Sharing a World of Knowledge

Owen Anderson, '71, '74, has taught on six continents, but for a week nearly every summer, he comes back to Grand Forks to teach a short course at the UND School of Law.

Anderson, who taught at UND from 1979-88, is one of the world's foremost experts in oil, gas and natural resources law. Currently a Professor and Distinguished Oil and Gas Scholar at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, he has lectured all over the world.

"I'm thankful for my undergrad and law school professors. I was very well prepared for practicing law," Anderson said of his UND education. "So, I've tried to give something back to UND over the years."

Anderson gives to the UND School of Law Excellence Fund through the gift of his time teaching these short law courses, considered "in-kind" donations. "I come back because of my loyalty to UND," he said, recognizing North Dakota as the place e honed his teaching skills. He became a full professor and published his first journal articles during his UND teaching tenure.

"I got a very good education at UND. It was small enough that you got to know fellow students and faculty, but it was large enough that it could give you a choice of the kinds of classes and disciplines you'd like to study."

Owen enjoyed his classes and student life, and most importantly, he said, "I met my wife."

Kathie (Ryckman) Anderson, '72, '81, is a former teacher with two UND degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas. "Owen's short course at UND gives students the opportunity to study with one of the premier professors in the area," she said. Owen credited Kathie with helping him master the art of teaching; she had several years of teaching experience when he started working at the UND Law School.