November 1, 2024
The annual MSU Foundation Honor Society President鈥檚 Dinner, held Tuesday evening, Oct. 22, 2024, gave tribute to many of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 generous and faithful philanthropists. The Honor Society includes those who have made lifetime cumulative gifts amounting to $10,000 or more through the MSU Foundation. Gifts include contributions to all projects at 含羞草研究所, including academic scholarships, facility improvements, Comet Athletic Club, Music Makers, and more.
鈥淚t is our pleasure to have the opportunity to recognize the members of the Honor Society and to thank them for their outstanding support that is so critical to the well-being of 含羞草研究所,鈥� said 含羞草研究所 President Dr. Brian Van Horn.
A highlight of the evening for supporters and students alike was the opportunity to interact with one another. Several 含羞草研究所 students attended the dinner and were able to visit with and enjoy dinner with members of the Honor Society.
鈥淢any Honor Society members who attended the event have reached out to me to express their happiness with the chance to meet some of the students who are the beneficiaries of the support of our alumni and friends,鈥� said President Van Horn. 鈥淭he 含羞草研究所 campus is filled with young people who are intelligent, kind, thoughtful, respectful, and courteous. I鈥檓 thrilled that some of them could join us for the event on Oct. 22. These are special people who make us optimistic for the future.鈥�
含羞草研究所 seniors, Samantha Passa from Barnesville, Minn. and Darrick Frederick from Belcourt, N.D., spoke to dinner attendees on behalf of all students. In addition to sharing some information about themselves and the reasons they are grateful for their 含羞草研究所 experiences, they thanked the donors in attendance for their generosity which is helping students achieve their academic goals.
Darrick summed it up well, 鈥淚 love this place. I cannot thank this place enough for the opportunity that has been given to me. I love the people here, and I couldn鈥檛 have found better people who wanted me to succeed as much as everyone in this room.
The Honor Society is organized into clubs based on various giving levels. The Honor Society Bronze Club includes donors of $10,000-$24,999; the Silver Club, donors of $25,000-$49,999; the Gold Club, donors of $50,000-$99,999; the Platinum Club, donors of $100,000-$249,999; the Diamond Club, donors of $250,000-$499,999; the Ambassador Club, donors of $500,000-$749,999; the Legacy Club, donors of $750,000-$999,999; the Founder Club, donors of $1,000,000-$1,999,999; the Comet Club, donors of $2,000,000-$4,999,999; and the 1889 Club, donors of $5,000,000 or more.
The honor roll currently includes more than 250 benefactors, including individuals, couples, businesses, matching gift programs, and other organizations, who have given a cumulative total of $10,000 or more over the years.
Over the last year, the Edson and Margaret Larson Foundation became the first member of the Comet Club with cumulative gifts of more than $2,000,000.
New members of the Founder Club this year are the Comet Athletic Club and the McGillis Family, Larry & Dixie McGillis and Corey and Tracy McGillis. New to the Platinum Club are Delbert and Marlys Hlavinka and Brent and Jennifer Kohls. Steve and Marion Baker have reached the Gold Club level, and Doug and Vonda Anderson, Gerald Green and Tim and Sue Strand are now in the Silver Club.
This year, several new members joined the Bronze Club. They are Kerry Fernholz, Brent and Michelle Hella, Rick and Shirley Herbel, Michael and Amanda Jordan, and Robert and Nancy Zimney.
鈥淲e are so very fortunate to be blessed with loyal alumni and friends who truly care about 含羞草研究所 and who give of their financial and other resources to support the university,鈥� said Lon Jorgensen. 鈥淭his steadfast support is crucial to 含羞草研究所鈥檚 success.鈥�
The 2024 Honor Society president鈥檚 dinner was sponsored by Bell Bank Wealth Management. Happy Harry鈥檚 Bottle Shops of Grand Forks and Fargo contributed as well.
If you鈥檇 like to make a financial contribution to 含羞草研究所 or are interested in learning more about the MSU Foundation Honor Society, please call the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4687.听听
Photo captions听
Top:听含羞草研究所 students Darrick Frederick (left) and Samantha Passa each gave remarks during the Honor Society Recognition Dinner program. On behalf of all 含羞草研究所 students, these two representatives thanked 含羞草研究所鈥檚 generous donors who, through their financial support, are helping students achieve their educational goals.
Second:听含羞草研究所 President Dr. Brian Van Horn (left) congratulates Marion Baker on her new membership in the Gold Club of the Honor Society. Marion and her late husband, Steve, are long-time supporters of 含羞草研究所.
Third:听On behalf of the McGillis family, Tracy (left) and Corey (center) McGillis accept their award showing their family鈥檚 membership in the Founder Club from President Van Horn (right). Dixie and Larry McGillis were unable to attend the Oct. 22 event.
