A New Era of the Bemidji State University Magazine

My name is Lisa Kittleson, and I'm a Bemidji State grad and a current member of the Alumni & Foundation board. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you a new format for our alumni magazine, one that exists entirely digitally.

We’re still producing the magazine twice a year, and a physical copy will continue to hit mailboxes with the winter edition. But today, we’re excited to share our brand new summer issue with you online, one that celebrates young alumnae who are making a difference in their fields.

On top of the written stories you've always read in our magazine, a digital format now allows us to expand our storytelling with videos, interactive modules and more.

It’s all ready for you today, so explore below to get started.

Lisa Kittleson
2016 Bemidji State grad
Alumni & Foundation board member

Greetings from Dr. Joy Hoffman

Welcome to a special edition of the Bemidji State University Magazine and our first regularly scheduled all-digital issue. In this space, you would typically find a message from President John L. Hoffman, but for this publication, we will hear from a special guest: BSU’s First Partner, Dr. Joy Hoffman.

Joy Hoffman 1

A New Era of the Bemidji State University Magazine

My name is Lisa Kittleson, and I'm a Bemidji State grad and a current member of the Alumni & Foundation board. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you a new format for our alumni magazine, one that exists entirely digitally.

We’re still producing the magazine twice a year, and a physical copy will continue to hit mailboxes with the winter edition. But today, we’re excited to share our brand new summer issue with you online, one that celebrates young alumnae who are making a difference in their fields.

On top of the written stories you've always read in our magazine, a digital format now allows us to expand our storytelling with videos, interactive modules and more.

It’s all ready for you today, so explore below to get started.

Lisa Kittleson
2016 Bemidji State grad
Alumni & Foundation board member

Greetings from Dr. Joy Hoffman

Welcome to a special issue of the Bemidji State University magazine – our first regularly scheduled all-digital issue. In this space, you would typically find a message from President John L. Hoffman, but for this issue, we will hear from a special guest – BSU’s First Partner, Dr. Joy Hoffman.

Joy Hoffman 1

Leader of the Pack

Sianneh Mulbah is the chief people and inclusion officer for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. And a big part of her story starts at Bemidji State.

Leader of the Pack

Sianneh Mulbah is the chief people and inclusion officer for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. And a big part of her story starts at Bemidji State.

A Start in Cedar, and Much More in Minneapolis

Sianneh Mulbah's home has featured one constant ever since her days living in Bemidji State University's Cedar Apartments. It's a photo of her son, Christopher, snapped by a BSU photography student.

“At home now, we have a picture that one of the students took of Christopher while he was in the daycare center,” Mulbah said. “It’s the original one, and that is framed in our house to this day. It’s never been down. Bemidji just has a special place in my heart because it allowed me to do this. It allowed me to see that I can do all the hard things.”

That picture – a snapshot in time before Mulbah’s rise with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx – exemplifies how Bemidji State is woven into the fabric of Mulbah’s story.

Mulbah grew up in the neighboring Cass Lake, and she transferred to BSU to finish her undergraduate degree when her son was born. She landed in Cedar Apartments, the nation’s first residence hall tailored to single-parent students. The chance to live in Cedar allowed Mulbah to continue her education, receive a psychology degree in 2004 and pursue her dreams.

At the time, she just didn’t know those dreams included a basketball.

“I actually never knew that I could work in human resources in sports, and I didn’t aspire to work in sports,” she said. “But it was exciting, the idea of (being able) to do something that I love in a sport that I love.”

Her path was foreshadowed through her connections to the game that started long before she came to BSU. As an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Mulbah grew up engrossed in the revered traditions of Cass Lake-Bena High School basketball. Then, at Bemidji State, she and Christopher were quickly befriended by BSU basketball players. Today, her office overlooks practice courts for the Timberwolves and Lynx, firmly rooting the game – figuratively and literally – in her background.

Within the front office for Minnesota’s NBA and WNBA teams, Mulbah serves as the chief people and inclusion officer. It’s an HR-style role that provides structure for employees to create an inclusive environment, and it pushes Mulbah to be more strategic in developing individuals and reaching business objectives – two things that often go hand-in-hand.

Mulbah has held her position for the past five years, and she’s now totaled 13 with the organization. Her efforts were recently recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, which named her a Top 50 Influential Black Leader. Mulbah’s strides as a biracial Black and Native woman have proven she’s more than capable of reaching success – while never forgetting where she came from.

“I meet with new employees, and when they ask me about my journey, I’m proud of my journey,” she said. “It was hard, but it’s really pushed me to be who I am, to figure things out and to know that things work out in the end.”

And she has photographic proof of that.

Destined for the Diamond

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. Not only does she give back to the sport she loves, but her name also carries a special legacy at Bemidji State through the Leah's Women's Varsity Athletic Scholarship – set up in her name by former professor Fred Forseman.

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Speaking for the Trees

Bemidji State's Tree Ring Lab supports Minnesota Department of Natural Resources research through people like Dr. Samantha Jones and graduate student Kaysie Maleski.

Krisi Fenner, Embracing Hurdles, and the Joy of the First Generation

Alumni Arch illustration green

Bemidji State supported its future vice president for finance and administration when she was a first-generation college student trying to find her spot in the world. Now, she’s giving back to students on the same journey.

Krisi Fenner, Embracing Hurdles, and the Joy of the First Generation

Bemidji State supported its future vice president for finance and administration when she was a first-generation college student trying to find her spot in the world. Now, she’s giving back to students on the same journey.

ALUMNI OP-ED
2019 Bemidji State graduate MacKenzie Burnham

The Virtues of My Vocation

We have reached the end of another chapter of teaching; alas, another school year has come and gone too fast.

Some teachers have been creating innovative ways to engage the students for the last 30 days, while others have been counting down the days since the school year began. For myself, I get excited for warmer weather and summer plans, but I’m always humbly reminded that this is the only time in these kids' lives that I’ll work with this exact group for nine months. Although that isn’t long, the impact is always great.

They all go on to do unique and special things in their individual paths, and I don’t know any teacher who hasn’t thought about where some of them may go. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of teaching: considering you have the opportunity to shape and even change a little part of their lives before they go out into their next chapter.

When posed with the question of why I think it is a critically important time to be a teacher, I feel conflicted with emotions and thoughts. Why is it a critical time? There are so many angles to view how we can build upon something that seems to be a shortage. My biggest reflection on why anyone considering teaching should continue that exploration is knowing that you have every opportunity to change a life.

This could look like supporting a student through a tough math unit. It could sound like cheering so loud you lose your voice at the track and field day. It could be sympathizing with a student who has lost a loved one, or gifting them their only Christmas present with the candy cane you handed out, or simply that you are their constant in life right now. Through all hardworking moments and emotional obstacles, you are there, ready to teach them how to be the best version of themselves.

Becoming a teacher was an easy decision for me. And it wasn’t for the pay, benefits or summers off. It was because of impactful educators throughout my life. The best educators I encountered taught me to always find pride in myself – my personal successes, my unique curiosities and different ways of perseverance. They were my biggest cheerleaders in whatever I showed success in, and every child deserves to feel that too.

MacKenzie Burnham
Fourth grade teacher
Gene Dillon Elementary

Class Notes

See what your classmates and colleagues are up to these days. If you've updated your information with the BSU Alumni & Foundation, you may even see yourself inside.

STUDENT TO WATCH

Hailee Colgrove Gives Voice to Music in the Pines

Hailee Colgrove first explored her love for singing in elementary school. She then forged connections through music in high school, which led her to becoming a vocal leader at Bemidji State University.

Make a Splash at Bucky's Beach Bash!

HC24_Beach_BuckyHead

Don't forget to save the date for this year's Homecoming celebration! All your favorites are returning in a weekend-long celebration of all things Bemidji State from Sept. 27-29. See you there, Beavers!

Participate in Alumni Leaders in the Classroom

HC24_Beach_Ball

Inspired by these stories? Share your own with current students! Alumni Leaders in the Classroom on Friday, Sept. 27, during Homecoming! Fill out this form to let us know you're interested, and we'll reach out to selected individuals this fall.

Make a Splash at Bucky's Beach Bash!

HC24_Beach_BuckyHead

Don't forget to save the date for this year's Homecoming celebration! All your favorites are returning in a weekend-long celebration of all things Bemidji State from Sept. 27-29. See you there, Beavers!

Participate in Alumni Leaders in the Classroom

HC24_Beach_Ball

Inspired by these stories? Share your own with current students! Alumni Leaders in the Classroom on Friday, Sept. 27, during Homecoming! Fill out this form to let us know you're interested, and we'll reach out to selected individuals this fall.

© 2024 Bemidji State University. All rights reserved.

Volume 39, No. 2
Spring/Summer 2024

EDITOR: Andy Bartlett
ART DIRECTOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Mike Lee
WRITERS: Andy Bartlett, Micah Friez
VIDEOGRAPHY AND EDITING: Andy Bartlett, Micah Friez
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Micah Friez, Office of Communications and Marketing
CONTRIBUTORS: Andy Bartlett, Stella Dolan, Micah Friez, Allyssa Joseph, Mike Lee, Angela Schmidt, Eric Sorenson.

The Bemidji State University magazine is produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing and the BSU Alumni & Foundation. It is published twice per year and distributed free of charge to BSU alumni and friends. Please direct editorial comments to andy.bartlett@bemidjistate.edu.

If you'd like to support the work of the Bemidji State University Magazine, consider making a donation by clicking here.