University of North Dakota: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
The University of North Dakota (UND) stands as a prominent institution, ranked 448th globally, 178th in North America, and 164th in the United States, based on the aggregated prominence of its alumni. Its extensive list of notable alumni includes individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, from athletics and politics to arts, sciences, and business. This directory encompasses famous graduates, former students, research staff, and academic personnel.
Athletics
UND has a rich athletic history, producing numerous athletes who have excelled in professional sports.
Phil Jackson: A towering figure in basketball, Philip Douglas Jackson is a former player, coach, and executive. As a power forward, he secured NBA championships with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. However, he is best known as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships (1989-1998) and the Los Angeles Lakers to five league titles (1999-2004, 2005-2011). Jackson holds the record for most postseason wins (229) and NBA Conference titles (13).
Jonathan Toews: Known as "Captain Serious," Jonathan Bryan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey center. He played for the Chicago Blackhawks (2008-2023), serving as their captain. Selected third overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Toews won the Stanley Cup in 2010, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player. He later won the Stanley Cup again in 2013 and 2015.
T. J. Oshie: Timothy Leif "T. J." Oshie is an American professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Washington Capitals. Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2005, he played for the Blues for seven years before joining the Capitals in 2015. Oshie won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.
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Zach Parise: Zachary Justin Parise is an American former professional ice hockey left winger. He played for the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, and Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. Parise captained the Devils to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals and was an alternate captain for the American team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Ed Belfour: Edward John Belfour is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He helped the University of North Dakota win the NCAA championship in the 1986-87 season. Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 and is one of only two players to have won an NCAA championship, an Olympic gold medal, and a Stanley Cup.
Brock Boeser: Brock Michael Boeser is an American professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks.
Dave Hakstol: David Hakstol is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach. He coached the Sioux City Musketeers and the University of North Dakota before becoming head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers (2015-2018) and the Seattle Kraken (2021-2024). He also served as an assistant coach for Canada's national men's team.
Dave Tippett: David G. Tippett is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach and player.
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Mike Commodore: Michael W. Commodore is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman, who won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
Tyson Jost: Tyson Jost is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Nick Schmaltz: Nick Schmaltz is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Utah Hockey Club.
Brock Nelson: Brock Christian Nelson is an American professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the New York Islanders.
Travis Zajac: Travis Zajac is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre, who played for the New Jersey Devils for 15 years.
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Brandon Bochenski: Brandon Louis Bochenski is an American former professional ice hockey player and politician. He played in the NHL and KHL and was elected mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota, in June 2020.
Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson: Jocelyne Nicole Lamoureux-Davidson is an American former ice hockey player, who scored the game-winning shootout goal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Politics and Law
UND has also produced a significant number of influential figures in politics and law.
Heidi Heitkamp: Mary Kathryn "Heidi" Heitkamp is an American lawyer and politician. She served as a United States Senator from North Dakota from 2013 to 2019. Previously, she was the North Dakota Tax Commissioner (1986-1992) and Attorney General (1992-2000).
Dick Armey: Richard Keith Armey is an American economist and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative from Texas (1985-2003) and House Majority Leader (1995-2003). He played a key role in the "Republican Revolution" of the 1990s and was one of the chief authors of the Contract with America.
Kelly Armstrong: Kelly Michael Armstrong is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 34th governor of North Dakota since 2024. He previously served as a U.S. Representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district and as a North Dakota State Senator.
Byron Dorgan: Byron Leslie Dorgan is an American author, businessman, and former politician. He served as a United States Representative (1981-1992) and United States Senator (1992-2011) from North Dakota.
Warren Magnuson: Warren Grant Magnuson was an American lawyer and politician who represented the state of Washington in Congress for 44 years.
Chase Iron Eyes: Chase Iron Eyes is a Native American activist, attorney, and politician, and a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Arts and Media
UND alumni have also made their mark in the arts and media.
Shadoe Stevens: Shadoe Stevens is an American radio host, voiceover actor, and television personality. He hosted American Top 40 from 1988 to 1995 and currently hosts the internationally syndicated radio show Top of the World.
Chuck Klosterman: Charles John Klosterman is an American author and essayist whose work focuses on American popular culture. He has been a columnist for Esquire and ESPN.com and wrote "The Ethicist" column for The New York Times Magazine.
Maxwell Anderson: James Maxwell Anderson was an American playwright, author, poet, journalist, and lyricist.
Sam Anderson: Sam Anderson is an American actor, best known for his character roles in television and film.
Science and Technology
Karen L. Nyberg: Karen LuJean Nyberg is an American mechanical engineer and retired NASA astronaut. She became the 50th woman in space on her first mission in 2008 and spent a total of 180 days in space.
Greg Brockman: Gregory Brockman is an American entrepreneur, investor, and software engineer who is a co-founder and the president of OpenAI.
Education
- Edgar Dale: Edgar Dale was an American educator who developed the Cone of Experience, also known as the Learning Pyramid.
Alumni Honors and Recognition
The University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation hosts an annual Alumni Honors Banquet to recognize distinguished alumni. The Alumni Academy Hall of Fame, housed in the Upson II Building, celebrates College of Engineering & Mines graduates who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities.
Recent honorees include:
Chuck Kummeth: CEO of Bio-Techne Corporation, recognized for transforming the company into a leader in life science tools and diagnostics.
Cathy (Wilson) Rydell: Former CEO of the American Academy of Neurology, honored for her leadership and community involvement.
Mike Jacobs and Suezette Bieri: A couple who met in preschool and have made significant contributions to their professions and community.
Roger Borg: A civil engineering graduate who oversaw the restructuring of the Federal Highway Administration’s largest field office in California.
Craig Kipp: A mechanical engineering graduate who held global roles with GE, expanding the company’s operations.
John Larsen: An electrical engineering graduate who is the Chair, President, and CEO of Alliant Energy Corporation.
The UND MBA Program
The UND MBA program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their careers.
Testimonials from UND MBA graduates highlight the program's strengths:
- Flexibility: The online program allows students to balance work and education.
- Affordability: UND offers a high-quality education at a reasonable price.
- Real-world application: The curriculum is tied to practical applications.
- Interactive learning: The program fosters a collaborative and motivating environment.
- Career advancement: Graduates report increased career opportunities and enhanced professional success.
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