Leaders Can (and Should) Create Excitement for Wildlife Conservation.”

1989

Carla Christofferson, ’89, is a partner at Glaser Weil’s Century City office. She brings more than three decades of experience to the Los Angeles law firm.

FIND

All systems were “go” for our last Find the Flame mission. In the spring issue, the hidden flame was tucked into the green patch on the astronaut’s right spacesuit leg. We received a galaxy of guesses, and randomly selected three winners to receive a UND prize pack.

Congrats to Debbie Koberinski; Jacob Tupa, ’22; and Mickeli Bedford, ’04 — who had a stellar co-pilot in 10-year-old daughter, Isla. “We love catching up on what’s going on at my university, and she LOVES searching for the flame,” Mickeli said.

There’s another flame hidden on the cover of this issue. Think you’ve spotted it? Email us at AlumniMag@UNDalumni.net with its location for your chance to win your own UND prize pack.

A recent Find the Flame winner, Evan Wondrasek, ’10, had a little help with his search. His daughter was “overjoyed” when the prize pack, which included a few kid-friendly items, arrived.

“She insisted on wearing the UND hair tie as a wristband to daycare,” Evan said. “She told me she was so excited to show all her friends because Mommy and Daddy went to school there.”

FROM CAMPUS TO THE COSMOS

1991

Michael Rinehart, ’91, is District 1 engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation, responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 5,700 miles of state highways across 17 counties. He lives in Olathe.

1992

Brian Bachmeier, ’92, a Roman Catholic priest, leads four North Dakota parishes: St. George in Cooperstown, St. Lawrence in Jessie, Sacred Heart in Aneta and St. Agatha in Hope.

1993

Linda (Braun) Kingston, ’93, is president of Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minn. She previously served as the school’s vice president for academic and student affairs.

1994

Brent Sanford, ’94, was named interim chancellor of the North Dakota University System. Sanford, a former North Dakota lieutenant governor, had been serving as interim president at Bismarck State College.

1995

Kristi Bommersbach, ’95, is the Devils Lake (N.D.) Public School District teacher of the year. She teaches science at Central Middle School. ALUMNI

UND GRADS AMONG TOP 25 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Four UND graduates were named to the Prairie Business 2025 list of the Top 25 Women in Business.

Holly (Forsness)

Gruhlke, ’11, vice president of Academic Affairs and provost at Dickinson State University, serves as chair of the School of Business & Entrepreneurship and dean of the College of Education, Business, & Applied Sciences. She is a member of the Power of 100 Women, who have contributed more than $1 million to local nonprofits.

Chantel (Hills) Miller, ’06, is the human resources director and operations manager at Legacy Financial Partners (LFP) in Fargo. She also serves as chair of the LFP Culture Board of Directors.

Barb (Trautman)

Sizer, ’13, is a senior tax manager at Eide Bailly in Fargo, where she is involved in recruitment, training, and mentorship. She also volunteers with the North Dakota CPA Society’s Next Generation Committee, visiting classrooms to promote the CPA profession.

Leigh Ann Thompson, ’14, is chief financial officer for the Bismarck market at Sanford Health. She held a series of leadership roles at Medcenter One and Sanford Health before advancing to her current position.

Chris Oen, ’95, is senior vice president and chief claims officer at NI Holdings, Inc. Oen, who lives in Fargo, serves on several industry boards and is an Army National Guard veteran.

Chad Overcast, ’95, is a 747-8 captain for UPS. He lives in Polson, Mont.

1996

Mary Patay, ’96, was appointed to the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports. Patay is the recreation director for the City of Mackinac Island and a writer for the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

Sheri (Kleinsasser) Stockmoe, ’97, ’99, was inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame class of 2025. Stockmoe, who lives in Fargo, was one of the most decorated women’s basketball players ever to play at UND.

Jeni (Stewart) Super, ’97, is director of human resources for Waconia (Minn.) Public Schools.

Nicholas Chase, ’95, was nominated by the Trump administration to be the U.S. attorney for North Dakota. He previously was an East Central Judicial District judge with chambers in Fargo.

Scott Hauswirth, ’95, is senior director of clinical development in ophthalmology for Dompé, which develops therapeutic solutions for rare diseases. He previously served as director of the Ocular Surface Clinic at the University of Colorado.

Bryan Winkels, ’97, is a Wadena County (Minn.) commissioner. He is an occupational therapist for the Freshwater School District in Staples.

POP QUIZ: 1. A; 2. Pledge your loyalty, for she’s your Alma Mater true; 3. B; 4. C; 5. D; 6. D

1998

Grant Meyer, ’98, ’99, is CEO of AE2S, a Grand Forks-based civil and environmental engineering firm named for the third consecutive year as one of Zweig Group’s Top 5 Best Firms to Work For nationwide.

Sean Safranski, ’98, is principal at Davies High School in Fargo. He has been Davies’ assistant principal since 2013.

1999

Col. David Shattls, ’99, is the 108th Wing Commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, which has more than 1,200 personnel and serves as a reserve component of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.

2000

Stephanie GefrohEllison, ’00, is PresidentWest Market at Essentia Health in Fargo. An OB/ GYN, Gefroh helped expand Essentia’s women’s services and open a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit and birthing center.

2001

James Boe, ’01, dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Learning at Valley City State University, has been inducted into the Academy of Fellows by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, the organization’s highest honor.

2002

Cody Bartholomew, ’02, leads the newly created mechanical engineering practice at AE2S in Grand Forks.

David Goodin, ’02, was named to the NorthWestern Energy Group board of directors. Goodin has more than 40 years of experience in the utility industry, retiring as president and CEO of MDU Resources Group in May 2024.

Melanie Kay (Hensen) Jones, ’02, was named Renville County Teacher of the Year. She teaches preschool in Glenburn, N.D.

Aaron Schneekloth, ’02, is assistant coach of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. He spent 19 seasons as both a player and coach with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.

Rhonda (Alholm) Weathers, ’02, is a special education teacher at Divide County High School in Crosby, N.D.

2003

DeAnn Burckhard, ’03, is marketing director of the North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD), which recently opened a sixth location in Dickinson.

Nathan Prosser, ’03, was selected a 2025 Super Lawyer. He is a litigation partner at Hellmuth & Johnson in Edina, Minn.

Tiffany (Schultz) Voigt, ’03, is general manager and advertising director for the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus, and Wadena Pioneer Journal, all part of Forum Communications. She lives in Perham, Minn.

2004

Shari Olson, ’04, is president of Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks.

James Schmidt, ’04, UND clinical instructor of family & community medicine, was selected as outstanding teacher at the northwest campus in Minot, N.D.

2005

Matt Luoma, ’05, is area manager of mining for Cleveland Cliffs, North America’s largest flatrolled steel producer and iron ore pellet supplier. He oversees Thunderbird Mine in Eveleth, Minn.

Sara (Smith) Luoma, ’05, is a women’s health nurse practitioner at Essentia Health in Virginia, Minn.

2006

Craig Foss, ’06, joined the law firm of Brutlag, Trucke, & Doherty, P.A. in Plymouth, Minn.

2007

Jason Hammes, ’07, began his six-year term as a district court judge for North Dakota’s South Central Judicial District in January.

2008

TJ Oshie, ’08, announced his retirement from the NHL after 17 seasons. Oshie played in 1,010 regular-season NHL games with the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues. Oshie also represented Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. He lives in McLean, Va.

Chad Parent, ’08, is survey coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck.

Zac Wanzek, ’08, was named chief investment officer of Bell Institutional Investment Management, a Fargo-based firm that provides investment solutions for insurance companies, foundations, and private clients.

Shannon Webster, ’08, is senior vice president of member experience at Town & Country Credit Union in Minot, N.D.

2009

Lori (Cowan) Conroy, ’09, was inducted as a fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Conroy, an assistant United States attorney for the district of North Dakota, lives in Fargo.

Jessamy (Olsen) Fornshell, ’09, is chief financial officer at SRT Communications in Minot N.D.

Laura LaRocque, ’09, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in neurology, joined the Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic in Fargo.

2010

Nathan Boll, ’10, was promoted to sergeant of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. He previously served the Fargo area as eastern sergeant of the Criminal Interdiction Team.

Russell Wilson, ’10, is a physician assistant at MedHealth in Allen, Texas.

2011

Kayla (Petersen) Borszich, ’11, is clinical director at the Bemidji, Minn., location of Little Miracles, Inc., providing pediatric therapy to children. She worked for 10 years at the Grand Forks Little Miracles location.

Brad Malone, ’11, is assistant coach for the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins of the. He retired from professional hockey after the 2023-24 season.

Jacob Westlin, ’11, is vice president of government affairs for USA Rice in Alexandria, Va. Westlin is an agricultural policy veteran who spent six years working for former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

2012

Rachel (Westphal) Faleide, ’12, founded the North Dakota Center for Weight Management in Fargo, where she works as a nurse practitioner in obesity medicine and women’s health.

Dani Krause, ’12, is staff legal counsel of the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund, a nonprofit, memberowned organization.

Brock Nelson, .. ’12, signed a three-year NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Before being traded to Colorado in 2025, he spent 11 seasons with the New York Islanders.

Brandi Rupard, ’12, was promoted to managing editor of the marketing and communications team at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Nick Stromsodt, ’12, earned an LL.M. in estate planning from the University of Miami School of Law’s Heckerling Graduate Program. Stromsodt practices law and, this fall, starts as a teaching assistant at Heckerling.

Brooke (Hollekim) Wisthoff, ’12, was named Burke County Teacher of the Year. She teaches science at Powers Lake (N.D.) School.

2013

Erin Berentson, ’13, extension agent, family and community wellness director, and county coordinator of the Bottineau County Extension Office, was honored for her years of service to the North Dakota State University Extension.

Derek Forbort, ’13, signed a one-year contract with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. Forbort, who played at UND from 201013, has dressed 550 NHL regular-season games across 10 seasons.

Jordan Geiger, ’13, was promoted to operations manager of the civil and environmental consulting engineering practice in the Bismarck, Minot, and Dickinson offices of AE2S.

2014

Dylan Blacker, ’14, is a lead aircraft maintenance technician for Delta Airlines. He has been with the company for nine years and is based in Minneapolis.

Sean Sherman, ’14, is owner and CEO of Skeeter Enterprises in Wilmington, N.C., an aerospace manufacturing company that specializes in products for general aviation pilots.

2015

Dylan Berg, ’15, is chief operating officer for Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio. Berg has worked for the fraternity since 2015.

Scott Solberg, ’15, is territory manager and crane specialist at RMS Rentals in Savage, Minn.

2016

Bryn Chyzyk, ’16, ’20, was named assistant coach and general manager of UND Hockey. Chyzyk previously served as Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks general manager.

2017

Mia Treuer, ’17, ’21, serves as counsel for On Location, where she focuses on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Annie (Braseth) Heermans, ’16, is a gastroenterologist at Essentia HealthDuluth (Minn.) Clinic.

ALUMNI IN ACTION

UND GRADS MAKE 40 UNDER 40 LIST

Prairie Business Magazine recognized several UND alumni in its 2024 40 Under 40 list, highlighting young professionals making an impact across the region.

Brittney Blake, ’13, is corporate counsel at Altru Health System in Grand Forks. A lifelong resident of the city, she has taught dance for more than 25 years.

Marissa Cerkoney, ’15, ’18, is an attorney at Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers PLLC in Dickinson, N.D. She was nominated for Best Attorney and Best Estate Planning Attorney in 2023 and 2024.

Cody Christianson, ’08, is a senior associate and transportation project manager at Bolton & Menk, Inc. He leads projects across Eastern North Dakota, including the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

Nikki (Kressin) Davy, ’09, ’11, is the director of human resources at First International Bank & Trust. She serves on the board of the Power of Play Foundation, which provides comfort items to hospitalized pediatric patients.

Tayler Draeger, ’15, is a financial advisor at Legacy Financial Partners in Fargo and a founding member of its Innovation Committee. He participates in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce leadership program.

Josh Hassell, ’08, ’10, is the senior water resources group leader at Moore Engineering, Inc., collaborating with government entities and private partners to solve complex water challenges. He also volunteers with Meals on Wheels and HERO.

Jake Miller, ’15, leads the financial services assurance practice at Eide Bailly LLP, facilitates financial services training, and is active in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

Tony Nordby, ’08, is a civil engineer and office manager at Houston Engineering, Inc., where he designs rural flood control, drainage, and diversion projects. He also plays in a country/ rock band and volunteers as a youth sports coach.

Andria Pinkerton, ’14, is senior director of legal services at the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks. She serves as treasurer of the Randy H. Lee American Inns of Court and is on the Global Friends Coalition Board.

Sarah (Just) Prout, ’07, is vice president of marketing & communications at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. She leads marketing and events for the record-breaking Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota.

Holland Slick, ’15, is a financial advisor at Alerus in Grand Forks and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses.

Bea (Fischer) Smith, ’14, is director of Northern State University’s Startup and Innovation Center in Aberdeen, S.D. Bea’s leadership is positioning Aberdeen as a growing hub of innovation, creativity, and progress.

Jerrod Heermans, ’16, is a urology specialist at Essentia HealthDuluth (Minn.) Clinic.

Arna Mora, ’16, ’21, is a family practice physician at Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone, Minn.

2024

2018

Brii Skavlem-Marto, ’18, is the receptionist in the Ackerman-Estvold’s Minot, N.D., office.

2019

Katherine (Hsu) Haas, ’74, published “Little Jade: Memoir of a Young Eurasian Immigrant,” which follows her experiences as a Chinese-German immigrant.

LAND AUCTIONS • EQUIPMENT AUCTIONS

LAND MANAGEMENT • REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE • MARKETING PROPOSALS & VALUATIONS

Jared Hoglin, ’19, is chief financial officer and a lender at Lincoln State Bank in Wahpeton, N.D.

Evan Holm, ’19, a defensive end in the Canadian Football League, renewed his contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Erika Meierding, ’19, ’22, is a psychologist at the Veterans Administration in Des Moines, Iowa.

Matt Smaby, ’19, is the associate head coach for UND Hockey. A defenseman and captain while playing for UND, Smaby most recently was head coach for the Waterloo (Iowa) Blackhawks.

2020

Victoria Goven, ’20, is a credit underwriter at the Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck. Goven also serves on the North Dakota Bankers Association agriculture committee.

At age 11, she arrived in the United States, and began a decades-long journey, navigating identity, culture, and politics in a world very different from the one she knew. As Katherine moves through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, the author seeks to answer questions around what shapes who we are. “Little Jade” was awarded the 2025 United States Teachers Favorite Award, coordinated by the Children’s Book Council.

Dylan Mack, ’20, is a structural designer on the industrial team at Sandman Structural Engineers in Maple Grove, Minn.

McKenna Poss, ’20, is a prosthetist orthotist at Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wis.

2023

Kaleigh DeGeldere, ’23, is deputy director of scheduling for Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Zach Greenberg, ’23, is North Dakota Labor Commissioner after serving as interim since January.

Rodney Lewis, ’23, a retired Air Force Major General, serves as a consultant for UND’s national security research development in a civilian capacity.

Roberto Moedano, ’23, is a math teacher at Holtville (Calif.) Unified School District.

Amy Stiffarm, ’23, was the 2025 commencement speaker at Aaniiih Nakoda College in Agency, Mont. She is the director of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: the Montana Coalition.

Vicki Alberts, ’24, is public relations specialist for Spirit Lake Nation. She previously served as tribal liaison for the North & South Dakota Perinatal Quality Collaborative Initiative and law clerk at Harbott, Knutson, Larson & Holten, PLLP.

2025

Joshua Fastnacht, ’25, is a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper stationed in Jamestown, serving the Southeast Region.

Garett Schmidt, ’25, is superintendent of the Dakota Valley (S.D.) School District. He previously served as superintendent of Doland (S.D.) Public Schools for three years.

Want to share news with your fellow alumni? Email your updates to alumnimag@ UNDalumni.net or mail them to 3501 University Ave Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202.

WORD SEARCH

UND Homecoming activity book inside!

FEELS LIKE COMING HOME

SEPTEMBER 15-20

Check out page 36 for the event schedule and Alumni Honors info.