Oral History Project

Publishing Concepts, our Oral History Project vendor, has been delayed in printing books. They now project that books will be printed and distributed in spring 2026. We apologize for the inconvenience. To speak with their customer service team, contact 1-800-982-1590 or email pciservice@publishingconcepts.com.

It's time to share your stories

A new initiative is coming to Bemidji State University, and all alumni are invited to participate for free by contributing their own slice of campus history.

Over the next six months, alumni have the opportunity to add their stories to a collection of Bemidji State memories for a new hardbound book. Alumni may be contacted by Publishing Concepts (PCI) regarding the Oral History Project. Please know that this is not spam or fraudulent, but rather a legitimate point of contact – one authorized by us.

The book, crafted into hardcover and digital versions, will be available to alumni for purchase around March 2025. Please know that you do not have to buy anything to be a part of the project. All purchases are optional and not a requirement to get involved in the project itself.

Here’s a little more information on what the Oral History Project is all about, and how Bemidji State will be using your stories:

What to expect

Here’s what you can expect as this program gets off the ground:

If you haven’t already, PCI will contact you by mail, email and/or phone, on our behalf, with two important invitations:

Update your information

An invitation to update and verify your contact info, which will strengthen the BSU alumni network and will keep you better updated on the latest happenings around campus.

Share your story

An invitation to share your experiences at Bemidji State. What are your fondest memories in the Northwoods? PCI has a dedicated team ready to record your stories.

What kind of story should you tell? It’s up to you! Some ideas include:

  • Lifelong connections made on campus
  • Your favorite adventure outside the classroom
  • Faculty or staff members who left a lasting impression
  • Student organization involvement that helped shape you
  • The impact of receiving or giving a scholarship
  • A career-defining experience or moment

When you speak with a representative to share your story, they may give you the opportunity to pre-order the book right away. Please know that you do not have to buy anything in order to get involved.

Here's how it will look

Here's a taste of how the finished product will come out, via Wagner College's publication for the same project.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Here are some frequently asked questions about the Oral History Project: