Alumni in Action Archive

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

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.

Walter Piehl brings Western Americana to Altru Hospital's walls.

Casey Opstad captures the rhythm of life across North Dakota through his 31-panel installation at Altru Hospital.

Phil Gisi has built a career that reflects the values of his alma mater.

Jill Newby, ’83, soared from UND to United’s top ranks — becoming one of the airline’s first female pilots.

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

Dave Badman is a metalsmith, custom jewelry designer, and owner of Badman Design. His downtown design lab and showroom showcase his unique creations.

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

A former UND football player, Dr. Michael Greenwood,’07, ’11, blends athletic drive with surgical vision, launching virtual eye-care tech and expanding Vance Thompson Vision across seven states.

Lisa Persuitti-Huber ’05, ’08, 2025 Young Alumni Achievement Award recipient, blends UND loyalty with leadership, building connections and championing alumni at the University of Minnesota and beyond.

Young Alumni Achievement Award honoree shares how perseverance, purpose, and people shaped his path after a life-changing injury.

Dr. John & Karen Schmidt-Gray lifelong commitment to each other, their goals, and UND make them deserving recipients of the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership.

A passion for hockey led Dave Hakstol, ’96, on a journey from UND to the National Hockey League.

Former astronaut Karen Nyberg, ’94, writes about the overview effect, the impact of seeing Earth from space.

Charity Weeden pursued a Space Studies degree from UND with the goal of becoming an astronaut. After taking interest in a U.S. policy course, she worked her way into a space policy career at NASA, shaping the future of space exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

At NASA, Amy Ross, ’06, turns a legacy of exploration into the next generation of spacesuit design.

Caitlin Milera, ’12, ’22, Marissa Saad, ’14, ’22, and Kam Yee, ’15, share their passion for space; seek STEM opportunities for students

Paige Webster, ’19, earns 2024 Promise Award for leadership in space ops, blending engineering expertise with business in a rapidly changing industry.

Aurora enthusiast Vincent Ledvina, ’22, becomes leading space weather researcher.

In western North Dakota in the mid-2000s, hundreds of landmen arrived at local courthouses at the crack of dawn. Ben Fliginger, ’07 and Ben Larson, '02, '07, made a name for themselves in the oil business.

Jay Barton, ’05, and his team are helping map exploration of the Moon.

Bailey Carlson, ’24, is developing the world’s first commercial space station at Axiom Space.

Pearl Young, Class of 1919, laid the foundation for how to communicate technical research, establishing NASA writing standards

UND Alumna tackles mental health in a digital world.

Tasha Cahill, '23, takes a fun approach to food education

Lebanese student at the University of North Dakota Raneem Kobeissy discovers UND alum Sylvia Boutrous Trent, ’55, inspiring the "Empowered by Our Past" event and celebrating UND’s diverse history and cultural legacy.

Davide Callegari has carved out a finance career for himself for several luxury brands, but his work in the automobile industry led him to Porsche Middle East/Africa.

Former classmates secure tenure-track positions at universities across the country.

North Dakotan’s love of the prairie translates into acclaimed literary career. 

Marketing professional makes her mark at Accenture and beyond

Danny Moffitt, ’11, Follows a Musical Path

UND Director of Emergency Medicine Jon Solberg, ’06, a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and Academy of Wilderness Medicine, captures students’ attention with storytelling.

A daily newspaper sparked a lifelong love for Sandra (Hvidsten), '86 and Chuck Schultz, '83, '86.

Sorority sister ditches blind date, and in the process finds true love.

Micah Grafenstein-Kinzel, ’95, runs a marathon in every state.

Special agent Nick Althoff, ’13, guards Team USA at the Paris Olympics.

Journey Home Animal Rescue saves North Dakota strays.

UND grads, Howard Bailey, ’81, ’83, ’85, & Erik Iverson, ’94, accelerate cancer research and treatment. 

Safari Berry and Shelamar Henderson created Ernie’s Place to provide transitional housing for young adults exiting the foster care system. 

Raptor enthusiast and conservationist leads Minot Air Force Base to environmental award.

Beginner Norwegian leads to life abroad for Susan Klein-Holman, '98, and Carl Iver Holman, '98.

2011 graduates find success in family and career.

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

Blue Zones Project Grand Forks, led by a team of UND alumnae, brings the world's healthiest lifestyles to North Dakota.

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.

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.