Class Notes

1965

Garry Gibbs, ’65, ’67, owner/broker of the Advanta Realty Group, was selected as a Top Executive by Marquis Who’s Who for accomplishments for his 50-year professional career in real estate, finance, energy, and defense. He lives in La Quinta, Calif.

1966

Bill Wilms, ’66, was nominated to the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame. Wilms, a radio broadcaster, has covered more than 700 Vancouver Giants (of Canada's Western Hockey League) games. He is also in the Delta Sports Hall of Fame for golf.

1968

Rich Solberg, ’68, ’73, an award-winning metal sculptor from Minot, will be featured in his fourth art show at the Taube Museum of Art in Minot in September 2024.

1970

Rick Cornell, ’70, was inducted into the North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame. The former catcher lives in Grand Forks.

1971

Sharon (Spicer) Stewart, ’71, ’98, is an associate professor and head of the Math, Science and Technology Department at the University of Minnesota Crookston. She is also a practicing dietician.

1975

J. Michael Hatlelid, ’75, retired from practicing neurology in April. He was Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis and served 14 years as medical director at a large stroke program.

1978

Venkatachalam Garimella, ’78, owner and CEO of VGL LABS, was recognized in Marquis Who's Who. Garimella is an expert in electrical engineering and hardware-based cybersecurity. He lives in Valrico, Fla. 

Gregory Gores, ’78, ’80, received the 2023 Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award. Gores, a liver disease physician-scientist, has also received mentorship awards from the Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and the American Gastroenterological Association. He lives in Rochester, Minn. 

Denise Lajimodiere, ’78, ’96, ’06, North Dakota Poet Laureate, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from North Dakota State University. Lajimodiere, an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, has been involved in education for 44 years as an elementary school teacher, principal, and professor.

1980

Michael Beauchane, ’80, retired in 2014 from the U.S. Government after 33 years in Federal Law Enforcement, the last 12 for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He lives in West Fargo.

William McMillan, ’80, ’82, retired from the Sanford Health Clinic in Jamestown after practicing medicine for nearly 37 years.

1981

Kenneth Harmon, ’81, retired after 37 years as a commercial aviation product engineer at Honeywell International. He lives in Duluth, Minn.

Paula (Schorsch) Redmann, ’81, was elected to a four-year term on the Board of Park Commissioners in Bismarck, N.D.

1982

Bruce Romanick, ’82, ’86, will retire at the end of the year after 24 years as South Central District Judge. Romanick lives in Bismarck, N.D.

1984

Cary Eades, ’84, ’86, general manager and head coach of the Fargo Force, was named the 2023-24 United States Hockey League General Manager of the Year.  

1985

Jay Skabo, ’85, retired as VP of Electric Supply at Montana-Dakota Utilities after 20 years. He lives in Bismarck, N.D., with his wife, Linda, and grandson Thorin.

1986

Joane (Brown) Mathews, ’86, a retired brigadier general in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, was named on the list of Wisconsin's 32 Most Influential Native American Leaders.

1987

Mark Graupe, ’87, ’91, ’05, is head women’s basketball coach at Miles Community College in Miles City, Mont. 
Jeff Schumacher, ’87, long-time head wrestling coach at Bismarck High School, received the Special Achievement Award from the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Schumacher now coaches at Bismarck State College.

1988

Randi Anderson, ’88, ’95, is superintendent of the Sevastopol School District in Evastopol, Wis.

1989

Angie (Hart) Lommen, ’89, received the Sisterhood Award from Leading Ladies of Defense and Aerospace for her efforts to champion the defense industry and the women forging careers within it. Lommen, a program director with BAE Systems, lives in Rochester Hills, Mich.

John Trevor, ’89, retired after 29 years as a biologist for Ducks Unlimited Canada. He and his wife, Cheri Gratto-Trevor, ’89, live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 

1990

Gerald (Jud) DeLoss, ’90, ’94, was nominated to the Board of Directors of the American Health Law Association (AHLA). DeLoss serves as CEO and Chief Legal Officer of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health.

Mylo Einarson, ’90, president and CEO of Nodak Electric Cooperative, was named to the board of directors of Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp.

Jeff Laven, ’90, is a 737 Captain with United Airlines based in Denver.  Laven has been with United since 1997. He lives with his wife, Deborah (Schaffer) Laven ’90, in West Fargo.

Michael Norgard, ’90, ’94, a women's health specialist, joined Sanford Health Detroit Lakes, Minn. He was voted Best Doctor in Otter Tail County in 2023.  

1991

Carolyn (Malsom) Mallory, ’91, retired after a 30-year administrative career at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas, where she lives with her husband Ronn Mallory, ’92.

Brad Melland, ’91, retired after 19 seasons in equipment management for the Cleveland Browns. Melland began his career with the Orlando Thunder in 1991. He also worked for the Tampa Storm, Baltimore Stallions, Rhein Fire, Montreal Alouettes, and the Seattle Seahawks. Melland’s accomplishments with the Browns include his role in Cleveland’s 2021 playoff victory in Pittsburgh, his participation in the draft as the Browns’ representative, and being awarded Equipment Manager of the Year for the 2013-2014 season. Melland was involved in “Draft Day,” “Hard Knocks,” and “NFL Road Tested: The Cleveland Browns.”

Staci (Hartman) Satterwhite, ’91, was appointed COO of ABS Wavesight. She lives in Houston.

1992

Ronn Mallory, ’92, retired after a 30-year career teaching high school social studies in Victoria, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Carolyn (Malsom) Mallory, '91.

Tony Weiler, ’92, ’98, was elected vice president of NABE, the association for bar professionals. He is the second North Dakotan to be elected to the top office and will spend two years as vice president, president elect, and president. Weiler is executive director of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and lives in Bismarck, N.D.

1993

Jenny LeTexier, ’93, is project manager at General Atomics Aeronautical in Grand Forks.

Cory Melland, '93, president of PS Industries, Inc., was named to the board of directors of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp.

John Schumacher, ’93, ’06, was named to the American Federal Board of Directors. Schumacher has been president of American Federal since 2023. He lives in Fargo.

1994

James Buchli, HON ’94, will be the 49th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. Buchli is a NASA astronaut born in New Rockford, N.D. He was the first North Dakotan to fly in space and is a veteran of four space flights. 

1996

Erin (Campbell) Wood, ’96, is vice president of advancement at Lake Region Sate College in Devil's Lake, N.D. She and her husband, Steve, ’94, farm near Devils Lake.

Judd Wadholm, ’96, is senior vice president and general manager of Core Brands for Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Kersten (Middleton) Zupfer, ’96, executive vice president and CFO of Regis Corp., was named a Top Women Chief Financial Officer of 2024 by Women We Admire. Zupfer lives in St. Paul, Minn.
1998

Deb (Schwanke) Follman, ’98, retired after 42 years in education. She spent the last 26 years as principal of Sweetwater Elementary School in Devils Lake, N.D.

Mike Nowatzki, ’98, was the keynote speaker for UND Communication Appreciation Day in April. He works for Gov. Doug Burgum in Bismarck.

1999

Mark Bents, ’99, ’01, is director of real estate and airline affairs for the revenue and business development division of the Metropolitan Airports Commission in Minneapolis.

Derek Driedger, ’99, ’01, is provost at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D.

Seamus Duffy, ’99, ’03, was appointed a district court judge in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Kevin Ericson, ’99, market president for Independent Financial, was elected chairman of the Colorado Bankers Association Board.
Kevin Harmon, ’99, is Vice President of Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics at Minot State University.

Dwight Luhmann, ’99, was appointed Winona County (Minn.) District Court Judge. He previously was a Preston City Attorney and private practice lawyer.

2000

Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, ’00, is president and CEO of Visit St. Paul. 

2001

Arlene Krulish, ’01, has been named a 2024 Bush Fellow. From the Spirit Lake Nation, Krulish helps people overcome addiction and will enroll in a nurse practitioner program.

2002

Kelly Anderson, '02, a first-grade teacher at Sweetwater Elementary School, was awarded the 2025 Devils Lake Public School Teacher of Year.

Emily (Hoffman) Brooks, ’02, received the YWCA Woman of the Year Award for Arts and Culture. She lives in Fargo.

Erick Dahl, ’02, was appointed airport director of the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colo.  

Andrea Hanson, ’02, a human systems engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is President of the Space Medicine Association (SMA).

2006

Lacey (TerWee) Fetsch, ’06, CEO of University Federal Credit Union, was installed as a board member at Dakota Credit Union Association. Fetsch lives in Grand Forks.

Scott Meyer, ’06, is the engagement director for GrandSky, a UAS-specific business and aviation park at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Linda (Schwartz) Pettersen, ’06, received the Minot State University Distinguished Lifetime Educator Award.  Pettersen was also a 50-year Recognition Recipient as a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Nurse from the North Dakota Nursing Association in May 2024.

Patricia (Olson) Savre, ’06, senior vice president and resident director for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and leader of the Savre Wealth Management Group in Minneapolis, was named on the 2024 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State list.

2007

Lisa Gibson, ’07, owns and operates Sage & Stone Strategies, a full-service strategic communication consulting firm. 

Michelle (Worner) Kommer, ’07, is a USA Today 2024 Woman of the Year. Krommer, former state commission of North Dakota, owns HighRoad Partners, a human resources firm that caters to small business owners in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Sally (Opp) Miskavige, ’07, ’08, vice president of Opp Construction, was named to the board of directors of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp.

Marisa Smith, ’07, is partner at Odgers Berndtson where she leads the U.S. Automotive and Mobility Practice. She lives in Chicago.

2008

Christen Joy Anderson, ’08, is principal designer and owner of Christen Joy, an interior design firm in Moorhead, Minn.

Weston Dressler, ’08, is a member of the 2024 Canadian Football League Hall of Fame. Dressler, who spent 11 years in the CFL, now serves as senior community relations specialist for the Bismarck region of Sanford Health.

2010

Cory Bauer, ’10, was selected as the Top Civil Engineer of the Decade for 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals. Bauer is the owner of Eternal Infrastructure Consulting, LLC. He lives in Owasso, Okla.

Travis Bentz, ’10, ’14, a primary medicine physician at PrimaryPlus–Vanceburg, was named the Lewis County (Ky.) EMS Medical Director.

Shea (Thomas) Miller, ’10, is a member-owner of Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers. in Dickinson, N.D.

Dane Mitteness, ’10, ’14, was appointed chief medical officer and senior leadership team member of Alomere Health in Alexandria, Minn.

Michael Sanford, ’10, is a service advisor at Cedric Theel Toyota in Bismarck.

Emily Stunek, ’10, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in endocrinology at Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic.

2011

Jessica Christy, ’11, is executive director of the North Dakota Council on the Arts.

Brad Malone, ’11, retired from the American Hockey League. Malone is the longest-serving captain in Bakersfield (Calif.) Condors' history, leading the team for four years. 

2012

Abigail Fuller, ’12, was appointed to serve on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) National Public Policy Council for a three-year term. Council members provide an advisory role to the AFSP National Board of Directors on mental health and suicide prevention policy and advocacy. Fuller lives in San Antonio, Texas. 

Griffin Stangel, ’12, is a pilot for the Blue Angels, a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. Stangel, a lieutenant commander, lives in Madison, Wis.

Brooke (Gerner) Suárez, ’12, joined the insurance and reinsurance group of Riker Danzig LLP, based in Morristown, N.J.

2013

Allee Mead, ’13, ’16, web writer for the Center for Rural Health (CRH) at UND, appeared on Jeopardy! in early June. Mead, a lifelong fan of the show who auditioned several times before snagging a spot, placed second.

2014

Eric Tombaugh, ’14, is director of logistics for Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions in Jackson, Miss.

2015

Megan Garza, ’15, is the owner of Rush Expresso in Sidney, Mont. The drive-thru coffee shop was a runner-up in Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank's "Small Business Big Wins" promotion.

Ashley (Sersland) Tike, ’15, is the power skating coach for the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy. A former competitive figure skater, Tike lives in Wenatchee, Wash.

2016

Anna Argenti, ’16, was appointed District Attorney in Juneau, Alaska.

Franchesca Cook, ’16, is a physician assistant at A.T. Still University Kirksville Family Medicine in Kirksville, Mo.

Brett DeGagne, ’16, is a pitting coach for the Somerset Patriots, a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the New York Yankees based in Bridgewater Township, N.J.

Kelsey (Knox) Hildebrandt, ’16, is director of alumni relations and signature events at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.

Jenna Mazour, ’16, is a certified nurse practitioner specializing in dermatology at Essentia Health St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes Clinic.

Adria (Nasset) Ridl, ’16, is a certified physician assistant specializing in family medicine at Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck Gateway Clinic.

Brian Stephens, ’16, is a cyber security specialist for the Internal Revenue Service, working to prevent unauthorized access to taxpayer data, identity theft, and fraudulent returns. Stephens lives in Huntsville, Ala.

2017

Jake Disterhaupt, ’17, ’18, is clinic manager of orthopedics & sports medicine and clinic manager of interventional pain management at Aspirus St. Luke's in Duluth.  

Bryce Mathison, ’17, is a project engineer for Apex Engineering Group in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Peter Monsrud, ’17, is the community engagement strategist for the Fargo Police Department. He manages social media and web content and plans community events.

2018

Abby Berg, ’18, is owner of Abigail's, a micro bookstore in Grand Forks.

Riley Greeley, ’18, is a buyer in the finance department at North Memorial Health Level 1 Trauma Center in Minneapolis.

Alyssa Guck, ’18, is a lifestyle TV host for KY3 in Springfield, Mo.

Katie Jo Miller, ’18, is an attorney in the Caddo Parish Public Defender’s Office. She is the first military spouse attorney to take advantage of a new Louisiana rule that allows licensed attorney spouses of active-duty military members who reside in the state to apply for a limited license to practice law. 

2019

Alec Arvanitakis, ’19, is the running back coach for University of Minnesota Duluth football team.

Alivia Olson, ’19, ’22, is an associate attorney at Nilson Brand Law in Mayville, N.D.

2020

Kailey Arman, ’20, is a digital marketing specialist at Cornerstone Bank in Bismarck.

Cody Carpentier, ’20, is an NFL draft analyst for RosterWatch and a SiriusXM radio host.

Jairica Christjohn, ’20, a physical therapist, joined Oneida Comprehensive Health Division (Wis.) and works on the therapy team and in-outpatient care at the Anna John Resident Centered Care community.

Keenan Devier, ’20, is the first marketing and events coordinator for the city of Crookston, Minn.

Tayler Goettle, ’20, is a tax senior associate with Eidi Bailly in Fargo.

Carrie Smith, ’20, is Becker County (Minn.) administrator. 

2021

Ray Brooks, ’21, received a gold award for participating the “Fly North Dakota Airports” passport program. Brooks, one of five who received the award in 2023, lives in Bismarck, N.D.

Blake Kemnitz, ’21, is an agent with Farmers Union Insurance in Grand Forks.

Gracie Lian, ’21, ’22, attended a forum on national security at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Lian, invited by the event by Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III, is a Grand Forks County employee.

Lane Lindseth, ’21, director of bands and early elementary music specialist at Langdon (N.D.) Area Schools, was selected the 2024 Cavalier County Teacher of the Year.

2022

Madi Hart, ’22, was named head volleyball coach at Larimore (N.D.) High School. She played volleyball at UND from 2018-2021.

Habib Quadi, ’22, an oilfield operations specialist at the Energy & Environmental Research Center, joined the TWA Editorial Board. Quadi lives in Grand Forks.

Chris “C.J.” Siegel, ’22, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a Canadian professional football team. He joins two former UND football players on the team: Brady Oliveira, ’18, and Evan Holm, ’19.

2023

Steven Tjaden, ’23, is a controls and automation engineer for Schlumberger in Houston.

2024

Sasha (Hopfauf) Harm, ’24, is a certified physician assistant specializing in otolaryngology at the Essentia Health-South University Clinic in Fargo.

Sarah Dignan, ’24, was lead mentor for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics team for Grand Forks high school students. Dignan and other UND students started the team with in 2019 and helped lead them to the world championship this year. She moved to Virginia and will now mentor virtually. 

Max Langerud, ’24, earned first place in the ground trainer portion of the National Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference. 

Rachel Pederson, ’24, is a personal banker at American Federal Bank in Grand Forks.

Debbie Suess, ’24, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in palliative and elder care at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn.

Six UND Alumna Make Statewide Lists

Prairie Business Top 25 Women in Business

Paula Anderson, ’85, president and owner of Sterling Carpet One Floor & Home, Sterling Siding & Remodeling, took over Grand Forks Glass and Paint and turned it into a thriving business with a vastly expanded product offering.

Meghan Compton, ’06, ’10, chief clinic operations officer and executive vice president at Altru Health System, has served as Altru’s chief legal officer, manager of compliance and legal services, and patient safety/quality improvement coordinator.

Shea (Thomas) Miller, ’10, is member-owner of Ebeloft . Sickler . Lawyers, where she has worked since 2016.

Women We Admire Top 50 Women Leaders of North Dakota

Kristi Hall-Jiran, ’90, is chief philanthropy officer at Altru Health System. She served as president and CEO of the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks for nearly three decades.

Michelle Schumacher, ’05, is CFO at Stoneridge Software. She is active in the community and serves on several CPA boards and organizations.

Jill (Gustafson) Nelson, ’04, is director of operations & community relations for the Grand Forks Park District where she oversees fundraising, cultural programming, and marketing to golf courses.

1959

Harold “Jim” Anderson, ’59, has been a member of the National Ski Patrol for 62 years. He is also a member of the Rock/Little Switzerland Ski Patrol. He lives in Greendale, Wis.

1962

William Ketter, ’62, CNHI senior vice president for news, was awarded the Wells Key for service to the Society of Professional Journalists.

1965

Richard “Rex” Haugen, ’65, is the namesake of Rex Haugen Court at Pelican Rapids (Minn.) High School, where Haugen was longtime basketball coach.

1967

Barry Bernhard, ’67, Chair of TEC Canada, was appointed to the UND Customer Experience Program Advisory Board. His daughter, Kristine (Bernhard) Juck, ’95, is executive director of Pain Care and Cystic Fibrosis for the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia, Canada.

1974

Greg Lange, ’74, ’78, was honored with the Riverman Award, presented by the Missouri River Joint Water Resource Board in appreciation for a lifetime of leadership, resource management, and water development in the Missouri River corridor. Lange lives in Bismarck. 

Mary Martin, ’74, was honored as a 2023 Wyoming Woman of Influence by the Wyoming Business Report. She was recognized in the Lifetime Achievement category for her 48 years of service to the University of Wyoming and to the state.

1977

Gregory Schaack, ’77, retired after 28 years as CFO for St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System in Savannah, Ga., where he lives with his wife, Karen.
1978

Arleen (Dorsher) Norton, ’78, retired after 70 years as the organist for St. Michael’s Church in Grand Forks.

1979

Vicki Martin, ’79, retired after 10 years as president of Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin.

1980

Brad Nygaard, ’80, is a reporter covering public safety, law enforcement, and the court system for the Bismarck Tribune.

1981

Mark Jenson, ’81, received the Marshall Tanick award for teaching excellence at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Kevin Moug, ’81, retired from his job as chief financial officer and senior vice president at Otter Tail Corporation after 27 years of service to the Fergus Falls, Minn.-based company.

1982

Thomas Arnold, ’82, ’84, joined West River Health Services in Hettinger, N.D. He specializes in gynecological surgery.
Brad Rinas, ’82, ’90, was named part-time superintendent of Underwood (N.D.) Schools.

Joel Wall, ’82, retired after 41 years of government service with the U.S. Army and the Department of Homeland Security. He lives in Alexandria, Va.

1983

Mike Fadel, ’83, is executive director-treasurer of the 115,000-member Massachusetts Teachers Association. Fadel lives in Quincy, Mass.

Charles Kummeth, ’83, joined the Orthofix Board of Directors. He is president and CEO of Bio-Techne Corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis.

1984

Richard Anderson, ’84, of West Fargo High School, was selected 2023 Winter Sports Assistant Coach of the Year by the North Dakota Coaches Association. He is in his 39th year of teaching.

Robin Bobzien, ’84, is city manager of Aberdeen, S.D., previously serving as public works director/city engineer for 29 years.

Audrey Stewart-Farol, ’84, retired after 32 years with the U.S. Postal Service and is now a junior deputy auditor for Clay County, Minn. She and her family own a stable of thoroughbred horses and race at tracks in Canada and the United States.

1985

Dale Heglund, ’85, received the lifetime achievement award from the NDSU Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute.

1986

Carrie (Thompson) Widmer, ’86, ’13, joined the behavioral health therapy staff at Northland Community Health Centers, providing service at Northland’s eight federally funded clinics in North Dakota.

1987

Shannon Holte, ’87, director of social services at Valley Senior Living - Woodside Village in Grand Forks, was named the Long-Term Care Social Worker of the Year by the North Dakota Long Term Care Association.

1988

Garfield Atchison, ’88, is president and CEO at McLaren Northern Michigan, a healthcare system based in Petoskey, Mich.

1989

Derek Dunham, ’89, is president of Varsity, a senior services marketing agency in Hershey, Penn.

Sharon Rezac Andersen, ’89, ’96, was recognized as an Honored Member of the American Association of University Women after serving as its president for two years. She lives in Green Valley, Ariz.

1990

Julie (Liffrig) Fedorchak, ’90, was named president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Fedorchak, a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, lives in Mandan, N.D.

1991

Trent Clausen, ’91, is vice president of engineering and construction at Arcadian Infracom, an information infrastructure development company. Clausen lives in Livermore, Calif.

Deanna (Miller) Sellnow, ’91, was appointed chair of the Clemson University Department of Communication in Clemson, S.C.

1992

Brenda Chilstrom, ’92, is founder of That Makes Sense OT in Naples, Fla., which was awarded Best Occupational Therapy in the 2023 Best of Naples Awards. 

Blake Nicholson, ’92, is editor of the Bismarck Tribune. Nicholson, who has served as secretary/treasurer of the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association since 2002, lives in Mandan, N.D.

1993

Janelle (King) Cheney, ’93, is district supervisor of field services at the Minnesota Department of Corrections in Moorhead, Minn.

Joseph Pelawa, ’93, is a civil engineer at Widseth, an architecture, engineering, environmental, and surveying firm, in Duluth, Minn.

Shaun Riffe, ’93, was awarded a 2022 Regional Emmy by the Upper Midwest Chapter Board of Governors for his work as writer/producer of the Home for the Holidays campaign for WCCO and the Minnesota Twins, which brings awareness to Veteran homelessness.

Erin (Halvorson) Schuld, ’93, retired from teaching after 28 years, 25 teaching fifth grade. She lives in Cibolo, Texas.

Mary (Whitworth) Whiteside, ’93, retired after 30 years of teaching elementary students: 20 years with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools overseas in Japan and 10 years in Minnesota and North Dakota.

1994

James Haussler, ’94, former Bismarck Public Schools Athletic Director, will be inducted into the North Dakota High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame on June 25.

1995

Charles Black Lance, ’95, was named to the board of directors of the Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund. He is director of TRIO Student Support Services at Central Lake College in Brainerd, Minn.

1996

Lisa (Michels) Bales, ’96, is principal and COO of Kepp Flores Architects in Austin, Texas.

Cassie Gerhardt, ’96, ’08, was named to the board of directors for Make-A-Wish North Dakota. She is the associate vice president for student affairs at UND and lives in Grand Forks.

Tiffany Hodge, ’96, is a project manager in the Bismarck office of KLJ Engineering LLC.

Kersten (Middleton) Zupfer, ’96, CFO of Regis Corp., was named CFO of the Year 2023 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

1997

LaTisha (Ulrich) Gietzen, ’97, is Marketing Manager-Mining North America for Kalenborn Abresist Corporation. She lives in Hibbing, Minn.

Ted Sandberg, ’97, was appointed to a judgeship in North Dakota’s Northeast Central Judicial District, composed of Grand Forks and Nelson counties. Sandberg practiced law in Grand Forks for over 25 years.

Paula Suda, ’97, ’04, retired as Hillsboro (N.D.) Public School Superintendent, a job she held for 14 years.

1998

Jon Olafson, ’98, was appointed to Colorado’s 2nd Judicial District Court.

1999

Mike Brookbank, ’99, is an award-winning TV news anchor and host of Good Morning Cleveland, an ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio.

Stephanie Dahl, ’99, joined IMA Healthcare-Fargo. Dahl is a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist.

Shawn Ferguson, ’99, vice president of government relations and chief of staff in the Special Olympics International Office of Chairman Timothy Shriver, was awarded the Lions Club International Foundation’s Melvin Jones Fellowship for Dedicated Humanitarian Service. He lives in Washington, D.C. 

2000

Brent Keyes, ’00, is director of aviation for Graham Capital Management, L.P., a hedge fund based in Palm Beach, Fla.

Josh Long, ’00, was appointed Chief of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services for Chicago Public Schools.

Pedro Ylisastigui, ’00, was named a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions to the medical field. Ylisastigui is a primary care physician in Lehigh Acres, Fla.

2001

Chris Domitrovich, ’01, serves as commander of the 119th Wing of the North Dakota National Guard, the Happy Hooligans. Domitrovich lives in Fargo.

Adam Gardner, ’01, is deputy director of aviation at Salisbury Regional Airport on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He lives in Salisbury, Md. 

2002

Kevin Buettner, ’02, ’04, ’07, ’13, a clinical professor of nursing at UND, was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing.

Brent Ekstrom, ’02, executive director of Lewis & Clark Development Group, was reappointed to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ Affordable Housing Advisory Council. Ekstrom, who lives in Bismarck, represents North Dakota.

Ryan Holzwarth, ’02, is a board-certified dermatologist in the Hudson, Wis., office of Tareen Dermatology.

Kent Johnson, ’02, ’03, is assistant city manager in Elmhurst, Ill. He has been city engineer since 2014 and will also continue in that role.

JoAnna (Kaspar) O’Neil, ’02, ’04, a work-based learning coordinator at Pequot Lakes (Minn.) High School, received the Pequot Lakes School Staff of the Year award. She lives in Pequot Lakes with her husband, Michael O’Neil, ’02, ’03, who is Pequot Lakes Middle School principal.

Alex Vournas, ’02, is general manager of Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, which provides services to northwestern North Dakota. He lives in Williston, N.D. 

2003

Carl Clemetson, ’03, is the owner of Clemetson Event Services, LLC, which recently purchased the Regency Event Center in Minot, N.D.

Meg (Coffey) Morley, ’03, ’11, was named North Dakota Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc. Morley practices law at Morley Legal Services in Grand Forks, working as a legal advocate for children, especially those in foster care.

Benjamin Spain, ’03, obtained his CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) board certification. He is a cardiac ICU nurse at Cedars-Sinai, Beverly Hills, and lives in Los Angeles.

Paul Tessman, ’03, is an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wis.

Charity (Stephenson) Weeden, ’03, is associate administrator for NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

2006

Emily Carle, ’06, a family nurse practitioner, joined the staff at Richmond (Maine) Area Health Center.

Teri (Sigurdson) Larson-Johnson, ’06, a certified physician assistant and hematology and oncology specialist, joined the Essentia Health-Duluth (Minn.) Clinic. 

Melinda Lavine, ’06, an award-winning, multidisciplinary journalist, is features editor for the Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune.

Scott Meyer, ’06, was named to the Altru Board of Directors. Meyer is a North Dakota Senator and a Grand Forks mortgage planner.

Josett Monette, ’06, ’09, was named cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department. She lives in Albuquerque, N.M.

Tomi Kay Phillips, ’06, was named president of Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, N.D. Phillips is a U.S. Army Veteran and a Bush Fellow.

2007

Selena Bailey, ’07, was named CFO of the Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP), a statewide nonprofit to empower low-income Alaskans. She lives in Eagle River, Alaska.

Dillan Knudson, ’07, was named Western Alliance Bank’s head of commercial banking for Arizona. He lives in Phoenix. 

Kari (Johnson) Koob, ’07, ’08, is director of accounting and controller for Alerus Financial. Koob lives in Minnetonka, Minn.

2008

Jenny (Dosch) Bladow, ’08, ’09, director of teacher education in UND’s College of Education & Human Development, was appointed to North Dakota’s Task Force for Teacher Retention and Recruitment. She is a member of the Education Standards and Practices Board.

Eric Fenstad, ’08, a cardiologist, joined the Essentia Health St. Joseph’s-Brainerd Clinic in Minnesota.
Nicole Gullickson, ’08, a doctor focused on obstetrics, women’s health, pediatrics and sports medicine, joined West River Health Services in Hettinger, N.D.

Joshua Knudson, ’08, is the first general surgeon in North Dakota to perform more than 1,000 robotic-assisted surgeries. Knudson works at the Sanford Broadway Same Day Surgery Center in Bismarck.

Lisa Martinez, ’08, is communications manager at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute in Crookston, Minn.

2009 

Paige Helmers, ’09, opened Northern Sight Eyecare in Tisdale, Sask., with her husband, Trevor Styan.

David Piper, ’09, is a shareholder at Ohnstad Twichell Law Firm in West Fargo.

Sam Seafeldt, ’09, is reliever airports manager for the Minnesota-Twin Cities Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Korrine (Johnson) Stephani, ’09, is the first health professional in Grand Forks and one of five in North Dakota to qualify as a certified addiction registered nurse. She is the registered nurse case manager at LaGrave on First.

2010

Andy Foss, ’10, is an accounting assistant at CBE Construction in West Fargo, N.D.

Nick Ibarra, ’10, joined the operations team at VISIONBank in Fargo.

Gillian Lavik, ’10, is a general surgeon at McKenzie Health in Watford City, N.D.

Michael McNeff, ’10, ’14, a 12-year employee of the Rugby School District, was named North Dakota’s Superintendent of the Year by the North Dakota Association of School Administrators.

2011

JoLynn Azure, ’11, is a family practitioner with Sanford’s Highway 2 Clinic in Minot, N.D.

Curtis Dublanko, ’11, was inducted into the Leduc Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Dublanko played football in the Canadian Football League, won two powerlifting provincial championships, and now coaches and is president of the District Minor Football Association. He lives in Thorsby, Alberta. 

Patrick Joyce, ’11, ’19, is senior business advisor for Alerus Financial in Fargo.

Mickayla (Zinsli) Rosard, ’11, has been appointed to a two-year term on the UND Center for Innovation Board of Directors. She is a partner at Groove Capital in Minneapolis, Minn.

Jeff Sands, ’11, was named to School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s 50 Directors Who Make a Difference. He teaches at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls, Minn.

2012

Katie (Crook) Tomaszcyzuk, ’12, was named St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Nurse of the Year.  She lives in Boulder, Colo.

2013

Victoria Hicks, ’13, ’16, is a partner at the Johnson Hicks Law Office, P.C., in Fargo.

Alex Johnson, ’13, is the production superintendent at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Drayton, N.D., factory.

Deidre Pugh, ’13, is a human resources and management instructor at Dakota College at Bottineau (N.D.).

Joseph “JJ” Schlangen, ’13, was appointed president of the central region of United Natural Foods Inc.

Ashley Secord-Holmes, ’13, is director of operations for the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team.

2014

Morris Duffy, ’14, is a physician assistant at Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center’s emergency room. He also sees patients at the Elgin Community Clinic in Elgin, N.D

Erik Kolb, ’14, teaches sixth grade reading and social studies at Jim Hill Middle School in Minot, N.D.

Laura (Tvrdik) Notch, ’14, is a 2023 Minnewaska Area Schools Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. Notch was a standout volleyball and fast-pitch softball player. Today, she is a clinical reviewer for Evolent in Alexandria, Minn.

Jose Saavedra, ’14, is director of the Bangor International Airport in Bangor, Maine.

Todd Wahlund, ’14, is vice president and chief financial officer at Otter Tail Corporation in Fergus Falls, Minn. 

2015

Sekou Dukuly, ’15, is managing director at the National Port Authority – Liberia.

Larry Guggisberg, ’15, received the 2023 Minnesota Association of School Administrators Polaris Leadership Award. Guggisberg, who served Minnesota public schools for 44 years, lives in Roseau, Minn. 

Kendell LaRoche, ’15, is a help desk analyst for the Jefferson Center for Mental Health in Denver, Colo.

Juan Martinez, ’15, has been named a partner at Widmer Roel, an accounting firm in Fargo.

Tessa Vaagen, ’15, was appointed a judicial referee and magistrate in North Dakota’s South Central Judicial District. She lives in Bismarck. 

2016

Sarah Jo Aymond, ’16, director of instrumental music at Iowa Western Community College, marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City as part of a band comprised of 400 band directors from across the U.S. Aymond lives in Bellevue, Neb. 

Katie Mayer, ’16, will become the Grand Forks Children’s Museum Executive Director in July 2024. Museum groundbreaking is scheduled for early 2025.

Jason Trainer, ’16, is vice president of strategic enrollment management at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

2017

Jordan (Hampton) Forgione, ’17, was selected to participate in the 2023-24 Boston Bruins Diversity and Inclusion Scouting Mentorship Program. Forgione is a Michigan area hockey scout and the girl’s director of Little Caesars AAA Hockey. She lives in Northville, Mich.

Kelsey Gladen, ’17, joined Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Center in Duluth, Minn. She is a pediatric intensivist.

Halie Kraft, ’17, is an occupational health nurse at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Hillsboro, N.D., factory.

Jordan Parise, ’17, is goalie coach at the Park City Ice Miners in Park City, Utah.

Andrea (Watkins) Sailer, ’17, ’19, is a speech-language pathologist at LaMoure (N.D.) School.

Drew Sannes, ’17, is hitting coach for the Hickory Crawdads, a minor league baseball team affiliate of the Texas Rangers based in Hickory, N.C.

2018

Austin Artz, ’18, is an associate at Fredrikson & Byron in Bismarck.

Justin Bieber, ’18, and his father, Jeff, farmers in northeastern Montana/northwestern North Dakota, took second place in the irrigated wheat category at the National Wheat Yield Contest.

Maggie (Godfrey) Melvin, ’18, is director of admissions at the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Brady Oliveira, ’18, a running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was awarded the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Canadian for the 2023 season.

Matthew Wagner, ’18, is a radiologist at the Essentia Health-Duluth (Minn.) Clinic.

Connor Willits, ’18, is a control systems engineer at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Moorhead, Minn. factory.

2019

Daniel Hoy, ’19, a family medical specialist, joined the Essentia Health-West Fargo Clinic.

Bryan Johnson, ’19, a certified physician assistant specializing in family medicine, joined Essentia Health-Fosston (Minn.) Clinic.

Zachary Kraft, ’19, is a nurse practitioner at St. Luke’s Cardiology Associates in Duluth, Minn.

Micaela (Higlin) Ranisate, ’19, is a business banking officer at Starion Bank in Bismarck.

Brittney Smith, ’19, ’22, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner at Essential Health-Fargo. 

2020

Kennedy (Chrest) Archer, ’20, is customer service and sales supervisor at Gate City Bank in Grand Forks.

Nicholas Johnson, ’20, is a maintenance engineer at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Crookston, Minn., factory.

Ashlyn Kamrath, ’20, a doctor at Altru Hospital, has an obstetrics/gynecology fellowship at Altru Health System in Grand Forks.

Jordan Lindholm, ’20, joined St. Luke’s Mount Royal Medical Clinic in Duluth, Minn. 

Steven Lockhart, ’20, CEO at BrandRep, leads the Orange County, Calif., company’s digital marketing effort.

Brandi (Braukmann) Mosher, ’20, a registered nurse in the memory care unit at Bethany Retirement Living on University, was chosen as Caregiver of the Year by the North Dakota Long Term Care Association. Mosher lives in Fargo.

Nayana (Batham) Shallbetter, ’20, is a project engineer at Wigen Water Technologies in Chaska, Minn.

Terrill Taylor, ’20, is an assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Maryland. He lives in Washington, D.C. 

2021

Jordan Kawaguchi, ’21, is a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual in Fargo.

Lane Lindseth, ’21, was named Langdon (N.D.) Area Schools Teacher of the Year. Lane is the director of bands and an early elementary music specialist.

2022

Ashley Dwyer, ’22, is a digital sales coordinator at KTTC in Rochester, Minn.

Ryan Hursh, ’22, is a nurse practitioner at St. Luke’s Interventional Pain Management in Duluth, Minn.

Rainey (Selvig) Muth, ’22, has joined the business law team of Moss & Barnett in Minneapolis.

Jacey Spaeth, ’22, is public health project coordinator at Kittson County (Minn.) Public Health. Spaeth is an AmeriCorps member.

Dillon Vogt, ’22, won a regional Emmy for his work as a meteorologist at WDAY TV in Fargo.

2023

Kaylina Kelley, ’23, is a physician assistant at the Cancer Center of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Madonna McNulty, ’23, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in hospital medicine, joined Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minn.

Hailey Narlock, ’23, is editor of the Walsh County Record in Grafton, N.D.  

1966

Don Schaack, ’66, shows his handcrafted woodwork at Bridgetown Imprints Front Street Gallery in Valley City, N.D., where he lives with his wife, Sharon.

1971

Mike Hughes, ’71, is an outside director on the Atkins Nuclear Secured Holding Corporation’s board of directors. Hughes, who has 35 years of experience leading nuclear operations, is a retired Major in the U.S. Army.

1976

Rebecca (Fischer) Bowman, ’76, joined the National Society of Professional Engineers as the senior director for ethics and professional practice.

1978

Glenda Anderson, ’78, retired from her job as director of fiscal management in the North Dakota Office of the State Tax Commissioner after 42 years.

Timothy Henry, ’78, ’80, is the medical director of the Carl and Edyth Lindner Center for Research and Education and is the Carl and Edyth Lindner Family Distinguished Chair in Clinical Research at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Bruce Quick, ’78, received the State Bar Association of North Dakota’s Distinguished Service Award. Quick is a criminal defense attorney at the Vogel Law Firm in Fargo.

1980

Kevin Hofstad, ’80, was reappointed to the board of directors of the East Central Regional Development Commission Revolving Loan representing Pine County, Minn., where he is managing partner at Ledin and Hofstad Law Firm.

1982

Dennis Dahlen, ’82, chief financial officer of Mayo Clinic, is chair of the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s board of directors.

1983

David O’Shea, ’83, retired after 39 years as a civil engineer – 22 years as a U.S. Public Health Service-commissioned officer and 17 with Houston Engineering, Inc.

1984

Mike Hamerlik, ’84, ’88, retired from his job as president and CEO of WPS Health Solutions, a job he has held since 2012. Hamerlik lives in West Fargo.

Naomi Yaeger, ’84, ’86, ’98, is editor of Senior Reporter Magazine, which has been providing information for people over 50 in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin for more than 30 years. 

Tammy (Sukut) Zola, ’84, will retire from her job as chief financial officer of Alluma, based in Crookston, Minn., at the end of 2023. 

1986

Marjorie (Cook) McCullagh, ’86, retired from her job as professor of nursing at the University of Michigan.

1987

John Christen, ’87, was inducted into the North Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame.  

Cindy Juntunen, ’87, is associate provost/dean of graduate studies and research at California State University, Monterrey Bay. Juntunen was dean of UND’s College of Education & Human Development.

Don Nolan, ’87, joined the Daktronics out-of-home sales team. He will serve customers in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic region.

Jeff Schumacher, ’87, is the head wrestling coach at Bismarck State College.

1989

Jason Hornbacher,’89, ’97, ’07, retired from his job as superintendent of Bismarck Public Schools.

Robert Voglewede, ’89, commemorated 15 years of providing dental services to veterans at the Fargo VA Health Care System. He previously practiced dentistry in his hometown, Carrington, N.D.

1991

Donna (Herman) Brown, ’91, ’95, ’02, was named to the board of trustees of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

Judy (Tinjum) Sauter, ’91, is database manager for the North Dakota Community Foundation in Bismarck.

1992

Anthony Sabo, ’92, a Ventura Superior Court Judge in California, received the Oxnard Knight of Columbus Public Safety Award for 2023. 

Scott Throlson, ’92, is sports editor of the Bismarck Tribune, a role he also held from 2014-17.

1993

Laura (Kohns) Brickson, ’93, ’12, received the National Catholic Education Association’s 2023 “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award.” Brickson is principal at St. Bernard’s Catholic School in Thief River Falls, Minn.

Tracy (Hietala) LeDuc, ’93, was named to the board of directors for North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations. She is chief financial officer at the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks.

Kurt Zellers, ’93, is CEO of Minnesota Business Partnership. He lives in Maple Grove, Minn., with his wife, Kim (Rydell) Zellers, ‘95.

1994

Paul Loraas, ’94, is a Minnesota Super Lawyer. Loraas practices law at Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A. in Duluth.

Andi St. John, ’94, was named to the 2023 List of the Most Influential Women in Arizona by AZ Business and AZRE Magazines. St. John is managing director of property management at CBRE Arizona.

David Wolf, ’94, joined the criminal background check unit of the Department of Health and Human Services in Fargo after retiring from the North Dakota Highway Patrol, where he worked for 27 years.

1995

Courtney (Ose) Ritterman, ’95, joined the board of directors of the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks. Ritterman, a licensed real estate agent, is co-owner of Dakota Commercial in Grand Forks.

Barb (Cooper) Vigen, ’95, has opened a gift shop featuring The Norway Dakota Company, Daisy Circle Studios and Gnome Life 701 in Grand Forks. Cooper is also an administrative assistant at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.

1996

Christopher Bartlette, ’96, ’98, an associate professor of music theory at Binghamton University, recently completed his term as president of the Music Theory Society of New York State.

Dave Hakstol, ’96, was a finalist in the NHL’s Jack Adams Award for coach of the year. Hakstol led the Seattle Kraken to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their second season of existence.

David McDonald, ’96, joined the board of directors of the National Fenestration Rating Council. McDonald is a code and regulatory affairs specialist with Marvin in Warroad, Minn.

Robin (Moen) Salander, ’96, is the office assistant in the Larimore office of the North Dakota Community Foundation. 

Kay (Lobsinger) Schraeder, ’96, joined the board of directors of the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks. Schraeder is vice president and CFO of Minnkota Power Cooperative.
1997

Paul Sanderson, ’97, ’01, was appointed vice president, chief legal officer and secretary of MDU Resources in Bismarck.

1998

Chad Bladow, ’98, celebrated 25 years as the Nebraska Prescribed Fire Manager for The Nature Conservancy.

Esther Tailfeathers, ’98, received an honorary degree from the University of Lethbridge, recognizing her contributions to improving Indigenous health care. She is the Indigenous medical lead with Alberta (Canada) Health Services’ Indigenous wellness core.

1999

Joel Bird, ’99, a private wealth advisor with Legacy Financial Planners, was named to the 2023 Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council.

Charles Dendy, ’99, ’02, is legal division director for the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner.

Diane Lochner, ’99, is head librarian at the Glencoe and Brownton Libraries in Minnesota. She lives in Nicollet.

Pat Slotsve, ’99, is a development officer for the Minot State University Development Foundation. Slotsve worked for 32 years in public education, retiring as principal from Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Minot in 2023.

James Thompson, ’99, was re-elected treasurer of the North Dakota Soybean Council Board of Directors.
Charles Truby, ’99, is district administrator for Little League Baseball and Softball in the United Kingdom, a four-year voluntary position.

2000

Katherine Aguilar, ’00, is a fifth-grade teacher in Worthington, Minn.

Mark Friese, ’00, received the Richard S. Arnold Award for Distinguished Service at the Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference. Friese is a shareholder at the Vogel Law Firm in Fargo.

2001

David Haring, ’01, was named 2023 Airport Professional of the Year by the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (GLCAAAE). Haring is executive director of the Lincoln (Neb.) Airport Authority and incoming president of GLCAAAE.

Stephanie (Herman) Hayden, ’01, ’08, was appointed judge in the newly created East Central Judicial District, which is comprised of Cass, Steele and Trail counties in North Dakota.

Kris Kroetsch, ’01, is head coach for UND women’s golf. Kroetsch is a Grand Forks native and former UND golfer.

Jacob Yates, ’01, is a member of the Science Working Group for the Lunar Meteoroid Impact Observer CubeSat Mission expected to launch in 2027. Yates retired as a Commander from the U.S. Navy Reserve.

2002

Jill (Altringer) Ellis, ’02, is a first-grade teacher in Stanley, N.D.

Tim Rogers, ’02, teaches management courses through the UND-University of Shanghai partnership program. He is also a contributing author for a market-leading intro to business textbook. 

2003

Brian Balstad, ’03, ’06, ’10, is in-house counsel for Sterling Management, LLC. Balstad has been a practicing attorney and consultant throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

Ben Bucher, ’03, ’12, has been elected to a three-year term on the North Dakota Hospital Association’s (NDHA) Board of Directors. Bucher is CEO of Towner County Medical Center and serves on the NDHA Legislative Committee.

Christi (Billiard) Pribula, ’03, was appointed as a commissioner to the Blue Valley School District’s Recreation Committee in Overland Park, Kan.

Pam (Kolstoe) Vettleson, ’03, is a teacher for the deaf/hard of hearing at Area Special Education Cooperative in East Grand Forks. She has been a learning disabilities teacher for 20 years.

2004

Jesse Lange, ’04, has joined the criminal defense team at SW&L Attorneys in Fargo.

2005

Jon Griffin, ’05, was named CEO of Capital Credit Union. He lives in Bismarck.

Brittany (Foertsch) Johnson, ’05, is an assistant professor in the UND Physical Therapy program.

Tim Toerber, ’05, is vice president for business development at Assaia, a company that provides AI solutions for airlines and airports. He lives in Gig Harbor, Wash.

2006

Karin (Lokensgard) Pierce, ’06, is a family medicine physician at Grafton Family Clinic, which is part of Unity Medical Center.

2008

Jonathan Leddige, ’08, ’11, was appointed Magistrate Judge for South Dakota’s Second Judicial Circuit.

Laine (Beyer) Martinez, ’08, is the 2023 recipient of the Graciela Wilborn Teacher of the Year Award from the Foreign Language Association of North Dakota. Martinez teaches Spanish at Bismarck High School.

Tom Miller, ’08, is sports editor at the Grand Forks Herald.

2009

Aaron Fornshell, ’09, is a civil engineer and partner at Ackerman-Estvold in Minot, N.D.

Stephanie Gravning, ’09, was named the state correctional health authority for the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Cierra (Roebuck) Hangsleben, ’09, is principal of Crookston (Minn.) Middle School.

2010

Amber Laffin, ’10, was promoted to associate professor of criminal justice at Bemidji State University.

2011

Matt Bakke, ’11, ’13, is the assistant superintendent of elementary education for the Grand Forks School District.

Holly (Forsness) Gruhlke, ’11, was named vice president of Dickinson State University.

Adam Landstrom, ’11, co-chaired Austin Under 40 Awards, a celebration of emerging professionals and their mentors who are making an impact on the Austin, Texas, community.

Sara Monson, ’11, was named partner at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys in Fargo.

Kyle Rosseau, ’11, ’17, a former UND cross country runner, is head girls’ cross country coach at Grand Forks Central.

2012

Travis Bledsoe, ’12, a former UND men’s basketball standout, was named assistant women’s basketball coach at UND.

Chantell (Bergsrud) Hunt, ’12, is a third-grade teacher in Stanley, N.D.

2013

Brandon Bigelbach, ’13, is the science and operations officer at the National Weather Service forecast office in Glasgow, Mont. Bigelbach works with fellow UND alumni Patrick Gilchrist, ’01, the meteorologist-in-charge, and meteorologists Jacob Zanker, ’20, and Julianna Glinska, ’21.

Jim Champion, ’13, is an associate professor of art at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Nicholas Christensen, ’13, ’16, was appointed chief judge to the 59th District Court in Kent County, Mich.

Joseph Mehus, ’13, Mayville State University associate professor of biology and INBRE (IdeA Networks for Biomedical Research) researcher, has studied mosquitoes in the Red River Valley for 17 years.

2014

Jacob Kostecki, ’14, is the engineering superintendent at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Drayton factory district.

Chad Kurtyka, ’14, ’22, was named principal at Nathan Twining Elementary and Middle School at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Sarah Sevenbergen, ’14, is in her eighth year of teaching elementary music at the American School of Doha in Qatar.

Dillon Simpson, ’14, is an assistant coach for UND men’s hockey.

Priscilla (Coon) Stark, ’14, is a cardiac rehab nurse and health coach at Unity Hospital in Grafton, N.D.

2015

Dylan Berg, ’15, is vice president of engagement and analytics of Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio.

Cassie McDonald, ’15, was named the Dubuque (Iowa) Community School District Teacher of the Year. She teaches English language learners at Dubuque Senior High School.

Kaitlyn (Sivertson) Zeleny, ’15, teaches seventh- and eighth-grade social studies in Stanley, N.D.

2016

Landon Adolphson, ’16, is a senior manager in Boulay PLLP’s Risk Advisory Group. He lives in Argyle, Minn.

Amber (Johnson) Carrington, ’16, is a vascular surgery specialist at Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic.

Lauren Clarke, ’16, ’18, won an IE&EE Division Student Achievement Award. Clarke is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sujan Ghosh, ’16, an assistant professor of engineering at University of Arkansas-Little Rock, received the Al Sonntag Award from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers for authoring the year’s best technical paper on solid lubricants.

Robert Gokey, ’16, is an ophthalmologist at Trinity Health in Minot.

Abby (Mattson) Grimaldi, ’16, a classically trained pianist, released a new single “Dreamer.” The music video was filmed at Red River High School in Grand Forks. Grimaldi lives in Nashville with her husband Rocco, ’16.

Kayla Michelson, ’16, ’18, is a multicultural student success coordinator in the office of the vice president of Diversity and Inclusion at Michigan Tech.

2017

Matthew English, ’17, is a relationship manager for FineMark Sports Management. English lives in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Alec Ganske, ’17, is a radiologist with Essentia Health-Fargo.

Tyson Jost, ’17, re-signed to a one-year contract with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. 

2018

Eric Bucholz, ’18, is a tax supervisor at Widmer Roel, a public accounting and business advisory firm in Fargo.

Timothy Hovde, ’18, is a certified physician assistant specializing in interventional radiology at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.

Katie Sobolik, ’18, a civil engineer with Ackerman-Estvold in Minot, earned her North Dakota Professional Engineer registration.

Grant Thorfinnson, ’18, is the MDS supervisor at American Crystal Sugar Company’s East Grand Forks factory.

Anthony Walsh, ’18, was a lead instructor for a BIPOC, LGTBQIA and blind player hockey camp in St. Cloud. He is the author of two “Hockey is Everyone” children’s books about overcoming stereotyping and racism to succeed in the game.

2019

Rhett Gardner, ’19, signed a two-year NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Aubrey Madler, ’19, ’22, is executive director of Angelo State University’s Porter Henderson Library in San Angelo, Texas. She previously served as the director of library and learning services at Texas Tech University – Costa Rica.

Brianna (Fuller) Speldrich, ’19, is an area hydrologist for Carlton County and the Duluth Metropolitan Area.

2020

Kayla Due, ’20, has an art exhibit installed at Hector International Airport in Fargo.

Victoria Goven, ’20, a credit analyst for Cornerstone Bank in Bismarck, serves on the North Dakota Banker’s Association Agricultural Committee.

Logan Meyer, ’20, ’22, has joined Gjesdahl Law, P.C., as an associate attorney. Meyer lives in Fargo. 

Shameka Sade Shaheed, ’20, works at Kingsley Bogard LLP in Folsom, Calif.

Katie (Stumpf) Thielges, ’20, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner at the Essentia Health-Moorhead Clinic.

Lucas Titus, ’20, is a family medicine doctor at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck.

Tyler Veen, ’20, is head coach and general manager of the Rochester Grizzlies, an NA3HL hockey team.

2021

Savannah Asmann, ’21, was named communications coordinator of USA Wrestling’s national staff in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Bentiu Panoam, ’21, ’22, is director of basketball operations for UND men’s basketball.

Nathan Peasland, ’21, ’22, and Aaron Gibson, ’21, both received the 2022 Elijah Watt Sells Award, which is given to 50 of the 67,000 CPA candidates who obtain a cumulative average score above 95.5 across all sections of the CPA exam and pass all sections on their first attempt. Peasland works at Brady Martz & Associates in Grand Forks. Gibson works for Washington Gas Light Company in Washington, D.C.

2022

Cindy Otto, ’22, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in cardiology at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes.

Zepher Resnick, ’22, is a factory engineer at American Crystal Sugar Company in Drayton, N.D.

1967

John Runberg, ’67, runs his own income tax practice following a 44-year career as a CPA and CFO for several insurance companies. He has hiked over 600 miles on the Arizona Trail and to the highest summit in 44 states. He lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his wife Karen.

1975

Marian (Johnson) Lehnherr, ’75, and her husband, Rick, were recognized as outstanding supporters by the Benedictine Living Community in Garrison, N.D., where they have volunteered for more than 20 years.

1978

James (Bob) Hagerty, ’78, retired from The Wall Street Journal after more than four decades in various positions around the world.

Denise Lajimodiere, ’78, ’96, ’06, has been appointed North Dakota Poet Laureate. Lajimodiere is from Belcourt and will serve a two-year term. She delivered the commencement address at UND this spring.

Mark Peihl, ’78, retired from his job as senior archivist for the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County after 38 years. Peihl lives in Fargo.

1979

Dave Molmen, ’79, received the Klaus Thiessen Impact Award from the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp. for his role in creating Altru Health System in 1997, and his leadership within the organization for more than 40 years. 

1980

Corey Cleveland, ’80, was recognized by the North Dakota Bankers Association for his retirement. He spent 42 years of his career in the banking industry, the last eight as a senior vice president of United Valley Bank in Grand Forks.

Phil Johnson, ’80, ’82, ’84, ’85, received the Excellence in Safety Award from USA Hockey. Johnson is medical supervisor with the International Ice Hockey Federation.

1982

Tom Arnold, ’82, ’84, retired from CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson, N.D. Arnold, an obstetrician and gynecologist, worked for 35 years and delivered almost 8,000 babies.

George Connelly III, ’82, retired from American Airlines/TWA after 34 years. Career highlights include flying with son, George Connelly IV, ’06, at American, his selection for the papal charter in 1999 with Pope John Paul II, and being UND Flight Instructor of the Quarter in summer 1979.

1983

Jeffrey Randorf, ’83, retired after a 40-year career with the U.S. Government in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Jeffrey was a senior engineering advisor.
Dean Wilson, ’83, was inducted into the North Dakota Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame. He coached hockey at various levels in the Fargo Metro area for over 30 years and led teams to three state hockey titles.

1985

John Hoganson, ’85, was grand marshal at the 2023 North Dakota State Fair Parade in Minot. Hoganson was North Dakota’s first state paleontologist.

Brad Olson, ’85, retired after 38 years as an elementary school teacher in North Dakota and Minnesota. Olson was also a high school coach for 26 years.

Paul Traynor, ’85, ’88, a visiting assistant professor of law at UND, contributed to two articles about health insurance to MoneyGeek.

1986

Michael Meyer, ’86, is director of philanthropy at Hospice of the Red River Valley.

1987

Odella Fuqua, ’87, ’02, was named associate vice president for finance at UND. She has served as interim associate VP since July 2022.

Keith Millette, ’87, ’90, retired from medical practice after caring for patients at the Altru Family Medicine Center in Grand Forks for 32 years.

1989

Joel Johnson, ’89, ’93, received two prestigious healthcare awards. He was named the 2023 National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Practitioner of the Year. He also received the Outstanding Rural Health Provider award from the Center for Rural Health in North Dakota. Johnson practices at Park River’s First Care Health Center.

1991

Donna (Herman) Brown, ’91, ’95, ’02, was appointed a member of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education by President Joe Biden.

Michael Shea, ’91, ’00, was named principal at Meadowlark Elementary School in West Fargo.

1992

Kristine (Voxland) Quanbeck, ’92, ’95, is assistant vice president, senior accounts payable specialist at Gate City Bank in Fargo.

Heath Webber, ’92, is chief financial officer for Black Gold Farms in Grand Forks.

1993

Kathleen Coudle King, ’93, wrote “Retail Therapy,” a play about 700 years of mental health care. It premiered at the Theatre Without Walls at the Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks in May.

Nikki (Mathison) Polum, ’93, was selected Grand Forks Public Schools’ 2022-23 Teacher of the Year. She is a 6th grade teacher at South Middle School.

1994

Brent Sanford, ’94, joined the Cornerstone Bank Corporate Board of Directors. He lives in Bismarck.

1995

Mary (Marthe) Hoff, ’95, is a certified physician assistant at the Carrington (N.D.) Medical Clinic and Urgent Care, and the Family Clinic in New Rockford. She also provides care at Golden Acres Manor and the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd.

1996

Millie (Fournier) Baird, ’96, was named deputy forest supervisor of the USDA Forest Service Chippewa National Forest.

Todd Hebert, ’96, has five new paintings in the Mark Moore Gallery in Southern California. Hebert lives in Los Angeles.

Jonathan Warrey, ’96, received the Living Gold Award, which honors a Marco Technologies employee who embodies the company’s gold standard of employee engagement, client satisfaction, community support and vendor partnerships. He has worked for Marco since 1996. 

Ryan Zerr, ’96, ’98, was named associate vice president for strategy and implementation at UND. Zerr, a UND mathematics professor, has served as a faculty member for the last 20 years.

1997

Jodi (Anderson) Dodson, ’97, ’20, was named associate principal at Discovery Elementary School in Grand Forks.

Jon Ness, ’97, was named associate editor of The News and Advance in Lynchburg, Va.

Paul Sanderson, ’97, ’01, was named vice president, chief legal officer and secretary of MDU Resources. He has served as outside counsel for MDU Resources’ companies since 2011.

1999

Josh Christianson, ’99, is senior philanthropy officer for Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo.

2000

Robert Aitken III, ’00, is executive director of Leech Lake Financial Services, which offers financial education and large loan opportunities in north central Minnesota. Aitken lives in Bemidji. 

Adam Kurtz, ’00, is the strategic communications writer for the UND Division of Marketing & Communications.

Lara (Blubaugh) Storm, ’00, is a Me Coach leader and a FranklinCovey education consultant. She lives in Los Osos, Calif.

2001

Karl Goehring, ’01, made his international coaching debut as an assistant coach of the Under 18 Men’s Select Team in the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Goehring is assistant coach of UND men’s hockey.

Christopher Knutson, ’01, is executive vice president, corporate controller for Graco. Knudson lives in Minneapolis.

Jason Triplett, ’01, was named head coach of boys hockey for the West Fargo High School Packers.

2002

Louis Varricchio, ’02, is an adjunct professor of astronomy at the Community College of Vermont at Bennington. Louis lives with his wife, Marilyn, in Middlebury, Vt.

2004

Toby Haugen, ’04, is director of human resources for the Florence Unified School District. He lives in San Tan Valley, Ariz.

Amie Miller, ’04, a board-certified plastic surgeon, opened a clinic in El Dorado Hills, Calif.

2005

Ryan Hanson, ’05, principal of Devils Lake High School, was named North Dakota Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals.
2006

John Burrow, ’06, is the first-ever fire marshal for the Savage (Minn.) Fire Department.

Josett Monette, ’06, ’09, has been named general counsel of New Mexico’s Indian Affairs Department.

Jason Palmer, ’06, is vice president of design and engineering at VERITA Telecommunications in Plymouth, Mich.

2007

Heidi (Clark) Bennett, ’07, was inducted into the Harding High School Athletic Hall of Fame. She competed in swimming, cross country and track at Harding in Marion, Ohio.

Peter Brehmer, ’07, is a family medicine nurse practitioner at the Pine Island/Wanamingo Clinic in Minnesota.

Elly (Jamsa) DesLauriers, ’07, was named executive director of the Minot (N.D.) Park District.

Ryan Duletski, ’07, was promoted to lieutenant of the North Dakota Highway Patrol and began work as the northwest regional commander in Minot.

Corey Samuelson, ’07, is a physical therapist and rehab manager for the McKenzie County Health Center Rehabilitation Department. He lives in Watford City, N.D.

Kirsten Yeado, ’07, is a safety specialist at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Hillsboro factory.

2008

Danny Freund, ’08, ’13, was named associate head coach of the UND football team.
Florija (Adjari) Naas, ’08, has been hired by the Red River Regional Council to be the Destination Red River Project Manager and the Nelson County (N.D.) Job Development Authority Director.

2009

Matthew Anderson, ’09, is Arts in Education Director for the North Dakota Council on the Arts.

Codi (Gates) Feland, ’09, was named an assistant principal of Century High School in Bismarck.

2011

Travis Dahl, ’11, is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, in Bismarck. He obtained the Behavioral Financial Advisor professional designation from Kaplan University and think2perform.

Chay Genoway, ’11, played defense with his former UND teammate, Andrew MacWilliam, ’13, for Salzburg, a hockey team that won the championship in Austria’s top league.

2012

Angelle (Van Oploo) French, ’12, ’17, was hired by the Red River Regional Council to be director of the Pembina County (N.D.) Job Development Authority.

Amanda (Krieger) Strahm, ’12, ’14, is an environmental engineer with KLJ Engineering LLC. She lives in Bismarck.

Alyssa (Nagle) Merriman, ’12, ’14, was named the first ever AVID Summer Institute Teacher Speaker for North Dakota. Merriman teaches at Lincoln Elementary School in Bismarck.

2013

Jacob Johnson, ’13, was promoted to major in the U.S. Air Force. Johnson is doing a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Walter Reed National Miliary Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

2014

Jenna Jorgensen, ’14, was promoted to assistant commissioner for strategic communications and brand enhancement at the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in Bloomington, Minn.

Peter Rakowski, ’14, is first officer with United Airlines on 757/767 aircraft.

Callie Ronkowski, ’14, ’16, a broker for Newmark, received the Power Broker Best of the Best award in the commercial real estate industry. She lives in Minneapolis.

Amanda (Vogl) Tomlinson, ’14, has been named principal at Mandan (N.D.) Middle School.

2015

Jordan Kopp, ’15, is a factory engineer at American Crystal Sugar Company in Drayton, N.D.

Grant Kraft, ’15, has been elected to a two-year term as president of the Fargo Education Association, the local union of educators serving students in Fargo Public Schools.

Taylor (Schlenk) Simon, ’15, ’17, a mathematics instructor, was named the 2022-23 recipient of the Jeff Sieg Award for Teaching Excellence at Mayville (N.D.) State University.

2016

Bryn Chyzyk, ’16, ’20, was named the United States Hockey League General Manager of the Year for the 2022-23 season. Chyzyk is GM of the Waterloo Black Hawks in Waterloo, Iowa.

Vicki Crowe, ’16, is director of the Burrier Child Development Center, an early childhood lab school program in Richmond, Ky.

Colten St. Clair, ’16, was named head coach of the Minnesota Wilderness junior hockey program.

2017

Jill Anderson, ’17, retired from a 35-year career in education, which included 25 years as a sixth grade teacher and 10 as a school counselor in the Hillsboro, N.D., school district.

Nicholas Cilz, ’17, is a field technology transfer specialist for the Department of Veteran Affairs in Minneapolis.

2018

Eugene “Geno” Crandall, ’18, played his fourth professional basketball season in Europe and his first with BG Goettingen in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga.

Brady Oliveira, ’18, received the Cal Murphy Heart of a Legend Award, the community service award given by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Candadian Football League. He has received worldwide recognition for his work as a dog rescuer.

2019

Zach Muckenhirn, ’19, was called up to the New York Mets professional baseball team. The pitcher is the first UND alum to play in the Major League.

2019

Zach Muckenhirn, ’19, was called up to the New York Mets professional baseball team. The pitcher is the first UND alum to play in the Major League.

2020

Kinzie Grinde, ’20, was selected a 2023 Caregiver Award recipient from the North Dakota Long Term Care Association. Grinde works at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks.

Sherry Lawdermilt, ’20, has been selected to serve Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tenn., as associate vice president and chief information officer.

Andrew Samuel, ’20, is a multimedia communications specialist with the city of Stafford, Texas.

Shane Schellpfeffer, ’20, was named UND’s Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation.

2021

Turki Ali Alrashid, ’21, is an assistant professor at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.

Kendall Brekken, ’21, is marketing and communications lead at the North Dakota Autism Center in Fargo.

Christian Forsberg, ’21, ’22, is an embedded software engineering manager at Northrop Grumman in Baltimore, Md.

Garett Maag, ’21, has signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Maag was a wide receiver at UND.

Hunter Pinke, ’21, spoke at UND’s Delta Gamma Lectureship in April. Pinke, who attends Arizona State University, played football at UND before suffering a spinal cord injury.

2022

Hannah Freese, ’22, is coach and owner of North Dakota Cheer Tech in Grand Forks. Two of her teams recently competed in an invite-only national competition.

Danielle Tretbar, ’22, is a physician assistant specializing in family medicine at Sanford Health in Park Rapids, Minn.

Priscila Ulloa, ’22, is an associate attorney on SW&L’s family law team in Fargo.

2023

Ian Geller, ’23, is a GIS technician at Ackerman Estvold’s Minot, N.D., office.

Tyler Kleven, ’23, is a defenseman for the Ottawa Senators professional hockey team.

Ben Reznicek, ’23, founded RezBats, a South Dakota company that makes training bats often used by professional baseball players.

1955

Gerald VandeWalle, ’55, ’58, retired from the North Dakota Supreme Court in January 2023. He was the longest serving Chief Justice in North Dakota.

1962

Charlie Froebe, ’62, was selected to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for a lifetime of outstanding service to his peers and community, and to Manitoba and Canada.

1963

Gary Sukut, ’63, ’70, was inducted as a 2022 Williston Coyotes Legend. Before retiring, Sukut worked at Sukut Office Equipment and served in the North Dakota Legislature for 12 years.

1964

Lawrence Jahnke, ’64, ’66, a retired Grand Forks County judge, is the namesake of a new Northeast Central Judicial District courtroom: the “Honorable Lawrence E. Jahnke Courtroom 109.”

1966

Jana Bommersbach, ’66, is the host of a podcast called “Stolen Life: The Debra Milke Story.” She has written nine books and lives in Phoenix.

Susan (Haas) Morrissey, ’66, held her last art show, “Welcome to My World,” at the Rourke Art Gallery + Museum in Moorhead, Minn. Nearly 60 years of Susan’s art were displayed at the show.

1968

Dennis Elbert, ’68, ’72, was inducted into the 2022 U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame, which honors graduates of Army ROTC who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian careers. Elbert served as Dean of UND’s College of Business & Public Administration from 1997-2014.

1971

Michael Gaddie, ’71, his wife, Kathleen, and their family were honored at the 2022 Bishop Ryan Catholic School Cor Christi Gala for their dedication to Catholic education. The Gaddies live in Minot.

1972

David Stowman, ’72, received a Golden Quill Award from the UND School of Law recognizing the 50-year anniversary of his law school graduation. Stowman practices law with his son, Jeff Stowman, at Stowman Law in Detroit Lakes.

1974

Bruce Gjovig, ’74, has been elected to the board of directors of the National Defense Industrial Association. Gjovig, the only North Dakotan on the board, will serve a five-year term. He is the founder of UND’s Center for Innovation.

1976

Ric Rosow, ’76, was honored by the Minnesota State Bar Association Public Law Section Council as a recipient of the Douglas K. Amdahl Public Attorney Career Achievement Award for his work and achievements, and his commitment to public service. He retired in late 2019 from his firm Gregerson, Rosow, Johnson & Nilan, Ltd.

1977

Larry Hoff, ’77, has been named to the board of directors for the Riverview Bank and Riverview Bancorp, Inc., in Vancouver, Wash. Hoff is a state representative for Washington’s 18th Legislative District.

Kevin Holten, ’77, launched a cowboy-themed media channel called Wild Rides TV. He lives in Dickinson, N.D.

Daniel Quandt, ’77, was named Director of Conventions & Tourism for the City of Waco, Texas.

Fred Wittmann, ’77, ’80, retired after nearly 50 years as director of ceremonies and university events at UND.

1979

Nancy Joyner, ’79, ’05, teaches a seminar for guardians and attorneys through the State of North Dakota court system. Joyner is a palliative care specialist for UND and an end-of-life nursing education consortium trainer.

1980

Paul Busch, ’80, ’84, retired from his position as president & CEO of Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies in Eden Prairie, Minn. Busch held the job for 15 years and continues to serve on the board of directors. 

Corey Cleveland, ’80, retired after 42 years of service to United Valley Bank in Grand Forks.

Lucy Dalglish, ’80, is stepping down as dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. She continues on as a professor there.

Paul Marquart, ’80, ’81, is commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Revenue and a social studies teacher at Dilworth Glyndon Felton High School.

Debbie (Fowler) Swanson, ’80, ’13, retired from her role as Grand Forks Public Health Director. Swanson has worked for Grand Forks Public Health for 38 years and as director since 2015. 

1981

David Deitz, ’81, retired after a 41-year career with Emerson’s Systems and Software (SYSS) Group in Austin, Texas. His most recent role was vice president, SYSS Global Operations. Dave was a named inventor on 20 patents awarded to Emerson.

Frank Dooley, ’81, was elected to the American Council of Education Board of Directors. He is the chancellor of Purdue Global.

Dr. Cynthia Lindquist, ’81, ’06, was named to the Board of the Bush Foundation. Lindquist is president of Cankdeska Cikana Community College, which serves the Spirit Lake Dakota community located primarily in Benson County, N.D.

Carter McNamara, ’81, has retired after 30 years of managing his worldwide consulting company, Authenticity Consulting, LLC. He recently published “Wolf: A Memoir of Love and Atonement.”

1982

Laurie Bakke, ’82, retired from her job as president of Western Equipment Finance in late 2022. Bakke transitioned to a senior advisory role with the company and will remain on the board of directors for Western State Bank and its related entities.

Jeanne (Heilman) Crain, ’82, was appointed to the Otter Tail Corporation Board of Directors. Crain is president and CEO of Bremer Financial Corporation. She lives in Minneapolis.

1983

Renee (Gildersleeve) Axtman, ’83, has been named vice president of nursing and clinical services for Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota. She will oversee quality, safety, care management and integration of clinical initiatives.

Mark Waind, ’83, has retired as executive vice president and chief information officer of Altru Health System in Grand Forks.

1984

Patti (Thibedeau) Kneiser, ’84, was named the Waukesha County (Wis.) Advocate of the Year for demonstrating incredible dedication to building a vibrant community.

1985

Lori Ford-Moore, ’85, ’89, has joined the Tahlequah Medical Group of Northeastern Health System in Tahlequah, Okla. Ford has more than 25 years of experience in gastroenterology.

Gail Friedt, ’85, was recently appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women by the mayor of San Diego. She also was promoted to senior medical science liaison, Durect Corporation, and is a retired captain, Nurse Corps, USNR.

Russell “Rusty” Papachek, ’85, is the director of business development of KodaBank’s Fargo Moorhead region.

Peter Schmit, ’85, ’89, was honored as an Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer for his outstanding service to the profession at a reception in Minneapolis in February.

Lauri (Paulson) Shimpa, ’85, and Emily Shimpa, ’21, mother and daughter, work together as nurses in the obstetrics unit of Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Leslie Witstock, ’85, has been named chief operating officer at Dickinson (N.D.) State University.

1986

Lori Carriere Klabunde, ’86, ’89, was inducted as a 2022 Williston Coyotes Legend. Carriere Klabunde works as a physician assistant in Bismarck.

Tim Olson, ’86, received the International Microelectronics Assembly & Packaging Society (IMAPS) Founder’s Award, which recognizes an individual who has made significant technical and leadership contributions to IMAPS. Olson is the founder of Deca Technologies in Tempe, Ariz.

1987

Ron Hocevar, ’87, ’91, is the Scott County (Minn.) Attorney. He was first elected in 2014.

Rhonda Larson, ’87, ’90, is an elected an officer for U.S. Wheat Associates.

George Singer, ’87, ’93, is a partner practicing corporate finance at Holland & Hart in Denver.

1988

Peter Kilbride, ’88, will retire from his job as Sheridan County School District 1 Superintendent in Ranchester, Wyo., at the end of the school year.

Marilyn (Koble) Vetter, ’88, has been named president and CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. She has been a member of the organization’s National Board of Directors since 2015.

1989

John Carroll, ’89, stepped down as director of the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources. He will transition to a faculty position.

Carla Christofferson, ’89, is a partner in King & Spalding’s Trial and Global Disputes practice group in its Los Angeles office.

Jason Hornbacher, ’89, ’97, ’07, will retire as Superintendent of Bismarck Public Schools in June. Hornbacher has worked for the district for more than 30 years.

1990

Julie (Freund) March, ’90, ’94, is a pathologist at Essentia Health Fargo.

1991

Stacie (Froelich) Bell, ’91, is executive vice president of Lupus Therapeutics, an affiliate of the national Lupus Research Alliance. She lives in Denver.

April (White) Darnell, ’91, is education manager for the IGP Institute at Kansas State University.

Patrick Emery, ’91, ’95, is chair of the family medicine department at Sanford Health in Wahpeton, N.D.

Maridee (Langen) Shogren, ’91, was named dean of the UND College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines.

1992

Kavin Schieferdecker, ’92, is chief sales officer for the San Diego Tourism Authority. 

Todd Tamlyn, ’92, has joined Bellevue (Ohio) Hospital, specializing in minimally invasive robotic surgery.

1993

Jenny (Walter) Coulture, ’93, ’94, is a partner with NW Medicare Advisors, which serves the Pacific Northwest.

Lynette (Amundson) Flage, ’93, was recognized by the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities for her accomplishments as a Fellow of the Food Systems Leadership Institute. Flage is associate director for NDSU Extension.

Jeff Oxton, ’93, has been named chief of the St. Cloud (Minn.) Police Department. 

Joe Pelawa, ’93, is a senior project manager at the Duluth, Minn., office of JPJ Engineering. 

1994

Brad Costello, ’94, was named market president at American Federal in East Grand Forks. He joined American Federal in 2019 as an ag and business banker.

Kelly Dillon, ’94, has been appointed full-time referee and magistrate for North Dakota’s North Central Judicial District. She lives in Minot.

Eva (Spindler) Keiser, ’94, is serving on the PRSA Midwest District 2023 Executive Leadership Committee. Keiser, who is principal at Plural I, LLC, is immediate past chair of the committee and represents the Minnesota chapter of the committee.

Tiffany (Bosh) Lawrence, ’94, is president and chief executive officer of Sanford Health in Fargo. She is the first woman to serve in that position. Tiffany previously was Sanford’s director of business analysis and planning, and chief financial officer of the Sanford Medical Center.

Timothy Wakeham, ’94, is a coach and organizational consultant, providing his services at the corporate, armed forces, UFC, NFL, NHL, Olympic, and Power Five collegiate levels. Wakeham lives in Clearwater, Fla.

Teresa Younger, ’94, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Hedgebrook, an institution for women-identified writers on Whidbey Island, Wash. Younger is president and CEO of Ms. Foundation for Women.

1995

Kari Knudson, ’95, ’01, has been appointed Clerk of Court for the United States District Court of North Dakota. Knudson has served as the Chief Deputy Clerk since 2007.

Kristin (Shefstad) McKenzie, ’95, is senior director of information technology at Digi Key Electronics in Thief River Falls, Minn. She is also an executive board member for the UND College of Engineering & Mines.

Steve Rosenau, ’95, was promoted to vice president of agriculture at American Crystal Sugar Company’s corporate office in Moorhead, Minn. Rosenau will continue as chief operating officer of American Crystal’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sidney Sugars.

1996

Pete Buffington, ’96, was hired by United Airlines as a first officer on the Boeing 737 fleet based at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Heather (Johnson) Kukla, ’96, is president and CEO of Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies in Eden Prairie, Minn.

David McDonald, ’96, is a board member of the National Fenestration Rating Council. He is a code and regulatory affairs specialist with Marvin, based in Warroad, Minn.

Jonathan Warrey, ’96, was selected to fill a seat on the North Dakota House of Representatives.

Kersten (Middleton) Zupfer, ’96, gave a presentation on investor relations at the 2023 ICR Conference. Zupfer is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Regis Corporation.

1997

Cheryl Diermyer, ’97, is the associate director of innovative teaching and engagement at the University of California, Riverside. Diermyer teaches faculty on the art and science of teaching.

Jennifer (Soupir) Fremstad, ’97, ’13, is assistant human capital director for Fargo Public Schools.

Rob Schmieg, ’97, is a certified nurse anesthetist for Riverwood Healthcare Center’s surgical services provider team in Aitkin, Minn.

1998

Shanna (Schoemer) Johnson, ’98, is business banking portfolio manager at U.S. Bank in Bismarck.

Blane Klemek, ’98, ’05, is Minnesota’s Northwest Region Wildlife Manager. 

1999

Valeska (Wilkens) Hermanson, ’99, and David Hermanson, ’99, opened Hermanson Law PLLC in Moorhead, Minn.

Jason Kirchmeier, ’99, a private wealth advisor with Legacy Financial Partners, was named to the 2023 Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council.

2000

Tara Ekren, ’00, is PR + social media manager at Flint Group in Fargo.

Jason Haugen, ’00, has been named vice president of real estate for Canterbury Park Development, LLC, in Shakopee, Minn. 

David Schlafman, ’00, a private wealth advisor with Legacy Financial Partners, was named to the 2023 Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council.

2001

Gabe Dahl, ’01, ’05, ’12, associate principal at Grand Forks Central High School, has been named the North Dakota Associate Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals.

Diane (Connors) Jackson, ’01, is deputy airport director at Aspen Pitkin County Airport. Jackson lives in Naples, Fla.

2002

Michael Linnell, ’02, was elected as staff advisor for the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. Linnell is director of communications at Minot State University. 

McLain “Mac” Schneider, ’02, has been confirmed as U.S. Attorney for North Dakota. 

Jami (Copp) Verkuehlen, ’02, owns Piper Tax Services in Casselton and Enderlin, N.D.

2003

Dustin Kouba, ’03, ’09, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps. He recently returned from depolyment to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.

DesiRae Muirhead, ’03, is chair of the University of South Dakota Department of Pathology.

Jacob Nesvig, ’03, ’07, is market president at Dacotah Bank in Bismarck.

Christi (Billiard) Pribula, ’03, has joined Lathrop GPM. She is counsel to the firm’s Trusts, Estates & Legacy Planning Practice Group in Kansas City, Mo.

Paul Sallach, ’03, was selected an honorary commander of the U.S. Air Force. Sallach is president and founder of All In Aviation in Las Vegas.

2004

Ben Hoffman, ’04, is executive director of Bemidji (Minn.) State University’s Department of Admissions.

Katie (Hardy) Krukenberg, ’04, is an associate professor and director of the social work program at the University of Mary in Bismarck.

Tony Meyer, ’04, ’20, is a financial advisor at Alerus in Grand Forks.

Bailey Nordin, ’04, and his brother, Adam Nordin, ..’99, took over the operations of Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, Minn. Both Bailey and Adam are funeral directors.

2005

Jeff Chernoff, ’05, has been named the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisor’s 2022 Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year. He is vice president of insurance and Trust in Tampa, Fla.

Chris Moen, ’05, was promoted to financial advisor with Alerus Financial. He serves clients in the northern Red River Valley.

Aimee (Gustafson) Onizuka, ’05, was admitted as partner at Deloitte Tax LLP.

2006

Kara (Holzwarth) Falk, ’06, has been named the unit administrator for the Central Valley Health District based in Jamestown, N.D. 

Karen (Berger) Rohr, ’06, was elected to serve District 31 in the North Dakota House of Representatives. This is her fifth term.

Kevin Todd, ’06, is CEO of Sandia Area Federal Credit Union, a $1 billion financial institution in Albuquerque, N.M.

2007

Pradeep Dhar, ’07, is the chief medical officer of Salud Family Health in Fort Collins, Colo.

Malorie Drugg, ’07, has been promoted to vice president of marketing at Marvin in Minneapolis.

Erik Fabian, ’07, was promoted to financial advisor with Alerus Financial. He serves clients in the northern Red River Valley.

Joe Hill, ’07, founder of Higher Performance Group, was interviewed on an episode of DisruptED. His new book, “Leading from Peace,” will be released soon.

Kurt W. Porter, ’07, ’10, received the Minnesota Justice Foundation’s 2022 Outstanding Service Private Practice Lawyer award at a ceremony held in Minneapolis in September 2022.

Stephanie (Haarsager) Stalheim, ’07, ’10, has been named the Minot (N.D.) City Attorney.

2008

Amanda (Dukart) Beckman, ’08, ’11, is a family nurse practitioner at St Andrew’s Clinic in Bottineau, N.D.

Eric Fenstad, ’08, has joined the Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Pine River (Minn.) Clinic.

Lisa Martinez, ’08, is the producer and editor of Ag Innovation News Podcast. She lives in Grand Forks.

2009

Kerrianne Boetcher, ’09, is Ward County Public Library Administrator, a job she has held since 2012. She lives in Minot, N.D.

Tasha M. Gahner, ’09, is an attorney at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys in Fargo.

Moranda “Mandy” (Flemmer) Iverson, ’09, is Mrs. North Dakota 2023. Her platform, “Paws for Mental Health,” promotes the benefits of human-animal bonds on mental health.

Anna Sackette Urness, ’09, has been named to the St. Luke’s Hospital Board in Duluth, Minn. She is the dean of allied health and nursing at Lake Superior College and has been an RN for more than 30 years.

2010

Katie Darling, ’10, has been named financial reporting and controls manager at Alerus in Grand Forks.

Katrina Gardner, ’10, joined Hayward Area Memorial Hospital in Sawyer Country, Wis. Gardner is an expert in high-risk obstetrics and prenatal care.

Savanna (Wissbrod) Hendrickson, ’10, ’11, has been appointed to the North Dakota Bankers Association Board of Directors. She is president of the Bank of Tioga.

Andrea Johnson, ’10, ’23, has been named director of special education for the Sheyenne Valley Special Education Unit in Valley City, N.D.

Rory Ratzlaff, ’10, joined Langdon (N.D.) Prairie Health’s Primary Care Department.

Ryan Thompson, ’10, specializes in residential real estate at Park Co. Realtors in Fargo.

2011

Jenna (Kyser) Jorgensen, ’11, was promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Communications and Brand Enhancement at the Western Collegiate Hockey Association located in Bloomington, Minn.

Andrew Mills, ’11, ’15, has joined Sanford Health in Bismarck. Mills specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, treating patients who have conditions from birth disorders, injuries, trauma illnesses, and oncologic reconstruction.

Joel Schwenzfeier, ’10, ’11, is defensive coordinator for the UND football team.

Emily Swenson, ’11, joined Essentia Health South University Clinic in Fargo. She is a licensed independent clinical social worker specializing in behavioral health.

2012

Sheena Dauer, ’12, was inducted into the Springfield (Minn.) Elementary School Hall of Fame. Dauer runs Springfield Therapy, physical therapy that focuses on pelvic, orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation.

Mario Lamoureux, ’12, has been hired by the McKenzie County (N.D.) Hockey Club as a part time hockey director. Lamoureux, a Grand Forks native, played hockey at UND, and professionally for teams in the U.S. and Europe. He is currently the head coach of boys’ hockey at Legacy High School in Bismarck.

Jocelyne Lamoureux Davidson, ’12, ’13, and Monique Lamoureux Morando, ’12, ’15, were named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2022. The twins and Grand Forks natives played at UND from 2010-13, and in 2018 helped the United States Women’s National Team to its first Olympic gold medal in 20 years.

Aaron Motacek, ’12, was featured on a new Bravo TV series, “Love Without Borders.”

Alicia (Dahlsad) Nerum, ’12, chief financial officer at Thunder Seed, was selected for the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program.

Stephanie Neystrong, ’12, is the executive director of the Kamloops (B.C.) Youth Soccer Association.

Mark Smith, ’12, is a surgeon at Essentia Health in Park Rapids, Minn. His father, Daniel, a professor at UND’s School of Medicine & Health Sciences, is a surgeon at the same facility.

Jenna (Wagner) Wollmuth, ’12, a senior accountant with Butler Machinery in Fargo, is participating in the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program.

2013

Todd Hodenfield, ’13, is a physical therapist at Prairie Lakes Healthcare in Watertown, S.D.

Kayla (Jarhaus) Krosschell, ’13, is senior internal marketing communications specialist at Digi Key Electronics in Grand Forks.

Anne (Hook) Seidler, ’13, is director of admissions and recruitment at Bismarck State College.

Janna Towers, ’13, ’15, a speech language pathologist, has joined the Anne Carlsen Clinic in Bismarck. 

2014

Jill (Martin) Grossman, ’10, ’14, was appointed Chief Deputy Clerk of Court for the U.S. District Court of North Dakota. .

Patrick Kloeckner, ’14, ’15, is the 2023 Minnesota State High School League’s Class AA Gymnastics Coach of the Year.

Blake Olson, ’14, owns Jack Chivers Realty in Detroit Lakes, Minn., where he lives with his wife, Katie.

Jonathan Preszler, ’14, has joined Sanford Health in Bismarck, where he will lead the Bismarck Concussion Program.

Katy Wilson, ’14, opened Katy Wilson Homes Stellar Realty, a real estate brokerage and property management company in the Twin Cities.

2015

Cole Anderson, ’15, was named market president of KodaBank’s Grand Forks Region. He has been with the bank since 2015.

Rocco Grimaldi, ’15, signed a one-year American Hockey League contract with the San Diego Gulls for the 2022-23 season.

Sam (Brewer) Hillier, ’15, a family coach with the Jeremiah Program, is participating in the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program.

Caitlin Jung, ’15, ’22, has joined the Essentia Health Duluth (Minn.) Clinic as an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in acute care.

Jesse Liebe, ’15, was promoted to managing director of Legacy Capital, located in Metairie, La.

Nicole Norheim, ’15, has joined Sanford Health in Bismarck. Norheim specializes in neuropsychology.

Kari Vien, ’15, was promoted to financial advisor with Alerus Financial. She serves clients in the northern Red River Valley.

2016

Rachel (Pederson) Biwer, ’16, has joined mobile wellness company, Flint Physiotherapy, as a physical therapist serving the greater Phoenix area.

Kaitlyn (Henke) Bjornson, ’16, ’20, joined the board of directors of Growing Hope in Pembina County, N.D. Kaitlyn practices law at Brink Lawyers, P.A., in Hallock, Minn.

Brent Boeddeker, ’16, was promoted to shareholder at Ohnstad Twichell in West Fargo. He has been an attorney there since 2017.

Caitlyn Cameron, ’16, is a certified physician assistant at Essentia Health South University Clinic in Fargo. Cameron specializes in pulmonology.

Lukas Croaker, ’16, was promoted to shareholder at Ohnstad Twichell in Fargo.

Keaton Hanevold, ’16, was promoted to maintenance superintendent at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Moorhead factory.

Matthew P. Kopp, ’16, ’19, has joined the litigation group of Fredrikson & Byron in the firm’s Fargo office.

Cassandra Plante, ’16, has joined the staff at Essentia Health Casselton (N.D.) Clinic as an advanced practice registered nurse and a certified nurse practitioner specializing in family medicine.

Nathan Svihovec, ’16, was appointed State Labor Commissioner by Gov. Doug Burgum. Svihovec will lead the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights.

2017

Shane Boeser, ’17, is an ERP Business Analyst at Rahr Corporation in the Twin Cities.

Jennifer Friese, ’17, is marketing coordinator for MAK Construction and MAK Capital in Grand Forks.

Matthew Ipolito, ’17, has joined United Airlines as a 777 First Officer.

Connor Johnson, ’17, is junior account executive at Five Boyle Insurance Services, LLC. He lives in Woburn, Mass.

Cassie (Thompson) Rothe, ’17, ’22, has joined CHI St. Alexius Health Williston, N.D.

Drew Sannes, ’17, is hitting coach for the Hickory Crawdads baseball team, a minor league team of the Texas Rangers.

Karol Santistevan, ’17, ’18, is founder and owner of Ropes & Roses Therapy Services, which includes an equine therapy clinic. She is also the co-founder and past executive director at Reach 4A Star Riding Academy.

LaJaun Willis, ’17, is a UX researcher at Google in New York.

Felicia Znajda, ’17, was inducted into the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Academy of Conservation Officers. She is the third generation of the Znajda family to work in fish and wildlife enforcement. Her father, Capt. Pat Znajda, ’87, also worked at DNR, and her grandfather, Ted, was a conservation officer. Brother Taylor Znajda, ’15, is a Minnesota State Patrol officer.

2018

Dayna Bastian, ’18, is an account specialist at Paulsen in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Kari Brych, ’18, joined Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minn. as an emergency medicine specialist. Brych is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner.

Mari (Goldade) Knudsen, ’18, has joined Essentia Health’s West Fargo The Lights Clinic as a pediatrician.

Doson Nguyen, ’18, is a HillVets Fellow in the office of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark. Nguyen is a law student at the University of Akron School of Law.

Tanner Ring, ’18, has joined the Industrial Services Grand Forks team of EAPC as a process engineer II.

Dylan Schnabel, ’18, has been promoted to vice president of information systems and technology at Hometown Credit Union in Kulm, N.D.

Adam Swigost, ’14, ’18, has joined Peachtree Dermatology Associates in Atlanta. He practices medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.

David W. Wischer, ’18, ’22, has joined Conmy Feste Ltd. in Fargo as an associate attorney.

2019

Dennis Chakua, ’19, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner at Essentia Health 45th Street Clinic in Fargo.

John Evenocheck, ’19, joined the Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Baxter (Minn.) Clinic as a family medicine specialist.

Colin Hennessy, ’19, is an associate attorney at Gjesdahl Law, P.C. in Fargo.

Shaun D. McNamara, ’19, has joined Conmy Feste, Ltd., as an associate attorney. He lives in Fargo.

Max Mueller, ’19, is chief meteorologist at KVRR in Fargo.

2020

Jake Carlson, ’20, is a career agent at Farmers Union Insurance in Mandan, N.D.

Se Kwon, ’20, is a morning reporter for WDAY TV, an ABC affiliate in Fargo.

Adrian Martinez, ’20, was promoted to lieutenant and serves as Northwest Regional Commander of the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Derek Schaff, ’20, CFO of Linton (N.D.) Regional Medical Center, was featured in Becker’s Hospital Review’s “10 Rural Hospital CFOs to Know in 2023.”

Delante Sykes, ’20, was selected in the first round of the airline draft by American Airlines. Sykes is a first officer.

2021

Joshua Bodensteiner, ’21, is a maintenance engineer at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Drayton, N.D., factory.

Sav Kelly, ’21, is a reporter at the Grand Forks Herald. She covers public safety.

Jonathan Krause, ’21, is the track and field coach at Dickinson (N.D.) Trinity High School. He is also the Trinity JV boys basketball coach.

Chris Patullo, ’21, is manager at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Drayton, N.D., factory. 

Nikki Pica, ’21, is a multimedia journalist for Nevada Sports Net in Reno.

Jake Rastas, ’21, completed an ultra marathon in November to raise awareness for men’s mental health. He is training to be a veterinary surgeon at the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Matthew Ternus, ’21, has been named development and marketing director for the Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks.

2022

Julia Barlow, ’22, has been hired as the school counselor at the Bowbells (N.D.) School. She also works with students at Des Lacs Burlington School and Sawyer School, focusing on mental health awareness.

Ben Graf, ’22, has joined Lake Region Healthcare. Graf will be in the primary care department, serving in the Elbow Lake (Minn.) Clinic.

Shanda Harstad, ’22, has joined CHI St. Alexius Health in Williston, N.D. Harstad is also a vice chair on the Williams County Park Board and works as an on-call sexual assault examiner.

Kelvin Hazangwi, ’22, a social worker for Badlands Human Service Center in Dickinson, provides parenting education and adult mental health services for North Dakota families. 

DeeAnn Hogenson, ’22, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner, joined Essentia Health Urgent Care Duluth (Minn.).

Brandee Kuznia, ’22, has joined the Sanford Health Wahpeton team. She is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Sierra Link, ’22, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner, has joined Essentia Health Urgent Care Detroit Lakes.

Alyssa MacMillan, ’22, is assistant coach and director of marketing and advertising for the Summerland Steam Junior B hockey team. She is the first and only female coach in the Kootenay Interior Junior Hockey league.

John Merila, ’22, has a remote internship with NASA working on the Tall Lunar Tower. Merila has done three NASA internships.

Kyle Osmundson, ’22, has joined Essentia Health Proctor Clinic in Duluth. Osmundson is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in family medicine.

Christina Thompson, ’22, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner at the Essentia Health 45th Street Clinic in Fargo.

Kristi Winter, ’22, is a certified nurse practitioner at Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood, Minn.