Minot State hosts four distinguished alumni
MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University hosted four distinguished alumni on campus at various speaking engagements during Homecoming 2019.
Michael Saba ’65 and John Schwan ’82 presented as guests for the Alumni Speaker Series, Michael Van Grinsven ’86 addressed Minot State business students at a classroom presentation, and Veronica (Cavallo) Pinnick ’04, gave multiple presentations as a part of the University honoring her as the newest member of the Academic Hall of Fame.
“It is extremely important for us to get our alumni back on campus in various ways,” said Minot State Director of Alumni and Annual Giving Janna McKechnie. “We were honored to have all four individuals back during a great week of Homecoming activities. They all gave very different, but equally interesting, talks to our students, faculty, staff, and community. I want to thank them all for making the time to address our campus community.”
Saba spoke in front of a crowd of staff, faculty, and students. His hour-long address featured a message of cultural bridge building and documented his extensive travels around the globe. The oldest freshman member of the South Dakota House of Representatives has served as executive director of development for Sanford Children’s Clinics, president of Saba and Associates, vice president for International Development for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and manager of Middle East Public Affairs for Mobil Oil Corporation. Saba was also honored with the Alumni Association’s Golden Award at a ceremony Thursday, Oct. 3.
Schwan, founder, president, and CEO of Schwan Financial Group, spoke to the Minot State Entrepreneurship and Finance Clubs. The developer of The Ideal Plan Process, Schwan shared his story and lent advice from his more than 30 years of expertise as an internationally recognized speaker about the processes and culture that has optimized results for many clients.
Van Grinsven shared his experiences with Minot State’s business students while on a professional sabbatical since retiring as the director of Northwestern Mutual’s Financial Representative Internship program — ranked one of America’s Top Ten Internships for 22 consecutive years by Vault.com. He has given addresses like this at more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide.
Pinnick became the ninth member of the Minot State Academic Hall of Fame as she was inducted during a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 4. Pinnick is currently an integration and test manager at NASA Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and was the first speaker in the Alumni Speaker Series in March. Pinnick gave the keynote address at the Minot State Board of Regents meeting and spoke to faculty, staff, and students at her induction ceremony.
Minot State will continue to host alumni in various ways as the Alumni Speakers Series continues. For more information on the Alumni Speaker Series or to nominate individuals for future events, contact McKechnie via EMAIL.
About Minot State University
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.
| Published: 10/14/19 |
