Generations of Green and White
In this Q&A, North Dakota Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, UND ’91, talks about her family, the University — and her UND Hockey/Frozen Four-skating son, Ben
LAS VEGAS — Editor’s Note: Ben Strinden, a UND hockey forward from Fargo, surged to the top of the stat sheet during the 2026-27 season, culminating with an appearance on college hockey’s biggest stage here in the Frozen Four. A senior finance major, Strinden scored in the classroom, too, throughout his years at UND, attaining American Hockey Coaches Association and National College Hockey Association Academic All-League Team and Distinguished Scholar-Athlete honors.
He’s also a legacy student from a family ensconced in UND history and culture: a product of generations of green and white. Many remember the dedication of Ben’s late grandfather, Earl Strinden, ’58, (and grandmother, Jan). Earl, a former executive vice president of the UND Alumni Association and CEO of the UND Foundation, was a longtime member of the North Dakota House of Representative, where he spent 13 years as majority leader.
Then there are Ben’s parents: the late Dr. Tom Strinden, an ophthalmologist who just recently succumbed to cancer after a valiant 17-month battle, and mother, Michelle (Strecker) Strinden, UND ’91, who’s now North Dakota’s lieutenant governor and before that was a state representative.
UND Today caught up with Lt. Gov. Strinden on the eve of her son’s semifinal hockey tilt with the University of Wisconsin to talk about mother and son pregame emotions; how Ben balances his athletic and academic successes; family support, both in person and in spirit; and how North Dakota sports on the national stage brings the whole state together.
Do you have a sense of the emotions that might be running through Ben’s mind, in these days leading up to puck drop in the national tournament?
The biggest emotions running through Ben’s mind right now are pure excitement and genuine joy. This is something he has dreamed about his entire life, and reaching this stage feels like a dream come true not just for him, but for our whole family.
There’s a real sense of pride and gratitude in knowing that all the hard work and sacrifices have led to this moment. At the same time, he’s very present. Instead of letting the pressure take over, he’s focused on soaking in every part of the experience, from being with his teammates to stepping onto that national stage.
Right now, he just wants to fully enjoy the moment he’s worked so long to reach.
And how is mom doing with all the excitement in the leadup to all the inevitable hoopla?
Mom is right there with Ben, absolutely thrilled and still pinching herself. It’s such a surreal and exciting moment, not just for him but for the entire team and all of our loyal UND fans. There’s this overwhelming mix of pride, gratitude, and pure joy watching Ben reach this stage. I’m embracing all the energy and anticipation this week brings and truly soaking in every moment of it!
Ben seems to excel on and off the ice while really appreciating his family’s legacy at UND. Do you think this adds more pressure for him? How does he balance it all?
This is very true of Ben. He has always excelled in the classroom and in every sport he’s been part of, and he does it with a genuine love for his family and for UND.
The connection he feels to the University and to our family’s history is something he’s incredibly proud of. And we’re all so proud of him in return.
As for pressure, Ben has always been someone who thrives in those moments rather than getting overwhelmed by them. He understands the legacy he’s part of, but he uses it as motivation instead of letting it weigh on him. He balances everything by staying grounded, keeping his priorities straight, and focusing on the things he can control: working hard, being a good teammate, and appreciating the support around him.
Your official bio notes that you have many connections to UND and Grand Forks. Were UND and UND Athletics central parts of your life growing up?
I was born in Grand Forks, so UND and UND Athletics have really been part of my life from the very beginning. My parents had season tickets when I was a little girl, so some of my earliest memories are tied to being in the arena and feeling the energy of UND hockey. It was just a natural part of our family’s rhythm.
Later, when I attended and graduated from the University of North Dakota myself, that connection grew even stronger. Going to football games, hockey games and all the campus events created some of my favorite memories.
So yes, UND and its athletic programs have always been woven into my life, and that tradition is something that has carried forward into our family today.
Talk about Earl and Jan’s influence on you, Tom, and your own family. What are some of the lessons that may have been passed down from grandparents to their kids to the grandchildren?
Earl and Jan were truly incredible influences on both Tom and me, and on our children as well. They set such a strong example in the way they lived their lives, always supportive, always present, and always encouraging us to give our best, whether it was in the classroom, in athletics, or in any challenge we took on.
They had a wonderful way of showing love through consistency and kindness. No matter what we were involved in, they were there cheering us on, teaching us the importance of hard work, humility, and treating people with respect. Those values naturally carried down to our kids, who benefited from that same steady encouragement and belief in them.
The lessons they passed down — supporting one another, striving for excellence, and leading with kindness — are things we hold close as a family. Their influence is woven into who we are and how we show up for each other.
What kind of family support does Ben have in Las Vegas and from afar?
Ben is going to have an incredible support system in Las Vegas. Our whole family will be there, along with his fiancée Anna and her family, all cheering him on. We also have several cousins and friends making the trip, so he’ll definitely feel the love from the stands.
And the support doesn’t stop there; back home, aunts, uncles, and extended family are hosting a big watch party. Even from afar, everyone is rallying behind him and the team. It really means so much to see how many people are supporting Ben during such a special moment.
I would be remiss if I didn’t ask about any additional emotional weight for Ben about his dad not being here in person, but rather in spirit. Do you think that’s in the back of Ben’s mind along with the focus of the hockey mission at hand?
I think it’s absolutely been added fuel for Ben throughout the entire season. Wanting to make it to this stage has been a driving force for him, and the thought of his dad not being here in person has pushed him to work even harder.
While we all deeply wish Tom were here physically, we know he’s with us in spirit, watching, cheering, and supporting every step of the way. Ben carries that with him. It’s not something that distracts him, but rather something that inspires him. He’s able to stay focused on the mission at hand, while also honoring his dad in the way he plays, competes, and carries himself. It adds meaning to the moment, and I think he draws a lot of strength from that.
Finally, if you could put on your lieutenant governor’s hat for this one: Regardless of allegiances or alma maters, how cool is it to see big national events such as what’s happening in Las Vegas, this week, bring the whole state together?
Absolutely. I’m incredibly proud to be from North Dakota, and moments like this on the national stage really shine a light on the amazing people who call our state home. Events of this scale have a special way of bringing everyone together, regardless of alma mater or team colors.
Whether it’s UND hockey, NDSU football, or any of our teams competing at a high level, North Dakotans always show up with incredible passion and support. We truly have some of the best fans in the country, and they represent North Dakota with so much pride. It’s exciting to see our state united and celebrated on such a big platform.
