WHAT: Celebration of Achievements and Dedication of American Indian Center

WHEN AND WHERE: Today, April 7. Celebration of Achievements, honoring nine UND American Indian graduates, 10:30 a.m. at the Burtness Theatre; Dedication of the new American Indian Center, 11:30 a.m., 315 Princeton Street.
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The University of North Dakota will honor several American Indian graduates and then dedicate its new American Indian Center on Friday, April 7. The Celebration of Achievements begins at 10:30 a.m. at Burtness Theatre, and the American Indian Center dedication follows at 11:30 a.m. at 315 Princeton.

The Celebration of Achievements recognizes nine of UND's more than 2,500 American Indian graduates who have gone one to achieve in their respective fields and serve as models for other students in a new poster project sponsored by UND's American Indian Student Services.

Here's a look at the nine honorees:

* David Azure received his Master of Science in biology from UND in 1999. He is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Manager of the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge in Pingree, N.D. Azure is affiliated with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

* Twyla Baker-Demaray received her Master of Education from UND in 2005. She is a research analyst at the National Resource Center on Native American Aging in Grand Forks, N.D. Baker-Demaray is a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes).

* El Marie Conklin received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from UND in 1988 and her Juris Doctor in 1991 from the UND School of Law. She is Chief Judge of the Fort Berthold District Court in New Town, N.D. Conklin is a member of Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes).

* Laurie Davis received her Bachelor of Arts in Indian Studies from UND in 1989. She was one of the first graduates of the FAA’s Air Traffic Control Cooperative Program. Davis is an air traffic control specialist at Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Arizona. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

* David M. Gipp received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UND in 1969. He is president of United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, N.D. He is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

* Phillip “Skip” Longie received his Bachelor in Business Administration from UND in 2002. Longie is president of Varsity Bags, Inc., in Fort Totten, N.D. He is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Nation.

* Joe Luger received his Doctor of Medicine degree from UND in 1985. He is a board-certified dermatologist working at the Mid-Dakota Clinic in Bismarck, N.D. Luger is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

* Steve Martin received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UND in 1989. He is a partner in Tuten Ltd. which is a carbon dioxide emissions advising company to investors in Eastern Europe. He lives with his family in Istanbul, Turkey. Martin is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

* Patricia Walking Eagle graduated from UND in 1992 with a master's degree in educational administration. She is principal of Tate Topa Tribal School in Fort Totten, N.D. She is a member of the Spirit Lake Nation.



UND American Indian Center

The American Indian Center is the heart and home of UND's American Indian Student Services (AISS). The program provides services to an average of 450 American Indian students annually. Dr. Leigh Jeanotte, director, says AISS works with all aspects of the university to maintain a climate that is responsive to the needs of American Indian students, serves as general institutional contact for American Indian student, and provides academic, financial, cultural and personal advisement.

UND President Charles Kupchella awarded $500,000 for the design and construction of the American Indian Center. He also challenged AISS to raise supplemental funds for furnishing the interior of the new building. AISS met this challenge and raised $361,000 which was not only used for furnishings, including kitchen cabinets and appliances, but also for the structural changes to interior walls and modifications to the electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems.

The new 5,272-square-foot American Indian Center houses American Indian Student Services and several American Indian student organizations. The center provides students with a place to gather, study, relax, or seek assistance with academic advisement, admissions, registration, financial aid procurement, and tutorial support. The center is equipped with a large kitchen, lounge with television, staffed computer lab/study area, meeting rooms, and office space.

The American Indian Center at 315 Princeton is located on the scenic English Coulee on land that was provided by the University of North Dakota Foundation. The construction was funded through existing UND resources and was supplemented by the AISS staff's successful fundraising efforts.

All are invited to a traditional American Indian meal being served in Squires Hall, across the street from the Center, at 1 p.m., Friday, April 7. The meal is sponsored by American Indian Student Services, UND Indian Association, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and the UND Alumni Foundation.

UND faculty and staff have successfully developed more than 30 American Indian-related programs which generate about $13 million annually, making UND a premier institution and leader nationally in the education of American Indian students. One of those programs, Indians into Medicine (INMED), has educated a quarter of the working American Indian doctors in the United States.

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