UND Founders Day
The Founders Day banquet is the annual celebration of our history and a time to honor members of our campus community.
It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Dakota Territory legislation, on February 27, 1883, establishing the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
2025 Founders Day
Thursday, February 20, 2025
5:15 p.m.
Memorial Union Ballroom
Departmental Registration Form
About the 142nd Founders Day Celebration
Those traditionally honored at an event include:
- Retirees with 15 or more continuous, full-time, benefited years of service
- Employees with 25 years of service
- Outstanding faculty, departments, advisors, and researchers
- New Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors
2025 Retirees and 25 Year Employees
The following faculty and staff were honored at Founders Day for their dedication and commitment to UND.
Name | Department |
---|---|
Faye Aaker | Education Resources |
Jon Allen | UND Simulation Center |
Lisa Beehler | Bismarck CFM |
Jane Beme | Languages |
Hans Broedel | History & American Indian Studies |
Mary Chrisman | Academic Support Services |
Mary Dailey | TRIO Programs |
Bruce Dearden | Mathematics |
Raymond Dewall | EERC |
Bruce Dockter | Civil Engineering |
Patricia Dorsher | Registrar's Office |
Thomas Eastman | Facilities |
Marlys Escobar | Nursing |
Brad Gibbens | Rural Health |
Marilyn Gregoire | Theatre Arts |
Linda Grinde | Office of Emergency Management |
Bryon Grove | Biomedical Sciences |
Jay Gunderson | EERC |
Brigit Hans | History & American Indian Studies |
Lauri Hanson | Psychology |
Shelby Harken | Chester Fritz Library |
Joseph Hartman | Geology & Geological Engineering |
Renee Hauschulz | Housing Residence |
Julie Horn | Biomedical Sciences |
Donita Johnson | Bismarck CFM |
Pamela Kalbfleisch | Communications |
Kim Keeley | Education & Human Development |
Anita Kemnitz | Human Resources |
James Klein | Housing Residence |
Patricia Kleven | EERC |
David Knittel | Chemistry |
Terri Lannoye | Bismarck CFM |
Joesph LaPorte | Facilities |
David Lawrence | Philosphy & Ethics |
Glenda Lindseth | Nursing |
Julie Magnus | Center for Biomedical Research |
Jeffrey Manske | Facilities |
Ronald Marsh | SEECS |
Timothy Marynik | EERC |
James Mochoruk | History & American Indian Studies |
Lisa Moore | Grand & Contract Accounting |
Lori Morken | One Stop |
Mark Musich | EERC |
Jody Paulson | Comminications Sciences & Disorders |
Kirk Peterson | Flight Support Services |
Becky Peterson | Deans Office Aerospace |
Erik Pihl | EERC |
Deborah Radi | Education & Human Development |
Steven Rand | English |
Bruce Reeves | Social Work |
Thomas Richards | Mathematics |
Lucia Romuld | EERC |
Mary Schmidt | OEL Support |
Lee Smith | Academic Support Services |
Robert Sticca | Surgery |
Morgan Stroh | Flight Support Services |
Michael Swanson | Chester Fritz Library |
Renae Tholkes | Chester Fritz Library |
Michale Voll | EERC |
Jeffrey Weatherly | Psychology |
Laura Whitmore | OEL Support |
Sheryl Wilde | Facilities |
Laurie Young | Biomedical Sciences |
Name | Department |
---|---|
Jennifer Aamodt | Admissions |
Pamela Beck | Teaching & Leadership |
Michele Carroll | Academic Affairs |
Anne Christopherson | Music |
Melissa Dietrich | Student Finance |
Jane Dunlevy | Biomdedical Sciences |
Heidi Flaten | OEL Support |
Jan Gunderson | SMHS Library Resources |
David Haberman | Thomodsgard Law Library |
Curt Hanson | Chester Fritz Library |
Lauri Hanson | Psychology |
Loreal Heebink | EERC |
Mark Jendrysik | Politicial Science & Public Administration |
Jason Jensen | Political Science & Public Administration |
Kathie Johnke | College of Engineering & Mines |
Nada Jurkic | Dining Residence |
Denelle Kees | College of Engineering & Mines |
Soizik Laguette | Earth System & Science Policy |
Kari Lindemann | EERC |
Sandra Moritz | Education, Health & Behavior |
Jason Moug | Children & Family Services |
Stephen Murphy | Facilities |
Seong-Hyun Nam | Entrepreneurship & Management |
James Porter | Biomedical Sciences |
Jacqueline Quisno | Bismarck CFM |
Wayne Riveland | Human Nutrition Center |
Martin Short | Education, Health & Behavior |
Carissa Sigdahl | Dining Support Services |
Tami Votava | EERC |
Richard Weber | Academic Support Services |
Kara Wettersten | Education, Health & Behavior |
Kimberly Wickersham | Physics & Astrophysics |
2025 Faculty and Departmental Awards
UND wants to recognize the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff. The recipients of the faculty, staff and departmental awards are chosen based off of a nomination process.
FOUNDERS DAY NOMINATION PROCESS- Montana Etten-Bohm, Atmospheric Sciences
- Duane Helleloid, Entrepreneurship & Management
Diane Darland, Biology
Wayne Seames, Chemical Engineering
TBD
Aaron Kennedy, Atmospheric Sciences
Archana Dhasarathy, Biomedical Sciences
Dr. Archana Dhasarathy is an exceptional mentor who has significantly contributed to my academic and professional growth. Under her mentorship, I became one of the first graduate students in my cohort to pass the comprehensive exam and secure a publication. Dr. Dhasarathy's hands-on approach included personally guiding me through over a dosen research protocols, ensuring a solid foundation in laboratory techniques. Dr. Archana Dhasarathy has created a supportive, inclusive, and motivating environment for students through her thoughtful actions and genuine commitment to their well-being. Recognizing the potential isolation in graduate school, she has taken proactive steps to foster a sense of community and belonging among students. Dr. Dhasarathy regularly hosts one to two social gathering events per semester, inviting graduate students and postdocs from various labs, including those that don't typically organize such events. She even extends these invitations to students from different departments, promoting interdisciplinary connections. Understanding the importance of mental health and work-life balance, Dr. Dhasarathy does not impose rigid working hours on her graduate students. Instead, she offers the flexibility to take mental health days when needed, recognizing that personal well-being is crucial for academic success. In conclusion, Dr. Archana Dhasarathy's outstanding mentorship deserves recognition for its lasting impact on students' academic and professional journeys. Her selfless dedication, comprehensive support, and embodiment of servant leadership principles not only shape successful scientists but also cultivate compassionate, effective leaders across various fields.
Mark Kaemingk, Biology
Dr. Kaemingk is an effective mentor who drives students’ academic, research, and professional development. Each student in the Kaemingk lab group has a designated hour-long time slot each week reserved for one-on-one meetings with him where he is open to discuss (or simply listen to) any topic the student needs, whether academic, research, professional, or personal. This consistent stability and a willingness to always be available to each student on an individual basis is what helps each of his students meet their goals. He motivates his students by encouraging us to be curious together. I have grown so much by working with Dr. Kaemingk, and I am so thankful for his mentorship as he truly inspires and facilities students’ growth.
Although Dr. Kaemingk is only in his fifth year at UND, he has already mentored five graduate students, with two already completing their Master’s degrees and one set to finish next semester. A common comment was how Dr. Kaemingk made time for them through weekly individual and lab group meetings. I can vouch that his lab meetings are highly interactive, spirited, and positive—I often hear these through the conference room door. I hear a lot of critical questions being asked, and there is an open exchange of ideas from everyone participating. Especially important is his emphasis on having students think more broadly about not only their research questions, but about how they will communicate with different audiences. To help with that he encourages, and financially supports, students to regularly travel to meetings, present their research, and interact with other scientists. In summary, Dr. Kaemingk is one of the best two graduate student mentors I have encountered at UND, and I have served on numerous committees across campus. I give my highest recommendation for recognizing his commitment to mentoring graduate students.
Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Education, Health & Behavior
- Jill Caya
- Cheryl Kingsbury
- Kirsten Pratt
- Melanie Schindler
- Gabriella Williams
- Adelyn Emter, Student, Psychology
- Kari Holter, Student Involvement & Parent Programs
- Melissa Gjellstad, Languages
TBD
Political Science & Public Administration, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
TBD
History & American Indian Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Previous Founders Day Award Winners
UND History
Founded in 1883, six years before North Dakota became a state, our founders believed they could make a difference. And they did.