Molly Houts
The new Alumni 101 series is designed to help recent graduates navigate some of the question marks that pop up as they enter the “real world.”
Fueled by resilience, leadership and passion, these women are paving the way for future generations of female leaders across communities and the work force.
When 6-year-old Jorge Prince first arrived in Minnesota’s Northwoods, he did not speak English. But he’s now fluent in all things Paul Bunyan and, as Bemidji’s mayor, stands just as tall as its favorite lumberjack.
Wanting to honor her late father by continuing her education, Brigid Baier found healing along the shores of Bemidji State University.
Bella Vannavong was inspired to enter the healthcare field so that she could create a better life for people like her grandparents. Vannavong is also the recipient of the Sam & Peggy Johnson Scholarship in Biology, and because of her donors’ support, she’s able to pursue an education at Bemidji State.
Rich Siegert is familiar with rounding the bases of the softball field, as he was an active member in intramural sports during his time at Bemidji State University. Now the same site is home to the BSU softball team, but Siegert’s footprint still shows up in the dirt.
BSU has recently been awarded a $2.5 million S-STEM grant from the National Science Foundation that will benefit current and future low-income students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an approved STEM discipline.