Leaving the Woodpile Higher

From the rink to the State Capitol, the Strinden family has passed down leadership, service, and a simple rule: leave the woodpile higher.

UND hockey fans have heard the name Ben Strinden a lot this season. Heading into the holiday break, the senior was the team’s leading scorer and was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Forward of the Month in November.

For Ben, that success is rooted in a family work ethic and servant-minded approach shaped by his grandfather, Earl Strinden, ’58, former executive vice president of the UND Alumni Association, CEO of the UND Foundation, and long-time majority leader of the North Dakota House of Representatives. 

“My grandpa would say that he wanted to leave the woodpile a little higher. He passed that down to all of us, no matter what we’re doing — school, hockey, work, or just being a good person,” Ben said.

“Earl is known for many ‘Earlisms,’ and that’s one of the most famous,” said Earl’s daughter-in-law, North Dakota Lt. Gov. Michelle (Strecker) Strinden, ’91. “They’re full of wisdom — the principles he wanted to instill in his children and grandchildren.

“‘Leave the woodpile higher’ speaks to public service and servant leadership,” Michelle continued. “Earl lived that — both as leader of the University of North Dakota alumni office and during his 13 years as Majority Leader in the North Dakota House. He worked across differences, valued every perspective, and led with respect and an unmatched work ethic.”

The idea was about investing in people, said Jacob Strinden, ’22, a UND School of Law graduate and the eldest son of Michelle and Tom Strinden, ’88. “A large part of how Grandpa saw his role to leave the woodpile higher was in training the next generations of people and building future leaders.”  

“Earl is known for many ‘Earlisms,’ and that’s one of the most famous,” said Earl’s daughter-in-law, North Dakota Lt. Gov. Michelle (Strecker) Strinden, ’91. “They’re full of wisdom — the principles he wanted to instill in his children and grandchildren.

“‘Leave the woodpile higher’ speaks to public service and servant leadership,” Michelle continued. “Earl lived that — both as leader of the University of North Dakota alumni office and during his 13 years as Majority Leader in the North Dakota House. He worked across differences, valued every perspective, and led with respect and an unmatched work ethic.”

The idea was about investing in people, said Jacob Strinden, ’22, a UND School of Law graduate and the eldest son of Michelle and Tom Strinden, ’88. “A large part of how Grandpa saw his role to leave the woodpile higher was in training the next generations of people and building future leaders.”

A Bittersweet Season

This hockey season carries extra weight for the Strinden family. In July, their father, Tom, an ophthalmologist, passed away after a 17-month battle with cancer.
“We all agree Ben wouldn’t be in this position without his dad,” Michelle said. “Tom poured himself into Ben’s hockey career and did the same for all of our kids.”

The family includes another son, Joseph, and a daughter, Sarah. Neither attend UND, but were equally shaped by their family’s lessons.

“Seeing Ben succeed —  especially during his breakout year — would have been Tom’s dream,” Michelle said. “We know he’s watching, but we wish he were here.”

Earl and his wife, Jan, had five children, and the Strindens stay closely connected. A family group text with nearly 40 members — many of whom are UND graduates — keeps track of Ben’s hockey success. 

“It was as much a dream of Earl and Jan’s as it was Tom’s and mine,” Michelle said. “Seeing it unfold has been a joy.”

A Family Shaped by Service

In late 2024, Michelle was sworn in as North Dakota’s lieutenant governor, continuing a family tradition of public service. She was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2019 and has a background in education, behavioral health, and economic development.

As she travels the state, Michelle sees UND’s impact firsthand — from advancing healthcare through its medical and nursing programs to driving growth in aerospace and unmanned aircraft systems.

That same commitment to service shows up in Jacob’s path. He valued the real-world experience offered at the UND School of Law. “There’s a strong push to get students into the workforce early through internships and volunteer opportunities,” he said. After two years with a Fargo law firm, he now works as an attorney for Edgewood REIT, a company cofounded by his uncle, Jon Strinden, ’79, ’82.

Jacob credits his family for teaching him to lead with humility, adding that he sees that same approach in his younger brother on the ice. “Ben’s an encourager,” he said. 

“I remember how nervous I felt as a freshman,” Ben said. “As a senior, I make a point to welcome guys right away and make them feel like they can be themselves and have fun. I try to lift people up.” 

It’s a trait that the Strindens have passed down through generations, showing up in locker rooms, classrooms, and communities — all leaving the woodpile a little higher.