Alumni in Action
Anessa DeGroat rebuilt her life in recovery while developing strength and heightened self-awareness to sustain it. Now, the 2025 Bemidji State University alumna is helping others reach that same turning point.
Waller earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Bemidji State in 1981 and has gone on to become one of the world’s most influential leaders in shaping economic policy. The former resident of old Maple Hall now represents BSU as one of its most prominent national figures.
Rachel Kniss has worked her way into a career that demands both resilience and adaptability. And, as she’s discovered, it also requires a good partner.
Wheeling, a 2011 Bemidji State University graduate, was named the 2026 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by SHAPE America on March 20.
Over the past five months, Bemidji State graduate Anna Haynes has experienced life on the icy continent, living and working at McMurdo Station, a small community in a remote location on Ross Island in Antarctica’s Ross Sea.
From inspiring alumni to incredible events, plus the public launch of our For the North campaign, Beavers made 2025 a banner year for Bemidji State University.
A delegation of Bemidji State representatives visited the PRx Performance headquarters on Dec. 2 to meet with company leaders, tour the 195,000-square-foot facility, and witness all that had evolved from the brainchild of a Bemidji State grad.
While it’s been estimated that approximately 9 million trees were lost in the June 21 storm that swept through Bemidji, thanks to Heim Log Homes, 122 of those trees are living on.
Joshua Jones found a passion for hydrogeology at Bemidji State, and the McKnight Foundation recently awarded him the Heart of Community Honor for his work at the Red Lake DNR and in the community.
Former Bemidji State women’s hockey goaltender and BSU Athletic Hall of Fame member Zuzana Tomcikova recently became the first woman to receive the IIHF Richard “Bibi” Torriani Award, given to players “for outstanding contributions to the national team in IIHF competition.”