Class Notes

Dr. Jim Tuorila was elected National Surgeon General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. at the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Ky.

Gail Nucech was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame after coaching volleyball, basketball, softball, track and field, and gymnastics in Hibbing from 1969-2012.

Rod Heisler, a dual-sport athlete at Bemidji State, was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 15.

The Bemidji office of Kraus-Anderson has promoted industry veteran and 2006 Bemidji State University graduate Patrick Weerts to director of operations.

Dhel Duncan-Busby, a former standout wide receiver at Bemidji State, became the first-ever Beaver selected in CFL Draft when he was selected 23rd overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

After leading the Iowa State women’s swimming and diving team for 27 years, Duane Sorenson has retired as the program’s winningest coach and the second-longest tenured head coach ever in an ISU women’s sport.

Lundquist, who officially begins her duties Monday, Jan. 22, will lead College Hockey Inc.’s efforts to raise the profile and expand the exposure of women’s college hockey.

Ben Miller recently secured a position with United States Geological Services in Flagstaff, Ariz., as an ecologist/biologist.

Richard Herder retired in May 2023 from his faculty teaching position in the communications studies program at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Amanda Lembke, a creative designer at Star Exhibits & Environments, was named the 2023 Designer of the Year by the Experiential Designers & Producers Association.