Burgum, Miller recognize team members with 2024 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service
Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announced the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service on Thursday, recognizing team members across state government for their commitment to providing the highest levels of service to North Dakota.
“Team North Dakota members continue to excel in serving our state’s citizens and delivering on our shared purpose: to Empower People, Improve Lives and Inspire Success,” Burgum said. “The record number of nominations we received this year – over 1,400 submissions across more than 55 agencies – highlights the exceptional work of our team members. We are incredibly grateful to these individuals and their teams for their dedication and unwavering commitment to our state and its citizens.”
Burgum and Miller presented the awards during a ceremony livestreamed from the Capitol’s Memorial Hall during State Team Member Recognition Month.
The awards and recipients are:
Pioneer Award for Excellence in Innovation: Jackie Ressler, marketing specialist, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, for her efforts to increase the agency’s social media presence, create new partnerships and lead marketing campaigns on crucial topics such as aquatic nuisance species, job recruitment, boater safety, hunting and fishing participation and more.
Zezula Award – “One Who Helps”: Brett Wold, veterans employment officer with Job Service North Dakota, for his work to bridge the gap between veterans and businesses by connecting qualified candidates with employers, and mobilizing community resources to help veterans overcome barriers to employment such as homelessness, addiction or lack of transportation.
Harvest Award for Excellence in Quality: Sindhuja Pillai-Grinolds, Water Development Division director for the Department of Water Resources, for her management of North Dakota’s water resources and large-scale water projects such as the Southwest Pipeline Project, ensuring the state’s water needs are met with precision, foresight and strong relationships with stakeholders.
Landmark Award for Excellence in People Management: Jace Beehler, chief of staff, Governor’s Office, for consistently demonstrating the ability to navigate complex challenges with a steady hand and creating an atmosphere of open communication, collaboration and respect that fosters creativity and efficiency across state agencies and branches of government.
Telegraph Award for Excellence in Technology: Harrison Yates, senior cybersecurity engineer, North Dakota Information Technology, for his leadership in the Joint Cybersecurity Operations Command Center and his work to improve consistency in the state’s cybersecurity responses to better protect the data of citizens, agencies and team members.
Heritage Award for Excellence in Citizen Focus: Fred Walker, global marketing manager with the Department of Commerce’s Tourism Division, for his work in forging strategic partnerships and elevating the state’s global presence to increase tourism and promoting Native American tourism through his work with the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance.
Frontier Award for Excellence in Continuous Learning: Kristi Embry, accessibility instructional designer at the University of North Dakota, for her work to support staff and faculty in creating and maintaining accessible content, including converting documents into screen-reader-friendly formats, ensuring websites meet accessibility standards and training others in best practices – ensuring accessibility isn’t an afterthought but a core part of educational design.
Sodbuster Award for Excellence in Growth Mindset: Kayla Ver Helst, sustainability officer at the Bank of North Dakota, for demonstrating exceptional leadership and coordination skills by spearheading a groundbreaking ESG study in collaboration with multiple state agencies and key stakeholders, ensuring that diverse perspectives and expertise in a complicated field were integrated into the study.
Roaming Bison Award (Team) – 3 recipients:
Department of Public Instruction Fiscal Management team, for establishing a disbursement system for federal pandemic relief dollars with strong oversight and minimal red tape, ensuing nearly 100% utilization of funds with no audit findings while strengthening instruction in critical skills such as reading, math and science.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Re-entry Simulator team, for creating a hands-on re-entry simulation program that helps leaders understand the challenges faces by individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community, with program participants navigating 15 stations that mirror real-life scenarios.
S’mores World Record team, a multi-agency team led by the Parks and Recreation Department, for creating a fun and memorable way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fort Stevenson State Park by organizing a successful Guinness World Record attempt for the most number of people to make s’mores together.
Bergrud Named 2025 ND Teacher of the Year
Kendall Bergrud, a mathematics teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck, is North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year for 2025, state School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Gov. Burgum said in a joint announcement Friday.
It is the second straight year that a Wachter educator has been awarded North Dakota’s top teaching honor. In January, Bergrud will succeed Sheila Peterson, a Wachter physical education and athletics teacher, as Teacher of the Year.
“Every educator in North Dakota deserves this honor, as I am not above the rest of you, as I know how hard each and every educator works across this state,” Bergrud said as he accepted the award. “As educators, most of us were called to this work because of the drive and dedication we have in helping students and seeing them succeed.”
Bergrud’s award was announced at a state Capitol ceremony held to celebrate the four finalists for the honor. They were Bergrud; Macie Harris-Nelson, a music teacher at Kenmare Public Schools; Ashley Nudell, who teaches family and consumer science at Lisbon High School; and Kayla Tatro, who teaches English, math, science, music, and technology at Roosevelt Elementary School in Carson.
“To his colleagues, his students, and the people who know him best, Kendall Bergrud’s dedication, skill and passion for teaching is nothing short of extraordinary,” Baesler said. “He has a remarkable ability to forge meaningful relationships and make connections with his students.
“Mr. Bergrud teaches students how to believe in themselves, how to overcome challenges, and how to pursue their dreams. He’s a mentor and guide, and he supports and believes in the potential of every student.”
Burgum said that Bergrud “embodies what we love about North Dakota: People who support and care about each other, who look out for their neighbors and their neighbors’ children, who want the very best for our current and future generations of young people because we know they represent 100% of our future.”
“His empathy and commitment to understanding every student’s needs and challenges creates a special bond that supports their emotional and academic growth and helps them reach their full potential,” the governor said.
Bergrud began his teaching career at Lincoln Elementary School, in the Burleigh County community of Lincoln, in 2013. He taught fifth- and sixth-grade mathematics. Lincoln Elementary is part of the Bismarck school district.
He moved to Wachter in 2022, teaching math in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades and working as part of the school’s leadership team, a position he also held at Lincoln. Bergrud has been a principal intern at Bismarck’s Myhre Elementary and Horizon Middle School, and coached volleyball and basketball at Wachter.
Bergrud earned his bachelor of science degree in elementary education at Dickinson State University in 2012, and earned a master of science in educational leadership from the University of Mary in 2018.
Bergrud said his “incredible students, both past and present” have “continually inspired and challenged me throughout my journey as an educator. Each day their curiosity and determination remind me why I became an educator.”
“To our students, know that your potential is limitless,” Bergrud said. “Embrace challenges, seek knowledge, and never stop dreaming. Here's to many more moments of learning and growing for ourselves and our students.”
A group of five of Bergrud’s students, each wearing a white T-shirt with an image of their favorite teacher, showed up at Friday’s ceremony to support him. They let out an earsplitting yell when Baesler announced that Bergrud was the Teacher of the Year.
The process of selecting the 2025 Teacher of the Year began last spring, when Baesler invited nominations for County Teachers of the Year. Forty-nine North Dakota educators were subsequently honored as Teachers of the Year from their respective counties.
The four finalists for the state Teacher of the Year award were chosen from among those 49 educators, including Bergrud, who was honored as Burleigh County Teacher of the Year.
The state Teacher of the Year was chosen by an eight-member screening committee of education stakeholders, who reviewed their applications and interviewed the finalists. The process is outlined in North Dakota law, NDCC 15.1-02-21.
Bergrud’s selection means he will be considered for National Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in the spring of 2025. The Council of Chief State School Officers, which represents state education interests in Washington, D.C., supervises the selection process.
North Dakota joins national coalition of states working to raise college completion rates
Burgum, North Dakota University System announce membership in the Complete College America Alliance of States
Gov. Burgum and the North Dakota University System (NDUS) announced that the state of North Dakota has officially joined the Complete College America (CCA) Alliance, a national coalition of 53 states, systems, institutions of higher education and other organizations committed to increasing the number of students who successfully complete college and attain degrees or other postsecondary credentials.
“North Dakota's future success depends on our ability to align higher education with workforce demands and the changing economic landscape," Burgum said. "Strengthening our commitment to closing workforce and talent gaps is critical to ensuring that we not only adapt but lead the way in the decades ahead. By collaborating with national leaders and experts, we can empower more of our residents with the skills and credentials they need to thrive, while addressing the needs of our students and our state."
More than half (56.4 percent) of North Dakotans ages 25-64 hold a college degree or postsecondary credential, surpassing the national average of 54.3%, according to a 2023 Lumina Foundation Report. North Dakota aims to increase this to 65% by 2025. A study conducted by the Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce predicts that by 2031, approximately 71% of jobs in North Dakota will require some additional form of education after high school, whether that is a four-year degree, two-year degree or certificate program.
“Preparing North Dakotans for the jobs of today and tomorrow means investing in the kind of effective, targeted education and training opportunities needed to navigate an increasingly technology-driven economy and workforce,” said Tim Mihalick, chair of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. “Our membership in this national coalition will bring data-informed strategies, research and innovation to our state – and new resources to deliver on the promise of partnering with other states and leaders to implement proven strategies and introduce new practices to prepare more North Dakotans for future jobs.”
By joining the Alliance as the 53rd member, the state will increase its commitment to college completion for the state’s two research universities, four regional universities and five community colleges serving nearly 45,000 students. The initiative also aligns with the state's Envision 2035 strategic plan, which is focused on ensuring the state’s public higher education system is preparing students for the future of work and lifelong economic opportunity and mobility.
As a member of the CCA Alliance, North Dakota leaders will work with CCA and teams of higher education leaders and state policymakers across the country to implement data-driven and evidence-based policies proven to help more students complete a degree or credential of value on time.
“North Dakota’s Envision 2035 plan is boldly preparing the state’s workforce for an economy that can not only deliver better jobs, but also increase earning potential and career opportunity through an increasingly diverse set of industries and employers,” said Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of CCA. “Complete College America is proud to welcome North Dakota to the Alliance and committed to helping build a system of higher education that is responsive to the needs of this rapidly evolving state economy.”
Burgum congratulates schools in Beach, Mandan, Mohall for National Blue Ribbon recognition
Gov. Burgum congratulated Lincoln Elementary School in Beach, Red Trail Elementary School in Mandan and the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public School in Mohall for being recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024.
“This honorable award highlights the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication that the students, teachers and administrators at these exceptional schools bring to the classroom every day,” Burgum said. “We are grateful to Lincoln Elementary School, Red Trail Elementary School and the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public School for their commitment to excellence that earned them this well-deserved honor, as well as the schools throughout our state that are adopting and applying innovative approaches to teaching and learning.”
The National Blue Ribbon School recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. There were 356 schools recognized across the nation as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024.
Minot Area Chamber EDC earns Gold Award for Intermodal Facility from IEDC
The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) received recognition this month for the Minot Intermodal Facility. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) selected the facility as a finalist for the “Best in Show” award during the 2024 IEDC Conference.
To be placed in the Top 14 out of more than 500 submissions, the Minot Intermodal Facility first earned a Gold Award this summer in the category of Public-Private Partnerships for communities with populations between 25,000-200,000.
"Congratulations to the Minot Area Chamber EDC on this well-deserved award for their successful efforts to bring consistent, reliable intermodal service as an option to producers and shippers in the state,” Gov. Burgum said. “Our office and many other state agencies worked together with local and national businesses for years to make the Minot Intermodal Facility a reality. Earning a Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council and being a finalist for the Best in Show Award are testaments to the value of public-private partnerships in improving our economic standing in the region and across the country."
“We are proud to provide this logistics solution and option for our producers and shippers throughout the region and state, by means of the successful Minot Intermodal Facility. It is an added bonus to be recognized by our peers at IEDC with both the Gold Award for public-private partnerships and as a Best in Show nominated project,” said Brekka Kramer, President | CEO of Minot Area Chamber EDC. “We truly wouldn’t be able to pull off a project of this size and impact without the many business partners in our community and across the country, as well as the local and state governments that have seen and support our vision for transportation and logistics.”
“BNSF Railway appreciates the ongoing partnerships we have with the state of North Dakota and Minot Area Chamber EDC as we expand rail service to our customers who are developing new and emerging commodities for container shipments to export markets,” said Justin Pearson, Regional Manager of Economic Development, BNSF Railway. “In addition to the intermodal site, Minot hosts the only BNSF certified site in the state, allowing a faster-to-market location for businesses looking for rail service. Minot Area Chamber EDC is an instrumental partner in making these rail options available.”
“Rail Modal Group, operating the Minot Intermodal Facility at the Logistics Park of North Dakota, has successfully introduced the state’s first intermodal facility, streamlining U.S. export logistics across North Dakota and into Canada,” said Monica Oberting, Esq. and Vice President Business Development at RMG. “The new Minot Intermodal Facility provides farmers, producers, manufacturers, and exporters with more efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options. At Rail Modal Group, we are proud to be a part of this transformation, which greatly benefits North Dakota’s agriculture and manufacturing industries.”
The Gold Award and being a finalist for the “Best in Show” 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Award join other recent awards that the Minot Intermodal Facility has earned, including the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) 2022 Project of the Year and the 2024 North Dakota Main Street Summit Economic Diversification Award.
The Logistics Park North Dakota (LPND) is 800+ acres situated in Minot, North Dakota and includes an inland, intermodal port transfer facility (Minot Intermodal Facility) spanning 136 acres and featuring more than three miles of rail track serviced by BNSF Railway. The facility, operated by Rail Modal Group, organizes containerization and shipment for regional exporters of various products and commodities. The Minot Intermodal Facility is strategically located in northcentral North Dakota and serves as a central hub for shippers that would otherwise transport goods by truck over exceedingly long road and highway distances.
The purpose of the Minot Intermodal Facility is to facilitate improved access for agricultural and manufactured products from North Dakota and throughout the Upper Midwest to more lucrative, larger international markets. The effort by MACEDC, the State of North Dakota, and the private sector to accomplish this goal has been underway for nearly two decades. This goal was accomplished when MACEDC removed barriers, purchased the assets and entered into a long-term lease with an operator. For nearly two decades, parties worked to build intermodal service out of North Dakota. After financial challenges and years of no containerized movement, MACEDC established relationships with BNSF Railway and The Northwest Seaport Alliance (Ports of Tacoma and Seattle) to identify an operator and bring together the project. The Minot Intermodal Facility is now nearly four years into the successful, on-going delivery of unit trains to West Coast terminals for delivery around the world.
Earning an award under the IEDC category of Public Private Partnerships requires a detailed explanation of the participants in, and the promoters of, the Minot Intermodal Facility. This included the following entities: Bank of North Dakota, BNSF Railway, City of Minot, North Dakota Governor’s Office, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota State Legislature, North Dakota Trade Office, Rail Modal Group, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, and many others.
2024 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism Now Open
The North Dakota Governor's Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism is back, inviting residents to capture the beauty and excitement of our state for a chance to win cash prizes and statewide recognition. This year’s contest is a partnership between the Governor's Office, AAA of North Dakota, North Dakota Tourism and the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
“North Dakota is a state of extraordinary beauty and diverse experiences, and this photo contest is a wonderful opportunity for residents to showcase what makes our state special,” Gov. Burgum said. “We encourage everyone to participate, capture the magic of our seasons, and share their unique perspectives with the world. Let’s celebrate North Dakota’s beauty together and inspire others to discover our great state.”
This year's theme highlights North Dakota's diverse seasons, showcasing the unique appeal of our state throughout the year. Photographers can submit entries in eight categories:
- Winter Scenery & Winter Activities
- Fall Scenery & Fall Activities
- Spring Scenery & Spring Activities
- Summer Scenery & Summer Activities
The contest is open to all North Dakota residents. Photographers can submit their entries online through Instagram, the contest website, or Flickr, or by mail. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2025.
Winners will be chosen in each category, with a grand prize winner receiving an additional cash prize and a free AAA membership. Winning photos will also be displayed in the State Capitol and used in promotional materials.
Full details and contest rules can be found at https://www.ndtourism.com/governors-photo-contest-entry.