By BSU Alumni & Foundation
Published 1:58 p.m. on July 17, 2023
Angela Schmidt has been named the director of alumni relations for the Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation, effective July 19.
Schmidt, a first-generation college student and BSU graduate herself, will oversee alumni engagement and programming. She will also be responsible for event planning – including all things homecoming – and will lead in the selection and distribution of alumni scholarships and alumni awards. Additionally, she will lead strategic communications, volunteer engagement and philanthropic engagement at the foundation.
“Angela is stepping into the director of alumni relations position at a critical juncture in our history,” BSUAF executive director Allyssa Joseph said. “With her at the helm, I believe we will elevate our offerings to alumni and breathe new life into our alumni engagement strategies.”
Schmidt is no stranger to the ins and outs of the Alumni & Foundation. She has worked at the foundation for six years as the office administrative specialist, which included office management and administrative support for the foundation’s executive director and staff, as well as serving as the liaison to the foundation’s board of directors.
She has been at Bemidji State nearly her entire professional career, having previously served as an employer/recruitment coordinator in the Career Services office from 2011-17 and a customer service specialist in three offices from 2010-11.
“As an alumna with an advanced degree from BSU and a 14-year history as a full-time staff member, Angela will hit the ground running,” Joseph said. “I’m excited to see her serve our alumni base by developing high-impact programs.”
“The foundation board is thrilled to see Angela stepping into this very important, high-profile position as director of alumni relations without skipping a beat,” BSUAF board of directors president Joe Grabowski added. “We all know that she is a Bemidji State Beaver through and through and bleeds green and white. Angela brings bold, fresh thinking to engage our loyal alumni around the globe and keep them connected to this new era of BSU.”
Schmidt has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a master’s degree in teaching, both from Bemidji State. She is also a Bemidji native and a Bemidji High School graduate. She and her husband, Danny, have three children: Makenna, Mady and Maya.
Schmidt replaces fellow BSU alum Brett Bahr, who held the position for eight years through May 2023.
Schmidt’s office is located on the second floor of the David Park House. She can be reached via email at Angela.Schmidt@bemidjistate.edu or by phone at 218-755-2599.
