Scholarships fuel the next generation of engineers and scientists
At CEM Scholarship Award Ceremony, students, donors and supporters celebrate the impact scholarships have on education, careers and professions
Scholarships do more than support an education — they create opportunities for the next generation of engineers.
The UND College of Engineering & Mines recognized scholarship recipients for the 2026-27 academic year at its annual Scholarship Award Ceremony on September 10, 2026, at the Gorecki Alumni Center. Students and their families gathered to celebrate the achievement and meet the generous donors whose support made the scholarships possible. The event marked the ceremony’s move to the fall semester, continuing a tradition that now kicks off the academic year rather than closing it.
Dean Ryan Adams led the formal presentation, during which students and donors received this year’s commemorative pin, “The Passing of the Torch.” The pin symbolizes the connection between one generation of engineers and scientists and the next, representing the moment a donor’s investment becomes a student’s opportunity and carries forward a legacy of knowledge, mentorship and support.
“We’re here today to thank our donors who have made this possible — they’ve never wavered in their commitment to education,” spoke Adams as he welcomed the 200 attendees in the Gransburg Community Room. Special event speakers included Steve Burian (’90, ’92) of Burian & Associates and UND student Tacy Palahniuk.
The more you put in, the more you learn
For alumnus and donor Steve Burian, giving back to UND represents the completion of a circle — one that began when scholarships helped bring a self-described “North Dakota kid” to Grand Forks.
Growing up in Bismarck with an aptitude for science and mathematics, Burian was encouraged to pursue engineering. Although he considered colleges outside the state, a strong recruiting experience in both civil engineering and track and field ultimately led him to UND.
Scholarships covered about half of his undergraduate costs, while athletic support covered the other half. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Burian received additional support through a graduate research position, stipend and scholarship.
Those opportunities helped lay the foundation for a career that began before he had even finished graduate school. Research from his thesis attracted interest from municipalities across North Dakota, and, at age 23, Burian co-founded an engineering consulting firm. During his 29 years with the company, it grew from “a couple guys in a basement” to a regional firm with approximately 280 employees and 20 offices.
Burian traced that career back not only to the financial support he received at UND, but also to a philosophy about education that has guided him ever since. He recalled a conversation with a classmate who believed students should put forth only enough effort to earn an “A.”
“On the x-axis she put effort, and on the y-axis she put “A”, and she only put as much effort in as it would take to get an “A” because everything in her eyes was a flat line after that.”
Burian saw it differently.
“Effort is on the x-axis, and it’s what you learn on the y-axis,” he said. “The more you put in, the more you learn.”
In 2020, Burian carried that outlook into a new chapter, launching Burian & Associates shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. UND again became part of his story when relationships formed through the University led to opportunities involving public-private development projects. Today, he continues to work in water resources, public-sector engineering and planning, and private development. He also serves as vice chair of the College of Engineering & Mines Executive Board.
When his remarks turned to philanthropy, Burian spoke about supporting causes that meet immediate needs, preserve places important to him and expand opportunities for others. But he said his most meaningful giving has gone to the university that once invested in him.
“At a time when I didn’t have anything, I was fortunate enough to get recruited to UND,” Burian said. “They helped me pay for my undergraduate school. They helped me pay for my graduate school.”
As soon as he began earning money, he started giving back in small ways. Over time, that support grew to include engineering and athletic scholarships as well as facilities benefiting future generations of UND students.
“I really tried to take the good fortunes that I had and turn that back to the university that I so proudly attended,” he said.
Burian closed by thanking his fellow donors and congratulating the students whose scholarships were celebrated that evening — connecting his own journey as a scholarship recipient with the opportunities he and others are now helping create.
Beyond financial support, donor gifts give time
For UND student Tacy Palahniuk, the value of a scholarship cannot be measured only in dollars. It can also be measured in time.
Like many students, she initially viewed scholarships primarily as financial assistance — a way to help cover tuition, textbooks, supplies and the many other expenses that come with a college education. As she progressed through her years at UND, however, she began to recognize that this support had given her something equally valuable.
“I slowly began to realize that scholarships did more than help me pay for university,” she said. “They gave me time.”
That meant more time to focus on her classes rather than worrying about how many hours she needed to work. It meant time to study, become involved on campus and explore where she belonged. During her first year, she attended meetings for organizations ranging from the Society of Women Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to Engineers Without Borders.
Not every organization became a lasting commitment, she acknowledged — but finding the right fit was not necessarily the point. What mattered was having the freedom to explore.
“We are not simply here to earn a degree. We are here to discover ourselves,” she said. “We’re trying new things. We’re meeting new people who come from completely different backgrounds. We’re discovering interests we didn’t know we had.”
Scholarships gave her room to make those discoveries while allowing her to invest more deeply in her education and the community around her. They also strengthened her determination to make the most of every opportunity.
“When someone chooses to invest in my education, I want to make the most of that investment,” she said. “I want to work hard in my classes. I want to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to me. I want to continue challenging myself and growing as a student and as a person.”
Now, Palahniuk said she thinks less about what scholarships will allow her to do next and more about what they have already allowed her to become. She closed her speech by thanking the donors whose generosity has made it possible for students to experience college not merely as a place to earn a degree, but as a place to grow.
“Thank you for giving us something that is much harder to measure in money,” she said. “Thank you for giving us time — time to focus on our education, time to explore who we are, time to get involved, to make mistakes and try something new, and time to become the people we hope to be when we leave this university.”
Thank you, supporters!
The event concluded with remarks from Brett Austin, Director of Development, College of Engineering & Mines. He described scholarships as “an incredible vote of confidence” in not only UND education but in the lives of those impacted by scholarships.
“When I look around this room, I don’t simply see scholarship recipients and donors,” said Austin. “I see community. I see people connected by a shared belief that education changes lives, and that’s exactly what today is about.” Addressing the students in attendance, Austin encouraged them to connect with the donors in attendance tonight. “Some of the most meaningful relationships begin with a simple conversation.”
Nearly 200 guests attended this year’s ceremony, and CEM thanks everyone who joined in celebrating its students and the donors who support them. CEM will celebrate recipients once again in September of 2027.
