MSU Academic Hall of Fame honors two outstanding inductees

Minot State University is honoring two inductees, Robert Holmen, mathematics, and Joseph Alme, music, into its Academic Hall of Fame. They will be recognized Sunday (Sept. 9) at a banquet in the Conference Center, 5 p.m. The MSU Faculty Senate chose these individuals from faculty and community nominations to represent a range of outstanding career achievements by MSU alumni.

MSU students, faculty and staff and community members can also interact with the inductees during Homecoming Week, Sept. 9-15, at events scheduled by participating departments and the Academic Hall of Fame Committee.

Holmen came full circle at Minot State, when he returned to his alma mater in 1963 to begin his 37-year mathematics career. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at then Minot State Teachers College in 1959 and completed a Master of Arts degree in mathematics at the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1963. Holmen made significant contributions to his field, his students, the department, MSU and hundreds of secondary mathematics teachers. His accomplishments include his outstanding teaching, his close relationship with area mathematics teachers, his service as the Department of Mathematics chair for 25 years, his founding of the Math Track Meet for grades 7-12 and his guiding hand in the development of the Master of Arts in Teaching: mathematics program.

Alme, who joined the music faculty in 2007, left an indelible mark on the Northern Plains’ musical landscape, with a 44-year career in music education that encompassed classroom experience as well as administration of the renowned International Music Camp, Dunseith, for 23 years. The music camp brought specialized arts instruction to thousands of students. A lasting legacy of his administration is the Alme International Arts Center at the Peace Gardens. As a music educator and band director, he launched many young musicians’ careers. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education from MSU and a Master in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. His students continue to participate in music as educators, performers and dedicated amateurs. His most recent accomplishment was the re-establishment of the MSU Beaver Marching Band.

Community members and MSU students, faculty and staff and students can obtain banquet tickets by contacting Amy Woodbeck, professional and community education coordinator, at 858-3989 or amy.woodbeck@minotstateu.edu. Banquet tickets are $27 for adults and $20 for students.

For questions, contact Eric Furuseth, associate English professor and MSU Academic Hall of Fame Committee chair, at 858-3369 or eric.furuseth@minotstateu.edu.

Published: 09/04/12

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