Sweetening Student Success
Dr. Doug Munski’s care for students is evident in his teaching and giving.
With a soup spoon in his pocket and a smile on his face, UND geography professor Dr. Doug Munski has been sharing treats with students around campus since he started teaching in 1978.
So strong is his reputation for handing out confectionaries that Widman’s Candy Shop has a candy named after him. Doug’s Candy Pebbles are large jellybeans shaped, colored and marbled like various types of rocks.
“It’s a lot easier to start up conversation with people if you’ve got some ‘consumable education supplements,’” grinned Dr. Munski, referring to the cookies and candy he hands out in his classroom or around the hallways of O’Kelly Hall.
Candy isn’t Dr. Munski’s only gift to students. He and his wife, Laura (Thompson), ’83, ’95, ’08, give their time and treasure to various student-focused groups and funds on campus and around the community, including the Food for Thought Food Pantry.
“We just try to do what we can to champion the cause of the undergraduates and the graduate students, because it’s not easy,” Dr. Munski said. “You can’t expect students to do well if they’re hungry.”
If I can make things a little better, I’m going to do it. I’m not going on a big cruise; I’ll put the money toward students. Besides, I’d probably get seasick.Dr. Doug Munski
Dr. Munski recalls a time when he would bring day-old donuts from Hugo’s Family Marketplace into his class: “I had early morning classes and I didn’t find out until three years after she was in the class, that for one of my students, that was all she would have until supper.”
“This problem existed (20 years ago); it was just less known. I just hope we can find more people to help with the on-campus food banks to be supportive of the students,” he said.
Dr. Munski’s impact at the University of North Dakota has been indelible. While he’s not the longest tenured faculty member in school history, few could disagree that he’s one of the most approachable professors of all time.
At the root of it all, Dr. Munski just wants to make a difference.
“All it takes is just a little interaction. If we are less egotistical and willing to work behind the scenes…” he pauses and closes his eyes. “If I can make things a little better, I’m going to do it. I’m not going on a big cruise; I’ll put the money toward students. Besides, I’d probably get seasick.”
