An open house farewell reception is planned for Keith Bjerke, vice president for university relations, on Wednesday, May 11, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union, Plains Room (south ballroom.) Bjerke retired on Jan. 15.
Bjerke joined NDSU in 2001 and was responsible for university relations, legislative affairs and community outreach. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry from NDSU in 1961.
Prior to moving to Fargo and working for NDSU, he was adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard from 1993 until 2000. He served as the administrator of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and executive vice president of the Commodity Credit Corporation from 1989 to 1993. Prior to that, Bjerke and his wife, Marian, owned and operated Spruce Row Farm near Northwood, N.D., for 25 years.