Class Notes

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.

1967

Eugene Byron, ’67, ’69, was selected as parade marshal for the 123rd Annual 2nd of August Icelandic celebration in Mountain, N.D.

Richard Ulvin, ’67, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

1968

Ronald Bergh, ’68, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

1970

Daniel Prince, ’70, has retired after a 45-year career in the healthcare industry. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., where he’s writing his second screenplay.

1973

Scott Blanc, ’73, invented a cabling system that earned his employer its first patent. He is a principal engineer at Nortech Systems in Bemidji, Minn.

1974

Laural (Gidmark) Fisher, ’74, is a job coach for young adults with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and Fragile X syndrome at STARS Family Services in Wheaton, Ill. Prior to that, she worked 40 years in inpatient and community psychiatric nursing and adjunct teaching.

Audrey (Grandstrand) Kasprowicz, ’74, ’03, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.
L. John MacMartin, ’74, retired after 32 years of service as president of the Minot (N.D.) Area Chamber of Commerce.

1977

Terry Traynor, ’77, retired after many years of service as executive director of the North Dakota Association of Counties.

1978

Kevin Dunlevy, ’78, ’84, has established Dunlevy Law, P.A., in Minneapolis.
Nancy (Martin) Koehn, ’78, retired after 43 years at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo. Koehn worked 34 of those years as a charge nurse in the pediatric unit.

Paul Korus, ’78, ’80, was nominated to serve on the Chord Energy Corp. board of directors.

1979

Phillip McKenzie, ’79, was inducted into the Crookston (Minn.) High School Hall of Fame. He currently manages ground operations for the Denver Air Connection in Thief River Falls, Minn., and teaches oboe at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University.

Ron Shane, ’79, has retired after 29 years with Central High School in El Centro, Calif., where he taught career and technical education and coached football and track. 

1980

Connie Sherwood, ’80, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

Thomas Shorma, ’80, president of WCCO Belting in Wahpeton, N.D., was awarded the 2021 Global Ambassador award for his support of North Dakota’s international trade initiatives.

1981

Jane (Wagner) Freeman, ’81, ’84, is the new executive director for the Crookston (Minn.) Care & Share Center.

1982

Jerome Gunderson, ’82, ’06, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

David Oberstar, ’82, was selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America publication in the practice area of timber law. He is an attorney at Fryberger Law Firm in Duluth, Minn.

1983

Terry Dunphy, ’83, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

James Reinkoester, ’83, retired from American Airlines after flying their last 767 from Miami, Fla., to Santa Fe, Argentina.

Tim Seaworth, ’83, ’84, ’91, retired in June after completing a 35-year career as a student development professional that included 22 years as Vice President for Student Development at the University of Mary in Bismarck and 13 years at the UND Counseling Center. Tim and his wife, Marlene, ’80, live in Bismarck.

1984

Jeffrey Willert, ’84, retired after 30 years of service with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, finishing his career with the Los Angeles Field Office.

1985

Chris Hoversten, ’85, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Todd Selk, ’85, is superintendent for the Fosston (Minn.) School District.

1986

Tim Loven, ’86, and Dawn Zimney, ’86, were inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

1987

Jane (Emerson) Holland, ’87, was hired as a senior proofreader by Flint Group in Fargo.

Steve Johnson, ’87, ’92, joined Essentia Health Fargo Family Clinic.

Therese (Stocker) Johnson, ’87, ’91, joined Essentia Family Health Fargo Clinic.

Timothy Schutz, ’87, was the first judge in 50 years from El Paso County to be sworn into the Colorado Court of Appeals.

1988

Denise (Hanson) Kolpack, ’88, was elected to serve on the Fargo City Commission.

1989

Elka (Davis) Herr, ’89, has been promoted to the senior universal banker at the Bismarck main and south branches of Starion Bank.

1990

Boyd C. Johnson, ’90, ’95, was appointed Chief Legal Officer by Spire Global Inc., a space-to-cloud data and analytics company headquartered in Vienna, Va.

Mike LaMoine, ’90, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Paul Noot, ’90, and his son, Dakota Noot, ’15, had their art exhibition, “Father and Son: The Beast Within Us,” presented by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association. The exhibit recently was at the Taube Museum of Art, Minot, and is touring the state for the next two years.

1991

Tim Bishop, ’91, accepted the position of surveillance director of operations at Four Winds Casino & Resorts in New Buffalo and Hartford, Mich.

1992

Sarah (Manns) Mudder, ’92, was selected as 2022 Communicator of Achievement by North Dakota Professional Communicators.

1993

Craig Larson, ’93, Chad Williamson, ’93, and Kory Zimney, ’93, ’94, were inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

1994

Paul Loraas, ’94, is being included in the Corporate INTL 2022 Annual Who’s Who Handbook as its mining law representative.

1995

Tom Erhardt, ’95, was named director of North Dakota Parole and Probation. Erhardt served for over 25 years in North Dakota’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prior to his new role.

Brian Overby, ’95, has joined Bell Bank as managing director for the wealth management division.

1996

Darin Johnson, ’96, was appointed director of buildings and grounds for the Grand Forks School District.

Sarah (Seitz) Robinson, ’96, ’98, ’10, was awarded the 2022 Frontier Award for Excellence in Continuous Learning.

1997

Susan Johnson Drenth, ’97, was named on JD Legal Planning’s 2022 list of Great Plains Super Lawyers.

Michelle Radke, ’97, joined Essentia Health Fargo as a family medicine physician.

1998

Tanya (Schroeder) Houle, ’98, is the La Conner, Wash., middle and high school assistant principal and career and technology education director.

Trisha (Nelson) Stefanski, ’98, was promoted to project director of the asset management office for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s combined Modal Planning and Program Management and Sustainability and Public Health Division.

1999

Gwen Lappegaard, ’99, was inducted into the 2022 Grand Forks Public Schools Teachers Hall of Fame.

Brad J. Lies, ’99, was inducted into the Grand Forks Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Wade T. Swenson, II, ’99, joined Lakewood Medical staff as an oncologist.

2001

John R. Wetsch, ’01, teaches master classes in Cloud Computing at CalTech’s Center for Technology and Management Education.

2002

Brian Shawn, ’02, is the new play-by-play announcer for UND Football on Midco Sports television broadcasts.

Jeremy Trostad, ’02, is the director of operations at Summers Manufacturing in Devils Lake, N.D.

2003

Jason Butts, ’03, was recently hired as city attorney for Breckenridge, Minn.

Ivona Todorovic, ’03, ’05, was awarded North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year for 2022.

2004

Laura (Heckaman) Dokken, ’04, is the new Minot (N.D.) Public School business manager.

2005

Col. Lee M. Nenortas, ’05, commands the 22nd Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

2006

Ron Bardwell, ’06, joined the anesthesiology team at the Sanford Bemidji (Minn.) Medical Center.

Grant Coauette, ’06, ’16, joined the family medicine team at the Sanford Bemidji (Minn.) Main Clinic.

Josh Deere, ’06, was selected as Altru Health System’s new president. Deere has served as chair of family medicine for four years, medical director of primary care for seven years and as interim chief medical officer.

Kendra (Siefken) Kamlitz, ’06, ’10, is the medical director for Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont and St. James, Minn.

Jeremy Olson, ’06, is the new superintendent for the Bemidji (Minn.) Area Schools.

2008

Christine Hanson, ’08, ’15, joins the family medicine team at the Sanford Bemidji (Minn.) walk-in clinic.

Beverly Larson, ’08, is the regional lead navigator at SunLife Health in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Holly (Silewski) Osborn, ’08, completed advanced certification in pediatric OT through the American Occupational Therapy Association. This certification is recognized among less than 1% of practitioners nationwide.

2009

Tessa (Privatsky) Lagelin, ’09, was awarded the New Dentist Award by the North Dakota Dental Association.

2010

Chris Mackay, ’10, joined the Biosports physical therapy team in Wenatchee, Wash.

2011

Karey (Brewster) O’Hara, ’11, joins the Arizona State University faculty as an associate professor of psychology.

Erica (Wondrasek) Thunder, ’11, ’14, is the new Director of Diversity and Cultural Competency at the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

2012

Ryan Harty, ’12, has joined Dacotah Bank in Jamestown, N.D., as a business banker. He resides in Jamestown with his wife, Brandi, and three children.

Ashley (Streightiff) Sailer, ’12, was awarded the North Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education teacher of the year award. Sailer is in her eighth year at Midway Public School, where she teaches family and consumer sciences and sixth grade English.

Evan Trupp, ’12, is the new head coach for the Anchorage Wolverines.

2013

Matt Harder, ’13, was named the strength and conditioning coach for the Minnesota Wild.

Carter Rowney, ’13, has signed with Lowen Frankfurt of the German DEL hockey league.

Casey Sanders Berglund, ’13, was hired as the economic development manager for the City of West Fargo.

Kody Stark, ’13, has been promoted to vice president of insurance at AgCountry Farm Credit Services. He resides in Grafton, N.D.

2014

Tyrone Berentson, ’14, ’18, has accepted a position with St. Andrew’s Clinic in Bottineau, N.D.

Kristin Garaas Johnson, ’14, is the new director of curriculum & special education at Randolph Academy in Randolph, N.Y.

Ryan Smestad, ’14, has accepted the packaging & warehouse supervisor position at American Crystal Sugar Company’s East Grand Forks factory.

2015

Thomas Erikson, ’15, joins the family medicine team at CentraCare at their Willmar (Minn.) Main Clinic.

Josh Teigen, ’15, was appointed Commerce Commissioner by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Dylan Togerson, ’15, ’19, joins Sanford Health in Wahpeton (N.D.) as a family medicine practitioner.

2016

Scot Mickelson, ’16, has joined Sanford Health in Bismarck as a family medicine practitioner.

Taylor Vasek, ’16, has joined the Sanford Health team in Thief River Falls, Minn.

2017

Zane McIntyre, ’17, former UND goalie, signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild.

Sarah Peterson, ’17, joined Beyond Realty as a marketing coordinator.

Luke Weston, ’17, has purchased Liebold Dental in Bottineau, N.D.

2018

Shawn Coleman, ’18, was hired as a middle school band teacher at Hallettsville (Texas) School District.

Shane Gersich, ’18, signed a one-year contract with the Hershey (Penn.) Bears of the American Hockey League.

Tanner Holten, ’18, was appointed attorney for Crookston (Minn.) Housing & Economic Development Authority.

Ogochukwu Ozotta, ’18, was named one of six finalists at the annual ALLY Energy GRIT awards. She is a data scientist/project assistant with the UND Department of Petroleum Engineering.

Taryn (Pfingsten) Pallen, ’18, was hired by EPIC Companies in Fargo. She will be involved in lead generation and guiding clients through the buying and design process of condominiums.

Dennis Pathroff, ’18, has been hired as a full-time lawyer lobbyist by GA Group, PC, in Bismarck.

Annie Richards, ’18, was named the first West Fargo Schools director of behavioral health and wellness.

Courtney Schneider, ’18, joined the team at Fargo Moorhead Chiropractic and Wellness.

2019

Matt Bradley, ’19, has been hired as engineer in training by Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., or AE2S.

Krista (Sauber) Christopher, ’22, has been selected to serve a one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Zachary Ranisate, ’19, ’20, has been hired as engineer in training by AE2S, a civil and environmental consulting engineering firm.

Allison Walker, ’19, was hired by AE2S as a junior accountant.

2020

Auroura (Eckberg) Bentow, ’20, was promoted to senior lean manufacturing engineer on the enterprise team at Marvin Windows & Doors.

2021

Matt Kiersted, ’21, signed a two-year contract with the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

2022

Delaynee Fox, ’22, is employed with Robins Kaplan Law Firm as a human resource and talent coordinator. She lives in St. Louis Park, Minn.

Claire Hoplin, ’22, Samantha Schmidt, ’22, and Rainey Selvig, ’22, have been selected to serve one-year clerkships with the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Kelsey Krueger, ’22, joins Essentia Health Fargo as an emergency medicine specialist.

Krista Thielges, ’22, joins the Sanford Health Valley City (N.D.) Clinic as a family medicine physician assistant.

1969

Jill (Simmons) Techel, ’69, was named Napa County (California) Woman of the Year.

1970

David Kahl, ’68, ’70, received the 2021 Bemidji State University Professional Education Hall of Fame Award.

Paul C. Simonson, ’70, ’72, has retired after 49 years in human resources, the last 46 years as VP of HR at Trinity Health in Minot, N.D.

1975

Dr. Wayne Anderson, ’75, ’78, ’80, was named 2022 Outstanding Rural Health Provider for North Dakota. He is chief medical officer and general surgeon at CHI St. Alexius Heath in Williston.

Neil Gulsvig, ’75, was elected to serve as chair of the Sanford Health Board of Trustees. He is a co-founder of Align and ActivLife, software firms focused on the senior care profession.

1977

Julie (Anderson) Ferry, ’77, ’11, retired after 30 years of service with the Nelson Griggs District Health Unit, and received the North Dakota Public Health Association Outstanding Service Award for 2022.

Glenn Schuster, ’77, retired from Cummins Sales and Services after 37 years. He resides in St. Paul, Minn., with his wife, Jane.

1978

Jacki (Knute) Omland, ’78, has retired after 44 years of teaching. Jacki received numerous awards during her career, including being selected as the South Dakota Teacher of the Year.

Larry Wall, ’78, is the research center executive director of the Center for Financial Innovation and Stability at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

1979

Steve Sitter, ’79, retired after 34 years as a B-747 captain for American Airlines. He lives in Lake Geneva, Wis.

1980

Leslie Beiers, ’80, ’83, was named Chief Judge of Minnesota’s sixth judicial district.

1981

Jeff Wanek, ’81, joined the staff of the North Dakota Community Foundation as an accountant.

1982

Phil Gisi, ’82, was named co-chair of the UND Center for Innovation board. He is CEO and co-founder of Edgewood Management Group in Grand Forks.

1983

Douglas G. Webster, ’83, will serve as the deputy executive director for operations at Los Angeles World Airports.

1984

Lisa (Ellinger) Ward, ’84, is vice president of communications for the Association of Dental Support Organizations.

1985

Anna Frissell, ’85, has retired from the Red River Children’s Advocacy Center after 16 years of service.

Dale Lennon, ’85, is the executive director of the State Historical Society Foundation of North Dakota.

Tom Woods, ’85, has retired from teaching at Central Elementary School in Worthington, Minn.

1986

Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews, ’86, has retired after 36 years of military service. She was the first female Native American general officer in the U.S. Army National Guard.

1987

Dr. Jon Dangerfield, ’87, ’92, was elected to faculty membership of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He is chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Sanford Health in Fargo.

1988

Laura (McConnell) Brekken, ’88, retired after teaching for 34 years at Fisher (Minnesota) Public School.
Steve Larson, ’88, has been hired as chief credit officer at Gate City Bank. He lives in Cormorant, Minnesota.

1990

Paul Noot, ’90, and his son, Dakota Noot, ’15, had their art exhibition, “Father and Son: The Beast Within Us,” presented by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association. The exhibit recently was at the Taube Museum of Art, Minot, and is touring the state for the next two years.

1991

Denise (Bratcher) Bervig, ’91, was selected as the 2021 North Dakota State History Teacher of the Year. She has taught at Williston High School for 26 years and counting.

Timothy Martin, ’91, studies beekeeping at Western Connecticut State University and translates his research into a Beekeeping Club at Stamford High School, where he teaches science.

1993

James Bervig, ’93,  was elected to the Williston (N.D.) City Commission.  James’s mother, Denise, was the first and only female mayor of Williston.

1994

Dr. Lance Behm, ’94, has retired from Dakota Kids Dentistry in Minot, N.D.

1995

Sara (Kloster) Bjerke, ’95, was inducted into the North Dakota Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Bjerke is the third athletic trainer from UND to be inducted and the first female.

Nick Chase, ’95, was appointed to a judgeship in North Dakota’s East Central Judicial District. He had been serving as the state’s interim U.S. Attorney.

Paul Fry, ’89, ’95, was named Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative’s new CEO.

1996

Stephanie (Smyithe) Mathews, ’96, is the new senior vice president of compliance & audit at TruStar Federal Credit Union, headquartered in International Falls, Minn.

1997

Cory Fleck, ’97, was hired as the varsity girls basketball coach for Williston (N.D.) High School.

Jamie (Johnson) Maier, ’97, received the Penny Reed for Excellence in Assistive Technology Innovation and Leadership Award from the Oregon Technology Access Program. She is the assistive technology specialist for the Tigard Tualatin School District in Portland.

1998

Troy Collings, ’98, was promoted to senior vice president, chief information officer at iMedia, headquartered in Minneapolis.

1999

Joel Bird, ’99, was named to the Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council. He is CEO of Legacy Financial Partners in Bismarck.

Jason Kirchmeier, ’99, was named to the 2022 Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council. He’s a certified financial planner in Bismarck.

Tony Kvslevog, ’99, was inducted to the Bemidji (Minn.) High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Kvslevog played 121 games for UND hockey as a goaltender.

Clint Link, ’99, was hired as the new North Branch (Minn.) Area High School Principal.

Mathew Wallace, ’99, has been named executive director of the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks.

2000

David Schlafman, ’00, a private wealth advisor with Legacy Financial Partners in Bismarck, was named to the 2022 Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council.

Dr. Thomas Wyatt, ’00, was promoted to associate professor at Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Center.

2001

Daniel Bjerknes, ’01, was named regional president and CEO of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, S.D.

2002

Dr. Kevin Buettner, ’02, ’04, ’07, ’13, has been inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

Kelly (Crammer) Madzey, ’02, ’05, was named chief assistant prosecuting attorney of the juvenile division of the Montgomery County (Ohio) Prosecutor’s Office in Dayton.

2003

Joshua Baker, ’03, is director of the department of lifestyle medicine for St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Idaho.

2004

Kathryn (Hendrickson) Gray, ’04, is a physician assistant with IMA Healthcare in Fargo.

Katy Hook, ’04, was named to the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. She is a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Brenda Ling, ’04, was selected as the Superintendent of Manzanar National Historic Site near Independence, Calif.

Dustin Scott, ’04, was promoted to West Fargo Assistant City Administrator. Scott has worked with the city for 15 years.

2005

Bryan Kellerman, ’05, joined Bell Bank as vice president/commercial banker in Alexandria, Minn.

Christopher Schaefer, ’05, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant for the North Dakota Highway Patrol. He will serve as a regional sergeant in the northeast region, stationed in Grand Forks.

2006

Dr. Teri (Sigurdson) Johnson, ’06, has joined Essentia Health Fargo Family Clinic.

2007

Jessica (Anderson) Beise, ’07, was appointed as the new city administrator for Corcoran, Minn.

Leah (Ackerman) duCharme, ’07, was named Seventh District Court Judge for Minnesota, and is based in Moorhead.

2008

Jaqueline (Wiechmann) Cizek, ’08, was hired as Cuyuna (Minn.) Regional Medical Center’s scheduling manager.

Weston Dressler, ’08, will become a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Plaza of Honour this fall.

Nate Martindale, ’08, ’12, is the corporate council and external affairs officer at First International Bank & Trust in Bismarck.

2009

Kyle Wanner, ’09, executive director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, has been elected as secretary of the National Association of State Aviation Officials.

2010

Levi Andrist, ’10, was elected to the Starion Bank Board of Directors. He is a Bismarck attorney and shareholder at GA Group, PC.

Jersey Benson, ’10, has been promoted to senior vice president of ag and commercial lending manager at First Western Bank & Trust in Minot, N.D.

Leah (Vail) Benz, ’10, is taking over Morland Financial Services in Bowman, N.D., which was previously owned by Bob Morland, ’75.

Capt. Tymothy Boyle, ’10, ’11, 75th Ranger Regiment, along with teammate, Capt. Joshua Corson, took first place in the 38th annual David D. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga. The pair beat 50 other teams from across the Army to win the grueling annual three-day competition.

Julie (Ohnstad) Lamb, ’10, was hired as senior vice president of retail banking at Ramsey National Bank in Devils Lake, N.D.

Brady Pelton, ’10, ’17, is vice president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council and a lobbyist for the oil and gas industry.

2011

Brandon Heider, ’11, is market president at Frandsen Bank & Trust in East Grand Forks.

Renae (Slater) Heider, ’11, ’19, is a nurse practitioner at Altru Health System.

Meghan (Foster) Kjelhus, ’11, joined SMP Health St. Andrew’s Hospital as the director of physical therapy in Bottineau, N.D.

Erik Martinson, ’11, was promoted to deputy sports director for UND Athletics.

2012

Melissa Burgess, ’12, associate director for student involvement at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, has earned the Legacy Leader Award from the Association of College Unions International.

Melissa Wheeler, ’12, ’16, was one of only 10 Rising Graduate Scholars nationwide selected by “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.” She is pursuing her doctorate in counseling and school psychology education at Northern Arizona University..

2013

Amy (Kalina) Braddock, ’13, was named 2022-23 professional/licensed staff of the year by West Fargo Public School District. She is a special education teacher at Harwood (N.D.) Elementary School.

Meggi (Ihland) Pelton, ’17, was honored with the first North Dakota Association for Justice Rising Star Award. She lives in Bismarck.

2014

Michael Conlan, ’14, opened Flow Skate Shop in downtown Grand Forks. He’s also an adjunct sculpture instructor at UND.

Rachel DeHoogh, ’14, is a nurse practitioner at Essentia Health in Fargo specializing as a hospitalist.

Tim Heise, ’14, completed the Hazardous Material/Weapons of Mass Destruction Technician course at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness in Alabama. He is a firefighter at North Tooele Fire District and a 911 Dispatcher at Hill Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services in Utah.

Brad Loken, ’14, accepted the position of senior process engineer at the American Crystal Sugar Company’s East Grand Forks factory.

2015

Kyle Larson, ’15, is senior wealth investment advisor at Wilmingtion Trust in Buffalo, N.Y.

2016

Ali Church, ’16, was inducted into the Grand Forks Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame for her high school swimming career.

Keaton Hanevold, ’16, has been promoted to engineering superintendent at American Crystal Sugar Company’s Crookston, Minn., factory.

2017

Natalie Buck, ’17, was named volunteer coordinator at Rebuild Upstate in Greenville, S.C.

Josh Gratton, ’17, is the new president and owner of Popplers Music in Grand Forks.

Alec Stocker Johnson, ’17, was promoted to associate athletic director for sports communication and content at UND Athletics.

Kaley Mills, ’17, was selected as Bottineau (N.D.) County Teacher of the Year.

Stephanie Morse, ’17, was named to Delta Zeta National Sorority’s 35 Under 35 list. She is a child welfare supervisor at Buffalo Bridges Human Service Zone in Jamestown, N.D.

Nicole (Mears) Mullis, ’17, specializes in sleep medicine at Essentia Health-South University Clinic in Fargo.

Lauren (Gonzalez) Rogers, ’17, was promoted to assistant professor and inducted into the Pensacola (Fla.) State College Academy of Teaching Excellence.

2018

Tamika Brekke, ’18, is the assistant volleyball coach at Kent State University in Ohio.

Terry Effertz, ’18, joins Olson Effertz Lobbying & Consulting firm as a principal consultant in Bismarck, N.D.

Deion Harris, ’18, signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Harris played for UND from 2014-18.

Jacob Holmen, ’18, is the new head football coach at Minot (N.D.) High School.

2019

Bryse Asved, ’19, has joined Aaland Law Firm in Fargo as an associate attorney.

Evan Holm, ’19, ’22, a defensive back for UND football, has signed with the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Anthony Mondry, ’19, was hired as a reality capture coordinator at Kraus Anderson in Minneapolis.

2020

Ben Gates, ’20, director of Traill/Steele (N.D.) Emergency Management, completed the Emergence Program at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Caitlyn Meehan, ’20, joins Essentia Health Duluth (Minn.) Clinic as an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in urgent care.

Tanner Sanders, ’20, joined Apex Engineering Group, working with the design and construction of water and municipal projects in western North Dakota.

2021

Katlynn Ellis, ’21, was hired as music teacher at May-Port CG (N.D.) School District.

Holly (Lueth) Larson, ’21, was hired as the Valley Middle School associate principal in Grand Forks.

2022

Bennett Lystad, ’22, is employed by Vogel Law Firm of Fargo, where he lives with his wife, Alexa, and their two sons.

Kaelan Reedy, ’22, was hired as the new executive director at Evolve Grand Forks.