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Alumni Awards

Nominations are open!

Do you know an outstanding Bison making a difference in their profession, community, or for the future of NDSU? Now is your chance to recognize the alumni and partners whose achievements, leadership, service, and generosity embody the spirit of North Dakota State University. 

Nominations are now open for the 2027 NDSU Foundation Alumni Awards honoring exceptional educators, emerging leaders, dedicated volunteers, and organizations whose support has made a lasting impact on the university and beyond. Help us celebrate the people and partners who continue to move NDSU forward. View past award recipients.

Submit Nomination

Nominations close Aug. 21, 2026. 

Evening of Distinction

Each spring, the NDSU Foundation hosts Evening of Distinction, an annual celebration of philanthropy, service, and impact. Alumni and friends gather to honor NDSU Foundation Alumni Award recipients and recognize generous individuals welcomed into new donor recognition societies.  
 
Filled with meaningful stories, heartfelt recognition, and unwavering Bison pride, Evening of Distinction is a special night dedicated to celebrating the people who make a lasting impact on NDSU and beyond. 

Watch 2026 Event Recording
Attendees at Evening of Distinction celebrating Bison pride with a "Horns Up"

Awards

Henry L. Bolley Academic Achievement Award

Honors individuals who have attained noted achievements in the area of education as teachers, researchers, and/or administrators.

Horizon Award

Recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years and have attained great success in their profession or have been engaged in outstanding community service. 

Alumni Achievement Award

Recognizes alumni who have attained outstanding professional accomplishments. 

Partner in Excellence Award

Recognizes a corporation, foundation, or organization that has given significant support as well as demonstrated inspirational philanthropic giving in the university. 

Distinguished Service Award

Recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding volunteer service for the benefit of the university or someone who has played a vital role as a volunteer fundraiser on behalf of the NDSU Foundation.

Past Recipients

Every Alumni Award recipient has a story worth sharing. These videos, shown during Evening of Distinction, highlight their journeys, achievements, and connection to NDSU. 

Videos by Studio 46 

VIEW RECIPIENT VIDEOS

2026

2025

View All Past Recipients

Margaret and her husband, Hugh Veit ’79, established the Eleanor S. Fitzgerald Memorial Graduate Student Scholarship to support NDSU students earning advanced degrees in the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences or the Department of Human Development and Family Science.

Core areas of home economics remain part of current NDSU degree programs such as accounting; apparel, retail merchandising, and design; education; family and consumer science; financial planning; human development and family science; interior design; and nutrition science.

Home economics programs opened doors, particularly for women, to earn college degrees and pursue careers in education, Extension, state and federal government, business and industry, health care, and more. NDAC listed domestic economy as one of its courses in its founding year, 1890.

Established by Dr. Teresa Conner, dean of the NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences, and co-chaired by Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald ’83 and Col. Esther Meyers ’75, the Wisdom Keepers provide support and share their knowledge and expertise with students, faculty, staff, and leadership in the College.

The home management house at NDAC was the first facility built on a college campus specifically for home management practice. In 1954, it was named in honor of Alba Bales, the first female academic dean at NDAC.