Class Notes

1966

John Odegard, ’66, ’67, founder of UND’s School of Aerospace Sciences, will be posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. With just two aircraft and a few students, Odegard transformed UND into a global hub for pilot training, aerospace research, and space studies.

1974

David Maring, ’74, was awarded the Richard S. Arnold Award for Distinguished Service. Maring retired as a shareholder at Maring Williams Law Office in Bismarck and Fargo after 45 years in civil litigation.

Gary Wagner, ’74, was inducted into the Crookston (Minn.) High School Hall of Fame. Wagner earned 12 varsity letters in track and field, football, and basketball.

1977

William Severin, ’77, has a courtroom named in his honor, recognizing his more than 40 years of service as a municipal court judge in Bismarck and his lasting impact on the community.

1978

Donovan Foughty, ’78, ’83, retired in September after serving as judge in North Dakota’s northeast judicial district court in Devils Lake for 37 years.

Denise Lajimodiere, ’78, ’96, ’06, North Dakota’s first Native American poet laureate, had her term extended for three additional years.

1981

Cynthia Lindquist, ’81, ’06, was named chair of the North Dakota Ethics Commission. A member of the Spirit Lake Nation, Lindquist is director of Tribal Initiatives and Collaborations at UND.

1982

David Oberstar, ’82, was selected among The Best Lawyers in America in the area of timber law. He practices at Fryberger Law Firm in Duluth, Minn.

1983

Lloyd Harsch, ’83, has completed 25 years as Professor of Church History and Baptist Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves on the faculty of Seminario Teológico Bautista de Cuba Oriental in Santiago, Cuba.

1986

Mark Aakhus, ’86, is interim dean of the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey.

1987

Scott Jagodzinski, ’87, launched Argent Alpha, a virtual community redefining men’s health. His book on the topic is an Amazon best-seller.

Lisa Hesse, ’87, retired from a laboratory science career, most recently serving as an infection preventionist.

1991

Kim Kenville, ’91, ’98, is senior consultant at ADK Consulting & Executive Search. Kim was a professor in UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

Bonnie (Bailey) Butz, ’91, ’09, is a special education teacher at Northwood (N.D.) Public School.

1992

Carrie (Treml) Nichols, ’92, is the family and community wellness extension agent for NDSU Extension, serving Eddy and Foster counties.

Marina Spahr, ’92, was appointed as judge in North Dakota’s South Central Judicial District. Her chambers are in Bismarck.

1993

Holly Cook Macarro, ’93, was honored in the inaugural class of Outstanding Alumni and Supporters of St. Phillip’s School in Bemidji, Minn. Macarro is a Native American political strategist and advocate, nationally recognized for her work in advancing tribal sovereignty and Indigenous representation in U.S. politics. 

1994

Daniel Traynor, ’94, ’97, a U.S. district court judge, was awarded the State Bar Association of North Dakota’s Distinguished Service Award.

1995

Monica Mayer, ’95, an emergency medicine physician and member of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation tribal council, was appointed to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Board of Trustees.

Mark Vollmer, ’95, ’14, is superintendent at Westhope (N.D.) Public School.

1996

Marc Adams, ’96, is on Essentia Health’s board of directors and retired as executive vice president and chief digital officer of Ecolab Inc.

Dave Hakstol, ’96, is assistant coach of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.

Mary “Misty” (Roussin) Wilke, ’96, ’98, ’02, is a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, where she also serves as director of the Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native Nurses and the Center for Indigenous People, Health and Nursing.

1997

Barrett Ziemer, ’97, executive director of the Chisholm-Hibbing (Minn.) Airport Authority, was appointed to the Metropolitan Airports Commission in the Twin Cities area.

Thomas Matzke, ’97, ’01, is a dermatologist at Essentia Health-South University Clinic in Fargo.

1998

Esther Tailfeathers, ’98, serves as assistant dean of Indigenous Health in the Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (Alberta). She is a family physician and an associate professor in the school’s Department of Family Medicine.

1999

Sarah (Hanson) O’Connell, ’99, an immunization nurse with the Spirit Lake Early Childhood Tracking Program, was recognized as North Dakota’s 2025 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion.

Kimberly (Sobolik) Svendsen, ’99, joined Winthrop & Weinstine as a shareholder in its regulatory and litigation practice. She brings extensive experience as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota. 

2000

Jeff Cox, ’00, is principal/assistant director of the Southeastern Career Center, a high school in Versailles, Ind.

2001

David Haring, ’01, is CEO of the Spokane (Wash.) International Airport and Felts Field.

2004

Terry (Ferebee) Eckmann, ’04, was inducted into the Minot (N.D.) State University (MSU) Academic Hall of Fame. Eckmann is an MSU professor in kinesiology.

Robert Guttormson, ’04, a board-certified general surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, works in general surgery at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck.

Christopher Kallenbach, ’04, is a radiologist at Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic in Fargo.

Zach Parise, ’04, will be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in December. After playing at UND for two years, he played 19 NHL seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, and Colorado Avalanche, and on two U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Teams.

Brandon Wade, ’04, was named 2024 Trooper of the Year by the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association. Wade, based in Jamestown, works for the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

2005

Michael Kjelshus, ’05, is vice president, business banker at the Grand Forks location of Frandsen Bank & Trust.

April (Quinnell) Price, ’05, is a family nurse practitioner in the emergency department of CHI St. Alexius Health Williston (N.D.).

2006

Janet Alkire, ’06, ended her term as the first woman to serve as chair of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She is a 15-year Air Force veteran, USA Today Woman of the Year, and mother of two.

Max Huber, ’06, ’08, is parish director at Lumen Christi Catholic Community in St. Paul, where he previously served as director of communications. Max and his wife, Lisa Persuitti-Huber, ’05, ’08, also own The Magic Travel Guy.

Ryan Mickelsen, ’06, was selected for inclusion in “Marquis Who’s Who.” Ryan has served as president and CEO of SMP Health, St. Aloisius in Harvey, N.D., since 2023.

Angela Morrison, ’06, is interim head coach of women’s soccer at San Diego State University.

2007

Tom Barrett, ’07, won the Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Heartland Award from Ernst & Young. He owns Barrett Petfood, a premium petfood producer in Brainerd, Minn.

Josh Honeyman, ’07, is a member of Essentia Health’s board of directors. He is an emergency medicine physician at Essentia Health Fargo.

Ellen (Brekke) Slaught, ’07, is chief operating officer at Beyond Campus Innovations in Greenwood Village, Colo.

2008

Marcelo Lima, ’08, vice president of planning and development at the Birmingham (Ala.) Airport Authority, was named the 2025 Airport Professional of the Year by the southeast chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives.

John Sampson, ’08, made national news after rescuing a boy from the monorail at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. Sampson owns Richboro Veterinary Hospital in Richboro, Northampton Township.

Jonathan Toews, ..’08, signed with the Winnipeg Jets after winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks. Toews has played in the NHL since 2007.

2009

Sarah (Winger) Anderson, ’09, Kelly (Munter) Entzel, ’12, and Emma (Munter) Preston co-founded Wildflowers of Hope, a nonprofit offering support to those in North Dakota’s Red River Valley experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Jacqueline DeMolee, ’09, ’12, is associate registrar of academic records at Northeastern University in Iowa City, Iowa.

2010

Dean Ekkaia, ’10, was appointed director of product management for optical sorting solutions in Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group in Fairfax County, Va.

Chris Gergen, ’10, is chief information security officer for the North Dakota Information Technology department in Bismarck.

2011

Mike Demuth, ’11, ’13, is assistant vice president/business banking officer at the Baxter, Minn., location of Deerwood Bank.
Taylor (Raboin) Demuth, ’11, is principal at Baxter Elementary School in Brainerd, Minn.  

Alex Vari, ’11, is CFO at MainStreet Bank in Fairfax, Va.

2012

Matthew Gassen, ’12, is vice president-commercial banker at National Bank of Commerce based in Bemidji, Minn.

Kara Nunziato, ’12, volleyball coach at Our Redeemer’s Christian School in Minot, N.D., was voted the District 12 coach of the year for the eighth time. Nunziato is an assistant professor at the Minot State University Communication Disorders Clinic.

Evan Trupp, ’12, joined the coaching staff of the University of Alaska Anchorage hockey team.

2013

Andrew Eyre, ’13, was appointed judge in North Dakota’s Northeast Central Judicial District. Eyre won the Jim Vigness Peacemaker of the Year award in 2023 from the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks.

Alissa Hoban, ’13, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner, joined Essentia Health-Park Rapids (Minn.).

2014

Steve Inglish, ’14, is medical director at Jacobsen Memorial Hospital Care Center in Elgin, N.D. Inglish continues to practice medicine at the Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

James Lyght, ’14, is community lending executive, SVP at Old National Bank in St. Louis Park, Minn., leading the Empowerment Loan Program for underserved communities in the Minneapolis, Greater Minnesota, North Dakota, and Western Wisconsin markets.

Lindsey Moffitt, ’14, a full-time corporate music therapist for residents at Valley Senior Living (VSL) facilities in Grand Forks, and Jill (Useldinger) Swingen, ’15, part-time therapist and VSL executive assistant, organized the “Voices of the Valley Variety Show,” a VSL fundraiser.

Ben Prout, ’14, ’20,  a fellow in abdominal imaging and intervention at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, won the Kalender Competition Early Career Investigators Award Recognizing Outstanding Scientific Research.

Danelle Tibbetts, ’14, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner at the Essentia Health St. Joseph’s-Brainerd Clinic in Minnesota.

2015

Thomas Erickson, ’15, a family medicine physician, joined Essentia Health-52nd Avenue Clinic in Fargo.

Jackson Knudson, ’15, is a project engineer at Fehr Graham’s West Union (Iowa) office.

Shane Martin, ’15, Turtle Mountain Community School superintendent and athletic director, is serving as the Native American At-Large Representative on the North Dakota High School Activities Association Board of Directors.

Brent Noonan, ’15, is a distinguished honor graduate at Army Flight School. Noonan, a civil engineer at KLJ’s Bismarck office, was recognized by the National Society of Professional Engineers as a 2024 outstanding young engineer of the year. 

Jennifer Schneider, ’15, is assistant principal at Horace Mann Roosevelt Elementary School in Fargo.

2016

Erik McLaughlin, ’16, and Ryan Emmerich, ’16, cofounded Bold North Roofing and Contracting in Minneapolis, which was recently ranked the 62nd fastest growing private company in the U.S.

Ian Glidden, ’16, launched a family medicine practice at RiverView Health, serving patients in Crookston and Fertile, Minn. 

Pam Rangen, ’16, joined Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck Gateway Clinic to practice elder care.

Mark Rostad, ’16, is medical director at HIA Hospice. He leads the organization in providing compassionate end-of-life care throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

Callie (Berg) Stadem, ’16, a Grand Forks composer, harpist, and educator, received a $5,000 grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts.

2017

Jordan Barth, ’17, is a family medicine specialist at Sanford North Mandan (N.D.) Clinic.  

Alyson Dahl, ’17, a board-certified physician assistant and founder/co-owner of Resurgent Health, presented on safety, stress management and mental wellness for farmers and ranchers at Agweek 360.

Cassandra Hovet, ’17, owner of Amber Waves Therapy in Grand Forks and a mental health therapist with BetterHelp, was named to Marquis Who’s Who.

2018

Amber Starkey, ’18, ’24, is a third grade teacher at Northwood (N.D.) Public School.
2019
Robert Kraft, ’19, a hematology and oncology specialist, joined Essentia Health-Duluth (Minn.) Clinic.

2020

Adrian Martinez, ’20, was promoted to captain of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. He serves as the agency’s division commander at its Bismarck headquarters.

Derek Schaff, ’20, is chief financial officer at the Jamestown (N.D.) Regional Medical Center.

2021

Cherie Dowell, ’21, a certified physician assistant, joined the Essentia Health-West Acres Clinic in Fargo.
Jackson Keane, ’21, is assistant coach for men’s hockey at Bemidji (Minn.) State University.

2022

Jonah Warwick, ’22, an internal medicine specialist, joined Sanford Bismarck.

2023

Moones Alamooti, ’23, ’24, leads GeoTinkers, a geothermal energy company. She represented North Dakota at the Citizens’ Climate Lobby National Conference in Washington, D.C., last summer.

Danya Carroll, ’23, a postdoctoral associate in epidemiology and biostatistics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in London, Ontario, and her professor are exploring the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, public health and environment policy.

Lauren Larsen, ’23, is a meteorologist and member of Storm Team 4 at TMJ4 in Milwaukee.

2024

Elle Thorson, ’24, is assistant coach for track and field at Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minn.

Alex Blumenthal, ’24, is a program manager for the UND Space Operations Group.

2025

Morgan Giuseponi, ’25, is a project manager for the UND Space Operations Group.

Kimberly Hinkel, ’25, is a certified physician assistant at the Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic in Fargo. 

Desmond Little, ’25, is head girls basketball coach of the St. Cloud Crush at St. Cloud (Minn.) Technical High School and dean of students at North Junior High.  

Ellie McGlynn, ’25, opened a mobile flower truck, “Lilies of the Valley,” in the Grand Forks area.

Jennifer (Ellis) Reynolds, ’25, is a family nurse practitioner-certified at Tioga (N.D.) Medical Center.

Emma Wedar, ’25, is a marketing specialist at Town and Country Credit Union in Minot, N.D.

Five UND graduates were among the nine recipients of Prairie Business Magazine’s 2025 Leaders & Legacies award.  

Mike Bittner, ’09, Director of Strategic Initiatives and a Principal at Bolton & Menk, Inc., a 1,100-plus-employee firm based in Fargo.

Joshua Deere, ’06, President of Altru Health System, which recently opened a new hospital in Grand Forks.

Dan Kadrmas, ’87, President of TrueNorth Steel in Fargo.
Joan McCusker, ’87, recently retired executive vice president, operations and corporate strategy for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.

Peter Stenehjem, ’07, CEO of First International Bank and Trust (FIBT) in Watford City, N.D.

Several UND alumnae were among the Top 50 Women Leaders of North Dakota for 2025, selected by Women We Admire, a membership organization composed of women executives and leaders across the U.S. and Canada.  

Richelle (Schnepf) Bishoff, ’09, vice president of procurement at Border States. 

Twylah (Butler) Blotsky, ’93, president & CEO of Butler Machinery Company
Stefanie Ellison, ’00, president of the West Market at Essentia Health. 

Laurie Geller, ’98, vice president for academic affairs at Minot State University.

Cassie Gerhardt, ’96, ’08, senior associate vice president for student affairs at UND.

Sheila (Heil) Gerszewski, ’07, senior vice president, director of retail of First International Bank & Trust.

Kristi Hall-Jiran, ’90, chief philanthropy officer of Altru Health System. 

Jill (Gustafson) Nelson, ’04, director of operations and community relations for the Grand Forks Park District.  
Sema Oncel, ’22, CEO of Oncel. 

Leigh Thompson, ’14,  chief financial officer at Sanford Health.  

Erin (Campbell) Wood, ’17, vice president of Advancement and Community College Foundation Executive Director at Lake Region State College.   

1949

Kenneth Placek, ’49, turned 102 in May. After piloting almost 100 combat missions in World War II, Placek had a successful career in the insurance business. He lives in Castaic, Calif.

1957

Marlin Thompson, ’57, developed and patented a unique rotary piston engine. He is the semi-retired owner of a small company that designs and builds custom automation machinery in Springfield, Mo.

1970

Bob Crawford, ’70, was named one of the Top 50 Pro Bono Lawyers by the State Bar of Arizona for the second consecutive year, and third time overall. Crawford, who has done volunteer tax preparation for AARP for 14 years, served as the 1969-70 UND Student Body President.

1974

Owen Anderson, ’74, received the Ernest E. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award from The Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of natural resources law, policy, or scholarship.

Gerald Stokka, ’74, is the 99th Little International Agriculturist of the Year for his dedication to animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, his community and North Dakota. He lives in Cooperstown, N.D.

1975

Robert Reigle, ’75, is an ethnomusicologist and saxophonist who established the music bachelor’s program at the University of Papua New Guinea. Reigle also created the first ethnomusicology doctoral program in Turkey, at Istanbul Technical University, where he taught from 2002-17.

1976

Geof Bush, ’76, was Grand Marshal of the Belleville Central Business Community’s Memorial Day Parade. Bush, of Van Buren Township, Mich., enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1969, and served until 1973. He received the FAA Master Pilot Award in June 2024.

1978

John Thelen, ’78, ’81, is retiring after serving 10 years as the Northeast Central Judicial District Judge, which serves Grand Forks and Nelson counties. 

1980

Merle Adolphson, ’80, retired after 39 years with United Valley Bank in Argyle, Minn.

Marcie Parker, ’80, was named book review editor for “Issues in Mental Health Nursing.” Parker, a certified family life educator, is also a member of the “Family and Community Health” editorial board. She lives in Chanhassen, Minn.

Wanda Parisien, ’80, is president of Turtle Mountain College in Rolette County, N.D. She brings 40 years of education experience, including eight months as interim president, to the job.

1981

Michael Grandall, ’81, was inducted into the North Dakota High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. He coached track and field and cross country at UND for 31 years.

Carter McNamara, ’81, recently retired from a successful 25-year career at Authenticity Consulting where he consulted, wrote, taught, and coached professional and organizational development. 

1982

Erik Askegaard, ’82, ’86, has stepped down after 15 years as Crow Wing County District Court Judge, serving the 9th judicial district in Minnesota. He lives in Brainerd.

Mike Burbach, ’82, editor of the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, was a featured speaker at UND’s annual Hagerty Lecture. 

1984

Terry Rasmussen, ’84, is president and CEO of Thrivent, chair of the H.B. Fuller Board, and this fall will begin serving as chair of the American Council of Life Insurers. She is one of four female CEOs of Minnesota-based Fortune 500 companies. 

1985

Shari Hensrud, ’85, ’90, ’92, is head of investment strategies at MissionSquare, a public sector retirement planning firm.

Greg Sweeney, ’85, was named chief investment and economic strategist for Bell Institutional Investment Management based in Fargo.

Kory Sondreal, ’85, retired from Alerus Financial as a senior retirement business advisor after 40 years with the company. Sondreal was the first person from North Dakota to earn the designation of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist.

1986

Jim Sweeney, ’86, is president of Fargo Jet Center, which Aviation International News ranked in the top 5% of fixed-base operators (FBOs) in the Americas and the No. 1 FBO in the Midwest for 2025.

1987

John Larsen, ’87, is on the boards of directors for PG&E Corporation and its subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Larsen retired as Alliant Energy CEO and board chair in May.

Carmen (Heinen) Simone, ’87, is interim president at Lake Region State College. She is also campus dean and CEO at Dakota College at Bottineau. Both schools are in north-central North Dakota.

1988

Marilyn (Koble) Vetter, ’88, CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, was UND’s 2025 Glenn Allen Paur seminar speaker. Her topic was “Science and Storytelling: How Leaders Can (and Should) Create Excitement for Wildlife Conservation.”

1989

Carla Christofferson, ’89, is a partner at Glaser Weil’s Century City office. She brings more than three decades of experience to the Los Angeles law firm.

 

1991

Michael Rinehart, ’91, is District 1 engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation, responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 5,700 miles of state highways across 17 counties. He lives in Olathe.

1992

Brian Bachmeier, ’92, a Roman Catholic priest, leads four North Dakota parishes: St. George in Cooperstown, St. Lawrence in Jessie, Sacred Heart in Aneta and St. Agatha in Hope.

1993

Linda (Braun) Kingston, ’93, is president of Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minn. She previously served as the school’s vice president for academic and student affairs.

1994

Brent Sanford, ’94, was named interim chancellor of the North Dakota University System. Sanford, a former North Dakota lieutenant governor, had been serving as interim president at Bismarck State College.

1995

Kristi Bommersbach, ’95, is the Devils Lake (N.D.) Public School District teacher of the year. She teaches science at Central Middle School.

Nicholas Chase, ’95, was nominated by the Trump administration to be the U.S. attorney for North Dakota. He previously was an East Central Judicial District judge with chambers in Fargo.

Scott Hauswirth, ’95, is senior director of clinical development in ophthalmology for Dompé, which develops therapeutic solutions for rare diseases. He previously served as director of the Ocular Surface Clinic at the University of Colorado.

Chris Oen, ’95, is senior vice president and chief claims officer at NI Holdings, Inc. Oen, who lives in Fargo, serves on several industry boards and is an Army National Guard veteran.

Chad Overcast, ’95, is a 747-8 captain for UPS. He lives in Polson, Mont.

1996

Mary Patay, ’96, was appointed to the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports. Patay is the recreation director for the City of Mackinac Island and a writer for the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

1997

Sheri (Kleinsasser) Stockmoe, ’97, ’99, was inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame class of 2025. Stockmoe, who lives in Fargo, was one of the most decorated women’s basketball players ever to play at UND.

Jeni (Stewart) Super, ’97, is director of human resources for Waconia (Minn.) Public Schools.

Bryan Winkels, ’97, is a Wadena County (Minn.) commissioner. He is an occupational therapist for the Freshwater School District in Staples.

1998

Grant Meyer, ’98, ’99, is CEO of AE2S, a Grand Forks-based civil and environmental engineering firm named for the third consecutive year as one of Zweig Group’s Top 5 Best Firms to Work For nationwide.

Sean Safranski, ’98, is principal at Davies High School in Fargo. He has been Davies’ assistant principal since 2013.

1999

Col. David Shattls, ’99, is the 108th Wing Commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, which has more than 1,200 personnel and serves as a reserve component of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.

2000

Stephanie Gefroh-Ellison, ’00, is President-West Market at Essentia Health in Fargo. An OB/GYN, Gefroh helped expand Essentia’s women’s services and open a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit and birthing center.

2001

James Boe, ’01, dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Learning at Valley City State University, has been inducted into the Academy of Fellows by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, the organization’s highest honor. 

2002

Cody Bartholomew, ’02, leads the newly created mechanical engineering practice at AE2S in Grand Forks.

David Goodin, ’02, was named to the NorthWestern Energy Group board of directors. Goodin has more than 40 years of experience in the utility industry, retiring as president and CEO of MDU Resources Group in May 2024.

Melanie Kay (Hensen) Jones, ’02, was named Renville County Teacher of the Year. She teaches preschool in Glenburn, N.D.

Aaron Schneekloth, ’02, is assistant coach of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. He spent 19 seasons as both a player and coach with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.

Rhonda (Alholm) Weathers, ’02, is a special education teacher at Divide County High School in Crosby, N.D. 

2003

DeAnn Burckhard, ’03, is marketing director of the North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD), which recently opened a sixth location in Dickinson.

Nathan Prosser, ’03, was selected a 2025 Super Lawyer. He is a litigation partner at Hellmuth & Johnson in Edina, Minn.

Tiffany (Schultz) Voigt, ’03, is general manager and advertising director for the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus, and Wadena Pioneer Journal, all part of Forum Communications. She lives in Perham, Minn.

2004

Shari Olson, ’04, is president of Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks.

James Schmidt, ’04, UND clinical instructor of family & community medicine, was selected as outstanding teacher at the northwest campus in Minot, N.D.

2005

Matt Luoma, ’05, is area manager of mining for Cleveland Cliffs, North America’s largest flat-rolled steel producer and iron ore pellet supplier. He oversees Thunderbird Mine in Eveleth, Minn.

Sara (Smith) Luoma, ’05, is a women’s health nurse practitioner at Essentia Health in Virginia, Minn.

2006

Craig Foss, ’06, joined the law firm of Brutlag, Trucke, & Doherty, P.A. in Plymouth, Minn.

2007

Jason Hammes, ’07, began his six-year term as a district court judge for North Dakota’s South Central Judicial District in January.

2008

TJ Oshie, ’08, announced his retirement from the NHL after 17 seasons. Oshie played in 1,010 regular-season NHL games with the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues. Oshie also represented Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.  He lives in McLean, Va. 

Chad Parent, ’08, is survey coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck.

Zac Wanzek, ’08, was named chief investment officer of Bell Institutional Investment Management, a Fargo-based firm that provides investment solutions for insurance companies, foundations, and private clients.

Shannon Webster, ’08, is senior vice president of member experience at Town & Country Credit Union in Minot, N.D. 

2009

Lori (Cowan) Conroy, ’09, was inducted as a fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Conroy, an assistant United States attorney for the district of North Dakota, lives in Fargo.  

Jessamy (Olsen) Fornshell, ’09, is chief financial officer at SRT Communications in Minot N.D.

Laura LaRocque, ’09, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in neurology, joined the Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic in Fargo.

2010

Nathan Boll, ’10, was promoted to sergeant of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. He previously served the Fargo area as eastern sergeant of the Criminal Interdiction Team.
Russell Wilson, ’10, is a physician assistant at MedHealth in Allen, Texas.

2011

Kayla (Petersen) Borszich, ’11, is clinical director at the Bemidji, Minn., location of Little Miracles, Inc., providing pediatric therapy to children. She worked for 10 years at the Grand Forks Little Miracles location.

Brad Malone, ’11, is assistant coach for the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the. He retired from professional hockey after the 2023-24 season.

Jacob Westlin, ’11, is vice president of government affairs for USA Rice in Alexandria, Va. Westlin is an agricultural policy veteran who spent six years working for former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

2012

Rachel (Westphal) Faleide, ’12, founded the North Dakota Center for Weight Management in Fargo, where she works as a nurse practitioner in obesity medicine and women’s health.

Dani Krause, ’12, is staff legal counsel of the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund, a nonprofit, member-owned organization.  

Brock Nelson, .. ’12, signed a three-year NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Before being traded to Colorado in 2025, he spent 11 seasons with the New York Islanders.

Brandi Rupard, ’12, was promoted to managing editor of the marketing and communications team at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Nick Stromsodt, ’12, earned an LL.M. in estate planning from the University of Miami School of Law’s Heckerling Graduate Program. Stromsodt practices law and, this fall, starts as a teaching assistant at Heckerling.

Brooke (Hollekim) Wisthoff, ’12, was named Burke County Teacher of the Year. She teaches science at Powers Lake (N.D.) School.

2013

Erin Berentson, ’13, extension agent, family and community wellness director, and county coordinator of the Bottineau County Extension Office, was honored for her years of service to the North Dakota State University Extension. 

Derek Forbort, ’13, signed a one-year contract with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. Forbort, who played at UND from 2010-13, has dressed 550 NHL regular-season games across 10 seasons.

Jordan Geiger, ’13, was promoted to operations manager of the civil and environmental consulting engineering practice in the Bismarck, Minot, and Dickinson offices of AE2S. 

2014

Dylan Blacker, ’14, is a lead aircraft maintenance technician for Delta Airlines. He has been with the company for nine years and is based in Minneapolis.

Sean Sherman, ’14, is owner and CEO of Skeeter Enterprises in Wilmington, N.C., an aerospace manufacturing company that specializes in products for general aviation pilots.

2015

Dylan Berg, ’15, is chief operating officer for Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio. Berg has worked for the fraternity since 2015.

Scott Solberg, ’15, is territory manager and crane specialist at RMS Rentals in Savage, Minn.

2016

Bryn Chyzyk, ’16, ’20, was named assistant coach and general manager of UND Hockey. Chyzyk previously served as Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks general manager.

2017

Mia Treuer, ’17, ’21, serves as counsel for On Location, where she focuses on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Annie (Braseth) Heermans, ’16, is a gastroenterologist at Essentia Health-Duluth (Minn.) Clinic. 

Jerrod Heermans, ’16, is a urology specialist at Essentia Health-Duluth (Minn.) Clinic.
Arna Mora, ’16, ’21, is a family practice physician at Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone, Minn.

2018

Brii Skavlem-Marto, ’18, is the receptionist in the Ackerman-Estvold’s Minot, N.D., office.

2019

Jared Hoglin, ’19, is chief financial officer and a lender at Lincoln State Bank in Wahpeton, N.D.

Evan Holm, ’19, a defensive end in the Canadian Football League, renewed his contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Erika Meierding, ’19, ’22, is a psychologist at the Veterans Administration in Des Moines, Iowa.

Matt Smaby, ’19, is the associate head coach for UND Hockey. A defenseman and captain while playing for UND, Smaby most recently was head coach for the Waterloo (Iowa) Blackhawks. 

2020

Victoria Goven, ’20, is a credit underwriter at the Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck. Goven also serves on the North Dakota Bankers Association agriculture committee.

Dylan Mack, ’20, is a structural designer on the industrial team at Sandman Structural Engineers in Maple Grove, Minn.

McKenna Poss, ’20, is a prosthetist orthotist at Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wis.

2023

Kaleigh DeGeldere, ’23, is deputy director of scheduling for Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Zach Greenberg, ’23, is North Dakota Labor Commissioner after serving as interim since January.

Rodney Lewis, ’23, a retired Air Force Major General, serves as a consultant for UND’s national security research development in a civilian capacity.

Roberto Moedano, ’23, is a math teacher at Holtville (Calif.) Unified School District.

Amy Stiffarm, ’23, was the 2025 commencement speaker at Aaniiih Nakoda College in Agency, Mont. She is the director of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: the Montana Coalition.

2024

Vicki Alberts, ’24, is public relations specialist for Spirit Lake Nation. She previously served as tribal liaison for the North & South Dakota Perinatal Quality Collaborative Initiative and law clerk at Harbott, Knutson, Larson & Holten, PLLP.

2025

Joshua Fastnacht, ’25, is a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper stationed in Jamestown, serving the Southeast Region.

Garett Schmidt, ’25, is superintendent of the Dakota Valley (S.D.) School District. He previously served as superintendent of Doland (S.D.) Public Schools for three years.

Holly (Forsness) Gruhlke, ’11, vice president of Academic Affairs and provost at Dickinson State University, serves as chair of the School of Business &  Entrepreneurship and dean of the College of Education, Business, & Applied Sciences. She is a member of the Power of 100 Women, who have contributed more than $1 million to local nonprofits.

Chantel (Hills) Miller, ’06, is the human resources director and operations manager at Legacy Financial Partners (LFP) in Fargo. She also serves as chair of the LFP Culture Board of Directors.

Barb (Trautman) Sizer, ’13, is a senior tax manager at Eide Bailly in Fargo, where she is involved in recruitment, training, and mentorship. She also volunteers with the North Dakota CPA Society’s Next Generation Committee, visiting classrooms to promote the CPA profession.

Leigh Ann Thompson, ’14, is chief financial officer for the Bismarck market at Sanford Health. She held a series of leadership roles at Medcenter One and Sanford Health before advancing to her current position.

Prairie Business Magazine recognized several UND alumni in its 2024 40 Under 40 list, highlighting young professionals making an impact across the region.

Brittney Blake, ’13, is corporate counsel at Altru Health System in Grand Forks. A lifelong resident of the city, she has taught dance for more than 25 years.

Marissa Cerkoney, ’15, ’18, is an attorney at Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers PLLC in Dickinson, N.D. She was nominated for Best Attorney and Best Estate Planning Attorney in 2023 and 2024.

Cody Christianson, ’08, is a senior associate and transportation project manager at Bolton & Menk, Inc. He leads projects across Eastern North Dakota, including the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

Nikki (Kressin) Davy, ’09, ’11, is the director of human resources at First International Bank & Trust. She serves on the board of the Power of Play Foundation, which provides comfort items to hospitalized pediatric patients.

Tayler Draeger, ’15, is a financial advisor at Legacy Financial Partners in Fargo and a founding member of its Innovation Committee. He participates in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce leadership program.

Josh Hassell, ’08, ’10, is the senior water resources group leader at Moore Engineering, Inc., collaborating with government entities and private partners to solve complex water challenges. He also volunteers with Meals on Wheels and HERO.

Jake Miller, ’15, leads the financial services assurance practice at Eide Bailly LLP,  facilitates financial services training, and is active in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

Tony Nordby, ’08, is a civil engineer and office manager at Houston Engineering, Inc., where he designs rural flood control, drainage, and diversion projects. He also plays in a country/rock band and volunteers as a youth sports coach.

Andria Pinkerton, ’14, is senior director of legal services at the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks. She serves as treasurer of the Randy H. Lee American Inns of Court and is on the Global Friends Coalition Board.

Sarah (Just) Prout, ’07, is vice president of marketing & communications at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. She leads marketing and events for the record-breaking Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota.

Holland Slick, ’15, is a financial advisor at Alerus in Grand Forks and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses.

Bea (Fischer) Smith, ’14, is director of Northern State University’s Startup and Innovation Center in Aberdeen, S.D. Bea’s leadership is positioning Aberdeen as a growing hub of innovation, creativity, and progress.

1965

Robert Sando, ’65, ’66, ’73, received the Minot State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Special Achievement Award for his long-time support of Beaver Athletics.

1969

Gaylen Ghylin, ’69, was inducted into the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association Hall of Fame and celebrated 38 years as a Minnesota asphalt industry leader. He lives in Bloomington, Minn., with his wife Penny.

1971

Sam Anderson, ’71, stars with Kathy Bates in the “Matlock” series on CBS. He has appeared in nearly 200 television shows and movies in his 50-year acting career.

1974

Marguerite (Annis) Eaglestaff, ’74, was honored with the rededication and renaming of the Lakota Cultural Center’s gift shop — the Marguerite Annis-Eaglestaff Gift Shop — in Eagle Butte, S.D.  Eaglestaff died in 2022.

Al Boucher, ’74, the Muddy Waters Clay Center’s “Mudder of the Month,” held a retrospective exhibit showcasing his 60 years working with clay. Muddy Waters is in Grand Forks. 

1975

Dan Langemo, ’75, received the Minot State University Golden Award, the highest award bestowed by the MSU Alumni Association. Langemo retired from First Western Bank & Trust of Minot in July 2015, following a 40-year career in the trust banking business. He lives in Minot with his wife, Jeri.

1976

Jill Skarvold, ’76, a specialist at the Lakes Country Service Cooperative, received the 2024 Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) Legacy Award. Skarvold has dedicated 49 years to the field of education and administration.  

1977

Tom Wynne, ’77, who served as head coach of the UND men’s and women’s tennis teams for 35 years, is now coaching boys’ and girls’ tennis at Grand Forks Central High School.

1978

Keith Carlson, ’78, ’80, ’82, an ophthalmologist at Claris Eye Care and Surgery in Minneapolis, is also medical director of the Ophthalmic Medical Technician Training Program at Alexandria Technical and Community College in Alexandria, Minn.

Douglas Mattson, ’78, ’85, will retire in June from his role as North Central Judicial District Judge. Mattson, first elected district court judge in 2002, is the longest-serving judge in the North Central Judicial District and the second-longest-serving judge in North Dakota. He lives in Minot, N.D.

1979

David Reich, ’79, ’82, will retire in June from his job as South Central Judicial District Judge. He has served since 2006 and lives in Bismarck.

1980

Jim Galloway, ’80, retired from JLG Architects. Galloway was a founding partner in the Fargo-based firm when it launched 28 years ago.

Karen (Strinden) Grindberg, ’80, was appointed to represent District 41 in the North Dakota House of Representatives.

1981

Michael Vadnie, ’81, retired after 33 years as a mass communications law/ethics and journalism professor at St. Cloud State University. He has also practiced law part-time for 41 years.

Cynthia Lindquist, ’81, ’06, was named director of UND’s Tribal Initiatives & Collaboration. A member of the Spirit Lake Tribe, she previously served as president of the Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten, N.D.

1982

Monica Musich, ’82, received the Henry Havig Award, the Grand Forks Business community’s highest honor. Musich led the Valley Dairy convenience store chain for 16 years.

Jay Debertin, ’82, is president and CEO of CHS, the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative. He was a featured speaker at the University of Minnesota Crookston’s Bergland Lecture Series.

Brad Gibbens, ’82, ’85, retired as director of UND’s Center for Rural Health where he was awarded the 2024 Advocate Award by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. He now serves as a member of the boards of the North Dakota Rural Health Association and of Communities Acting Together for Change and Hope.

Patrick Sogard, ’82, ’96, was appointed to the North Dakota Board of Higher Education. He has served as Chair of the Board of American State Bank & Trust Co. in Williston, N.D., since 2003.

1983

Mary Jo (Koppenhaver) Flint, ’83, ’91, is a pediatrician at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott.

1984

Robin Bobzien, ’84, was recognized with the Excellence in South Dakota Municipal Government Award. Bobzien is Aberdeen City Manager and has worked for the city for more than 30 years.

Douglas Darling, ’84, ’92, the longest serving president in the North Dakota University System, will retire from his job as Lake Region State College president in June. He has been at the two-year college in Devils Lake since 2013.

Terry Rasmussen, ’84, was appointed Chair of the H.B. Fuller Board of Directors. Rasmussen is president  and CEO of Thrivent.

Daniel Shide, ’84, retired after 37 years of Navy service. Since 2009, Shide served as Naval Base Ventura County installation environmental program director in Point Mugu, Calif.

1985

Greg Carras, ’85, ’11, was appointed to the board of directors of the Ukraine War Animals Relief Fund. Carras is a senior program manager for Boeing in Seattle.

Randy Hatzenbuehler, ’85, Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation President, will retire after nearly 40 years on the job. A celebration is planned for September.

1987

Marc Bluestone Sr., ’87, ’97, former superintendent of New Town Public Schools, was inducted into the North Dakota Native American Hall of Honor. Bluestone worked for the school district for more than 30 years.

Keith Millette, ’87, ’90, retired from Altru Health System’s Family Medicine Center in Grand Forks. He practiced family medicine for 32 years.

Randy Hedberg, ’87, retired as North Dakota State University’s quarterback coach. He has coached different sports across North Dakota for 46 years, the last 11 at NDSU.

1988

Randall Hanson, ’88, ’91, was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Hanson works at Camrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson, Ltd., in Grand Forks.

Lee Hodny, ’88, ’92, is an OB/GYN at Essentia Health Mid Dakota Women’s Center-Bismarck.

1989

Marvin Baker, ’89, is managing editor of the Valley City (N.D.) Times-Record.

Dave St. Peter, ’89, stepped down as CEO and president of the Minnesota Twins. St. Peter, who has been with the Twins for 35 years, will serve as a strategic advisor.

Kristen (Ovind), ’90, and Bill Zeller, ’89, were named the 2024 Vail Valley Volunteers of the Year. The Zellers, who winter in Colorado, serve as Spectator Service Volunteer Coordinators for Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races. They also volunteer for highway cleanup events, SKI for MS and Pink Vail, among others.

1990

Michael Dorsher, ’90, professor emeritus of journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, was named the Fulbright Association’s Outstanding Former Leader. He served three two-year terms as president of the Minnesota Chapter of the Fulbright Association.

Julie (Liffrig) Fedorchak, ’90, is North Dakota’s lone representative in the U.S. Congress. She is the first woman to hold the seat.

Jay Jerde, ’90, is legal writer and associate editor at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Legal Education & Knowledge-Communications Department in Madison.

James Nicolai, ’90, was selected to be a law clerk for the 2025-26 term of the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Daniel Ostlie, ’90, ’94, was named surgeon-in-chief and senior vice president at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Ostlie will oversee a department that performs more than 40,000 operations annually. He starts June 1.

Linda Olson, ’90, teaches ceramics classes at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Minot, N.D. Olson retired from teaching at Minot State University in 2024.

1991

Michelle (Strecker) Strinden, ’91, was sworn in as North Dakota’s 40th Lieutenant Governor on Dec. 15.

1992

Tony Vanyo, ’92, a corporal in the Grand Forks Police Department, retired after 31 years.

1994

Donna (Herman) Brown, ’94, ’95, ’02, is vice president for sponsored programs at the American Indian Higher Education Association in Alexandria, Va.

Reed Endersbe, ’94, was appointed Regional Director of Minnesota Masonic Charities/the Grand Lodge of Minnesota Freemasons in Bloomington.

Bob Gillen, ’94, was inducted into the North Dakota Hockey Hall of Fame. Gillen is arena general manager of the Minot Area Youth Skating Association.

1995

Howard Loos, ’95, ’97, is chief privacy officer at Brigham Young University and the Church Educational System campuses of higher education. Loos recently received certificates for Certified Information Privacy Professionals in the U.S. and Europe. He lives in Provo, Utah.

1996

Mike Olson, ’96, showed his work in an exhibit titled “On the Wall” at the Mildred Zahradnicek Gallery in Casper, Wyo. Olson has been a ceramicist for more than 30 years.

Caryl Perdaems, ’96, is chief administrative officer at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, Mont.

Bruce Watkins, ’96, is a hand surgeon at Teton Hand Surgery in Southeast Idaho.

1997

John Ballard, ’97, was elected district court judge in the 6th Judicial District in Oregon.

Darla (McQueen) Miller, ’97, is foundation manager at Trinity Health Foundation in Minot, N.D.

Scott Volberding, ’97, is assistant airport director at the Appleton (Wis.) International Airport.

Ryan Younggren, ’97, was elected an East-Central North Dakota district judge. Younggren was assistant Cass Country state’s attorney for 15 years.

1998

Jon Ewoniuk, ’98, is founder of Peak360IT, a Salesforce software implementation partner, and the 360 Salesforce Mastermind. He lives in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Scott McCallum, ’98, is superintendent of the Washington State School for the Blind, adviser to the Board of Directors for the Pacific Foundation for Blind Children, commissioner for the Oregon Commission for the Blind, board member for the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, and president-elect for the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind.

Nicole (Cloutier) Poolman, ’98, was UND’s winter commencement speaker.

1999

Amy Dahl, ’99, was elected to the board of directors of EMCOR Group, Inc. Dahl is vice president of international business & strategy at The Toro Company.

Jim Kleinsasser, ..’99, was inducted into the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame.

Daniel Narum, ’99, was elected to his fourth term as presiding judge of the Southeast Judicial District. Narum has held the position since 2016 and lives in Lamoure, N.D.

Jeff Thompson, ’99, is vice president of finance for Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

2000

Kelly Armstong, ’00, ’03, was sworn in as North Dakota’s 34th governor on Dec. 15.

Rob Carolin, ’00, is UND’s director of University Outreach.

Casey Opstad, ’00, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based artist, created a 140-foot-long artwork for the new Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. A team of artists helped Opstad with the installation.

Jennifer (Gienger) Schlinger, ’00, ’04, ’23, is a clinical assistant professor in the UND Department of Social Work. She was recently appointed the director of field education.

Andy Solsvig, ’00, is Airports Manager for Redding (Calif.) Regional Airport and Benton Field.

2001

Judy (Slotto) Solberg, ’01, is chief of staff for UND’s Office of the President. 

2002

Seth Dagget, ’02, is president and CEO of NI Holdings, Inc., the stock holding company of Nodak Insurance Company. He lives in Fargo.

2003

Brad Tennant, ’03, received the 2024 Herb Blakely Award at South Dakota’s West River History Conference. Tennant, a former college history professor who now lives in Mitchell, S.D., often presents to local groups about South Dakota history.

2004

Lisa Karlgaard, ’04, ’05, was promoted to senior structural engineer at LHB, an engineering, architectural and planning firm. She lives in Duluth, Minn.

Matthew Smiley, ’04, Buffalo Bills special teams coordinator and Air Force veteran, was nominated by the Bills for NFL’s Salute to Service Award.

Trina Staloch, ’04, is project leader for the Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complex. She’s been with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 20 years.

Cory Steiner, ’04, ’09, was named Superintendent of Fargo Public Schools. He has served as superintendent of the Northern Cass School District since 2014.

2005

Jonathan Fortner, ’05, ’06, is interim president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council where he has served as the vice president of government relations & external affairs since 2018. He lives in Bismarck.

Michelle (Fendt) Schumacher, ’05, was elected to the board of directors of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Schumacher is CFO at Stoneridge Software in St. Louis Park, Minn.

2006

Curtis Jefferson, ’06, ’08, was promoted to Assistant Dean for Assessment & Accreditation at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in Seattle.

Amy Watkin, ’06, was appointed to the Humanities North Dakota board of directors. Watkin is a professor of English at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. 
2007

Nicole Ficenec, ’07, is manager of the producer management division at Brilliant Corners Artist Management, a San Francisco-based agency.

Nick Reinke, ’07, CEO of HabiTerre, was named a St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. HabiTerre aims to advance sustainable practices in agriculture.

Martin Tatom, ’07, is founder of Game Six Consulting in Broomfield, Colo.

2008

Chad Pedersen, ’08, a medical oncologist, joined McKenzie Health in Watford City, N.D.

John Wagener, ’08, ’12, is an interventional cardiologist at Avera Heart Hospital and North Central Heart in Sioux Falls, S.D.

2009

Jessica (Boger) Gregerson, ’09, ’10, is head coach of the Valley City (N.D.) High School cross country teams.

Kyle Wanner, ’09, executive director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, is a 2024 recipient of the Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 award. Wanner lives in Bismarck.

2010

Brittany (Lervik) Bromley, ’10, is principal at Anamoose-Drake Elementary School in Anamoose, N.D.

Brett Ehrhardt, ’10, is chief financial officer at Pyx Health, a social health platform addressing loneliness, in Tucson, Ariz.

Robert Haider, ’10, ’14, is policy aide to Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez.

2011

Travis Dahl, ’11, a financial advisor with Legacy Financial Partners in Bismarck, recently received his certified financial planner certification.

Jessica (Neigum) Dargis, ’11, was named CEO of Enable, Inc. Dargis, the co-owner of Bread Poets, serves on the IDEA Board and the North Dakota Council of Exceptional Children. She also serves on the boards of Special Health Services and Dakota Children’s Advocacy, and on the Olmstead Commission. She has two daughters and lives in Bismarck.

Ebony Renee Edwards, ’11, is a sports and entertainment lawyer and coach in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area.

Rachel Egstad, ’11, ’15, is a Special Assistant United States Attorney under the Violence Against Women Act. She focuses on reducing intimate partner firearm violence in the Grand Forks area.

Siegfried Feierabend, ’11, brings his expertise in adult reconstruction and general orthopedics to the partnership between Meeker Memorial Hospital and St. Cloud Orthopedics, which serves patients in the Litchfield, Minn., area.

Jon Godfread, ’11, was re-elected as North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, a position he has held since 2017.

Holly (Forsness) Gruhlke, ’11, is vice president of academic affairs and provost at Dickinson (N.D.) State University.

Paul Gunderson, ’11, was appointed judge in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. He fills a seat in Nicollet County.

Megan Larson, ’11, is a family medicine nurse practitioner at Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes in Minnesota.

2013

Dan Kaffar, ’13, Devils Lake Central Middle School principal, was recognized as the North Dakota Middle Level Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals.

Jeffrey Strom, ’13, ’16, was promoted to shareholder at Ohnstad Twichell in Fargo.

2014

Jennifer Vetter, ’14, is an associate partner in the technology practice at Talentfoot Executive Search. She lives in St. Paul.

2015

Ryan Bergeron, ’15, is managing editor at the Annandale (Minn.) Advocate.

Nick Lindner, ’15, creates fishing content for Bemidji-based Northland Fishing Tackle’s YouTube channel, as well as his own social media platforms. He lives in Brainerd, Minn.

Heather Pautz, ’15, is an integrated health counselor at Sanford Valley City (N.D.).

2016

Andrew Herting, ’16, ’21, is an internal medicine physician specializing in primary care, hospital care and addiction medicine at Sanford Valley City.

2017

Vicki Andvik, ’17, is a certified physician assistant specializing in gastroenterology at the Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic in Fargo.

Madina Ismail, ’17, ’22, is a board-certified nurse practitioner at Trinity Hospital in New York.

Alexa Weyer, ’17, is a large animal veterinarian at Casselton Veterinary Service, serving rural North Dakota customers.

2018

Jonathan Barrett, ’18, is sales director at KALO, a leading supplier of turf water management products. He lives in Kansas City, Kan.

Ceara Goering, ’18, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in rheumatology, joined Essentia Health-South University Clinic in Fargo.

Riley Hallaway, ’18, is multimedia content specialist for Explore Minnesota.

Tyler Heavner, ’19, is Acacia Forgot on season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premiered on MTV in January 2025.

Grace (Carson) Murphy, ’18, is an OB/GYN at Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes in Minnesota.

Brady Oliveira, ’18, a running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was honored as the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Player and the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian. He is only the fourth player to receive both awards in one season.

Amber Stola, ’18, a doctor specializing in pulmonology and critical care, joined Essentia Health-Fargo.

2019

Claire Erickson, ’19, ’23, is an epidemiologist for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services in Bismarck.

Josalyn (Buxa) Grueneich, ’19, a certified family nurse practitioner, joined Knowlton O’Neill and Associates, an independent mental health clinic in Fargo.

Anna Moser, ’19, is principal of the Columbus (Kan.) Unified School District Junior/Senior High School.

Adam Stiner, ’19, is director of athletics and activities at Verona (Wis.) Area High School.

Matthew Winkels, ’19, joined CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington (N.D.) as an ophthalmologist.

2020

Evan Brownrigg, ’20, is a first officer with Delta Air Lines. He is based out of Los Angeles International Airport.

McKenzie Metzen, ’20, is a survey technician at KLJ Engineering in Bismarck.

Kimberly Naplin, ’20, ’21, is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in cardiology at the Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic in Fargo.

Michael Osterholt, ’20, joined Inland Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Clinic of Pullman and Moscow, Wash. Osterholt also serves as team physician for Washington State University Athletics.

2021

Rebecca Beyer, ’21, is a certified physician assistant specializing in emergency medicine at Essentia Health-Fargo.

Daniel Fife, ’21, earned national certification as a Certified Floodplain Manager from the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Fife works at KLJ Engineering LLC in Bismarck.

Ashley Olson, ’21, is an attorney at Peterson, Kolker, Haedt & Benda Ltd. in Albert Lea, Minn.

Joshua Wilmer, ’21, is the environmental compliance supervisor at American Crystal Sugar Company’s factory in Drayton, N.D.

2022

Mary Labuhn Bruns, ’22, ’24, is an epidemiologist for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services in Bismarck.

Orrin Burch, ’22, is an associate at Pearce Durick PLLC in Bismarck.

Danielle (Tretbar) Darchuk, ’22, is a certified physician assistant specializing in family medicine at Essentia Health-Park Rapids (Minn.) Clinic.

Wyatt Helinsky, ’22, is a maintenance engineer at American Crystal Sugar Company’s East Grand Forks Factory.

Amy (Blair) Starzecki, ’22, superintendent of the Superior School District, was named Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year.

Charles Steinberger, ’22, is an associate at Pearce Durick PLLC in Bismarck.

2023

Zach Greenberg, ’23, was appointed interim labor commissioner for the state of North Dakota. He formerly worked as a legal and policy advisor in the Governor’s Office.

2024

Shelby Ebertowski, ’24, is a meteorologist at KSAT in San Antonio, Texas.

Haley Finch, ’24, is an associate in the Litigation Associates Group of Stinson LLP in Bismarck.

Courtney Garman, ’24, is a first-grade teacher in Larimore, N.D.

Caitlin Hovde, ’24, is a family law paralegal at Gjesdahl Law, P.C. in Fargo.

Madison Peterson, ’24, is marketing specialist at Arrowhead Promotion and Fulfillment in Grand Rapids, Minn.

Charles Rieger, ’24, is an electrical designer at MBN Engineering, Inc. in Fargo.

2025

Katie Snyder, ’25, was selected to be a law clerk for the 2025-26 term of the North Dakota Supreme Court.