BSC Alumni Awards
Two Received Top Alumni Award
When it’s in your blood, the best thing to do is go with it. DR. CHERYL ELSBERND, '81 has a lot of math teachers and chemists in her family – curious, head-scratching people who think solving complex problems is creative fun. So, it seemed inevitable that at every indecisive juncture in her early education, ancestral genes linked with chance encounters to nudge her toward a career in science.
Elsbernd is a research chemist at 3M, the
global technology and manufacturing giant
with headquarters in St. Paul, Minn. Hers
is a world of white lab coats, beakers, pipettes,
data logs, and precision equipment,
where people engage in the constant search
for something new. She has worked there
20 years, ever since earning her doctorate
in polymer chemistry in 1988 from Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University at
Blacksburg, Va.
Click Here to Read More about Ms. Elsbernd.
Even as a child, DAVID FARNSWORTH, '75 liked to plan and organize. He kept a diary, made lists for backpacking and studied maps, ever mindful of the functional elegance of perfection and the rewards of self-discipline. This proclivity toward order and method helped shape early success in the precision sports of gymnastics and diving, advancement to Eagle Scout, his exacting work as a civil engineer, and a 4.0 GPA in high school through his MBA. Whether derived from nature or nurture, this bent for what’s useful settled teenage questions about his future career.
“I guess I was a very practical person,” says Farnsworth, power generation and engineering leader for Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station at Underwood, the largest power plant in North Dakota. “I couldn’t waste time because I didn’t have the money and had to get done with college as soon as possible. I was determined to do something where I could make a decent living.” Click Here to Read More about Mr. Farnsworth.
Ellingsons are named Rising Stars
The BSC National Alumni Association selected a married couple for the 2008 Rising Star Alumni Awards. Chad and Julie Ellingson are receiving the honor in recognition of their professional achievements and their deep involvement with BSC’s agriculture, technology, and natural resources (ATNR) program.
The Rising Star Alumni Award honors alumni under the age of 40 who have demonstrated exceptional achievements. The Association may name up to two recipients each year.
Chad Ellingson, ’91, is a beef sire procurement manager for Genex Cooperative Inc., a U.S.-based cattle genetics company that does business in more than 40 countries. Traveling the world 25 weeks a year, Ellingson is a recognized international expert on cattle genetics and one of a few with responsibilities that affect the entire beef industry. Ellingson received an associate in science degree from BSC and is an active supporter of the ATNR program, serving as a mentor and hosting classes at his ranch.
Julie (Schaff) Ellingson, ’93, is communications director for the N.D. Stockmen’s Association. She has received numerous national awards for her work in journalism and communications, including three awards in the National Federation of Press Women communications contest. Her public service involvement includes serving as director of the N.D. Professional Communicators and as chairperson of the BSC secondary and post-secondary agricultural advisory committee. Ellingson holds an associate in arts degree from BSC and a B.S. degree in mass communications from North Dakota State University.
The Ellingsons ranch near St. Anthony, where they raise 165 head of registered Angus cattle and operate a registered seed cattle business. Both are involved with state and regional livestock and agriculture associations. They recently welcomed a fifth child to their family, and are active members of St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Recipients of the Alumni of the Year Award
Since 1978, thirty-five alumni have been named alumni of the year.2007 Chuck Suchy '68
2006 Linda Falkman '68
2005 Gary E. Johnson '63
2004 Michael Wickstrom '53
2003 Dr. Charles E. Murry '79
2002 Pat Dirk (1969) and Rich Karlgaard '74
2001 Tim Holtan '74 and Tony Welder '58.
2000 Gerald Skogley '54 and Linda Juhala '62
1999 LaVonn Boehm Steiner '62
1998 Frank Koch '62
1997 Morris Tschider '52 and Irene Boehm Tschider '57
1996 Bert Gerhart '61
1995 Harley Swenson '61
1994 J. Michael McCormack '62
1993 Warren Arman '62
1992 Dalles Krause '53
1991 Barbara Gibbons Evanson '64
1990 Edwin Edlund '41 and Dorothy Mueller Edlund '41
1989 Rod Tjaden '61
1988 Dr. Lawrence Watson '67
1987 U.S. Navy Commander Lee Gurke '66
1986 Patricia Higgins Caudel '51
1985 Dennis Meyer '58
1984 Gordon Weiss '69
1983 Ev Miller '55
1982 Dr. Curtis Juhala '61
1981 Tom Jordan '54
1980 Beulah Hedahl '41
1979 Tom Baker '41
1978 Ted Boutrous '41; Mary Moses Schwichtenberg '43; and, Myron Atkinson '47