Call Me Jerry<\/em>, commissioned by the Trustees of the John & Elaine Andrist Charitable Trust, traces VandeWalle\u2019s life and career through interviews, personal stories and landmark legal achievements that shaped the state\u2019s judicial system.<\/p>\nVandeWalle\u2019s public service began in 1958 as the \u201cbaby attorney\u201d in the North Dakota Attorney General\u2019s office and concluded in 2023, marking an unparalleled 65 years in state government. During his 45 years on the Supreme Court\u2014more than half as Chief Justice\u2014the court undertook a major restructuring of the judicial system, advanced more equitable school funding, established family law mediation, and issued influential rulings on issues ranging from same-sex custody to the taxation of out-of-state companies.<\/p>\n
Authored by veteran journalist Cecile Wehrman, the book also delves into the personal foundations of VandeWalle\u2019s legacy. Raised on a dairy farm in Noonan, North Dakota, he was shaped by a family devoted to service and learning, discovered his calling in law at the University of North Dakota, and navigated a challenging transition to the Supreme Court in 1978. Throughout his career, his warmth, humor, relationship-building skills\u2014and trademark request, \u201cCall me Jerry\u201d\u2014made him approachable despite national recognition and honors, including North Dakota\u2019s Rough Rider Award.<\/p>\n
Call Me Jerry<\/em> reminds readers that behind decades of legal influence stood a man grounded in faith, family and community, never far removed from his small-town roots.<\/p>\nThe public is invited to attend a celebration of the release of the biography on February 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck. The event will feature remarks from those involved in the project and offer attendees the opportunity to reflect on Chief Justice VandeWalle’s lasting impact on North Dakota law and history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New biography chronicles Gerald W. VandeWalle\u2019s extraordinary 65-year career, from dairy farm roots to the state\u2019s longest-serving Chief Justice. What makes an exemplary public servant? A new biography of alumnus Gerald W. VandeWalle\u2014North Dakota\u2019s longest-serving Supreme Court Chief Justice\u2014offers powerful insights into character, humility and public service. Call Me Jerry, commissioned by the Trustees of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":4138,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[517],"tags":[1684,1683,1655,1055,729,1301],"class_list":["post-4137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","tag-biography","tag-call-me-jerry","tag-chief-justice","tag-gerald-vandewalle","tag-north-dakota","tag-north-dakota-supreme-court"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a>What makes an exemplary public servant? A new biography of alumnus Gerald W. VandeWalle\u2014North Dakota\u2019s longest-serving Supreme Court Chief Justice\u2014offers powerful insights into character, humility and public service. Call Me Jerry<\/em>, commissioned by the Trustees of the John & Elaine Andrist Charitable Trust, traces VandeWalle\u2019s life and career through interviews, personal stories and landmark legal achievements that shaped the state\u2019s judicial system.<\/p>\n