UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration announces newly named Fransen Department of Real Estate, Economics & Finance
UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration announces newly named Fransen Department of Real Estate, Economics & Finance
New bachelor’s degree program in Real Estate will be first of its kind in North Dakota
The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education has approved the naming of the Fransen Department of Real Estate, Economics & Finance within UND’s Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, honoring distinguished UND alumnus Robert “Bob” Fransen.
Fransen’s transformational gift will support the department and launch a new Real Estate major, expanding academic opportunities and strengthening UND’s leadership among peer institutions.
“The naming of the Department of Economics & Finance as the Fransen Department of Real Estate, Economics & Finance is a historic milestone for the Nistler College,” said Patrick O’Neill, interim dean of the college. “This allows us to expand our programming to meet the growing demands of students and further advance our distinction among peer institutions.”
“It is a joy to celebrate Bob and his incredible history of support for this University,” said DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. “He cares deeply about student success and gives generously of his time, talent, and treasure to help students thrive. This forward-looking gift strengthens UND’s ability to develop a skilled, workforce-ready pipeline of real estate professionals while honoring Bob’s enduring legacy.”
Fransen is a native of Coleharbor, N.D., and graduated from Underwood High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UND in 1977. While at UND, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and a student-athlete, lettering in track and field. In recognition of his athletic achievements and lasting connection to the University, Fransen was inducted into the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. He continues to support UND’s mission through service on the Forever UND Campaign Committee.
Fransen is the founder and CEO of Timberland Partners, a real estate investment company based in the Twin Cities that owns and operates 21,500 apartment units in 18 states. Prior to founding Timberland Partners in 1992, he worked as an apartment sales broker with CB Richard Ellis. With a career spanning more than four decades, Fransen has been involved in real estate investment and brokerage since 1978.
“UND, and specifically my track and field coach, Frank Zazula, set the stage for me,” Fransen said. “When presented with the opportunity to help create a real estate department at UND, I was all in. Real estate has been an endlessly fascinating career for me, and I look forward to hiring UND graduates for my family business in the coming years. The real estate profession needs more UND graduates.”
Fransen added that the department’s naming honors his family legacy. “My grandparents were Swedish immigrants who homesteaded and worked tirelessly to build better lives on the cold, windswept plains. This department is a tribute to them, as well as to my children, Matt and Erin, who have helped build our family business and made this opportunity possible.”
“We are deeply grateful for Bob Fransen’s vision, leadership, and generosity,” said UND Provost Eric Link. “The ability to launch a new bachelor’s degree in Real Estate is an extraordinary opportunity for our students. The impact of this department will be felt across the region for years to come.”
The new bachelor’s degree in Real Estate will be the first of its kind in North Dakota and one of only a small number of similar programs in the Midwest and Upper Plains.
“Understanding real estate finance, development, operations, and management is vital to our state and region,” Link said. “UND will serve as the key institution training the next generation of real estate leaders and entrepreneurs.”
The Fransen Department of Real Estate, Economics & Finance offers a comprehensive, industry-relevant curriculum that prepares students for careers across finance, real estate, and government. By integrating economics with entrepreneurship, the program develops data-driven skills needed to address real-world business challenges in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
“The designation of the Fransen Department of Real Estate, Economics & Finance reflects our academic excellence and distinguishes us from our peers,” said Prodosh Simlai, Department Chair and Korus Economics & Finance Endowed Professor. “Inspired by Bob Fransen’s values of integrity and leadership, we are building a modern, forward-looking real estate program.”
“Our mission is to elevate the regional real estate ecosystem by developing a new class of skilled professionals,” Simlai added. “We are creating the talent pipeline needed to support investment analysis, commercial development, asset management, and real estate finance.”
The UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration is the largest business school in North Dakota, serving approximately 1,800 undergraduate students and 325 graduate students annually. Accredited by AACSB International, the college ranks among the top 6% of business schools worldwide.
