Rooted in Gratitude

Bjella siblings honor their parents’  UND connection with Law School endowment.

Arley Bjella, ’41, HON ’89, was recognized for his business success and military service, but it was generosity that left the strongest impression on his children.

“He was a good teacher,” said his son, Brian Bjella, ’75, ’79. “A few years ago, Bryn (Bjella Parchman, ..’73), Lance, and I decided to honor our parents and thought UND would be the best place to do it.”

Both parents were UND grads. Beverly (Heen) Bjella, ’42, grew up in Grand Forks, Arley in Epping. “Their connections to UND were really strong, and we wanted to do something to say ‘thank you’ to the University.”

The Bjella family established the Arley R. Bjella Scholarship Endowment at the UND School of Law, supporting students from Williams County or with a military background — a nod to their father’s North Dakota roots and World War II service. The law school’s faculty conference room also bears Arley’s name.

Like Father, Like Son

After earning his law degree, Arley served in World War II. He returned home, married Beverly, and began practicing law in Williston, where he helped shape North Dakota’s oil and gas laws. In 1970, he became president and CEO of Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Company in Minneapolis. In both cities, Arley was involved in civic and charitable work. UND recognized him with the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership in 1974.

“Earl Strinden asked him to chair the UND Centennial Fund Drive,” Brian said. “He was always involved in the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, wherever there was a need.”

Like his father, Brian earned a law degree from UND, where he met his wife, Karen (Sylvester), ’77. After serving as assistant attorney general for the State Land Department (now the Department of Trust Lands), he joined the Bismarck law firm now known as Crowley Fleck in 1980. “I've been working in energy law almost exclusively ever since,” he said.

Brian served on the Lignite Energy Council Board for 20 years. He was active in civic organizations — Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and YMCA — and continues to serve on the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation Board. 

In 2024, Brian was named an Honorary Trustee of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law. Now semi-retired and living in Bozeman, he remains proud of his father’s legacy — and of the scholarship that continues it at UND Law.