Stella Dolan
From captaining a national championship team to making generous donations and serving on the BSU Alumni & Foundation Board of Directors, Tom Heaviland’s impact on the university is directly correlated to an umpire who just so happened to mention the school way back when.
Al Clark graduated from Bemidji State in 1964 with a degree in business education. But what his dreams couldn’t envision were the six decades of successes and satisfactions that he later found in the Lone Star State.
When Mike Larsen learned he only had months to live, he put the fate of countless students in the hands of a Bemidji State University graduate. Here’s how his best friends — Stella and Paul Nelson — facilitated his wishes and supported BSU nursing forever with an endowment in all of their names.
Shannon Lucas-Westrum came to Bemidji State for a business degree and left with a passion for art. The 1995 alumna discovered an innovative niche in basketry, which recently culminated in her being named a 2025 McKnight Fiber Artist Fellow.
As Sherill Robinson approaches her graduation at Bemidji State University with a major in business administration and a focus on management, the first-generation college student has reflected on the journey that brought her over 2,000 miles, plus the generosity that made it all possible.
First National Bank Bemidji Day marked a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between FNBB and the university. And it made perfect sense for Ryan Welle to be at the center of it all.
While the surreal experience of starring in a commercial gave Gare Ewefada a fun taste of fame, it also reinforced a key life lesson: Stepping outside of your comfort zone can open doors to incredible opportunities.
Bemidji State University hosted the inaugural Federated Day on campus last month, offering a range of opportunities for students to connect with successful alumni, engage in mock interviews and explore potential career pathways in the insurance industry.
Cy Champa’s journey came full circle during the Homecoming football game on Sept. 28, when the 87-year-old was celebrated as the team’s honorary captain.
Bemidji State’s 2024 Homecoming brought together thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, friends and students for a sunny celebration that will be remembered for years.