By BSU Alumni & Foundation
Published 11:41 am on November 25, 2024
It’s not often that a second annual event takes place in the same calendar year as the inaugural party.
But the Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation was too enthusiastic to wait any longer.
Ten months after hosting its first social for alumni working at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, BSU returned to Med City for the encore on Thursday, Nov. 21.
“We were very eager to return to Rochester,” said Angela Schmidt, the Alumni & Foundation’s director of alumni and career advancement. “The excitement from the first gathering created momentum that we wanted to build on. Rochester and Mayo Clinic alumni are such an essential part of our BSU family, and their enthusiasm after the first event made it clear that there was an appetite for more opportunities to connect.”
With more than double the attendees from January, plus a special tour of the Mayo Clinic facilities for Bemidji State faculty members, the results speak for themselves.
“It was incredibly encouraging to see such a significant increase in attendance,” Schmidt said. “It shows the strong sense of pride and connection among our Rochester and Mayo Clinic alumni. They’re not only engaged with BSU but also eager to grow relationships within their local alumni network.”
The social itself took on a New York flair at Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria. Over two dozen alumni and friends packed the restaurant to gather with one another, hear updates from faculty members, enjoy free food and drinks and, of course, snap a picture or two with Bucky the Beaver.
Earlier in the day, faculty members and other Bemidji State representatives also received a tour of Mayo by one of the event attendees. Dave Dahlen, a 1989 BSU grad and an education compliance officer at Mayo, showcased the campus and even arranged a meeting with Karen Helfinstine, the vice chair of education at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
Back at the social, those same faculty members provided attendees with campus updates and an inspiring word or two. Those who spoke were Jeffrey Bell, the dean of the College of Sciences and Health; Angie Fournier, psychology professor; Michael Hamann, biology professor and department chair; and Marci Maple, nursing professor.
“Our alumni are the heart and soul of nights like this,” Schmidt said. “These events succeed because our alumni genuinely care about each other and maintaining ties to Bemidji State, which is so important.”
