UND Alumni Association & Foundation

Did you know UND students can major in Esports? 🎮🖥️

UND is home to North Dakota’s first esports undergraduate degree, one of the three esports offerings. There is also a varsity athletics and a recreational program that launched the University’s esports journey. The esports degree, part of the Kinesiology Department, collaborates with various campus departments to offer diverse student opportunities. Graduates can coach esports, secure social media jobs, pursue careers sports business, and more! 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗮𝘁 go.UNDalumni.org/esports.

Get ready for a night of inspiration and celebration! Join us at the 2024 Alumni Honors Banquet presented by United Valley Bank as we introduce nine of UND's most distinguished alumni. These remarkable individuals have made their mark in the world, and we can't wait to celebrate their achievements with you! Meet this year's recipients at UNDalumni.org/events/alumni-honors
📅 Thursday, Sept. 26
📍 Alerus Center, Grand Forks
⏰ 5:30-9 p.m.
🎟️ 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄: pd.UNDalumni.org/alumni-honors

Welcome to the Family. Whether you're conquering your dream job, traveling the world, or continuing your education, we are of you, Class of 2024!

Get ready to don your kelly green because 𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬! Since 1916, Homecoming has brought together alumni and friends for a week of celebration, camaraderie, and UND pride.

Here's a sneak peek at what's in store for the week of Sept. 23-28:
🙌 Volunteer opportunities
💚 Social hours
🎉 Parade
🏈 Cheering on the Fighting Hawks to victory!

For a complete list of events, visit go.UNDalumni.org/homecoming

Only a few days left to register for the 2024 Faculty Investiture Ceremony & Celebration! This annual tradition honors all endowed faculty and welcomes a new class to the ranks.

The program will feature remarks from endowed professor Dr. Amanda Haage and entrepreneur Phil Gisi, ’82. A reception will follow with a charcuterie board spread, complimentary beverages and live music.

𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Register to attend online or in person at go.UNDalumni.org/investiture.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been honored with the 2024 Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education! 🏆

Our 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐭 gratitude event received Silver recognition in the category of Special Events | In-Person – Multi-Day Events. This event brought together more than 2,000 students who wrote thank-you notes to their scholarship donors, enjoyed pizza and donuts, and entered scholarship drawings. 🍕🍩

Special thanks to our amazing volunteers and partners who helped make this event a success. Your efforts truly made a difference!

“We at the UND Alumni Association and Foundation share this award with all those who helped make Notes from the Nest a success,” said Jenn Lukens, Director of Stewardship & Donor Appreciation.

Stay tuned for our next 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐭 event on Oct. 14-15!

We're on a mission to make a difference through impactful fundraising, and we need YOU to help lead the way!

We're looking for a 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫. What You'll Do:
📜 Guide our financial and compliance policies
✅ Ensure we’re always legally compliant
💼 Offer expertise on complex gift vehicles and planned giving

Ready to make an impact on UND and it's students? Apply now at: https://undalumni.org/undaafcareercenter.

From Lake Country to Target Field, here are some of our favorite moments from the past week 📷💚

As part of our Homecoming Week traditions, the University of North Dakota will recognize nine of its most distinguished alumni at this year's Alumni Honors Banquet presented by United Valley Bank. The banquet will be held at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 5:30-9:00 p.m.

𝗧𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀, visit pd.UNDalumni.org/alumni-honors

This year's Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership recipients are:
Mike Jacobs, ’70, HON ’14, & Suezette Bieri, ’69,’70,’89
Chuck Kummeth,’83
Dr. Monica Mayer, ’95
Dave Miedema, ’76,
Cathy (Wilson) Rydell, ’88

Young Alumni Achievement Award recipients are:
Dr. Tiffany (Stratton) Hamilton,’06
Emily O’Brien,’15
Erica (Wondrasek) Thunder, ’11, '14

To learn more about this year's recipients, please visit UNDalumni.org/events/alumni-honors

Graduating is a huge accomplishment, and we want to celebrate with you, Class of 2024! The UND Alumni Association & Foundation is throwing a social for all UND students graduating this summer.

Enjoy food, beverages, and special photo ops. Family and friends are welcome. No registration is necessary.

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥
📅 Friday, Aug. 2
📍 Gorecki Alumni Center
🕒 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join us for the annual State of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Address on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Gorecki Alumni Center from 4:30-6 p.m.

At this event, we will celebrate an amazing year of achievements and highlight your ongoing support of the University of North Dakota.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘁 go.UNDalumni.org/address

🚨 LOCATION CHANGE 🚨
Hawks Hour in Detroit Lakes will be hosted at the Holiday Inn Detroit Lakes - Lakefront in the Tamarac/Pelican/Detroit room from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17. The address is 1155 US-10, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.

The Fighting Hawks are heading to Detroit Lakes!

Get ready for the 2024-25 athletic season with alumni and friends from the University of North Dakota. Join us for Hawks Hour at the Lakeside Tavern from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.

💚 Socialize with UND leaders and coaches
📣 Connect with fellow UND fans
🍴 Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar

Register now at go.UNDalumni.org/hawks-hour-dl

Did you know 2 out of 3 family physicians in North Dakota graduated from UND? 🩺

We're searching for a Director of Development to champion student support and academic programming at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. By joining our team, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of North Dakota Healthcare. The ideal candidate will have:

✨ A proven track record in fundraising and development
✨ Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and networking skills
✨ The ability to build meaningful relationships with donors, alumni, corporate partners, and friends
✨ Appreciation for the University of North Dakota

Ready to make a difference? Learn more and apply today at UNDalumni.org/undaafcareercenter

⚾Join us for UND Night @ Target Field! ⚾

Cheer on the Minnesota Twins with your UND Family as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies. Receive an exclusive co-themed UND-Twins jersey when you purchase tickets at twins.com/UND.

UND Night @ Target Field
Monday, July 22
6:40 p.m.
Target Field, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, Minn.

🎉Don't forget to swing by Cowboy Jack's - Downtown Minneapolis for a pregame party from 4-6 p.m.

University of North Dakota

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝

Remember the adventurous couple featured in the UND Alumni Magazine 2021 Winter Edition? We told of their work in American Samoa with the U.S. Public Health Service. Read on for an update on their latest world travels….

Jill (Owen), ’82, and David Engelstad, ’90, made it to their dream destination – a rural village in Botswana, Africa, on a two-year volunteer assignment with the Peace Corps. They quickly saw the struggles faced by their new community (poverty, unemployment, water shortage, and crop failure, to name a few).

For the last eight months, the couple, with their intentional living mentality and focus on sustainable development, has brought their expertise in engineering and health to help address common barriers and educate young people through the following programs:
· After-School Girls Mentorship Program
· Multi-Village Sports Development Program
· Coaching Girls into Women & Coaching Boys into Men
· After-School STEM Clubs
· Neighborhood Tutoring
· Safe S*x & Life Skills Classes

Jill and David will stay in Africa through November 2025. Although miles apart from their alma mater, they also continue to fund student education in North Dakota by giving back to UND.

Are you a creative visionary with a passion for the University of North Dakota? We have two open positions on our Marketing & Communications team! We are looking for a Graphic Designer and a Photographer & Social Media Coordinator. 🎨📸

Ready to show us your creativity and expertise? Apply now! 👉 undalumni.org/undaafcareercenter

We hope to see you there! 😎

The Fighting Hawks are heading to Detroit Lakes!

Get ready for the 2024-25 athletic season with alumni and friends from the University of North Dakota. Join us for Hawks Hour at the Lakeside Tavern from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.

💚 Socialize with UND leaders and coaches
📣 Connect with fellow UND fans
🍴 Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar

Register now at go.UNDalumni.org/hawks-hour-dl

We are heading to Pelican Lake on Friday, July 19! ☀️😎

Join us at the beautiful lake home of Jim, '92, and Nicole, '98, Poolman for an evening of fun and philanthropy! UND President Andy Armacost and UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink, '86, will share exciting news from campus about the important work being done to help students succeed at the University of North Dakota.

Please RSVP at go.UNDalumni.org/lakes

We had an amazing evening at Hawks Hour in Bismarck on Wednesday. Thank you, Legacy Financial Partners, for hosting! 🎉

It's our birthday! 🎂 🎉

135 years ago, eight graduates of the University of North Dakota got together and decided it was important for graduates and alumni to stay connected after their time on campus. This created the beginning of the Alumni Association that lives on today!

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

Dan and Jolene Mikkelson have made a remarkable $5 million gift to the University of North Dakota! Their generosity will fund scholarships across UND Athletics and academics, making a lasting impact on future students.

Here's the breakdown of their generous donation:
💚 $2M to North Dakota Men's Hockey
💚 $1M to North Dakota Football
💚 $1M to UND Women’s Athletics
💚 $500K to UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
💚 $500K to the UND Occupational Therapy program

Inspired by their son's interactions with student-athletes, the Mikkelsons are giving back to the community that shaped them.

| North Dakota Athletics

𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

The Pancratz Career Development Center has matched more than 140 students with alumni through the Mentorship Program, one of the Center's services that aims to prepare students for professional success.

During Lauren Cain’s four years at UND, she landed three internships and graduated with a full-time position. She credits the Pancratz Mentor Program and her mentor, Alli Bauman, ’18, for helping her achieve these feats.

The Mentor Program, one of many benefits at the Pancratz Career Development Center, is housed in the UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and is primarily funded by Linda Pancratz, ’76. A successful businesswoman, Linda has appreciated the benefits of mentorship throughout her career and helped develop the program in 2018.

Lauren, ’22, was drawn to UND because of the Pancratz Center’s resources. While attending Admitted Student Day in spring 2018, Lauren was blown away. “I immediately leaned over to my mom and said, ‘I am going to work there.’ A few months later, I was hired right before my freshman year began,” Lauren said.

While helping other students as a marketing assistant, Lauren was able to take advantage of the resources for her own professional growth. The biggest benefit was her mentorship from Alli. Lauren was connected to Alli after a career goal assessment, and it was a perfect match.

“Alli gave me real-world advice that put everything in perspective. She told me the truth and talked to me like a mentor instead of a recruiter,” Lauren said.

For Alli, being a mentor is all about paying it forward. “I am a strong believer in the power of mentorship, and I wanted to give back to the students as people had previously done for me,” Alli said. Like many other mentors, her affinity for UND and the experience she gained as a student sparked her desire to connect with students.

Today, both Alli and Lauren enjoy careers enhanced by their time at UND and their involvement with the Pancratz Center. Alli continues to mentor students while Lauren is interested in becoming a mentor in the future.

Join us in Fargo on Wednesday, June 26! ⛳️

Get your golf clubs ready! Register yourself or a team of 5 for the Fargo stop on the Champions Golf Tour. Register online at go.UNDalumni.org/golf-fargo. ⛳️

📅 Wednesday, June 26
📍 Rose Creek Golf Course

The Spring 2024 edition of the UND Alumni Magazine is out! 🙌 Read it online at go.UNDalumni.org/magazine.

ICYMI: At the University of North Dakota Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 11, honorary degrees were awarded to Chuck Klosterman, '94, Bob Mau, Denise Flanagan, '90, and Lynn Luckow, '71.

To read more about the recipients, visit blogs.UND.edu/und-today/2024/04/more-than-1700-to-graduate-at-und-commencement-2.

Congratulations Chuck, Bob, Denise, and Lynn! 🎉

What a beautiful day on the University of North Dakota campus! 🌸☀️💚

We are thrilled to welcome over 1,700 new alumni to our community! Congratulations, Class of 2024! 💚 🎓

Class of 2024, celebrate with your University of North Dakota Alumni Family! 🎓

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation would like to invite you, your family and friends to celebrate with us at the Ralph Engelstad Arena on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. We'll have yogurt parfaits, muffins, and beverages for you to enjoy. There will be plenty of special photo opportunities to help capture the big day.