Spring / Summer 2016

Alumni, Foundation Board merger extends and deepens partnership

In January, the separate Alumni Association Board and BSU Foundation Board merged to become a combined board for the Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation. The two organizations have shared staff, offices and goals for several years despite being two separate 501(c)(3) organizations. The change to one governing body was made to increase operational efficiency.

Discussions regarding this change began among staff and board members. Both boards approved the proposed change, and a legal review determined that approval was needed by foundation members, who are donors of more than $100 in the past 12 months. The required 20 percent of members voting was achieved with more than 95 percent supporting the merger, which became effective Feb. 1.

Three inducted into BSU Professional Education Hall of Fame

Bemidji State University’s Department of Professional Education and Alumni & Foundation inducted Richard “Dick” Anderson ’68 ’75 ’86 of Solway, Daryle McCannell ’73 ’79 of Brandon, Man., and Jean (Fulton) Weyer ’81 of Menahga into BSU’s Professional Education Hall of Fame at an April 8 dinner in their honor. They were recognized for excellence in teaching students or managing schools. Inductions are held in even years.

Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees from BSU — all education-related. He was an elementary and lead teacher at Solway School for more than 20 years before becoming principal of Lincoln Elementary School. He was named principal of Bemidji High School in 2002 and held that position until retiring in 2009.

McCannell earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1973 and a master’s degree in physical education and health in 1979, both from Bemidji State. Since 1987, he  has been a physical education professor at Brandon University. In 2010, McCannell was named chair of the Physical Education Department. He received the 2012 Manitoba Physical Education Teachers Association “Innovator Award.”

Weyer obtained a bachelor of science in elementary education with a coaching certificate from BSU in 1991. She earned a master of science in educational leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2000. She spent 33 years in elementary education as a teacher and administrator. She is now a literacy education consultant and coach for NJPA Education Solutions. The former BSU field hockey and basketball player received many awards, including 2006 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

$1,000 Alumni Relative Scholarships go to 45 out of 110 who applied

Adding the alumni relative scholarship in the 2016 Admissions Department Scholarship Application this year increased the number of applications for this competitive award. The Alumni Relative Scholarship Committee reviewed the 110 essays and applications from eligible candidates and awarded $1,000 scholarships to 20 incoming freshmen and 25 returning/transfer students.

The application deadline is Feb. 1 of each year. To be eligible, an applicant must be a relative of a contributing alumnus ($50/year). That contribution makes a student eligible for consideration. It does not guarantee an award.

50-year Reunion in July will welcome BSU classes of ’65-67

Members of the class of 1966 (’65 and ’67, too) are invited to the 50-year reunion July 29-30 on the BSU campus. It will be a fun-filled weekend of catching up with old friends and reflecting on the past 50 years.  Friday night, attendees will enjoy a fish fry at the David Park House. Saturday will include a campus tour in the morning and a dinner in the evening.

Distinguished Alumni named for honors at 2016 gala in October

The three Outstanding Alumni for 2016 are Dr. Bruce Sutor ’86 of Rochester, Tracie Curb-Crowser ’90 of Hanover and Mark Ploen (1980-84) of Mound. Dr. Abby (Stritesky) Meyer ’01 of Brooklyn Park is the recipient of the Young Alumni Award. Sutor is chief resident in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Curb-Crowser is founder and partner in Curb-Crowser a Twin Cities-based creative agency. Ploen is majority owner and vice president of QualiTech Environmental in Chaska. A former BSU volleyball and softball player, Meyer is a board-certified otolaryngologist with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. The Distinguished Alumni will be recognized at the annual Honors Gala on Oct. 14 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.