The University of North Dakota and the Grand Forks business community gathered Wednesday, October 1 at 7:30 a.m. at the Memorial Union for their annual partnership celebration, in partnership with the Chamber. The event highlighted UND’s accomplishments, ongoing projects, and emphasized the strong connection between the university and local businesses, reflecting a partnership that drives both the university and the region forward.
The event began with acknowledgments for sponsors, local businesses, and community leaders. The Chamber representative, Doug Iverson, noted the importance of the relationship between UND and the business community. “It’s just so great, our relationship with this institution,” he said. “It just shows the unwavering support of UND and our business community, and we want that to continue.”
Attendees were reminded of the Team Grant Works initiative, which The Chamber oversees to ensure UND’s legislative priorities remain a focus in North Dakota’s capital. The initiative has been instrumental in advancing UND’s interests in the legislative process, from campus infrastructure projects and student success initiatives to broader community benefits.
“We work closely with our regional institutions to ensure each legislative session addresses the items we need in our community,” Iverson shared. “UND’s legislative priorities are high on that list. This effort has significantly supported UND’s vision and contributed to our entire community’s success,” he added.
The focus then shifted to UND President Andrew Armacost, who has led the university for more than four years. A retired Air Force Brigadier General, Armacost was praised for his leadership, particularly during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic. Iverson commended Armacost’s character and leadership during the introduction.
Armacost took the stage to a round of applause, thanking The Chamber for its continued support. He also expressed gratitude to local legislators, faculty, and staff at the Memorial Union. “It’s great to be here with such a large, engaged crowd,” he said.
Armacost reflected on UND’s recent progress in his speech and explained the University’s use of “words of the year” to guide its efforts. Two years ago, the word was gratitude, reflecting the University’s emergence from the pandemic and its focus on appreciation. Last year, the focus shifted to connections, symbolizing how UND strives to link individuals and ideas across campus.
This year, the word is momentum. Armacost described how momentum had become central to UND’s growth. Armacost referenced Doc Edgerton’s famous Milk Drop Coronet photo, which shows a crown formed by a single drop of milk hitting a surface. “All these drops, all these great activities that create something even more beautiful than the drops on which it came,” Armacost said.
Armacost proudly shared that UND achieved its highest retention rate at 84%, surpassing last year’s record of 83%. In addition, UND’s enrollment exceeded 15,000 students this fall, marking only the third time it has surpassed that milestone in the institution’s history. To share the enrollment figure, Armacost playfully involved the audience in a “Price is Right” style game, inviting Student Body President Connor Ferguson and student leader Jack Sandvig to help reveal the number.
Before leaving, Ferguson and Sandvig spoke about their decision to attend UND. “UND would be a place that could really foster my learning and give me opportunities,” Ferguson said. “The community we have present here, the culture we have present here, it has given students like me and Connor opportunities that we couldn’t find elsewhere,” Sandvig added.
In addition to academic success, Armacost highlighted several infrastructure projects reshaping UND’s campus. Recent renovations include updates to Merrifield Hall and the construction of a new softball stadium. He also pointed to upcoming projects like the development of a STEM Complex and a Flight Operations Complex, which will enhance UND’s national leadership in engineering and aviation education.
The event also revealed UND’s new athletic facilities through a video, including the Memorial Stadium renovations and the soon-to-be-open Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center. The new center will feature the largest weight room in the Dakotas, benefiting both student-athletes and the larger Grand Forks community.
Armacost also acknowledged Dr. Josh Wynne, who has served as vice president for health affairs and dean of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences in his 20-year tenure. During his tenure, Wynne was instrumental in expanding UND’s medical programs and enhancing healthcare education in North Dakota. Armacost thanked Wynne for his leadership and dedication, noting his lasting contributions to the University and the state. Wynne, who also briefly served as UND’s interim president, will step down from his leadership position later this year but still maintain his faculty role at UND.
Armacost closed the event with a gesture of gratitude to the attendees, emphasizing UND’s continued growth and momentum. He encouraged the audience to engage by turning on their phone flashlights and scanning a QR code to sign up for UND Today, the University’s publication that highlights campus achievements and developments.
As the crowd stood, Armacost led a round of applause for the event organizers and sponsors, and the celebration ended with the singing of the UND fight song, bringing the gathering to a lively and unified close.
Davíd Moreno is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daví[email protected].
