‘It’s the people I’m going to miss the most’
“It’s the people I’m going to miss the most.”
And with that sentiment, the longtime Director of Finance at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Terry Nelson, closed the book on an astounding 40-year career at the University of North Dakota, 35 of which were spent in UND’s School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
A 35-year veteran of North Dakota’s only comprehensive school of medicine and health sciences, Nelson was a key player in the development and construction of not only the School’s main building in Grand Forks, which came online in 2016, but each of the major capital, remodeling, budgeting, and staffing projects and proposals the School has coordinated since 1990.
Knowing that both the School’s Southeast Campus in Fargo and the Center for Sports Medicine in Grand Forks are fully operational in their new locations, Nelson said he can retire more easily.
“I enjoyed coming to work every morning,” said Nelson, whose final day at UND was Thursday, Jan. 15, “and actually considered this work fun. I already miss all the wonderful people at the SMHS whom I had the privilege of working with.“
In stepping down as Director of Finance, Nelson is passing the baton to Becky Lucke, who assumed Nelson’s title last week.
“I am truly honored to step into the role of Director of Finance,” said Lucke. “I am sincerely grateful for the trust and support shown by Dean Jenkins and Namil Choi in giving me this opportunity to continue serving UND and the School of Medicine & Health Sciences in an elevated leadership capacity. I’m excited for the road ahead and deeply appreciative of Terry, whose leadership and guidance have been instrumental in preparing me for this next step in my career.”
The transition to Lucke, who has been at the School since 2023, means that the SMHS Office of Administration & Finance should see very little disruption in its operations.
“I’m very excited to tell everybody that you won’t be missing me that much, because Becky is going to take over as director of finance and she is absolutely outstanding,” Nelson smiled. “I’ll be excited to see how the School grows in the coming years, and I know Becky and the finance team here are going to be a very integral part of that.”
Nelson’s former supervisor Namil Choi, associate dean for administration and finance and Chief Operating Officer at the SMHS, agreed.
“After 35 years with SMHS and 40 years at UND, Terry Nelson is retiring, leaving behind an incredible legacy,” Choi added. “From helping build our new home to strengthening our finance and admin team, Terry has always been there for his colleagues, quietly making a big difference without seeking recognition. His impact will be felt for years to come, and we’re grateful for everything he’s done.”
