MSU Academic Hall of Fame adds Bertsch, Windus in 2026

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University will induct two new members into its Academic Hall of Fame as Michelle (Vetter) Bertsch ’90/’03 and Theresa (Brown) Windus ’88 will represent its Class of 2026.

A reception ceremony honoring the two newest members is planned for Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m., at the Hartnett Hall Collaboration Space. The public is invited.

“The Academic Hall of Fame celebrates alumni who have achieved distinction in their professions and made significant contributions to the advancement of their fields,” said Laurie Geller, MSU vice president for academic affairs. “Through their dedication to education, discovery, and mentorship, Michelle Bertsch and Theresa Windus have created opportunities for others and made lasting contributions to their respective fields. Their accomplishments are inspiring and demonstrate the enduring value of a Minot State education.”

The Class of 2026 joins 15 past recipients. MSU has enshrined classes in each of the past three years, including Terry (Ferebee) Eckmann '81/’82 and Mary McCarvel-O’Connor ’97 last year, and Vicki (Greel) Michels ’88 and Jacob Schillo ’15 named in 2024. Becky (Fred) Becker ’91 and Tim Henry were enshrined in 2020. Veronica (Cavallo) Pinnick ’04 was inducted in 2019, Robert Hubbard ’91 in 2014, Kim (Baldridge) Siegel ’82 in 2013, and Robert Holmen ’83/’88 and Joe Alme ’68 in 2012. Carrie (Forshner) Evans ’90, Lisa (Christensen) Feldner ’86/’90, Delane C. Kristky ’65, and Rosanne Olson ’72 made up the inaugural class in 2011.

Michelle Bertsch
Bertsch has dedicated more than 34 years to education, inspiring students, supporting colleagues, and advancing mathematics instruction across North Dakota. A graduate of Minot State University, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, graduating summa cum laude in 1990 with majors in mathematics and physical education and a concentration in computer science. She later completed a Master of Arts in Teaching: Mathematics at MSU in 2003.

Throughout her career, Bertsch has taught at Cathedral School in Bismarck, Fargo North High School, Fargo Davies High School, and Capstone Classical Academy. She has taught courses ranging from middle school mathematics to AP calculus, coached athletics and robotics, mentored teachers, and positively influenced thousands of students.

Beyond the classroom, she has played a significant role in shaping mathematics education statewide. Bertsch has contributed to the development and revision of North Dakota mathematics standards, created curriculum resources and assessments, served on numerous North Dakota Department of Public Instruction committees, mentored new educators, taught future mathematics teachers at North Dakota State University, and presented at professional conferences throughout the region. She also created the innovative Math on the Go Program, connecting high school and elementary students through hands-on mathematics learning.

Bertsch’s excellence in education has earned numerous honors, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, two United States Department of Education Distinguished Teacher recognitions, Fargo Public Schools Teacher of the Year, Coca-Cola Distinguished Educator, and recognition as a North Dakota Teacher of the Year finalist.

Above all, she is known for her unwavering commitment to students. Her legacy is reflected not only in her professional achievements, but in the confidence, perseverance, and success she has inspired in generations of students and educators.

Theresa Windus
Windus is a distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry at Iowa State University (ISU) and a senior scientist with Ames Laboratory. A graduate of Minot State University, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in chemistry, mathematics, and computer science before completing a doctorate in physical chemistry at ISU. Her doctoral research focused on hypervalent silicon and phosphorus compounds and on developing high-performance algorithms implemented in the General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System (GAMESS) software program.

Following postdoctoral research in relativistic effects and novel tensor methods at Northwestern University, Windus held leadership positions at several national laboratories, including Wright Patterson Air Force Base Major Shared Resource Center and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where she led development of NWChem, a major computational chemistry software platform. In 2006, she joined the faculty of ISU and Ames Laboratory.

Windus is internationally recognized for developing new methods and algorithms in high-performance computational chemistry and applying them to complex scientific problems. Her research has spanned rare earth and heavy element chemistry, transition metal catalysis, laboratory automation, and high-performance computing. She has authored more than 150 publications and received numerous awards for research, teaching, and mentoring.

Much of her research involves collaboration between scientists in multiple fields to solve difficult scientific challenges. Windus recently served as director for the Department of Energy-funded NWChemEx Exascale computing project and currently serves as deputy director for the National Science Foundation-funded Molecular Sciences Software Institute. She serves on several editorial/advisory boards and is a fellow for both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society, reflecting her outstanding contributions to science, education, and service.

More information on the Minot State Academic Hall of Fame, including past winners and how to nominate individuals, is available at the MSU Academic Hall of Fame website.