University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

Posts Categorized
In Remembrance

Arnie thompson

Remembering Arnie Thompson

Categories: In Remembrance

Arnie thompson

Arnold (Arnie) O. Thompson, Jr., UND grad and active member of the Alumni Association, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2023, at Shorewood Memory Care. Arnie was born September 22, 1925, in Grand Forks, N.D. to Arnold O. and Clara M. (Anderson) Thompson. Arnie was a 1943 graduate of Central High School, Grand Forks, N.D. […]

Remembering Michael Kirby

Categories: In Remembrance

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mike Kirby, retired Deputy Chief of the Grand Forks Police Department and former member of the UND Police Department. Surrounded by his family, Mike passed away after a battle with leukemia on Monday, May 29. Kirby retired from the Grand Forks Police Department as […]

Remembering Lois Jackson

Categories: In Remembrance

Lois Jackson, retired UND Department of Engineering staff member, age 92, died Thursday evening, May 11, at the Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier. Lois Ann Dunnigan, born to Earl and Ann Dunnigan, grew up on her parents’ farm south of Walhalla, N.D., the youngest of her five brothers and one sister. Upon graduating from […]

Remembering Beverly O’Shea

Categories: In Remembrance

Beverly Ellen (Meyer) O’Shea, retired director of the Department of Communication Disorders at UND’s Rehabilitation Hospital, of Grand Forks, died at the age of 88 on May 27, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Okla., with family at her side. “Bev” was born on March 2, 1935, in Wahpeton, ND, and grew up on the family farm […]

Remembering Muriel Folson

Categories: In Remembrance

Muriel Folson, retired secretary for UND’s College of Engineering & Mines, 97, of Grafton and formerly of Hoople, N.D., passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the Unity Hospital in Grafton, N.D. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jun. 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier, N.D. Visitation will […]

Remembering Virginia Blain

Categories: In Remembrance

Virginia Rae Blain, retired business manager for the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences Family Practice Clinic, passed away peacefully on May 20 at Pelican Landing in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Virginia (Ginny) was the adopted child of William and Gertrude Black. She was raised in Grand Forks, N.D., and graduated from Central High School. […]

Remembering Dr. Neil Thomford

Categories: In Remembrance

Dr. Neil R. Thomford, former chair and professor of surgery at UND, a surgeon and medical educator recruited to be surgery department chairman at the Medical College of Ohio, where he remained until he retired, died April 25 in the Manor at Perrysburg nursing facility. He was 91. He had Alzheimer’s disease, his son Mark […]

Remembering Reine Victoria Freeman

Categories: In Remembrance

Reine Victoria Freeman, retired UND Registrar’s Office staff member, passed away on Sunday, May 7, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D., following a brief battle with cancer. She was born to Ernest Desautels and Rosalia (Fink) Desautels on Oct. 9, 1933, in Michigan, N.D. She was raised as one of 11 siblings. Reine was […]

Remembering Doris Onstad

Categories: In Remembrance

Doris E. Onstad, former Head Start and language arts teacher at UND, age 91, passed away on Dec. 12, 2022. Born February 15th, 1931 in Crookston, Minnesota to Emma (Wentzel) and Iver Onstad. Preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Luther and Alvin, and sisters, Louise, Margaret and Elizabeth. Survived by brothers, David, Philip and […]

Remembering Tamar Clothylde Read

Categories: In Remembrance

Tamar Clothylde Read, retired professor of music at UND, 101, of Ruston, formerly of Farmerville, La., and of Grand Forks, N.D., passed away Monday, April 10, 2023 in Ruston, La. Tamar (or, Cloty to family) was born in Olla, La., the daughter of Paul L. Read and Willow Roane Read, both educators and administrators in […]

Remembering Colleen Mae Johnston Crow

Categories: In Remembrance

Colleen Mae Johnston Crow, former teacher of nursing at UND, 91, of East Grand Forks, Minn., died on Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Colleen was born Oct. 21, 1931, in Warren, Minn., and grew up on her family’s farm, two miles southwest of Angus, Minn. Growing up on the […]

Remembering Melodie Anne Pochmara

Categories: In Remembrance

The University of North Dakota has learned that UND student Melodie Anne Pochmara passed away on March 31, 2023. Melodie was working on her master’s degree in Elementary Education. We extend our deepest condolences to Melodie’s friends, classmates and family, especially her husband and four children. They are all in our thoughts and prayers. An […]

Remembering Andrew Zimmerman

Categories: In Remembrance

The University of North Dakota has learned that UND student, Andrew Zimmerman, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Andrew was enrolled as an online student in the Electrical Engineering program in the College of Engineering & Mines. We extend our deepest condolences to Andrew’s family, friends and classmates. They are all in our thoughts […]

Remembering Jerroll Dean ‘Jerry’ Olson

Categories: In Remembrance

Jerroll D. “Jerry” Olson, former UND Football head coach, age 89 of Hoople, N.D., passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton. Jerry was born November 6, 1933, in rural Walsh County to Oliver and Ruby (Almen) Olson. He was the second of four children. Jerry grew up and attended […]

Remembering F.D. ‘Bud’ Holland, Jr.

Categories: In Remembrance

F.D. (Bud) Holland, Jr., professor emeritus of geology, age 98, passed away on Monday, Feb. 20. Bud was born to Frank D. and Francys Bell Holland on March 6, 1924, in Leavenworth, Kan. He was graduated from Leavenworth High school and attended the University of Kansas until called up by the U.S. Navy to the […]