NE North Dakota News

The University of North Dakota (UND) hosted its annual “Wake Up to UND” event on September 26 at the Memorial Union, focusing on the university’s growth and its ongoing partnership with the Grand Forks community.

UND President Andrew Armacost addressed attendees, emphasizing the mutual relationship between the city and the university. “The sense of community between Grand Forks and UND has propelled us to great heights,” Armacost said. “As the city goes, the university goes. As the university goes, the city goes.”

Armacost highlighted increases in enrollment, research activity, and workforce development as key achievements. Enrollment rose from 14,172 students in fall 2023 to 15,844 this year. He noted that students are drawn to both Grand Forks and UND by opportunities available there. Research expenditures have nearly doubled over five years to approximately $200 million, reflecting UND’s status as a top-tier research institution.

Support from state leaders, local government, and donors has contributed to these gains and led to significant campus improvements. Renovations such as those at Merrifield Hall and new facilities like Albrecht Field demonstrate how university resources serve both students and residents. Albrecht Field is now used for various community activities, including high school sports and public events.

The university’s impact extends beyond infrastructure into statewide workforce development and innovation. Marjorie Jenkins, dean of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences and vice president for Health Affairs, said: “To serve North Dakota for the benefit of its people and to improve the quality of their lives.” She discussed how advanced practice providers help staff rural hospitals and clinics across North Dakota.

Medical student Abby Lund Da Costa described her participation in a rural medical education program as “the best decision I made in medical school,” adding her goal is to work in rural North Dakota.

Jenkins also stated that half of all physicians in North Dakota are UND alumni, including 79% of Family Medicine doctors. She acknowledged Altru Health System’s support for UND medical students.

Dr. Josh Deere, president of Altru Health System, commented on future collaboration: “There are new opportunities and programs we can develop together that will only help our state.” He added: “It’s our job as educators and employers to create an environment to connect the abbeys of the world to purpose...it’s going to relate to our patients and our communities having the best health care that we can deliver as a community in the state.”

Private sector partnerships were also featured during the event. John Oncken, CEO of True North, spoke about a project where UND graduate students worked with his company and John Deere to create a return-on-investment calculator for agricultural producers. The tool impressed John Deere representatives and provided valuable experience for students.

Armacost praised such collaborations: “For you to have the perseverance and vision about how student work and faculty work can contribute to your area of business, it’s really commendable,” he said.

A video presentation celebrated UND’s recent launch of two satellites—UND ROADS-1 and ROADS-2—on a SpaceX mission. These satellites will soon attempt an in-orbit docking experiment using GPS guidance.

Looking ahead, Armacost outlined two major initiatives or "moonshots" for UND: establishing a campus enterprise focused on artificial intelligence (AI) with a focus on humanity-centered technology development; and launching four companies based on UND intellectual property by leveraging resources like those at its Center for Innovation.

“It’s so easy for the technology companies to focus just on the technologies and what we do at UND with our focus on philosophy and ethics and history and literature as well as science and engineering, we’re a place where that combination can happen better than anywhere else,” Armacost said.

He concluded by returning to his metaphor comparing community to a quilt—distinct pieces coming together with shared purpose—and encouraged further collaboration between UND and Grand Forks.

“Hopefully those stories inspire each and every one of you about the possibilities of collaboration between the University of North Dakota and all the members of our great Grand Forks community and beyond,” he said.