By BSU Alumni & Foundation
Published 8:00 am on August 1, 2025
Travel back in time with us as we remember some of the momentous moments of Bemidji State history from the month of August.
Aug. 1, 1982: Ted Gillett became Bemidji State's sixth permanent president. Once dubbed "Bemidji's best friend," Gillett's time as president was highlighted by student-centered construction and renovation projects. One of his constructions was the building of the Gillett Wellness Center, which is named in his honor, and considered by some as “perhaps the single most significant physical improvement in making the campus more attractive to students.” Gillett was also successful in renovating part of Pine Hall into apartments for students who were single parents in 1990. Today, Cedar Hall is used as the building for single parents to live in with their children, while Pine Hall houses freshmen. Also under Gillett, the Alumni Arch outside of Deputy Hall was established, which has become the university’s most distinguished landmark and serves as the unofficial gateway to campus. Ted Gillett was considered a very public man. He attended all campus events, along with events that took place in the community.
Aug. 6, 2020: Former Beaver Zach Whitecloud made NHL history by scoring his first career goal and becoming the first player in NHL history to do so in the month of August. (Toronto's Nick Robertson duplicated the feat with his first career goal less than an hour later in a game against Columbus.) Whitecloud also became the first Golden Knight to score his first career goal in the playoffs. The goal came at the 2:01 mark of the third period, tying the game at 4-4 before Vegas struck twice more to beat St. Louis 6-4 in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers round-robin game.
Aug. 10, 1918: After a summer of tree clearing, brick laying and cement pouring, leaders installed Deputy Hall's cornerstone. The cornerstone was laid by Judge C.W. Stanton under the auspices of the Masonic order, with Governor J.A.A. Burnquist delivering the address for the occasion. Appropriate ceremonies were carried out and the event was another red-letter day in Bemidji, creating enthusiasm scarcely less than that which occurred when the school's location was determined.
Aug. 16, 1954: The first issue of Sports Illustrated, which featured former Bemidji State student and New York Giants catcher Wes Westrum on the cover, published on this date. It was an honor he shared with Milwaukee Braves star Eddie Mathews and umpire Augie Donatelli. The cover depicts Mathews swinging at a pitch in front of Westrum and Donatelli, plus a packed Milwaukee County Stadium in the background. The issue sold for 25 cents per copy.
Aug. 20, 1931: Art Lee, a professor emeritus of history and the university's premier historian, was born on this date in Scandinavia, Wis. Lee was a Bemidji State faculty member from 1959 until his retirement in 1995. He authored “University in the Pines” in 1994, which is considered the definitive history of Bemidji State University, in conjunction with the university’s 75th anniversary celebration.
Aug. 24, 2001: Jon Quistgaard began his presidency at Bemidji State, becoming the ninth person to hold the permanent position. He served until July 2010 and was known for being approachable and friendly to students and staff, who came to know him as “Q.” Quistgaard believed deeply in the values of the university, and once said that “the true greatness of both these institutions is still in front of us.” During his tenure at Bemidji State, there were major changes in technology, enrollment, funding and diversity. Most notably, the school diversified to include students from more than 30 states and 40 countries.
