Hill inspires through medical technology and community impact
When Hill first started at Minot State Teachers College, the medical technology program wasn’t an official degree yet.
“We were going to school for two years, then interning at the hospital for a year, but during our second year of college, the Legislature granted a degree,” she said. “So, we went here for three years, interned for one year, and got the first med tech degrees.”
With the change in degree requirements, Hill and her classmates ended up taking more classes.
“We ended up taking a lot of generals to make the degree program,” she said. “We took music, history, and humanities, and we had never taken classes like that before.”
Even with the addition of many general classes, a lot of time was spent in labs for the medical technology students.
“We would spend a lot of time in labs, and our teachers were very helpful to us,” Hill said. “We had full schedules because we put in more hours in a day in a class than other students that took four classes.”
The medical technology graduate worked at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Minot for many years between 1964 to 2000. She was employed as a medical technologist and served as program director. During her time as a program director, she helped instruct over 180 students.
“I did take a couple of years off, but most of my life, I worked at St. Joseph’s,” Hill said. “I was a program director for the St. Joseph’s School of Medical Technology. I worked with many students from Minot State and other universities.
“Every class was unique.”
After working with students for many years, Hill found a new way to help future medical laboratory science majors by creating the Rebecca Hill Medical Lab Science Scholarship Endowment at Minot State University in 2023.
“I realized going to school can be expensive and hard for students,” she said. “They need to have time to study and do their work. Scholarships are handy for them to receive and help them through. I know some of the interns I had at the hospital were sometimes scrounging to pay another month’s rent and other needs, so a little bit of help can go a long way.”
This isn’t the only way Hill has been able to help Minot State students. The Sundre Sand & Gravel Earth Science & Geology Scholarship Endowment was created in honor of her late husband, Gary ’65.
“My husband’s major was biology, and he liked earth sciences,” Hill said. “Obviously, we’re in the business, and we figured it would be a good scholarship for Sundre to sponsor.”
In 1971, the Hills started their business, Sundre Sand & Gravel.
“Gary saw the potential we had on the land we owned. It had aggregate or gravel deposits,” she said. “We started small, and after my boys finished their studies, Shane went to Fargo, and Sheldon went to Dakota Aerotech; they wanted to come back and be in the business. I had my CDL and worked side by side with them out in the field. The business started to grow, and we’ve been busy ever since.”
The family-owned business now employs over 70 people, built on years of hard work and earning trust within the community.
“We have a reputation for being honest, hardworking, and trustworthy,” Hill said. “When we say we’re going to get something done, we get it done.”
Hill’s sons have been working in the family business since 1995, and she has started the process of passing the reins to the next generation.
“I’m trying to ease myself out,” she explained. “They make a lot of decisions right now. We still discuss things, but I’m letting them do more and tell me what they plan.”
Having spent many years teaching, mentoring, and working for her family business, Hill has gained valuable insights for today’s students. Drawing from her diverse experience, she emphasizes the importance of passion and growth.
“It’s important that you pick a field that you’re going to enjoy working in,” she said. “Plan to advance and do the best that you can do.”
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: 11/08/24
