Forever (and Ever): A Bold Next Step

Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota meets fundraising goal and sets sights higher.

What began as a bold vision, Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota has already met its initial fundraising goal of $500 million, a remarkable achievement accomplished well ahead of its end-of-2026 deadline.

The news was revealed at a campus event on May 7, 2025, dubbed Forever (and Ever): A Bold Next Step.

“This is a testament to the power of our collective vision, the dedication of our UND community, and the belief in the forever we can achieve together,” DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, told a large crowd at the North Dakota Museum of Art.

And there was more: rather than ending the campaign early, she revealed a new goal had been established.

Emphasizing the University’s relentless pursuit of excellence, Carlson Zink declared, “Here’s the thing about the UND spirit: We build on our successes; we don’t stop at them. We don’t settle for ‘good enough.’ This is the year of momentum at UND, and we want to ride that wave of excellence, and push the boundaries of what’s possible."

With that, she unveiled the new goal: $625 million by the original campaign end date of December 31, 2026.

"This isn’t just about a bigger number. It’s about a bigger impact,” Carlson Zink emphasized, outlining the strategic priorities for this enhanced fundraising effort. These include:

• Expanding scholarship support by $60 million: Already, more than 575 scholarship endowments have been established during the campaign. The new goal includes a challenge to create an additional 1,200 annual scholarships by campaign’s end.
• Elevating faculty and research with an additional $20 million: UND recently attained R1 research status. Maintaining that status requires investing in groundbreaking research initiatives and attracting and retaining world-class faculty who drive innovation and discovery.
• Enhancing campus facilities: Another $35 million will ensure the construction of the UND STEM Complex, which will benefit more than 6,500 STEM students.
• $10 million in additional support for programs and priority needs: UND has already added nearly 100 new programs since the start of the campaign on July 1, 2018. Donors will continue to fuel initiatives that enrich the student experience and contribute to continued success in key areas.

UND President Andrew Armacost echoed the sentiments of gratitude and excitement, emphasizing the transformative power of the campaign and the collective impact of every contribution.

“This has been the ‘Year of Momentum’ at UND. We can generate even more. We can continue to be bold,” said UND President Dr. Andrew Armacost. “I’m excited to see what can be accomplished over the next 20 months thanks to the generosity of our donors.”

Werner Nistler, who chairs the campaign with his wife, Colleen, praised donors for getting the campaign to its goal early and called on all UND alumni to pitch in for the final push to $625 million.

“We’ve got to go out and do whatever it takes to make this new goal happen,” said Nistler, a 1968 UND graduate and namesake of Nistler Hall. “It’s a matter of staying focused, spending the money wisely, and, at the end of the day, we will continue to be on this winning team.”

Dr. Art Malloy, Vice President for Student Affairs, took time during his introductory remarks to thank donors, telling them their generosity is felt every day on campus.

“Your support not only enables students to attend UND, it empowers them to thrive,” he said. “Through your generosity, you are not simply paying it forward, you are changing lives. You are helping to shape the next generation of scientists, educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, legal experts, and innovators who will transform North Dakota and the world. Your gifts send a very powerful message to our students that they matter.”

Carlson Zink concluded the program with a call to action. “We’ve already achieved something extraordinary. But this new goal isn’t just about dreaming bigger — it’s about soaring to new heights. UND is a place where dreams turn into action.”

She reiterated that every contribution, regardless of size, would have a lasting impact on the University’s future. “Keep believing. Keep giving. Keep leading. Because Forever UND doesn’t end here. In fact, we are just getting started.”