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Alumni Awards

Alumni of the Year, Rising Star and Legacy Family awards will be presented at the
2025 BSC Alumni Awards,  Bavendick Stateroom, NECE, Thursday, May 15th at 6 p.m.

For more information about the BSC Alumni of the Year Awards ceremony or to purchase tickets, please contact the BSC Alumni office at (701) 224-2486, (800) 272-2586 or email Christina.Burns@bismarckstate.edu. 

2024 Alumnus of the Year

 

Caroll DewingCarroll L. Dewing graduated from BSC in 1976 with a notable career trajectory in the field of Civil Engineering. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University in 1978 and completing the Harvard Business College Advanced Management Program in 2014, Dewing's commitment to academic and professional excellence shines brightly. As a Registered Professional Engineer since 1982, he currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at NACCO Natural Resources, showcasing his expertise and leadership skills.
His dedication and contributions have not gone unnoticed, with accolades such as the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation Harold Schafer Founders Society, the BSC Honor of Silver in 2015, and the BSC Sapphire Award in 2017. Dewing's commitment to his community is equally commendable, having served as a past Wilton City Commissioner and the President and member of the Sunne Lutheran Church Council. His involvement with the BSC Foundation as a Trustee further underscores his unwavering support for his alma mater and its alumni community.

2024 Rising Star Award

 

Lori FurausLori Furaus is a dedicated educator and community leader, who graduated from BSC in 2013 before earning her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Mary. Since then, Lori has been teaching middle school in Bismarck and coordinating the AVID program, showcasing her commitment to student success. Recently, she transitioned to a role as a field consultant at North Dakota United, answering a call to further support educators and students in the west-central region of North Dakota.
Lori's passion for education and service is evident through her numerous achievements and community involvement. She has been elected to the Mandan public school board multiple times and received accolades such as the Pre-Service Teacher of Excellence award. With a heart for service, Lori has been actively involved in various organizations including the Mandan Foundation for Education, demonstrating her dedication to giving back to her community. Her impactful leadership extends to her role as the president of CREA and past president of the Bismarck Education Association, where she tirelessly advocates for students and educators alike. Through her engagement with BSC and commitment to promoting the benefits of community college education, Lori continues to inspire and support the growth of those around her.

2024 Legacy Family

Spanning multiple generations, the Wachter Family has
established themselves as a beacon of generosity and
commitmentChad Wachter Family towards BSC. With their legacy deeply rooted in the institution's history, Lance and Gail Wachter, along with Chad and Stacy Wachter, have demonstrated unwavering dedication. They have significantly contributed by establishing a substantial scholarship endowment, which benefits students enrolled in the Carpentry program and other technical fields. Their efforts have made it possible to award 10 scholarships annually, enabling students to achieve their educational ambitions. Furthermore, Chad's contribution extends beyond mere financial assistance. Yearly, he generously donates a lot, allowing BSC Carpentry students to acquire practical experience through the construction of a house, the costs of which he has covered. Since 2007, Chad's involvement with the BSC Foundation Board of Trustees has been instrumental, further emphasizing the family's profound influence on the institution.

Dating back to 1947, the Wachter Family's connection with BSC encompasses four generations and includes 15 family members who have attended the college. Their impact on the local community is monumental, tracing back to 1885 when they harvested ice from the Missouri River to supply local ice boxes, leading up to the establishment of the Wachter Ranch. The family's contributions are diverse, ranging from land donations for schools and recreational facilities to public services. They have played a pivotal role in the development of Bismarck, including significant projects like Kirkwood Mall. Through their involvement in businesses such as Big Boy, Blarney Stone, and Investcore, and their contributions to the development of subdivisions like Cottonwood Lake, Promontory Point, and Silver Ranch, the Wachter Family's legacy in Bismarck is unparalleled.

2023 BSC Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees


Dave HummelDave Hummel will be inducted into their Hall of Fame for his incredible accomplishments in sports. Hummel's name will forever be remembered in the college's history as he played football, basketball and baseball at Bismarck Junior College, now Bismarck State College.
Hummel's athletic abilities were evident from his earlier days, where he competed at Central St. Mary's High School. During the years 1956 and 1957, Hummel was a part of the American Junior Legion Baseball State Championship teams, batting .643 and having a 10-0 record as a pitcher.
Hummel's dedication and passion for sports led him to receive numerous Hall of Fame inductions, including North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame, North Dakota Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame, Mayville State Hall of Fame with the 1961 football team and the 1962 basketball team, and Central St. Mary's Central High School Hall of Fame.
Bismarck State College is proud to welcome Dave Hummel to its Hall of Fame and recognizes his contributions to the world of sports. Hummel's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder of the rich sports history of North Dakota.





Roger kellerRoger Keller, a former wrestler at Bismarck State College, is set to be inducted into the Bismarck State College Hall of Fame for his outstanding performance in wrestling. Keller was a student-athlete at Bismarck Junior College, which is now known as Bismarck State College, and won a national title for the team in 1964 at 157 pounds. Notably, Keller was the first athlete from North Dakota to win a National Championship in wrestling.
Keller's remarkable performance also helped lead the Bismarck Junior College Matmen to a fifth-place finish as a team. Additionally, his performance earned him the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, his wrestling career was cut short due to an injury he sustained at the Trials.
Despite being known as a fierce competitor on the mat, Keller's teammates described him as a jokester and a happy-go-lucky guy off the mat. This recognition is a testament to Keller's skill, dedication, and sportsmanship during his time at Bismarck Junior College.
The induction of Roger Keller into the Bismarck State College Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor, and the college community extends its heartfelt congratulations to him for this achievement.





Staci SprauerThe 1985 Women's Volleyball Team was a remarkable team that had a record of 34-6, becoming the first-ever Mystic volleyball team to make it to nationals.
This team was no stranger to competing everywhere they went. Their road trips included driving to Chicago as well as flying to Miami.
At the National Tournament, they would play three matches. They faced off against Charles Community College in Maryland, Penn Valley in Kansas, and NW Community College in Wyoming.
The 1985 Women's Volleyball Team's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of each player and coach. Throughout the season, they defeated several four-year colleges, demonstrating their ability to compete against any opponent.
Honors earned by the team included Charlotte Rothermel receiving All-American nomination, voted onto the all-Region 13 team, and first all-state team. Laura Couckuyt also earned a spot on the all-state first team. Laurie Zacher and Lisa Enns were both voted all-conference and second-team all-state. Head coach Cynthia Graham won coach of the year for District 6.
Bismarck State College is proud to honor the 1985 Women's Volleyball Team for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the college's athletics program. This induction into the Bismarck State College Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of their extraordinary efforts and abilities. We congratulate the team on their incredible accomplishment and thank them for their continued representation of the college's values of excellence, integrity, and teamwork.