Alumni in Action Archive

2023 Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner and UND alum Chuck Black, '10, practices conservation storytelling through his art.

On a quest to provide innovative quality care for seniors, Phil Gisi, ’82, connects CarePredict to UND.

Riese Gaber, beloved UND hockey captain, reflects on his last four years playing for a team he loves in a town he loves.

Blue Zones Project brings the world's healthiest lifestyles to North Dakota.

Birmingham Alabama's first poet laureate Salaam Green, ’13, offers poetry & peace on first UND visit.

Hilyard James Duty was posthumously awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree, making him UND’s first student and graduate of Color.

Kairos Alive! founder Maria Genné, ’73, ’74, shares the healing powers of creative arts.

By chance, UND alumna Ana Cantell discovers a business opportunity to launch her home watch business.

Emily O'Brien is one of this year's recipients of the Young Alumni Achievement Award from the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.

Dave Miedema, ’76, is one of the most prolific fundraisers in the history of the University of North Dakota Foundation and yet he sees his legacy as helping others establish theirs.

Crooked path leads Cathy (Wilson) Rydell, ’88, to a 21-year career with the American Academy of Neurology. Now, she is being honored with the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership.

From pumping gas in western North Dakota to building a major global biotech conglomerate, engineer-turned-CEO Chuck Kummeth attributes leadership preparation to his UND experience.

Mike Jacobs, ’70, and Suezette Bieri, ’69, ’71, ’89, to be honored with the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership.

Dr. Tiffany (Stratton) Hamilton, ’06, is one of this year's Young Alumni Award winners at the University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation

Dr. Monica Mayer, '95, physician and tribal councilperson for Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, will be honored with the 2024 Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership.

Young Alumni Achievement Award Winner Erica (Wondrasek) Thunder, ’11,’14, has been a voice for Indigenous rights throughout her law career.

Education is the real win for former UND basketball star's college journey.

South Dakota's Poet Laureate Bruce Roseland, '74, '80, a rancher by day, encourages everybody to write poetry.

In the competitive world of professional sports, UND grads Alex Dorner, ’14, and James Vigil, ’23, document the plays that make the highlights.

Mia Treuer, '17, '21, worked overtime to achieve her goal of representing professional teams and athletes.

A determined group of community-minded students start UND Powerlifting Club.

Kaleb Dschaak, ’20, turned his love of gaming into work, launching Fenworks, a company that offers after-school esports and drone programs to K-12 students.

UND engineering grad trades her business wardrobe for boxing gloves to run an up-and-coming gym.

A Las Vegas Raiders design professional is a UND alumna who's helped shape the Allegiant Stadium experience.

Chester Frtiz's name is everywhere on campus, but few know his story. Read about his legacy.

Then and now, under foot or in my mind, always a special place.

Michele Johnson, ’88, ’91, a respected lobbyist, leans on legal education in D.C.

Physicist was one of few female scientists to work on the Manhattan Project, the focus of the summer blockbuster film, ‘Oppenheimer.’

Tested UND grad fights for Armenian refugees.

UND School of Law grad doesn't let Alaskan travel challenges stop justice.

UND grad chosen as Amazon ‘Ambassador,' challenged to increase access to technology.

Three 2023 Bush Fellows with UND connections will receive grants to develop their leadership skills.

Angela Disrud, '94, has combined her passion for photography with her love for cats to create Boudoir Kitty-Cat Photography in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Clinical psychologist integrates culture, faith, art and storytelling to help bring healing to her Native people.

After experiencing championship glory at UND and with the Florida Everblades, Cam Johnson sees similarities in each title run.

Dr. Joshua Wynne Receives UND Spirit Award for going above and beyond, and providing vision, tenacity and service to help shape UND.

Alumnae Katrina Brekke, ’11, and Moire (Dunn) Layden, ’17, ’19, team up at a Las Vegas elementary school as school counselor and safe schools professional.

Robyn Lee, '70, and his band made lasting memories touring with Olivia Newton-John in the 70s.

UND grad Karol Santistevan, ’17, ’18, founded Ropes and Roses Therapy Clinic. Her team, which includes horses, provides occupational therapy services with a focus on mental health.

Dr. Erin Haugen, '01, '03, '06, is the first mental health professional to receive the Jack Weakly Award for Lifetime Distinguished Service.

Lauren (Vad) Smith, '13, rescues big cats at a South African animal sanctuary that's home to 14 lions and a tiger.

‘Mr. UND’ spent a long career as Vice President for Student and Outreach Services at the University of North Dakota hyper-focused on what was best for student success.

A lifelong love of the outdoors has culminated in Marilyn Vetter becoming the first woman to lead the nation's top conservation organization.

Vice president of Grand Forks-based construction company mixes love of accounting, art, and asphalt to jumpstart community-wide philanthropy.

Former director of North Dakota Children and Family Services serves as “conductor,” bringing specialties together to improve opportunities for families across the state, region and nation.

Arlen Nordhagen, a 1978 UND grad, experienced a series of chance encounters that led to a life of giving back.

Young Alumni Award winner leans on UND experiences in the classroom and on the field to excel as CEO of Greco LLC.

Sioux Award recipient Monica Musich, ’82, former Valley Dairy CEO, credits her UND foundation, and her team, family and faith to her success in a male-dominated convenience store industry.

UND grads Jared Kamrowski, '09, and Nick Serati, '09, co-founded Thrifty Traveler, a web resource for travel deals.

UND houses one of just two 4-year forensic science programs in the Upper Midwest. Its hands-on curriculum creates real-life experiences for students.