CEM’s Alumni Academy welcomes three newest members
CEM’s highest honor bestowed upon alumni to three inductees at annual Alumni Academy Ceremony
On Friday, September 30, 2022, the University of North Dakota College of Engineering & Mines celebrated the achievements of three alums during the annual Alumni Academy Induction Ceremony. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered in the UND Memorial Union to celebrate the induction into the Academy, the highest honor bestowed by the College of Engineering & Mines to alumni. This year’s group of inductees include Scott Boe (Electrical Engineering, ’83), Kristine H. Brindle (Chemical Engineering, ’78) and Leslie R. Honeyman (Geology, ’69, ’78, posthumously).
Scott Boe | Electrical Engineering ’83
Scott graduated Cum Laude with his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1983. His career began with Hughes Aircraft Company, missile systems group. He was a Management Consultant for Gemini Management Consulting and Vice President of National Operations, COMSYS Technical Solutions, before becoming co-owner and Chief Development Officer of Boecore, Inc., an aerospace and defense engineering company specializing in software solutions, systems engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise networks and mission operations.
Scott recalls fond memories of his time at UND, including lining up at the Old Ralph early on Fridays for games. He also recalls an exhilarating overtime game against Wisconsin in 1979 that cleared the arena before a winning goal was made, which sent the roar of the remaining crowd to a disappointed group outside. Scott received the 1983 UND Male Honor Athlete of the Year Award.
Among his many career awards is the 1986 Hughes Missile Systems “Superior Performance Award” from the AMRAAM Program. In 2008 Boecore received a Nunn-Perry award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and was the first Nunn-Perry award winner for the Missile Defense Agency.
A current member of the CEM Executive Board, Scott continues to give back to UND and his home state of ND. He and Kathy recently established the “Persistence Pays Off” endowment for UND School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science students. They are significant supporters of the new Griggs County ND Hospital & Nursing Home and the Cooperstown, ND Community Foundation. Their generosity reaches extensively throughout their community in Colorado Springs as well.
Kristine Hefta Brindle | Chemical Engineering ’78
In 1978, Kristine graduated Summa Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. After earning her degree, she pursued a successful 20-year career with Texaco, which took her to locations in Wyoming, Texas and Colorado. Kristine continued her successful career working with Hefta Group, Inc., Noble Energy, Inc., and Sierra Hamilton, serving as a Senior Engineering Advisor, Senior Asset Manager, and Operations Manager. A registered professional engineer in WY and CO, she was part of the Engineering for Coal Bed Methane Team that received the Texaco USA “Star Quality Champion” Award in 1992.
When asked why she chose the field of engineering, she credits some early influences and recalls touring a sugar beet plant in Moorhead, MN, at the age of 8 and found it fascinating. She also attended high school outreach events that further piqued her interest. She notes that Tom Owens was a neighbor and family friend, which may have influenced her choice to pursue Chemical Engineering.
Along with classmates, Kristine spearheaded an endowment to pay tribute to Tom Owens, their mentor, by establishing and providing ongoing support to the Thomas C. Owens Chair of Chemical Engineering Endowment. They hope their gifts will continue to help UND recruit and retain the “best of the best” faculty and the most capable students. She has continued to support the Tom Owens Endowment as well as other scholarships for the benefit of UND students.
Leslie Honeyman | Geology ’69, ’73 (Posthumously)
Born and raised in Hettinger, North Dakota, Leslie (Les) Honeyman earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in geology from UND. Les led a successful 40+ year career as a highly respected oil expert in geology, beginning in 1973 with Exxon Mobil in New Orleans and later transferring with Exxon to Midland, Texas. He later worked with Endeavor Energy Resources through his own successful consulting company Honeyman Exploration, in Midland, TX. During his career, he did extensive work studying the Permian Basin.
“Although I do not know why Les chose UND, he was the reason I chose to go to UND,” recalls Les’ brother Jim.
His college roommate and lifelong friend Bob Barton also offered stories of Les as a Geology student. They were roommates in McVey Hall their sophomore year. Les changed roommates each year in a calculated effort to meet people. Bob quickly learned that Les was not the stereotypical kid of a farmer/rancher from Western North Dakota; he was very environmentally conscious and forward-thinking. He was always thinking of the elements in the area, the petrified wood, the coal mines, and the region’s topography. Bob also recalled memories with Les at his cabin in Manitoba, where Les would poke around in the granite of the Canadian Shield.
In memory of Les’ legacy, LaNell Honeyman established the Les Honeyman Memorial Scholarship in honor of her late husband Les and his 41-year career in the oil business. This scholarship has supported North Dakota resident students pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree in the field of geology at UND. Family, friends, and former classmates joined LaNell at the ceremony to honor Les.
