Kale Smith
Graduate School Student Message
Kale Smith is a dedicated educator and advocate in the field of deaf education, committed to supporting children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. Originally from Canton, South Dakota, Kale currently resides in Devils Lake, where he serves as a teacher of the Deaf and Deaf mentor at the North Dakota School for the Deaf.
Smith's educational journey reflects his strong commitment to teaching and learning. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Dakota State University and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from South Dakota State University. Through his academic experiences, Smith developed a passion for inclusive education and the importance of ensuring that all students have access to meaningful language and learning opportunities.
Throughout his graduate studies, Smith has focused on the critical importance of early language access for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. His work emphasizes the role of Deaf mentors and the impact of accessible communication in preventing language deprivation and promoting positive developmental outcomes. He is particularly passionate about supporting families and helping them build strong communication foundations with their children through both American Sign Language and spoken language.
In addition to his professional role, Smith is actively involved in the broader Deaf education community. He is a member of Hands & Voices and serves on the North Dakota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Advisory Board. He also regularly attends national EHDI conferences to collaborate with professionals and stay current with research and best practices in the field.
As a Deaf mentor, Smith values the opportunity to serve as both a language model and a cultural connection for students and families. He is committed to empowering children with the tools they need to succeed academically and socially, while also fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging.
During his downtime, Smith enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends. Following graduation, he plans to continue his work in Deaf education, advocating for early intervention services and expanding access to Deaf mentorship programs. He remains dedicated to making a lasting impact in the lives of children and families while promoting awareness, accessibility, and inclusion in education.
Conner Meldrim
Undergraduate Student Message
Conner Meldrim is originally from Henderson, Nevada, and graduated from Coronado High School. He is graduating from Minot State University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation degree, earning Summa Cum Laude honors.
During his time at Minot State University, Meldrim has been actively involved in both academics and athletics as a member of the university's baseball team. Through his involvement in collegiate athletics, he has developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for teamwork and consistency. In recognition of his achievements, he was named Minot State University's Honor Student-Athlete for the 2024-2025 academic year.
In addition to his coursework, Meldrim has been involved in research within the field of exercise science, contributing to multiple projects. He has presented his work at conferences across the country, including New Orleans, Louisiana; Big Sky, Montana; and Grand Forks. These opportunities allowed him to collaborate with peers and faculty while further developing his passion for medicine. His research was recognized with the Outstanding Student Paper Award at the NASPSPA conference in 2024.
Meldrim has also gained clinical and service experience through his work as a certified nursing assistant in both the operating room and long-term care settings, and as a medical scribe in a North Dakota emergency department. In addition, he has worked as a peer tutor at Minot State University, assisting students in biology and chemistry courses while helping them develop effective study strategies and confidence in their academic abilities.
He has volunteered with hospice care and adaptive sports programs, supporting individuals and families through meaningful and impactful interactions. He was also recognized with the Student Engagement and Leadership Award in 2025, reflecting his involvement and contributions to the community.
In his free time, Meldrim enjoys traveling, being with friends and family, and spending time outdoors. Following graduation, Meldrim will be attending medical school in Nevada with current aspirations of becoming an oncologist.
Dr. Jeffrey Sather
Alumni Speaker
Jeffrey Sather serves as executive medical director and emergency physician at Trinity Health, and as the state EMS medical director for the North Dakota Department of Health. A dedicated leader in emergency medicine and rural healthcare, Sather brings more than four decades of experience across clinical care, system leadership, and statewide health initiatives.
Sather began his career in emergency services in 1979, first training as an EMT at the U.S. Air Force Hospital in Minot and later as a paramedic at United Hospital in Grand Forks. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Minot State University, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of North Dakota, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He completed his emergency medicine residency at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio, and is board-certified in emergency medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Since joining Trinity Health in 1992, Sather has led and contributed to numerous quality and performance improvement initiatives across the health system. His leadership roles have included chief of staff for Trinity Health's more than 300 credentialed medical staff members, and he currently serves on the Trinity Health Board of Directors.
In his role as State EMS Medical Director since 2014, Sather provides medical oversight for the Division of Emergency Medical Systems, including prehospital EMS, statewide cardiac and stroke systems of care, and emergency preparedness. He has been instrumental in uniting health systems across North Dakota to develop standardized statewide protocols and coordinated systems for time sensitive emergencies such as cardiac and stroke care.
Sather has also served on several governing boards, including Quality Health Associates of North Dakota, where he served as board president; the Midwest Region of the American Heart Association; Great Plains Quality Innovation Network; and Mountain Pacific Quality Health.
Throughout his career, Sather has remained deeply committed to advancing and strengthening rural healthcare, a passion that continues to guide his leadership and service.
Tim Mihalick
State Board of Higher Education Speaker
Tim Mihalick was appointed to the State Board of Higher Education to fill the remainder of an open term vacated by a previous member. Mihalick was also appointed to a four-year term (2023-2027).
Mihalick is employed at First Western Bank & Trust as a senior vice president responsible for business development and facilities. Prior to that, he was part of IRET and its affiliated companies for over 36 years before his retirement, serving as the president and CEO during his last eight years at IRET. Throughout the years, he has been involved in numerous civic organizations dedicated to Minot's betterment. He is a current member and past chair of the MSU Board of Regents and a past board member of Trinity Health and the Minot Family YMCA.
An Ohio native, Mihalick attended Minot State University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Business Administration in 1981. During his college career, he played football for four years and participated in track for two. He was inducted into the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the MSU Alumni Golden Award in 2014.
He and his wife, Laura, have been married for over 40 years and are both committed to civic engagement. Laura, who also attended MSU, is a past member of the Minot Public School Board. The Mihalicks have two adult children living in Minot.
