A Heart for UND
Sharon Rezac Andersen, ’89, ’96, received the UND Spirit Award in August.
The longtime director of the UND International Center was honored for her “uncommon dedication” to the success of UND and its students.
UNDAAF CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink, UNDAAF Board President Darla Adams, Spirit Award winner Sharon Rezac Andersen, and UND President Andy Armacost celebrate Sharon’s award.
The Spirit Award recognizes alumni who demonstrate “uncommon dedication” to the success of UND and its students.
Following the celebration, Sharon shared this note of thanks:
It is with heartfelt love, gratitude, and honor, I thank the University of North Dakota together with the UND Alumni Association & Foundation for honoring and surprising me with the cherished UND Spirit Award and naming 300 A in the Memorial Union: Rezac Andersen.
Gathering August 4 with family, friends, and former international students – Tareq (Yemen), Fernanda (Brazil), and Ron (Malaysia) – helped me reclaim my rich UND heritage, learned experiences and love as both a UND student and staff member for the majority of my professional life.
DeAnna Carlson Zink, family, and friends kept this a secret! To hear dear friends, DeAnna, Fernanda Santos Philbrick, Kathy Fick and President Andy Armacost speak brought back memories of so many years that fulfilled my life, academically, personally, professionally, and socially within the UND family.
As I continue to celebrate these honors, I remain forever grateful for this legacy that recognizes both Gary and me—and for the three generations of our family who have graduated from UND, including our two sons and two granddaughters.
My heart remains forever filled with gratitude for the University of North Dakota and all people who walk their journey of success here, as they too name and reclaim their heritage! May your lives, too, be filled with promise!
Forever UND! And Grateful!
Sharon Rezac Andersen
