Founders Day 2026 is Thursday, Feb. 19
Annual celebration of UND’s founding will recognize employee milestones, retirements and outstanding faculty and staff, including new Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors
The University of North Dakota will mark its 143rd anniversary at its annual Founders Day banquet Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. A social will begin at 5:15 p.m. and the banquet will begin at 6 p.m.
The program will feature a welcome from Provost Eric Link, who will host the event, and remarks from Nancy Pederson, vice president of Finance & Operations at the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. Presenters will include Randi Tanglen, vice provost for Faculty Affairs; Karyn Plumm, vice provost for Undergraduate Studies & Student Success; and Peggy Varberg, associate vice president of Human Resources.
Founders Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the 1883 Dakota Territory legislation establishing the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and is the official birthday of UND. The first celebration of Founders Day was held in 1904.
Founders Day is also a time to honor members of our campus community. Retirees with at least 15 years of service, employees with 25 years of service, and department and faculty award winners are recognized at the banquet. To view a list of retirees and 25 years of service employees, please visit the Founders Day website. A list of this year’s award winners can be found below, as well as on the website.
The following will receive awards at the annual Founders Day banquet on Feb. 19.
Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor
Emily Cherry Oliver, professor and chair of Theatre Arts, College of Arts & Sciences
Pablo de León, professor and chair of Space Studies, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
UND Foundation/McDermott Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Gwennie Byron, Math Active Learning Lab Director, Mathematics, College of Arts & Sciences
Shaina Mattingly, Teaching Associate Professor, Chemistry, College of Arts & Sciences
UND Foundation/McDermott Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate or Professional Teaching
Cerynn Desjarlais, Director of Online Counseling Programs, Education, Health & Behavior, College of Education & Human Development
UND Foundation/Lydia & Arthur Saiki Faculty Award for Excellence in Service
Robert Newman, Chair/Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences
Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award
James Cooley, Assistant Professor, Aviation, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
Josh Hunter, Associate Professor, Education, Health & Behavior, College of Education & Human Development
Iraj H.P. Mamaghani, Professor, Civil Engineering, College of Engineering & Mines
UND Foundation/McDermott Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and / or Creative Activity
Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Associate Professor, Education, Health & Behavior, College of Education & Human Development
Lavinia Iancu, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice, College of Arts & Sciences
UND Foundation/Karleen Home Rosaaen Faculty Award for Excellence in Academic Advising
Yun Ji, Professor & Graduate Program Director, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering & Mines
VPAA Award for Outstanding Professional Academic Advising
Madalyn Baeten, Academic Advisor, College of Arts & Sciences
Natalie Chitnis, Academic Advisor, College of Engineering & Mines
Malissa Kuznicki, Academic Advisor, College of Education & Human Development
Jessica Parlato, Academic Advisor & Recruiting Specialist, College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines
Molly Sand Eichten, Academic Advisor, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
Brynne Wischer, Academic Advisor, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
Robert O. & Marcia B. Kelley Award for Excellence in Collaborative Governance
Jonathan Blankenship, Student, Commercial Aviation
Liz Legerski, Associate Professor, Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences
Mike Wozniak, Director of Leadership Development
UND Award for Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Research and Creative Activity
Mark Askelson, Associate Vice President for Research – National Security, VP Research & Economic Development
David Flynn, Professor, Economics & Finance, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
Sheila Hanson, Associate Professor, Entrepreneurship & Management, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
Thomasine Heitkamp, Research Developer, VP Research & Economic Development
Leslie Martin, Associate Professor, Aviation, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
Paul Snyder, Assistant Chair & Director of UAS Program, Aviation, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
UND Award for Departmental Excellence in Service
Criminal Justice, College of Arts & Sciences
Founders Day Award for Excellence in Assessment
Helene Weldt-Basson, Professor, Languages, College of Arts & Sciences
