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BSC to honor alumni and Hall of Fame athletes

Published: Apr 08 2024
BSC to honor alumni and Hall of Fame athletes - Photo
Bismarck State College (BSC) will honor several alumni and Hall of Fame inductees during the annual alumni recognition event in May.

The BSC National Alumni Association Board of Directors has chosen Carroll L. Dewing, ’76, as BSC Alumnus of the Year and Lori Furaus, ’13, as the BSC Rising Star. The association selected the Wachter Family as the 2024 BSC Legacy Family award recipient. Outstanding athletes – Dave Hummel, Roger Keller, and the 1985 Mystics Women’s Volleyball Team  – will be inducted into the BSC Athletic Hall of Fame.

The BSC Alumni & Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Dinner will be held Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m., in the BSC National Energy Center of Excellence, Bavendick Stateroom. Friends, colleagues, family, BSC alumni and the public are welcome to attend. Ticket information is available at bismarckstate.edu/alumniawards or by calling the BSC National Alumni Association at 701-224-2486. Attendance is free of charge, but tickets must be reserved by May 3, 2024, for planning purposes.

2024 BSC Alumnus of the Year

Carroll L. Dewing
Carroll Dewing graduated from Bismarck Junior College (BJC), now BSC, in 1976, putting him on a notable career trajectory in civil engineering. Graduating with 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 has always been evident. As a Registered Professional Engineer since 1982, he currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at NACCO Natural Resources. His dedication and contributions have not gone unnoticed, with accolades such as the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation Harold Schafer Founders Society, the BSC Foundation Honor of Silver in 2015, and the BSC Foundation Sapphire Award in 2017. Dewing’s commitment to his community is equally commendable, having served as a past Wilton City Commissioner and Sunne Lutheran Church council president and member. His involvement with the BSC Foundation as a trustee further underscores his unwavering support for his alma mater and its alumni community.

2024 BSC Rising Star

Lori Furaus
Lori 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, Furaus has been teaching middle school in Bismarck and coordinating the AVID program, showcasing her commitment to student success. Recently, Furaus 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. Her passion for education and service is evident through her community involvement and numerous achievements. 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, Furaus has been actively involved in various organizations, including the Mandan Dacotah Lions and the BisMan Stilettos, demonstrating her dedication to giving back to her community. Her impactful leadership extends to her role as the Central Regional Education Association (CREA) president and Bismarck Education Association (BEA) past president, where she tirelessly advocates for students and educators alike. Through her engagement with BSC and commitment to promoting the benefits of community college education, Furas continues to inspire and support the growth of those around her.

2024 BSC Legacy Family

The Wachter Family
Spanning multiple generations, the Wachter family has established themselves as a beacon of generosity and commitment towards BSC. With their legacy deeply rooted in the institution’s history, Lance and Gail Wachter, their son Chad, and daughter-in-law Stacy Wachter have demonstrated unwavering dedication. The family has established a substantial scholarship endowment, benefitting students in the BSC Carpentry program and other technical fields. Their efforts makes it possible to award 10 scholarships annually, enabling students to achieve their educational ambitions. Chad’s contribution extends beyond financial assistance. Each year, he generously donates land for students to acquire practical experience through the construction of a single-family home, and since 2007, he has served on the BSC Foundation Board of Trustees, further emphasizing the family’s profound impact on the institution.

The Wachter connection to BJC/BSC dates back to 1947, encompassing four generations, including 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 developing subdivisions like Cottonwood Lake, Promontory Point and Silver Ranch, the Wachter family’s legacy in Bismarck is unparalleled.
 
 
2024 BSC Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Dave Hummel
Dave Hummel’s name will forever be remembered in the college history book as a football, basketball and baseball player at BJC. His athletic abilities were evident from his early days as an athlete at St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck, N.D. In 1956 and 1957, he was a member 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 the 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 the St. Mary’s Central High School Hall of Fame. Hummel’s induction into the BSC Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes his contributions to the world of sports. His achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder of the rich sports history of North Dakota.

Roger Keller
Roger Keller was a student-athlete at BJC, winning the national title for the wrestling team in 1964 at 157 pounds. Notably, he was the first athlete from North Dakota to win a national championship in wrestling and his remarkable performance helped lead the BJC Matmen to a fifth-place team finish. Additionally, Keller’s performance qualified him for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, his wrestling career was cut short due to an injury 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 his skill, dedication and sportsmanship during his time at BJC.

The 1985 Mystics Women’s Volleyball Team
The 1985 Mystics Women’s Volleyball Team’s record of 34-6 made them the first-ever Mystics volleyball team to make it to the national tournament. This team was no stranger to competing anywhere they went. Their road trips included competing in Chicago, Ill., and Miami, Fla. At the national tournament, they played three matches, facing off against Charles Community College in Maryland, Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley in Kansas, and NW Community College in Wyoming.

The volleyball team’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of each player and coach. They defeated several four-year colleges throughout the season, demonstrating their ability to compete against any opponent.

Honors earned by the team members included Charlotte Rothermel receiving an All-American nomination and being named to the All-Region 13 and All-State First Team. Laura Couckuyt also earned a spot on the All-State First Team. Laurie Zacher and Lisa Enns were both voted All-Conference and All-State Second Team. Head coach Cynthia Graham was named District 6 Coach of the Year.

In addition to Rothermel, Couckuyt, Zacher, and Enns, student-athletes on the team included Ramona Cunningham, Babette Renke, Janelle Mavis, Marny Duncan, Michele Paul, Tracy Schuchard, Debbie Crawford, and Karla Rodlund. Assistant manager Michele Hennessey and Coach Graham round out the 1985 Mystics Women’s Volleyball Team.