Empowered By Our Past honors legacy, resilience and community impact

UND event recognizes alumni and social justice leaders, fosters community through shared history

GRAND FORKS — Stories of perseverance, service and belonging took center stage April 9 as the University of North Dakota’s Hilyard Center hosted its annual Empowered By Our Past event. The event is designed to connect generations of students through shared history and lived experience.

Held in the UND Memorial Union before a crowd of students, faculty and community members, the program blended recognition, storytelling and reflection, all rooted in a central goal: helping students see themselves in UND’s past and feel empowered to shape its future.

“This event grew out of a research project to identify important student experiences and legacies,” said Stacey Borboa-Peterson, director of the Hilyard Center. “Our goal was to share a more inspiring and inclusive UND history, one where all students could connect their life and legacy to this university.”

Honoring social justice leadership

The evening began with the presentation of the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Awards, recognizing individuals whose work on campus reflects Dr. King’s vision of equity and opportunity.

Associate Vice President for Community and Belonging Tamba-Kuii Bailey noted that while UND’s official 2026 MLK Day celebration had been canceled due to extreme weather, the mission of honoring impactful leaders remained.

“Social justice works to produce conditions that allow for equal access and opportunity for all,” Bailey said.

This year’s recipients were:

• Aaron Flynn, associate director of the Memorial Union, recognized for his consistent support of student programming and his personal investment in student well-being.
• Sara Haugen, marketing manager in Marketing and Creative Services, honored for amplifying community and belonging initiatives, including major campus events and public art efforts.
• Joan Jorde, assistant director of TRIO Programs, celebrated for her lifelong advocacy for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and her commitment to ensuring they have access to essential resources.

Together, the honorees exemplify the quiet, sustained work that builds inclusive campus environments — often behind the scenes, but deeply felt by students, Borboa-Peterson said.

A story decades in the making

At the heart of the evening was a documentary honoring Agnes Selario Carlson, a UND graduate whose journey from a rural village in the Philippines to a career in behavioral health captivated the audience.

Produced by UND alumnus and Grand Forks-based designer Eller Bonifacio, the film served as both a personal narrative and a broader reflection on resilience, education and identity.

In the documentary, Carlson recounts growing up in a remote area of the Philippines, one where access to education was limited. After finishing elementary school, she left formal schooling at an early age to work and support her family.

“I had to stop schooling and go to work at 11 years old,” Carlson said in the film. “My future was very vague.”

Her path forward came through determination and opportunity — first as a working student, then through sponsorship that allowed her to complete a college degree in education in the Philippines. Years later, after moving to the United States and raising a family, Carlson found herself drawn back to school.

That decision ultimately led her to UND.

“What does age have to do with it, when it comes to education?” she reflected.

At UND, Carlson earned a master’s degree in Special Education & Teaching along with a graduate certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Today, she works as a behavioral analyst with North Dakota Health and Human Services, helping individuals build independence and life skills.

Her story resonated for not only its milestones, but also its honesty. “I think the challenge for me was the doubt and the fear,” she said, describing her return to graduate school after decades away. “Can I do this?”

Ultimately, Carlson said, the answer came from within — and from the belief that education is something no one can take away.

Community, culture and connection

Carlson’s story also highlighted the importance of community, both at UND and beyond. She described how becoming part of the university meant actively building connections and embracing new perspectives.

“You cannot be part of a community if you don’t take action,” she said in the documentary.

That sense of belonging extends beyond graduation. Carlson remains connected to campus through programs such as the Hawks in Harmony choir and through her involvement in the Filipino American community in North Dakota.

Her message to students — especially those who may have stepped away from their goals — was simple but powerful: it is never too late to continue the journey.

Recognizing community impact

Following the documentary, the Hilyard Center presented the Paul Pitts Community Impact Awards, named for UND alumnus and civil rights advocate Paul Pitts.

The award honors alumni who return to share their experiences and inspire the next generation.

This year’s recipients included:

• Eller Bonifacio, ’11, recognized for his leadership in the Filipino community and for using his creative work — including the evening’s documentary — to preserve culture and foster connection.
• Agnes Selario Carlson, ’25, honored for her professional work, community involvement and example of lifelong learning and perseverance.

In remarks to the audience, Pitts emphasized the responsibility of students to carry forward the work of those who came before them.

“You have an obligation to those who will come after you,” Pitts said. “We cannot let fear or doubt stand as a barrier to what we must do.”