Road to Record Recovery: Leaders reflect on UND’s momentum

Leaders express pride in partnerships, COMMUNITY, smart master planning, extraordinary philanthropy and an energized, beautiful campus

UND Today recently reached out to a handful of community leaders to ask them to reflect on the full-speed-ahead momentum that has fueled the University’s incredible Road to Record Recovery. This is what they had to say …

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Brandon Bochenski
Mayor of Grand Forks
(UND alum, 2001-24, 2018-19)

The city of Grand Forks and I are very proud to write about the positive and renewed energy we have in our wonderful community and the paramount impact of the University of North Dakota. The city has been honored over the past several years to work with UND on its growth, development and renewal on the physical campus, enrollment, student programs and research.

The UND campus has seen a remarkable renewal to include: the University Avenue corridor, Memorial Village I and II, student housing complexes, athletic centers and STEM Complex. Recruitment has become exceptionally easy when a potential student takes one look at the beauty and opportunity in front of them. The UND student enrollment has grown to historic levels because of these tremendous campus improvements and investments, and even more important, the expanded student programs and research offerings as a Carnegie R1 institution. The city has been honored to work in partnership with these UND initiatives to include facilities and infrastructure, mixed-use campus developments, as well as student programs, internships and research opportunities.

The most inspiring fact through all the growth is that we haven’t lost our roots and traditions as a hard-working and value-centric university. Where many schools have let their success cloud where they have come from, we have done it our own way and in our own style, continuing the tradition and feel of the past. That simply comes down to the hard-working professors, maintenance crews, janitors, servers and staff members who show up every day with the single mission of making UND the best it can be. I am a proud alum and can only dream of where the next 15 years will take us.

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Keith Lund
President and CEO
Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation

I remember very well the circumstances UND found itself in a decade ago, and I have watched with great pride the thoughtful and strategic steps UND leaders have made in the years since to place the University on a trajectory few thought possible at the time.

A decade ago, agricultural and energy commodity prices were very depressed, and as a result, so were the revenues to the state of North Dakota. All state agencies were asked to reduce funding in a meaningful way, and the institutions of higher education were not spared. UND was forced to address significant funding shortfalls, which had negative impacts locally. Faculty and staff layoffs occurred, and some programs were reduced or eliminated. It was a challenging time on campus and in the community.

I also vividly recall that UND took a strategic approach and faced the challenge head-on. UND didn’t just implement across-the-board reductions. It cut deeper in some areas and invested in others that were critical for the future success of the University. Specifically, UND embraced online education as a means to long-term financial viability and to increase UND’s reach across the country.

‘The University made a commitment to rebuild and revitalize campus through public-private partnerships. It also invested heavily in marketing to raise the profile of UND across the United States and beyond to draw students to UND and Grand Forks.’

When asked about starting new or increasing investments in current programming during difficult financial times, UND shared its commitment to invest in programs with significant growth potential that would lead the University into the future. When asked about investing in facilities on campus at that time, UND leaders shared that students decide within minutes of visiting a campus whether they want to attend that university, so these investments were critical. When asked about increasing investments in marketing during challenging times, the University’s response was how can we not invest in marketing this great university and drive students to this amazing community.

Fast-forward 10 years and all those decisions, and many since by President Andy Armacost and his leadership team, have placed UND in a tremendous place with great momentum. Evidence includes an all-time record enrollment of 15,844 students, the largest freshman class in UND’s history, achieving Carnegie R1 research status, programs that are contributing in a very meaningful way to our region’s and state’s workforce needs and universal challenges such as national defense, the UND Foundation achieving record fundraising success, and a completely revitalized campus, which includes a new medical school, a new business college, a new student union, many revitalized buildings on campus, major upgrades to athletic facilities, and a soon-to-come STEM facility.

What has made this success especially rewarding is the tremendous relationship that has been forged between UND and the Grand Forks community and state of North Dakota. When faced with an opportunity or challenge, the Grand Forks community partners with UND to help achieve success. When the community sets its sights on a goal, leaders across UND simply ask, “How can we help?” The saying that “as UND goes, so goes Grand Forks” couldn’t be more true. The growth and success at UND have helped energize Grand Forks and have played a significant role in the community’s momentum.

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Korrie Wenzel
Publisher, Grand Forks Herald

The growth at UND is the ultimate feel-good story. The University shook off the uncertainties of past economic concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic and emerged bigger, better and brighter. It’s evidenced not only by the increased number of students who can be seen on campus and milling about the community, but also in the University’s expansive work at structural modernization and rejuvenation.

It doesn’t take much of an effort to tap into a national dialogue that portends a stark future for higher education — declining enrollment, college closures and the like. It wasn’t too long ago that program and staffing cuts were making headlines at UND. Yet the University has shown that the trend can be bucked with strong leadership, a dynamic master plan and, especially, with eyes focused on the future.

Importantly, UND isn’t alone in reaping the rewards from the growth. The community and surrounding region also will benefit from the rising enrollment. In the short term, these students will continue to boost the city by frequenting businesses and contributing to a streak of local sales tax growth; in the long term, more of them will live here and work here.

North Dakota’s flagship university is healthy and vibrant. The entire state should be proud.

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Barry Wilfahrt
President and CEO
The Chamber of Grand Forks/East Grand Forks

Over the past decade, UND has traveled an extraordinary road — from a period of difficult cuts and uncertainty to today’s record-setting enrollment and thriving campus community.

With more than 15,800 students this fall, UND has surpassed not only last year’s numbers by nearly 5 percent but also has set a new all-time historic high. That is no small achievement, and it speaks volumes about the collective determination of our University, community and state leaders.

Together, UND and the Grand Forks community set bold goals for the future. At the heart of this effort was a commitment to rebuild and reimagine campus. In partnership with “Team Grand Forks” and local legislators across multiple sessions — and with the UND Foundation leading on private fundraising — we created a revitalized campus. From a new School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, Memorial Union, to upgraded athletic facilities, the Education Building, and even the steam plant — nearly every corner of campus reflects that shared vision.

The second pivotal step was UND’s early embrace of online learning. At a time when Netflix was replacing Blockbuster, UND recognized the need to blend the flexibility of online classes with the strength of the traditional classroom experience. That foresight positioned the University to meet student needs in new ways, long before it became the industry standard.

These two strategic decisions — rebuilding campus and embracing online learning — have played a big part in UND’s success and created the positive, dynamic vibe we celebrate today. With record enrollment, national recognition and a campus buzzing with life, I can’t help but feel grateful for this story of community, vision, investment and resilience.

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Mark S. Sanford
N.D. House of Representatives, R-Grand Forks
Retired longtime Superintendent
of Grand Forks Public Schools

Budget realities facing higher education institutions in the 2016-19 time frame dictated the need for major adjustments. UND leaders were aggressive in making reductions, and they also made operational plans for the future.

The future plans included reducing the footprint of little-used space and replacing/remodeling space that was critical to programs of the future.

These efforts enabled UND to present compelling requests to the Legislature, alumni and local community organizations regarding necessary facility improvement projects on campus. The results have yielded a modern campus that is very attractive to students and one that plays a major role in the recruiting efforts of UND.

Credit also must be given to the University faculty and staff. They have been instrumental in providing quality programs and services. Students are held to high standards and appreciate the expectations dealt with in their programs.

The current reality of UND is the need to stay focused on quality, complete facilities upgrades, maintain the excellence in programs offered, etc. The UND team (leadership, faculty, staff, etc.) is outstanding and capable of continuing the recent success story.

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Todd Feland
City Administrator for Grand Forks

The University of North Dakota’s success over the past 10 years has been marked by a break from the past in ensuring master planning leads to executable action. Prior to this 10-year period, UND would master-plan and struggle to get to any significant action.

UND Presidents Ed Schafer and Mark Kennedy provided the administrative change of not becoming paralyzed in decision-making through overly cautious and consensus-based leadership and management.

They brought executive-based decision-making and the idea of reaching out to both private and public value-added partners to move that master plan to positive and actionable outcomes.

Building upon the master plan to action paradigm, President Andrew Armacost has been and is the right person in this time to continue to move to even greater and lasting thoughtful action with his skill, authenticity and humble servant leadership.

Here are some examples that I know originated from a master plan and, importantly, led to positive and actionable partnerships.

• UND/City of Grand Forks Internship Program (starting in about 2015 to today): The city engaged UND and Provost Thomas DiLorenzo and created a paid internship program (50/50 cost sharing) with the experiential learning goal and with a win/win outcome of internships throughout the various city departments and UND colleges. The internship program continues to do very well and includes about 15 paid internships annually. This paid internship program also has continued to be emulated as a best practice to include with the InternGF program that is a UND and Grand Forks Region EDC private-sector program.
• UND/City Research Program (ongoing and renewed focus in 2016): UND and the city have worked together on many win/win paid research projects with undergraduate and graduate students and professors. For example, the city has partnered with the UND College of Engineering & Mines with projects in water supply and treatment, wastewater collection and treatment, stormwater collection, municipal solid waste landfill management, and asphalt and concrete management.
• More partnerships: Over the past few years, we also have integrated our public transportation (City Bus and Paratransit) and solid waste collection systems.
• University Avenue/Coulee to Columbia and Beyond Street and Streetscape Redesign and Construction (starting in about 2016): UND and the city partnered on the design, construction and funding of the renewed University Avenue and streetscape as the most important and first gateway into the UND campus for attracting and retaining students.
• UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration: City investment of $1.3 million for a Community Workforce Hub on the UND campus (starting in about 2020 to today).
• Memorial Village I and II (including UND Softball Complex/starting about 2020 to 2025): City provided significant property tax incentives, infrastructure development and low-interest/long-term debt financing to help move these public/private developments to action.
• Alerus Center (2016 to today): UND Game Day experience reboot from tailgating, Alerus Center facility improvements and better Alerus Center representation of the Alerus Center as the Home of UND Football.
• Hyslop Transition (2022 to today): UND, city and community stakeholders planned and worked to transition the uses of the Hyslop (aquatics/fieldhouse) to a new facility to allow for the demolition of Hyslop and make way for the UND STEM Complex. The Altru Sports Complex (Aquatics, Turf, Pickleball, etc.) and the STEM Complex are now under construction.

The strong partnerships above allow many to think the projects and successes were inevitable, but instead, they were dependent on thoughtful and long-term master planning with actionable and positive decision-making and outcomes.

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Dr. Joshua Wynne
Current faculty member,
retired longtime UND Vice President for Health Affairs
and Dean of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences,
and interim UND President (2019-20)

Record enrollments. A transformed campus with new buildings and updated grounds. New educational programming to help prepare the workforce for the future. Recruitment of additional outstanding faculty, staff and deans (including the wonderful new dean of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Dr. Marjorie Jenkins). Phenomenal leadership from the top down, especially by President Andy Armacost.

All of these key ingredients have been essential to the reinvigoration of the University of North Dakota over the past decade. But they — even taken together — are not the key factor.

‘The most important development has been the dramatic change in the campus buzz — the sense of well-being, excitement, energy, connectivity and optimism that now is found everywhere on campus.’

A decade ago, the UND mantra was something akin to “staying alive” or “treading water.” Today, it clearly is “on the move — just watch what we have in store.”

We have weathered two major challenges at the University over the past decade. The first was the major financial tightening that impacted not only UND but all the institutions of higher education in the state as well as most other state-funded agencies. The second challenge prompted my one-year stint as interim UND president in 2019-20 when then-President Mark Kennedy left the institution on short notice. The turmoil surrounding his presidency and abrupt departure left UND uncertain of its path forward. As I saw it, my job was to steady the ship and keep it headed in the right direction.

Fortunately, we — together — were successful, and UND was able to recruit Andy Armacost, under whose leadership UND has not just moved forward but soared. Perhaps the most important component of UND’s meteoric rise over the past decade is the feeling of involvement and empowerment that is evident across campus. We — faculty, staff, students, community members — are UND. The “we” includes our graduates, alumni and friends whose continuing support has empowered the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, led by its fantastic CEO DeAnna Carlson-Zink, to raise the goal on its current campaign to $625 million after the initial goal of $500 million was passed months ago. We — together — are excited about where UND is today, and where it is going tomorrow. We do. We lead. We are forever UND!

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Cassie Gerhardt
Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
and Former Student Government Advisor (2012-May 2025)

The past decade at the University of North Dakota has been defined by resilience and renewal. Even as UND navigated financial challenges, enrollment pressures and shifting expectations, students — especially those in Student Government — looked ahead to how UND could emerge stronger. One of the most visible symbols of that recovery is the new Memorial Union.

In 2015-16, Student Body President Matt Kopp and Vice President Taylor (Nelson) Mitzel weighed difficult conversations about tuition, fees and service reductions. At the same time, they sought to leave a lasting legacy. Recognizing that the former MU no longer met student needs, they supported funding a master planning project. Their vision, inspired by successful spaces such as the Wellness Center and Wilkerson Commons, laid the foundation for transformation.

Future leaders carried the project forward, advocating for the student voice and balancing immediate challenges with long-term opportunity. In 2018-19, Student Body President Erik Hanson and Vice President Kaleb Dschaak championed a student referendum to increase fees for construction. Their belief that a new MU could strengthen student life, recruitment and retention persuaded students to say yes to their vision. In 2021, the new Memorial Union opened its doors.

Today, the MU reflects more than just campus renewal — it reflects UND’s broader path to record recovery. Just as UND has achieved record enrollment and revitalized its campus, the MU stands as a testament to the determination of students who turned challenge into opportunity.

The words above the entrance to the Student Government office, are quite fitting: “We Lead. We Serve. We Are Forever UND.”

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DeAnna Carlson Zink
CEO of UND Alumni Association & Foundation

Ten years ago, UND faced a crossroads. The challenges were real — financial constraints, enrollment concerns and a campus in need of a face-lift. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

Today, we celebrate record enrollment, national recognition and a campus transformed. This success is the result of bold vision, tireless work and unwavering belief in UND’s future from UND leaders, students, legislators and donors.

Through the Forever UND Campaign, which started in 2018, we’ve raised more than $551 million from alumni, friends and corporate partners. We’ve created 518 new endowments and launched more than 100 new academic programs. These aren’t just numbers — they represent lives changed, opportunities created and a university reimagined.

From the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration to the soon-to-start-construction STEM Complex, from scholarships to endowed faculty positions, every corner of campus reflects the generosity and commitment of our alumni, donors and community partners.

Three short, yet powerful statements are the building blocks of the Forever UND Campaign:

We do. We lead. We are Forever UND.

They capture the spirit of UND — community-driven, rooted in legacy, and with a conviction that we can do anything we set our minds to.

We’re not done with the Forever UND Campaign yet. We have a bold goal of $625 million by the end of 2026. But today, we pause to celebrate how far we’ve come — together.

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Tim O’Keefe
UNDAAF CEO, 2002-14
(UND alum, 1971)

Q. What impresses you about what you’ve seen over the past decade?

A. The physical plant that is the University of North Dakota is remarkable and entirely changed.

If there’s a particular sense of joy and pride that I have associated with that, it’s that I think the North Dakota Spirit Campaign (raised $324.1 million from 2008 to 2013) and all of those associated with it — both from an alumni and from a staff standpoint — seeded a philanthropic culture that now is in a prospering stage and having big impact. I think it’s just a marvelous shift, one that’s truly seismic and really tells the story of the impact that philanthropy can have (if) done right.

Q. That’s a good point. … But really the Spirit campaign ends in 2013, and now we’re talking about a decade of growth and improvement of the campus that comes directly on the heels of that effort. So that’s an interesting perspective for sure. What do you look upon with pride over what you’ve seen in this past 10 years?

A. The engagement globally of alumni is truly remarkable. In the Forever UND Campaign, you see the beneficiaries really broadly spread across the entire campus. It truly is touching everyone on campus.

‘And that just creates an energy across the entire campus that I think is infectious for everyone: students, administrators, faculty and alumni. It’s really great to see.’

Q. What makes you hopeful for UND going forward in the next five to 10 years?

A. At a time when in the United States, colleges are scrambling and scratching to try to find students, the University of North Dakota stands out like the northern lights in its growth.

In our Spirit campaign, we had the Bakken boom. We started a Petroleum Engineering major and suddenly went up to 300 majors. You see that happening in various spaces of academic growth that just are absolutely contrarian to what you see happening across campuses in the United States. So, I’m really excited about what the next five to 10 years can bring. This campaign, as one measure, will finish over almost double the last campaign. And you never rest in the fundraising world. So sometime in the next five years, the next campaign will start. And that will be built on numbers that start with a “B” as in billion. And I would expect in that five- to 10-year period, the assets of the UND Foundation will be at a billion dollars or more. And we’ve seen clearly what that does for students. And so I think there is basically no end to the potential of what lies ahead for the campus of the University of North Dakota.

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Lisa Persuitti-Huber
(UND alum, 2005, 2008)
Vice President of Marketing & Business Development
University of Minnesota Alumni Association
2025 UNDAAF Young Alumni Achievement Award recipient

Q. What impresses you most about some of these changes that have happened over the past decade or so on the UND campus?

A. Transformational is what comes to mind. The campus has completely transformed from the foundation that was there when I was a student to really be beautiful and enhanced. And I see it in every corner from University Avenue to the walking paths behind the buildings in which students now can really roam freely (without there being roads throughout) to technology improvements and the modernization of buildings.

It’s completely changed from when I was a student — and in a good way. We had great improvements that took place when I was a student, and to see it continuing, it just demonstrates to me that UND doesn’t sit still. They’re always making change.

Q. What do you look upon with pride as an alum?

A. I’ve always felt the value of my UND degree every day in my career. And now I feel like the buildings and the infrastructure and just the overall feel within campus now match that for me.

Q. What makes you hopeful about UND going forward?

A. The feeling I get as an alum is that UND doesn’t ever feel satisfied where things are. They’re always looking to be moving into the future. What do students need? What does society need from education?

Because I’ve never seen UND stop, it makes me feel there isn’t going to be a stopping point. They’re going to keep moving. It makes it easy as alumni all around the world to advocate for students to come here and continue to fuel the momentum. I think it’s incredibly exciting to see that it has been constant.

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Werner Nistler
Chair of Forever UND Campaign, namesake and major benefactor of UND’s Nistler College of Business & Public Administration.

Q. Where do you see the most improvements/biggest changes?

A. The changes are in the facilities, the boulevard on University Avenue and the new buildings. Of course, we have President Armacost now and he’s really rallying all the students, all the employees. It’s a real vibrant University.

Q. What brings you pride?

A. The obvious one is the Nistler building, having built that. It just seems to have been very well accepted by students. Pat O’Neill (interim dean for the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration) said enrollment at the business school is the highest it’s ever been at 2,110, I think. It rose 18% in enrollment this last year.

Q. What makes you hopeful going forward?

A. There are a number of items I’d like to see happen. For example, I would like to see the new nursing building built and woven into the medical school.

I think Marjorie Jenkins, the new dean, has done an exceptional job. She grew up in a world where they didn’t have indoor plumbing, and that was very similar to me in western North Dakota. So, I can relate to the fact of basically having nothing and reaching the level that she has. I think she’s embraced the rural North Dakota health care needs. She went on a trip to the rural clinics and hospitals last summer. And she’s going to be doing more of that in other areas.

The other area that I think I’m hoping the University can grasp and latch on to is a collaboration with the new Teddy Roosevelt Library that’s being built in Medora.

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Angie Freeman
(UND alumna, 1991)
Chief Human Resources Officer, C.H. Robinson Worldwide
Recruitment & Governance Committee
UND Alumni Association Foundation Board

Q. Where do you see the most improvements/biggest changes?

A. I think, over the past 10 years, there’s been a marked improvement in the beautification of campus and all the facilities, the upgrades in the buildings and an incredible focus on facilities and services for the students — making sure that the student experience is top-notch.

It’s so impressive when you walk around, and you see all the benefits targeted at making sure the students have a world-class experience.

Q. Is there anything that you’re particularly proud of?

‘I’m just proud that when you come to campus you feel like you could be anywhere in the world — at the kind of institution that is clearly competing for the best of the best, right here in North Dakota.’

Q. What are you hopeful for, moving forward?

A. I hope that we continue to keep our bar high. We always want the University of North Dakota to be a place where students want to achieve their greatest excellence, where students work hard, where students want to lead, and — using President Armacost’s words — a place of community where people work together to do great things.

The Road to Record Recovery package …

>> The story behind the numbers: UND President Andy Armacost reflects on the tough decisions, hard work and extraordinary partnerships that have built the University of today.

>> UND sets all-time enrollment record in fall 2025: The No. 1 destination of choice for North Dakota residents now counts 15,844 students, up 825 students over last year.

>> Record enrollment is just part of the story: Ten years ago at UND, budget cuts and program closures — not enrollment records — were top of mind. Here’s how that changed.

>> From layoffs to Leaders in Action: With strategic budget cuts and a farsighted master plan, UND modernized its campus and built a new brand.

>> Look at UND — then and now: Before- and after-shots show the amazing transformations that have taken place on the UND campus.

>> Community leaders reflect on UND’s momentum: Leaders express pride in partnerships, community, smart master planning, extraordinary philanthropy and an energized, beautiful campus.