The ninth annual NDSU Distinguished Alumni Award Program is scheduled for November. Sponsored by the various colleges at NDSU, the program recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding alumni. It also presents an opportunity to educate students by introducing them to successful alumni in their respective fields of study.
Distinguished alumni will share career-related experiences and knowledge while visiting the NDSU campus. Each person will meet with and give presentations to students, faculty, alumni and the NDSU community. All classroom presentations and seminars are free and open to the public.
Nancy Wolff – College of Human Development and Education
Wolff, BS '99, corporate and community fitness, is the senior vice president for development for the Southwest Affiliate of the American Heart Association. She is responsible for strategy and execution of fundraising across a six-state region, raising more than $55 million. The mission of the organization is to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. She previously was executive director of the Dallas Division, which is the largest division in the country, raising $9 million through three main events – the Heart Walk, Cotes du Coeur and Go Red for Women. She has received the Rome Betts Award twice for her work in the Dallas Division.
Wolff is scheduled to present her "Career Journey" Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. in EML 370. For more information, contact Nancy Gress at nancy.gress@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8216.
Marvin E. Jensen – College of Engineering
Jensen, BS ’51, MS ’52, agricultural engineering, honorary degree '88, had a diverse career in engineering. In retirement, he’s still considered one of the foremost experts in irrigation and water management. He served the USDA from 1955-87. He then was director of the Colorado Institute for Irrigation Management at Colorado State University. From 1989-2004, Jensen was a consultant on water issues to the Wyoming attorney general, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, among other groups. Jensen’s career spanned the globe, working in Sri Lanka, Egypt, Romania, China, Pakistan and Bulgaria. He was inducted into the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Science Hall of Fame in 2000.
Jensen will return to NDSU in November to meet with faculty and students and present a seminar. A reception will be held in his honor. For more information, contact Nancy Rossland at nancy.rossland@ndsu.edu or 701-231-7994.
Paulette F. Armstrong – College of Science and Mathematics
Following her graduation, Armstrong, MS '86, computer science, was hired by E-Systems, a company in Texas, to develop performance simulations during the software design phase. E-Systems was later bought by Raytheon Company, a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. Throughout her career at Raytheon, she was a systems engineer, systems engineering manager, integrated product team lead and program manager. Later this winter, she will retire as the senior system engineering manager. She has received the Raytheon Leadership Award.
Armstrong is scheduled to return to campus Nov. 12 to visit classrooms, meet with faculty and present a seminar. For more information, contact Monique Anderson at monique.anderson@ndsu.edu or 701-231-6131.
Amy Jacobson – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Jacobson, BS '09, women and gender studies, is the North Dakota public affairs manager for Planned Parenthood – Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Jacobson is a founding member of WE Rise: Women Empowered, the only ND women's lobby day, and a founding member of Women Electing Women, a local effort to build a pipeline of women leaders. She has served as a Fargo Human Relations Commissioner, and she is a Girl Scout troop leader. Jacobson drafted legislation to increase access for low-income women to federally funded family planning services, and to provide funding for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.
Jacobson is scheduled to be on campus Nov. 17 to discuss how her education and experiences at NDSU helped prepare her for her career. For more information, contact Monique Anderson at monique.anderson@ndsu.edu or 701-231-6131.
Michael D. Tokach – College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources
Tokach, BS '86, animal and range sciences, is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University. He will be recognized in spring 2016. Look for information about his campus visit in a future issue of “It’s Happening at State.”
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