• 
• 
• 
• 

key: BA -Bachelor of Arts, BArch-Bachelor of Architecture, BS-Bachelor of Science, BSN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BUS-Bachelor of University Studies, DNP-Doctor of Nursing Practice, FS-Former Student,
MA-Master of Arts, MEd-Master of Education, MPH-Master of Public Health, MS-Master of Science,
PharmD-Doctor of Pharmacy, PhD-Doctor of Philosophy

’50s

Darrol Schroeder, BS ’52, animal science, honorary doctorate ’08, retired from his position as co-chair of the Fargo AirSho. He held the post for more than two decades.

Jim Ozbun, BS ’59, MS ’61, soil science, was named interim president of Dickinson State University by the North Dakota Board of Higher Education. He is a former president of NDSU.

1955 Homecoming parade in downtown Fargo. (Photo courtesy of NDSU Archives.)

’60s

David Emslie, BS ’63, agricultural economics, is a competitive weightlifter and has established 82 United States All-Round Weightlifting Association records. He earned four Show-Me Games medals and set the dead lift record in the 80-kilo class in the 70-74 age group. He and his wife, Dorothy, recently moved to San Antonio, Texas.

Richard Green, MS ’63, physical chemistry, was named interim president of The Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He previously was interim provost for St. Cloud State University.

Thomas L. Larsen, BS ’63, mechanical engineering, has been raising money for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America's Washington, DC, Metro MG Walk with team Tom's Rockets – Blast Off For The Cure! In three years, he's raised more than $21,000 to fund research to find a cure. For more information, go to mgwalk.org/ThomasLarsen. He lives in Oakton, Virginia.

John H. Williams, BS ’68, MS ’70, agricultural economics, was named a Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Champion by Oklahoma State University. He started Chef’s Requested Foods in 1979 in Oklahoma City, which now sells more than 1 million pounds of value-added meat/food products each year. He is a member of the Industry Advisory Committee of the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center.

Richard Bergseth, BS ’69, physics, polymers and coatings, retired after 40 years of leadership at Bergseth Bros., a wholesale beer distributor.

’70s

Garry C. Bopp, BS ’71, mechanical engineering, retired from Delta Air Lines as a captain. During his 36-year career, he amassed more than 22,000 flight hours. He served as flight engineer on the B-727 and copilot on the DC-9, B-737, B-757 and B-767. He was promoted to captain in 1990 on the MD-88 and retired as a lead line check pilot on the 767-400. He lives in Covington, Georgia.

Joel Davy, BArch ’71, architecture, received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the North Dakota chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He is owner and principal at JLG Architects, Fargo.

Mary Knox-Johnson, BA ’71, English, MA ’00, speech communication, was inducted into the West Fargo High School Hall of Fame. She taught at the school for 31 years and directed and designed more than 85 plays. She was North Dakota One-Act Play Coach of the Year four times and also was named North Dakota Creative Artist of the Year.

Duane Lillehaug, BA ’71, social science, was named Boss of the Year by the Fargo-Moorhead chapter of the National Association of Legal Secretaries. He is an attorney and shareholder with Maring Williams Law Office, Fargo.

James G. Hall, BS ’73, industrial engineering, retired after 31 years at 3M Co. working in engineering and supply chain positions and 11 years as a financial adviser with LPL Financial.

Carl Oberholtzer, BS ’74, history, MEd ’98, secondary education, was inducted into the Fargo North High School Hall of Fame. He was a 1995 James Madison Fellow, a U.S. Presidential Scholar Award Teacher in 2003 and Gilder-Lehrman American North Dakota History Teacher of the Year in 2006. He co-wrote and co-produced the Emmy Award-winning film, “Road to Little Rock.”

Patricia J. S. Colberg, BS ’75, bacteriology, joined the University of Idaho as professor and chair of the Department of Civil Engineering. She previously was a faculty member at the University of Wyoming.

Michael S. Jorgensen, BS ’75, zoology, is a flight test engineer at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, California. He tests computer hardware and software in the F/A-18 Navy fighter plane. He is approaching 32 years of government service and accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours in B-52s while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force.

Brent Edison, BS ’78, business administration, joined the Vogel Law Firm’s Fargo office. His practice focuses on civil litigation, trial and appellate practice, professional responsibility and liability and natural resources litigation.

Cynthia (Shuck) Sanford, BS ’79, home economics, food and nutrition, earned the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. She is the customer service office manager for Job Service North Dakota in the Williston customer service office.

’80s

Kathryn (Bauer) Wiltse, BS ’80, art education, joined the North Dakota Soybean Council as an administrative assistant in the group's Fargo office.

Mark Oberlander, BS ’81, agricultural economics, was promoted to senior agricultural banker at Dacotah Bank, Valley City, North Dakota. He has been with the bank for 16 years.

Lonnie Laffen, BArch ’82, architecture, BA ’82, architectural studies, is president of JLG Architects. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal recently ranked JLG fifth on a list of the top 25 architectural firms in the Twin Cities.

Ralph Manley, BS ’82, physical education, was inducted into the Fargo South High School Hall of Fame. He was the swimming and diving coach at Mandan High School, where he won four state girls and three state boys championships.

Robert J Becklund, BS ’83, electrical and electronic engineering, was inducted into the West Fargo High School Hall of Fame. He is the former commander of the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter Wing, known as the Happy Hooligans. He is chief of staff for the Air National Guard in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Karen (Orth) O’Leary, AD ’83, nursing, is a writer and editor in West Fargo, North Dakota. She has published poetry, short stories and articles in a variety of venues including Frogpond; A Hundred Gourds; Haiku Pix; Sharpening the Green Pencil 2014; Now This: Contemporary Poems of Beginnings, Renewals and Firsts; and Creative Inspirations. She also edits an online poetry journal called Whispers at http://whispersinthewind333.blogspot.com.

Michael Deschamp, BUS ’84, university studies, wrote “One Egg or Two,” a collection of short stories that explores family, friendship and tragedy. It is available on Amazon.com. He has taught high school and college English for more than 25 years.

Todd Lorenzen, BS ’84, construction engineering, joined Big Sky Civil and Environmental Inc. as a geotechnical engineer/project manager. He manages the firm’s branch office in Missoula, Montana. He also serves as assistant football coach at Missoula Hellgate High School.

John Oxton, BS ’84, physical education, was inducted into the Fargo North High School Hall of Fame. He has been a teacher and coach for 31 years. One of his teams won the 1989 Class C State Championship in Montana, and another squad won the Minnesota State Class AAAA Championship.

Jeffrey Slaby, BS ’84, zoology, MBA ’04, business administration, joined Moore Engineering as chief financial officer. He previously was with CoreLink Administrative Solutions, Border States Electric and Cargill’s North American Financial Service Center in Fargo.

Kimberley (Bratholt) Wolf, AD ’84, nursing, was named vice president of Service Line Development for Essentia Health West Region. She lives in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Russell Peterson, BS ’85, architectural studies, BArch ’86, architecture, was elected president of the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Licensed Architects. Peterson and Marcia Stemwedel, BArch ’86, architecture, recently merged their architecture firms and founded Clever Architecture LLC, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Doreen M. Sayler, BS ’85, pharmacy, and Natalie Sayler, BS ’97, pharmaceutical sciences, PharmD ’99, pharmacy, of Central Avenue Pharmacy in Valley City, North Dakota, received the Health Mart Community Health-care Excellence Award. It was one of 10 pharmacies across the country to receive the award, which recognizes outstanding care and services.

Julie Garden-Robinson, BS ’86, MS ’89, food and nutrition, PhD ’94, cereal science, received a 2015 Regional Excellence in Extension Award. She is an NDSU Extension Service food and nutrition specialist and professor of health, nutrition and exercise sciences.

Michael D. Tokach, BS ’86, animal and range sciences, received the Non-ruminant Animal Nutrition Award for his achievements in the swine industry from the American Feed Industry Association and American Society of Animal Science. He is a professor and state leader of Extension at Kansas State University.

Robert B. Ruud, BS ’87, electrical and electronic engineering, MBA ’06, business administration, and Susan (Hansen) Ruud, BS ’83, MS ’87, bacteriology, opened Prairie Rose Meadery in south Fargo.

Daniel P. Smith, BS ’87, electrical and electronic engineering, was inducted into the Fargo South High School Hall of Fame. He is considered a key member of a team from Red Canyon Software that designed and verified large programmable chips for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle spacecraft.

Kendall Bohn, BA ’89, art, sells 24 of his own coloring books. His designs include abstract patterns and his interpretation of mandalas, dinosaurs, butterflies and fairy princesses.

Merrie Sue (Dubbs) Holtan, MA ’89, speech communication, was named director of Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Marcil Center for Innovative Journalism. She is an assistant professor in the university’s School of Communication and Journalism.

Laurie (olson) Schwartzwald, BS ’89, pharmacy, was named the 2015 National Preceptor of the Year by the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation. She is co-founder of GuidePoint Pharmacy in Minnesota and serves as vice president of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.

’90s

Lynn Wold, BS ’90, business administration, was appointed president and CEO of UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s in Sioux City, Iowa.

Anthony Ellertson, BA ’91, MA ’01, English, is director and clinical associate professor of the games, interactive media and mobile program in conjunction with the College of Innovation and Design and the Division of Research and Economic Development at Boise State University.

Christopher C. Myers, BS ’92, sociology, was named interim U.S. attorney for North Dakota. He has served in the office for nearly 14 years.

Ryan Taylor, BS ’92, agricultural economics, mass communication, was appointed North Dakota state director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

Lisa (Christenson) Dybdal, BS ’94, child development and family science, is a paraprofessional in the special education department at Morris (Minnesota) Area Elementary School.

Merideth Sherlin, BS ’94, MA ’02, mass communication, was named director of admission at NDSU, following a national search. She joined the NDSU Office of Admission in 1997 as coordinator of outreach activities and created NDSU’s tele-counseling program, Tele-Student. Following several promotions in the office, she was named associate director in 2003 and appointed interim director in 2015. The admission team has contributed to steady enrollment growth in the freshman class from slightly more than 1,500 students to 2,500 students. The office receives approximately 9,000 applications each year.

Dawn (Morseth) Brenamen, BS ’95, nursing, MBA ’11, business administration, joined Noridian Mutual Insurance Co. as manager of health informatics.

Peter S. Johnson, BS ’96, business administration, joined Town and Country Credit Union, Fargo, as an executive mortgage officer. In 2012 and 2014, he was named the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Champion of Affordable Lending Loan Officer and was a 2014 Platinum Lender with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Shana Petermann, BS ’97, MS ’01, microbiology, was named Educator of the Year by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. She is a microbiology instructor at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Moorhead.

Heather (Evans) Krehlik, BS ’98, physical education, was named Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She is the physical education department chair at Derry Area School District.

Keith Bergseth, BS ’99, business administration, was named general manager of Bergseth Bros., a wholesale beer distributor.

Matthew Blaufuss, BS ’99, agricultural economics, joined IAB Financial Bank of Fort Wayne, Indiana, as an agribusiness lender.

Brian Post, BS ’99, civil engineering, was elected section president for the Chesapeake Section of the American Society of Highway Engineers. He is a transportation project manager and serves as Gannett Fleming’s Highway Group manager in Baltimore.

’00s

Jason Huck, BS ’01, computer science, and Beret Huck, BS ’02, humanities, started Project 1:17, a nonprofit organization, to help Ethiopian citizens support their families and raise healthy children.

Todd Knain, BS ’03, management, MBA ’10, business administration, was promoted to director of planning at Noridian Healthcare Solutions, Fargo.

Jordan (Zellmann) Schrupp, BS ’03, veterinary technology, received the AVTE/Wiley Blackwell New Teacher Award at the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators biennial symposium in Niagara Falls, Ontario. She is a lecturer in the NDSU veterinary technology program.

Kassie Fay Swenson, BS ’03, speech communication, was named director of strategy and system alignment for Federal Way Public Schools in Federal Way, Washington.

Cortney (Ward) Christensen, BS ’04, elementary education, won the Fargo Marathon’s women’s 10K in a time of 41:38. She lives in Hallock, Minnesota.

Sarah (Baertsch) Lutz, BS ’05, child development and family science and pre-elementary education, was named the 2016 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. She is a third grade teacher at Stanley County Elementary School in Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

Chandra (Johnson) Nilsson, BS ’05, veterinary technology, received the Emerging Leader Award from the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association. She is a member of the Groton, South Dakota, Veterinary Clinic and is a mixed-practice veterinarian.

Callie Jean Nordahl, BS ’05, business administration, has founded a nonprofit titled Students Abroad Sexual Assault Resource Initiative.

Dr. Susan Safratowich, MS ’05, zoology, has joined Lifetime Vision in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2009.

Kristin (McDougall) Sharbono, MEd ’05, counseling and guidance, joined The Village Family Service Center in Fargo as a family-based therapist.

Tyler Tracy, BS ’05, recreational management, MS ’13, health, nutrition and exercise science, was named activities director at Park Christian School in Moorhead.

Samuel Wilke, BS ’05, civil engineering, was named as one of Civil and Structural Engineer Magazine’s 2015 Rising Stars in Structural Engineering. He is a professional engineer with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Fargo.

Nathaniel Lutovsky, BA ’06, political science, joined the RAND Corp. Office of Congressional Relations as a national security outreach assistant. He previously served as a legislative assistant for Sen. Kent Conrad. He lives in Herndon, Virginia.

Angela Voigt, BSN ’06, nursing, was promoted to director of cardio- vascular services at The Medical Center of Aurora in Aurora, Colorado.

David Mattern, BS ’07, sociology, earned the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. He is a custodian with the Facility Management Division of the Office of Management and Budget in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Jennifer Reierson, MA ’07, speech communication, PhD ’09, communication, joined Flint Group in Duluth, Minnesota, as a public relations strategist.

Amy Nicole Uthus, BA ’07, art, was awarded a $5,600 project grant by the Iowa Arts Council. Her project, “Prairie: Traces,” was displayed in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lance Michael Cayko, MArch ’08, architecture, and Alex Gore, BS ’07, environmental design, MArch ’08, architecture, MS ’11, construction management, were featured on HGTV’s “Tiny House, Big Living” Aug 10. Their architecture firm, F9 Productions Inc., Longmont, Colorado, is trying to make small homes accessible for people who like a simple life. They are starting a new company named Atlas Tiny House.

Maari (Larsen) Loy, BS ’08, PharmD ’10, pharmaceutical sciences, MBA ’11, business administration, was named the 2015 Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year in North Dakota. The award recognizes individual excellence and outstanding contributions in state pharmacy association activities, community affairs and professional practice.

Christopher Scott Paterson, BUS ’08, university studies, finished his first season as manager of the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association. He reports he will return to the team next season for his seventh year as a professional baseball manager. He also is entering his fourth season as a scout for the Miami Marlins baseball club. He lives in Yucaipa, California.

Daniel Schwandt, BS ’08, electrical engineering, MS ’11, electrical and computer engineering, joined John Deere Electronic Solutions in Fargo as a software design engineer.

Teanna Aduddell, BS ’09, veterinary technology, received the Outstanding Veterinary Technician Award from the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association. She is a vet tech at Noah’s Ark in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Christine Dimmer, BS ’09, interior design, passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam. She lives in Fargo.

Sandra Gilbertson, MEd ’09, educational leadership, was named executive director of human resources at North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton. She previously was chief executive officer at Circle of Nations School, Wahpeton.

David Mills, PhD ’09, history, was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to spend 21 weeks teaching at Bashkir State University in Ufa, Russia. He is a history instructor at Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

’10s

Ryan Bacon, BS ’10, industrial engineering and management, was promoted to director of operations at JDP Automation in Moorhead, Minnesota. He has worked with the company since 2007.

Trish Glass Bauman, BS ’10, management, was named a member of the 2015 Executive Council of New York Life Insurance Co., which recognizes the most successful of the company’s sales force. She lives in Linton, North Dakota, and is associated with New York Life’s Fargo office.

Mary A. Berg, BS ’10, animal science, was named Communicator of the Year by the North Dakota chapter of the Association for Communication Excellence and NDSU Communication. She is the NDSU Extension Service livestock environmental management specialist at the Carrington Research Extension Center.

Joshua McAlister, BS ’10, business administration, was promoted to personal loan officer for Gate City Bank at the bank’s West Fargo location.

Elise Pforr, MS ’10, child development and family science, was promoted to program director at Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley in Fargo. She joined the organization in 2012 and was a program coordinator overseeing multiple sites.

Scott Strenge, MEd ’10, educational leadership, was named the North Dakota Middle School Principal of the Year. He is the principal at Wyndmere, North Dakota.

Jill McMullen, DNP ’11, advanced nursing practice, was hired at Saint Sophie’s, an outpatient mental health clinic in Fargo.

Bethany Johnson, BS ’12, human development and family science, was promoted to behavior services program manager at the North Dakota Autism Center, West Fargo.

Ramesh Singh, BS ’12, computer science, MBA ’14, business administration, was hired by Stoneridge Software as a senior consultant.

Andrew D. Smith, BS ’12, history, joined the Vogel Law Firm in Fargo as an attorney. He practices in the areas of civil litigation, business law, real estate law and environmental law.

Aaron Tollefson, BS ’12, agricultural economics, joined RDO Equipment as an internal auditor.

Kaylin Sheets, BS ’14, human development and family science, was promoted to Super Stars head teacher at the North Dakota Autism Center, West Fargo.

Jacob Stevens, BS ’14, accounting, joined Widmer Roel, Fargo, as a staff accountant in the audit department.

Natalie Aughinbaugh, DNP ’15, advanced nursing practice, joined Sanford Health as a nurse practitioner at the West Fargo Clinic.

Dianne Kappelman Beyer, DNP ’15, advanced nursing practice, joined the Sanford Health Broadway clinic in Fargo as a nurse practitioner.

Sarah Crook, MArch ’15, architecture, was promoted to architectural designer with the Integrative Design Team in Duluth, Minnesota. Crook also is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Green Associate.

Samantha Kramer, BS ’15, dietetics, joined Medical Weight Loss Specialists, Fargo, as a registered dietitian.

Carly Schindler, BS ’15, human development and family science, was promoted to Little Stars head teacher at the North Dakota Autism Center, West Fargo.

Shelby Sorum, BS ’15, interior design, is co-owner of 701 Design + Events that recently opened in downtown Dickinson, North Dakota.

       Contents     |    Email us     |    PDF version (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)