Inside - University Communications
Submissions Due: Aug. 27, 2026
Administration, second floor
Voice: 858-3298 - Fax: 858-4481
michael.linnell@minotstateu.edu
The Minot State University Alumni Association is pleased to announce it has selected four individuals for the 2026 Golden Award and one individual for the 2026 Young Alumni Achievement Award.The honorees include Brekka (Nybakken) Kramer ’98, Bob Skabo ’60, Jerry Sinn ’67, and Steven Wood ’69. The Young Alumni Achievement Award winner is McKenna (Larson) Gudmunson ’13.
Kramer, a Minot native, is the president | CEO of the Minot Area Chamber EDC. She was named president | CEO in 2022 following a 20-year career with Odney. Kramer is a member of the Minot State University Board of Regents, serving as chair in 2024-26.
Skabo is a retired optometrist who practiced for 46 years before retiring in 2010. He is a member of the Minot State President’s Club and the Old Main Society. Skabo and his wife, Jo Ann, live in Fargo.
Sinn is a decorated Lt. Gen. (retired) in the U.S. Army, who taught at the United States Military Academy, West Point. He served as director of the army budget and worked as the military deputy for budget to the assistant secretary of the army for financial management and Comptroller. Sinn also owned and operated Quadrate, LLC, which provided engineering, project management, and business development services; and was the senior vice president, land warfare strategy and planning, at DRS Technologies, Inc.; and then served as president, DRS Technologies Tactical Systems Group.
Wood retired from the company he started, CenturyPacific, more than 30 years ago, gifting the company back to employees in 2021. Wood also served as judge advocate for the U.S. Marine Corps, fulfilling a four-year commitment; as a trial lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service; and as tax counsel for Burlington Northern Railroad (BNSF) and Glacier Park, a subsidiary managing BNSF’s vast landholding. He and his wife, Mary, live in Seattle.
Gudmunson is a realtor and the owner of 701 Realty, along with 701 Healthcare, in Minot. She is the vice president of outreach for the MSU Alumni Association. Gudmunson is part of Rotary and Power of the Purse and is continuously working to better the community for her family and others.
The Golden Awards are the highest award bestowed by the Minot State University Alumni Association. Selections are based on outstanding service to the University, alumni association, or their community, and distinguished leadership in the recipient’s career or community. The Young Alumni Achievement Award recipient is between the ages of 21 and 39.
The MSU Alumni Association will honor the 2026 class at its annual awards dinner on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. in the Minot State Student Center Conference Center.
Minot State University announced a total of 555 students were named to the Spring 2026 President’s List, 265 students were named to the Vice President for Academic Affairs Honor Roll, and two students earned a spot on the Engagement Honor Roll.
Students who earned a term grade point average of 3.8 or higher while enrolled for 12 or more credits during the Spring 2026 semester were named to the list. The honor will show on the student’s transcript for the semester in which it was earned.
Students who earned a term grade point average of 3.5-3.79 while enrolled for 12 or more credits during the Spring 2026 semester were named to the VPAA list. The honor will show on the student’s transcript for the semester in which it was earned.
The Engagement Honor Roll is an opportunity for Minot State University undergraduate students to receive recognition for the engagement activities they participate in while a student at MSU. This distinction is included in their transcripts. Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours, verified by supervisors, in any combination of engagement activities in order to be recognized during any given term.
The Office of Facilities Management, in coordination with the NDDOT, will provide a National Safety Council defensive driving course on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. The class will be held in Cyril Moore in the Hoffman Auditorium. There are faculty and staff who will need to renew their certificate this year along with new employees so please take advantage of the classes before your certificate expires. The certificates expire every four years. If you are unsure if you need the class yet, please contact Sue Lommen, administrative assistant in Facilities Management by email. Facilities Management has established a database of employees who completed the defensive driving course, which is required to check out a North Dakota state fleet car. Everyone who drives a state fleet car will be required to take the defensive driving course before they can drive a state fleet car. It is also worth noting that many insurance companies discount personal car insurance for those who have taken the course. Individuals will be required to attend the entire class to obtain certification. It will also be necessary to check in with a facilities management employee and bring your driver’s license and a pen to the class. Preregister by contacting Lommen by email. Registration is required by Friday, Aug. 7.
The Minot State men's basketball program is playing in Hawaii, and everyone is invited to cheer on the Beavers in Honolulu. The Beavers will play games at the 2026 Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. MSU starts the tournament facing Adelphi University (New York). Special packages are offered for fans that include admission to all Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic games, the MSU rate on a five-night hotel stay that includes breakfast, a tournament T-shirt, and an optional welcome dinner luau on Oct. 29. For more information, see the attached introduction letter and information flyers.
Northwest Arts Center
The gallery is located on the lower level of the Gordon B. Olson Library, with its own entrance on the south side of the library. The arts center is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 1-5 p.m., and by special arrangement. It is closed on holidays.
Lisa Hale was named Coordinator for the Native American Cultural Center at Minot State University. A proud Minot State graduate, she earned a Master of Science in Management and is dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for Native American students while strengthening relationships with tribal communities. Hale is a member of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation of Oxford House, Manitoba, Canada, and brings both her Indigenous perspective and lived experience to her work in higher education.
Mark Lueders, assistant professor in biology, Department of Science, along with five others, had their research paper, "Reconstructing Long-Term Historical Hydrologic Alteration to Support Environmental Flows in Texas," published in Rivers Research and Applications. The paper is accessible at the Wiley Online Library.
Blake Zabinski was named as the next head coach for Minot State women’s hockey. Zabinski comes to MSU after two seasons at Marian University (Wis.) as the head coach of the Sabres’ ACHA D2 men’s team. Over the last two seasons, Zabinski led the Marian Sabres to back-to-back Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL) titles, a 41-11-1 overall record, and was named NCHL Coach of the Year both seasons
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Minot State University mission
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
