Bemidji State History

Bemidji State’s Madrigal Dinners created yuletide magic for half a century

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / December 6, 2024

The Madrigal Dinners’ unique take on dinner theater simulated a renaissance world, complete with Christmas carols, traditional cuisine and yuletide charm.

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In honor of playoff football, watch footage of Bemidji State’s 1955 Homecoming game

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / November 29, 2024

The Bemidji State Teachers College football team hosted Mankato State for Homecoming in 1955, playing a back-and-forth game and producing highlights that the Alumni & Foundation has digitized.

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Happy birthday, Northern Student!

By Micah Friez / November 20, 2024

Bemidji State University’s longstanding student publication ran its first issue on this date in 1929, marking today as its 95th birthday.

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You’ve seen the mound outside Tamarack… but what’s it all about?

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / October 30, 2024

Crossing Waters – derived from the Ojibwe word “bemijigamaag,” meaning “lake with crossing waters” and for which Bemidji was named – honors the history of our region.

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Blind professor Dr. Eugene Bradfield was a sight to behold at Bemidji State College

By Micah Friez / October 25, 2024

Dr. Eugene Bradfield, the newest member of the psychology faculty at Bemidji State College in 1966, has a constant companion on campus: Suzie, his seeing-eye dog.

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Beaver Hockey is back! Celebrate by watching full-length national championship videos here

By Micah Friez / October 5, 2024

Hockey season is here! What better way to celebrate the start of the men’s hockey season than to look back and witness some of the greatest moments in Beaver Hockey history?

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The colorful career of Wes Westrum, Bemidji State’s only World Series winner

By Micah Friez / October 2, 2024

Wes Westrum often found himself in the right place at the right time and used that knack to author a storybook career. And 70 years ago today, he became Bemidji State’s first World Series champion.

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Before Bucky, Bill-der Beaver was the first beaver at Bemidji State

By Micah Friez / April 7, 2024

In honor of International Beaver Day – celebrated wholeheartedly at Bemidji State University every April 7 – we’re looking back at Bucky’s forefather: Bill-der Beaver.

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On this date in 1972, Bemidji State students launched the world’s longest basketball game

By Micah Friez / March 18, 2024

The exhibition started at noon on March 18 and continued until 5 p.m. on March 23. When the contest finally, mercifully, triumphantly ended 125 hours after opening tipoff, more than two dozen Beavers had a new record to behold.

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‘University in the Pines’ book, documentary now available in free digital formats

By BSU Alumni & Foundation / February 27, 2024

The Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation is proud to release two digitized versions of “University in the Pines” (1994), which are now freely available to the public.

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