BSU receives $110,000 to launch Outdoor Leadership Certificate program
The program is being funded by the Minnesota State system’s Industry Sector Fund, which helps the system’s colleges and universities build capacity and support new programs.
Day of Giving is back Feb. 20, and raising $300,000 together starts with you
Gifts of all sizes are greatly appreciated and will make a difference at Bemidji State. What’s more is that donors will be part of something bigger than yourself – and together we’ll accomplish something that none of us could do on our own.
Alumni & Foundation receives $200,000 grant from Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
The Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation was recently awarded a $200,000 We Thrive grant from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, which will help fund several key priorities at BSU and NTC.
Make your year-end charitable gift to Bemidji State on Giving Tuesday
Today is Giving Tuesday, and now through the end of the year, you can take part in the annual holiday spirit by making a year-end donation to Bemidji State University.
Donate to send students on EuroSpring and SinoSummer trips
Bemidji State is raising funds to support 10 students by providing $500 stipends to help offset travel costs for its transformative study abroad programs, EuroSpring and SinoSummer.
Honorary captain Cy Champa returns as a multi-sport alumnus and an advocate for future generations
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.
BSU alums share career insight at 2024 Alumni Leaders in the Classroom
Bemidji State University welcomed back nine distinguished alumni on today for the annual Alumni Leaders in the Classroom event.
R.H. ‘Bob’ Peters, the guardian of Bemidji State hockey, has his bust unveiled
Last night, Bemidji State University honored legendary hockey coach R.H. ‘Bob’ Peters with the unveiling of a bronze bust in the main lobby of the Sanford Center.
A fundraising symphony for the BSU Department of Music
The group raised an impressive $41,500 in just nine minutes for the music department’s discretionary account, which will be used to enhance educational opportunities and support for students.
The power of passion, Travis Ricks, and the Friend of the Foundation Award
Travis Ricks, a psychology professor at Bemidji State University, has played an integral role in fostering community leadership and innovation on campus, earning him the inaugural Friend of the Foundation Award.
Destined for the diamond, Leah Daume finds a home behind home plate
Leah (Bowen) Daume wasn’t expecting to, but she found her calling between the chalk lines when she first suited up as a Division I softball umpire.
Bemidji State unveils 2024 distinguished alumni, introduces new Philanthropist of the Year Award
Bemidji State University is proud to announce its 2024 distinguished alumni class, all of whom will be honored at the Honors Gala on Sept. 27.
Bemidji State raised over $10 million for students this year because of YOU! And we want to thank you
This year, together, we doubled our fundraising efforts and exceeded the $10 million threshold for the first time in nearly a decade! This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without your unwavering generosity and belief in our mission.
Bemidji’s Isaac Severts represents local impact as the Skaar raises $53,000
As the most recent recipient of the Gordy Skaar Memorial Athletic Scholarship, Isaac Severts represented the impact communal support has on all of Beaver Athletics.
Nagle returns to Bemidji on July 12; registration now open
The 27th annual Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament returns to Bemidji on July 12, and registration is now open.
Keith Johanneson honors wife’s legacy with $1 million gift to Bemidji State nursing
As he navigates the emotional unknown – the loss of his wife – Keith Johanneson has learned to not succumb to grief. He wants Maria’s legacy to live on, and so he’s pledged a $1 million gift in her honor to endow nursing scholarships at Bemidji State.
First-generation grad Mike Roberge returns as Distinguished Minnesotan with pay-it-forward spirit
Mike Roberge aspired to become a first-generation college student. That dream led him to a Bemidji State degree, a fruitful career and now a new honor: the Distinguished Minnesotan award.
Pong Yang, son of Vietnam War refugees, afforded newfound opportunities at Bemidji State
Pong Yang’s journey to Bemidji State University truly began with his parents, Tom and Michelle, who were refugee survivors of the Vietnam War. Their determination was the “spark” that made Pong want to attend college, and he described donors as the ones who help ignite that passion.
Father, art inspire scholarship recipient Brigid Baier to find solace at Bemidji State
Wanting to honor her late father by continuing her education, Brigid Baier found healing along the shores of Bemidji State University.
Day of Giving is here tomorrow! Are you ready?
By BSU Alumni & Foundation Published 7:00 a.m. on Feb. 19, 2024 Over 100 years ago, when the town of Bemidji first learned that it had earned the right to…
Mark your calendars: Day of Giving returns on Feb. 20!
Save the date now to join hundreds of Beavers around the world – alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty and staff – as we rally together for Bemidji State University’s Day of Giving on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Red Lake Nation celebrates new Bemidji State nurses with hand-beaded stethoscopes
Bemidji State University’s newest nursing students were welcomed into the program with a gift of hand-beaded stethoscopes, presented by the Red Lake Nation.
Momentous momentum: The Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation’s 2023 year in review
As the calendar turns over to 2024, there’s one more item on our 2023 to-do list: Look back on the year that was.
Inspired by grandparents, Bella Vannavong pursues medical vocation behind door-opening scholarship
Bella Vannavong was inspired to enter the healthcare field so that she could create a better life for people like her grandparents. Vannavong is also the recipient of the Sam & Peggy Johnson Scholarship in Biology, and because of her donors’ support, she’s able to pursue an education at Bemidji State.
It’s Giving Tuesday! Here’s how to make a year-end charitable gift to Bemidji State
As the snow starts falling around campus, we’ve firmly entered into the season of giving. And today, on Giving Tuesday, you can take part in the annual holiday spirit by making a year-end donation to BSU.
Beavers launch 3-Year/$150K Challenge to support Bemidji State Athletics
The Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation has announced the launch of the 3-Year/$150K Giving Challenge for BSU Athletics. This is an ambitious drive with a singular goal in mind: to support our student-athletes and enhance their experience on and off the field.
Rich Siegert helps light up Bemidji State softball field with new scoreboard
Rich Siegert is familiar with rounding the bases of the softball field, as he was an active member in intramural sports during his time at Bemidji State University. Now the same site is home to the BSU softball team, but Siegert’s footprint still shows up in the dirt.
60 years after graduation, alumna Margaret Laurich makes first Homecoming return
When Margaret (Hanka) Laurich graduated from Bemidji State College in 1963, she bid farewell to Bemidji for more than half a century. But after 60 years away, Laurich made her triumphant return to campus at Homecoming this fall.
Supporters make 2023 a banner year through summer fundraisers
The numbers are in, and it’s official: The summer of 2023 was a banner year of summer fundraisers for Bemidji State University.
A record-raising Howe-Welle ‘remarkable’ in the eyes of Ruth Howe
Even as someone always ahead of her time, Ruth Howe is still blown away by how far the Beavers have come.
Beavers raise record amount at 26th annual Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament
The annual Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament returned to the Bemidji Town and Country Club on Friday, July 14, bringing back the Bemidji State men’s hockey alumni of yesterday and yesteryear, plus all sorts of supporters.
Bemidji State celebrates 40 years of nursing with pinning ceremony, scholarship luncheon
Bemidji State University celebrated 40 years of nursing on campus on Thursday, May 4, with a pinning ceremony for 2023 graduates and a luncheon for several new scholarship recipients.
Day of Giving 2023 was a major success!
Mission accomplished: We crushed our goals for Day of Giving 2023.
Day of Giving 2023 is coming on Feb. 21
Day of Giving 2023 is almost here! Over 600 generous donors raised more than $194,000 to directly benefit students at BSU during Day of Giving in 2022. This year, we want to continue that momentum.
President Faith, Neil Hensrud Donate Vintage Cadillac to Bemidji State University
A staple of Bemidji State University Homecoming parades during her six years as Bemidji State’s president, Dr. Faith Hensrud and her husband, Neil, donated their all-original 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible…
Alumni Artist Thomas Paquette ’85 Donates Works to BSU Library
For nearly thirty years, Thomas Paquette ’85 has loaned five landscape paintings to Bemidji State University’s A.C. Clark Library. Now, that art will have a permanent home on campus for…
Donors Support Students of Color by Growing George Floyd Scholarship
Following the nation’s emotional outpouring after the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, BSU alumni Betty (Fulton) Novotney ’79 felt a call to show her love and support for…
Than “Alan” Lwin ’05
One of BSU’s young alums has made the fight against COVID-19 a top priority, not only in his home country of Myanmar, but by investing in Bemidji State nursing students….
BSU Alumna Creates George Floyd Scholarship at BSU
George Floyd Memorial Scholarship Created at BSU Like many across the country and around the world, Betty Fulton Novotney ’79 and her daughters were deeply saddened by the stories relating…
Beavers Hockey super fan donates face mask profits
One of BSU Hockey’s biggest fans is using her talents to not only make her community safer in the wake of COVID-19, but raise money for one of her passions…
Lwin supports BSU nursing graduates ready to fight COVID-19
A heartfelt gesture from one of Bemidji State’s committed young alumni has put future registered nurses from the BSU class of 2020 on the fast-track to making a difference in…
It’s for the birds: BSU students take advantage of corporate support
New Nikon binoculars in hand, students in Dr. Elizabeth Rave’s ornithology course have been watching the university’s lakefront bird feeders from the comfort of Sattgast Hall and reporting bird species…
534 donors build the dam for BSU students
7,200. That’s about how many miles Hong Kong, China is from Bemidji State University. Hong Kong is also where the furthest gift came from during Bemidji State University’s recent Day…
Donors pledge $60,000 in matching gifts to BSU’s day of giving
Bemidji State University’s day of giving, known as the Build the Dam Challenge, is all about addressing the needs of BSU students as they study, compete and grow during their…
What you need to know about the Build the Dam Challenge
Bemidji State University’s Build the Dam Challenge will engage donors from around the world to show their support for our world’s future leaders. This campaign enables Bemidji State to succeed…
Scholarships Help Rachel Will ’20 Serve Others
Rachel Will of Northfield, Minn. was always committed to academics but took a year off to join the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. During the full-time program for young adults,…
BSU Celebrates Scholarship Recipients and Donors at November 2 Brunch
Bemidji State University’s Beaux Arts Ballroom was packed with BSU scholarship recipients, donors and university staff on November 2 for the university’s 8th annual Scholarship Appreciation Brunch. Hosted by the…
BSU Golf Welcomes Fans, Donors to New Practice Facility
Testing the golf simulator at the Jeff “Bird” McBride Clubhouse dedication on November 2 BSU Men’s and Women’s Golf teams understand the challenge of keeping their swings and putts true…
Norbord Minnesota Shares Beaver Pride to Employees
Thanks to Norbord Minnesota’s support for Beaver Hockey, free tickets to home games at the Sanford Center are available to employees and their families, even on short notice. The wood…
Krummels Leave a Lasting Legacy for BSU Students
Richard and Evelyn Krummel are familiar names for Bemidji State students who studied German from the late 1960s through 1990. The Krummels devoted their careers to helping students learn the…
John B. Emkovik Scholarship Impacts BSU Hockey
A founding member of Bemidji State hockey, John Emkovik ’49 laid the groundwork for the program as a student-athlete by helping rebuild Bemidji’s curling arena for hockey use. A passionate…
“I Made it My World” – Fred Baker
Excepts by Scott Faust Find Fausts’ full profile of BSU alum Fred Baker ‘61 here: https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/2017/06/29/i-made-it-my-world/ Intent on the Air Force after high school, Fred Baker landed instead at Bemidji…