By The Bemidji Pioneer
Published 10:10 am on September 30, 2026
The Sanford Center was rich with recognition Friday evening as the Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation honored a wide swath of BSU stakeholders as part of its 2026 Honors Gala, coinciding with BSU’s Homecoming festivities.
A centerpiece of the evening, four BSU alumni received the Outstanding Alumni Award, created in 1972 and considered the BSU Alumni & Foundation’s highest honor.
Celebrating professional accomplishments and community service, the alumni recognized as outstanding included Erik Hopperstad, Dr. Misty L. Wilkie, Dr. Mike Thomas and Joe Broking.
Erik Hopperstad
A 2004 graduate, Erik Hopperstad is the co-founder of PRx Performance, a Fargo-based fitness equipment company(opens in new tab) twice featured on the television show "Shark Tank."
Honing in on his education in business, Hopperstad has helped lead the company to more than $200 million in sales since its launch in 2013. He has also segued into real estate investment and is a licensed realtor in Minnesota and North Dakota.
“Eric knows his success is possible because of his family, which has supported him all these years and played a huge role in him reaching some pretty lofty goals,” said Allyssa Joseph, BSU Alumni & Foundation executive director and vice president of advancement. “Even with all those experiences, his favorite job is still being a dad.”
In his acceptance speech, Hopperstad took time to thank family and friends for their support throughout his journey, and also reflected on his time at BSU that ultimately led to his current spot in life.
“Like a lot of college students, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew one thing: I didn’t want to work for somebody else the rest of my life,” Hopperstad said. “I had a burning desire to someday build something of my own. I didn’t know what it would be; I didn’t know how I’d do it. I just knew that I wanted to blaze my own trail.”
Dr. Misty L. Wilkie
A 2001 graduate, Dr. Misty L. Wilkie has conducted considerable work for Indigenous students in nursing, having founded BSU’s Niganawenimaanaanig Indigenous Nursing program and formerly serving as a BSU faculty member.
A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Wilkie boasts national recognition for her leadership in nursing education, mentorship and workforce development, helping create pathways for future generations of Indigenous healthcare professionals.
“It was at BSU where Misty set a goal of earning her PhD in nursing, even though only 12 American Indians had held such a distinction at the time,” Joseph said. “Ever since her time at BSU, Misty has dedicated her career to creating space for Indigenous knowledge systems within nursing and healthcare. She challenges systems that have historically marginalized Indigenous people, and she advances care that honors American Indian and Alaska Native identities rather than asking them to leave those identities at the door.”
Wilkie noted deep gratitude upon receiving her award, reflecting on her mentors’ roles that led to such an accomplishment.
“One of my mentors often said she wanted to be a good relative; that phrase has stayed with me,” Wilkie said. “Being a good relative means remembering where you came from. It means recognizing the people who carried you when you couldn’t carry yourself. It means reaching back and making sure someone has a hand to hold when they are trying to find their way. That’s how I try to approach my life and my work.”
Dr. Mike Thomas
A 2002 and 2005 graduate, Dr. Mike Thomas currently works as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Ascension St. Vincent in Evansville, Indiana. Thomas graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine following his stint at BSU, where he also completed his general surgery training.
He then completed his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, and has served in the Illinois Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve — including a deployment to Afghanistan — and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“Mike says he wouldn’t be where he is today without Bemidji State. He made personal connections with his professors… and those relationships gave him the confidence to take the next steps in his career,” Joseph said. “Because BSU led him in a direction that allowed him to succeed in his career, Mike says, ‘I’m truly proud to have graduated as a Beaver.’”
Alongside his medical aspirations, Thomas played defensive end for Bemidji State football and was a two-time Academic All-NSIC selection. Despite everything under his belt, Thomas consistently seeks day-to-day improvement as a professional and person.
“My wife humbly tells me, ‘You’ve done a lot of stuff.’ I guess I still have that inferiority complex where I never think I’ve done enough yet,” Thomas said. “I want to be better than the next day, and I want that through my kids; I want them to be better than the next day.”
Joe Broking
A 2002 graduate, Joe Broking currently serves as president and CEO of Mesabi Metallics, leading the completion of a $2.6 billion iron mining and processing facility on the state’s Iron Range — one of the largest private investments in state history.
Broking has held executive leadership roles across mining, manufacturing, finance and economic development throughout a nearly 30-year career, the result of an unconventional path.
“When he returned to school as a non-traditional student, Joe learned that there is no single timeline for achieving your goals,” Joseph said. “BSU complemented Joe’s small-town upbringing while also broadening his worldview. This experience strengthened his independence, perseverance and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.”
As the last to receive his award, Broking noted a common thread throughout all four of the Outstanding Alumni's speeches.
“All four of us spoke heavily about family; keep that in mind,” Broking said, turning his attention to his wife, Kelly. “Honey, everything that we’ve been through, it’s been absolutely fantastic and I look forward to continuing this crazy life with you by my side.”
Broking left off with a message to students about agility, one of three core values of Mesabi Metallics alongside teamwork and ownership.
“As you enter the workforce and start to do great things, do it responsibly. Stick to the core values that you’re learning here, and work your tail off,” Broking said. “Never say ‘no’ to an opportunity. It’s a call to action to do great things.”
Other awards
Among other awards, 2008 graduate and current BSU associate professor Anna Carlson received the Friend of the Foundation Award, which honors faculty and staff who make significant contributions to BSU through relationship building and donor stewardship.
Carlson helped launch BSU’s Outdoor Leadership Certificate and Outdoor Leadership Center at Diamond Point Park, and also spearheaded “Give, Serve, Lead” with the United Way of Bemidji Area, including the Lakeshore Cleanup project.
The gala also recognized 1980 graduate Tom Heaviland and his wife, Joanne, as Philanthropists of the Year; established in 2024, this award recognizes individuals who make significant financial contributions and offer other means of support to BSU.
The couple has given consecutively to BSU for nearly 20 years and boast a 36-year giving history in total — recent philanthropy includes a $250,000 donation to BSU’s second-ever fundraising campaign, For the North.
The gala celebrated the conclusion of For the North, which ended up raising more than $38 million, exceeding an initial fundraising goal of $25 million. This follows an $8.1 million gift from the estate of 1975 graduate R. Allen Sunderman earlier this year, which led to the renaming of Bemidji State’s College of Creativity, Enterprise & Place.
BSU and Northwest Technical College President John L. Hoffman thanked all donors for their contributions, looking ahead to the institution’s continued operations with future gifts to be given.
“As we steward the dollars you have invested in us and in our students, and as we conclude this campaign, we’re not slowing down,” Hoffman said. “We’re going to keep the momentum going.”
Written by Daltyn Lofstrom
