NOVEMBER 25, 2009

Volume 3 • Issue 1
W h at ’ s N e w at W I L L I ST O N STATE C O L L E G E A N D THE W S C F O U N D AT I O N

alumni spotlight Molander with daughter

Sarah, 4, returned to the
industry outlook
Top 10 Tech Jobs
3,000-acre Crosby farm

A big-time success,
recently to help harvest
wheat and dry peas.

*# of Projected Job Opportunities by 2016

Molander tips hat #1

#2


RN
Nurses Aid/LPN
2876
2064

to WSC beginnings #3
#4


Trucking
Office Support 1718
2020

By Julie Kendrick #5 Sales 1607

#6 Carpenter 905

S
cott Molander has worn many hats in his life: #7 Welder 768
farm kid, athlete, WSC basketball forward. But
the hats he wears today are all from Hat World, #8 Engin./Equip. Operator 749
the company he co-founded. It accelerated him from #9 Electrician 662
humble beginnings to become a national success. #10 Hairstylist/Cosmetologist 657

In 1995, Molander and his partner were managers 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0
at Indianapolis Foot Locker stores. Their idea was *Combines jobs from new openings and turnover from
to create a retail shop that sold just sports caps. The retiring workers, requiring less than a 4-yr degree.
business was an immediate success, selling more Information obtained from ND Careers by Education, 2009
than 6,000 hats in its first eight weeks. The rest, as
they say, is history.

What’s INSIDE!
Hat World, a multi-million Page 2
The WSC Foundation
dollar company, now has 900 gives thanks
“At WSC, the teachers gave you close attention.
locations, and Scott Molander They really cared about you getting a good educa- Page 3
proudly wears the hat of tion and succeeding. Even more than learning facts, The new $6M Career
I learned how to problem-solve.” and Tech Center
“Successful Entrepreneur.”
Page 6Popular prof
On the basketball court, Molander encountered an dons a bayonet
attentive and demanding coach in Terry Olson, who
Hat World, a multi-million dollar company, now has “taught me a lot about hard work and intensity. He Page 9
900 locations, and Scott Molander proudly wears showed me how much it took to play at one level, Fanfare over new
the hat of “Successful Entrepreneur.” and then demanded that I move up another level.” Hall of Fame
Seeing parallels in his own career, Molander added, Page 11
After two years at Williston State College, Molander Tragic accident
earned a basketball scholarship and graduated from “It’s like that in business, where as soon as you clear begs for community
Dickinson State University. He looks back fondly a hurdle, you encounter the next hurdle.” support
on his time at WSC, treasuring memories of classes
with professors Bervig, Newirth and Solberg. — alumni SPOTLIGHT Cont’d on Page 4
 n o v e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 0 9

from th e wsc fo u nd a tion

Major changes are cause for thanksgiving
W e would like to welcome you to the new and
improved, bi-monthly issue of the Teton
Thunder where we’ll keep you updated on the many
In our recent annual report we were able to thank
by name more than 1,000 of you who have made
Williston State College a source of educational
changes, new buildings and added educational training, steady employment, new leadership, and
opportunities available at Williston State College. athletic entertainment for nearly 50 years!

Considering that the college has received funding for We believe we’re heading into another golden
a dormitory, math/science building, and career and era, when high schools throughout the region will
tech center all during a national recession, we are be talking about Williston State. We give thanks
humbled at our good fortune on this Thanksgiving. to those of you who are joining us as Foundation
members and “Making a Promise” to provide for
Under the new vision and leadership of President future generations, and for those whose support
Terry Olson Dr. Ray Nadolny, this 2009 year has truly been a will help us to meet each year’s new challenges.
major turning point in the history of Williston State
Executive Director of the WSC Foundation College, with a bright future on the horizon. Many have found the recession a great time to fur-
ther their education and increase their earning power
ALUMNI Central This Thanksgiving is a perfect time to look back with
gratitude at the major financial and land gifts of men
until the employment picture in their fields improve.
Do your neighbor, relative or co-worker a favor by
and women like Otto and Alma Boss, Charles Ball, telling them about the new opportunities here.
“As WSC Alum and Olaf and Bertina Nelson whose legacies live on
to bless future generations of Williston State College And in the meantime, enjoy family and friends for a
Dr. Sarah Solberg students. blessed Thanksgiving!
makes new strides for — Terry Olson
One look at the list of 60 scholarships community
women’s health with members have made available (see www.wsc.nod- WSC Foundation, read more stories at www.
ak.edu/financial/scholarships/scholpg1.htm) tells a wscfoundation.com or visit us at 18th Street East,
her Ob/Gyn practice wonderful story. Williston, ND 58802. Phone: 701-572-9275
Dr. Wayne Anderson
in Williston, joining
JOIN US IN PROMISING WILLISTON
Mercy Medical Center
STATE COLLEGE STUDENTS A:
Drs. Wayne Anderson
and Brett Vibeto R EGIONAL CENTER, offering
as alumni who have
Dr. Sarah Solberg
A FFORDABLE EDUCATION, on a
made Williston home,
we are again inspired V IBRANT CAMPUS, with SOMETHING
TO “RAVE”
ABOUT!
by what waves of E XCELLENT FACULTY
graduates are Visitus!
Visit usWilliston
at www.wscfoundation, read success stories,
State College, www.wscnodak.edu, and become
1410 University Avenue a
memberND
Williston, of 58801-4464.
the WSC Foundation – online or by calling 701-572-9275.
Phone: 701-774-4200.
accomplishing.”
THE WILLISTON WINK!
Dr. Brett Vibeto

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F o r m o r e o n W i l l is t o n S t a t e C o l l e g e , v isi t www . wscn o da k . edu o r ca l l 7 0 1 - 7 7 4 - 4 2 0 0
CAMPUS EXPANSION
Ground breaks for $6M Career
and Tech Center from 14 high schools
Dual credit is a boon for students
O ptimism has brimmed for “work training” in
the region since visitors and dignitaries from
all over North Dakota gathered on the Williston
State College campus in October to break ground
and launch the state-of-the-art Great Northwest
CareerDevelopmentCenter.Respondingtoachanging
labor market, the state legislature designated most
of the $6M from the permanent oil tax trust fund to
increase work opportunity in the area.
The building, to be located east of the college between
the Crighton and Art Wood Buildings, is a dream come
true and has been in the works for years, according to
David Richter, coordinator for the Great Northwest
Education Cooperative and workforce dean at WSC.
“When the Legislative process began, everyone worked
their tails off to put this
together,” he said.
Williston
State College
currently offers
51 academic
courses through
By Julie Kendrick and Todd Svanoe
IVN (Interactive Video Network) to area high schools and
colleges, but due to the expense of training in technology,
the college needed this collaborative with state and local
officials, including high school superintendents and the
Western Energy Corridor to provide additional regional
leadership, said WSC President Dr. Ray Nadolny.
Interactive TV will be installed throughout the 60,000
square-foot facility so coursework can be broadcast to
training sites throughout the region.
Junior and senior high school students will be able to
complete as “dual credit” the equivalent of one year of
college coursework. “This came together as something
the area high school superintendents wanted and need-
ed,” Richter said.
“Students there will prepare
for occupations in diesel
technology, graphic design
and multimedia, architecture
and drafting, and building
trades including carpentry,
welding, plumbing, electrical,
and green energy careers.”
“High schools in the area are very supportive of this
project and provided a lot of help,” he added. “We could
not have gotten the funding for this project or made it
successful if not for great cooperation and support that
we’ve received from area
superintendents.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Top 5 Reasons
Students Choose
Williston State College
Students and alumni report five
top reasons they came to WSC:
1 Personalized learning opportunities
2 Small student-teacher ratios
3 Highly qualified faculty
4 Friendly atmosphere
5 A place “Where People Make the
Difference” on a daily basis
Source: Williston State College VP of Academic Affairs
Fourteen area high schools are involved in the coop-
erative, including Williston, Alexander, Divide County,
Grenora, Trenton, Ray, Tioga, Powers Lake, Stanley,
Burke Central, New Town, Parshall and Watford City.
Classes are expected to begin in the new building by
the fall of 2010 with four new teachers, instructing with
online and interactive television, modules and traveling
outreach programs.
Clearly excited about this important addition to cam-
pus, Richter said the architecture itself will also be in-
spiring. “It will be a great-looking building. Its technol-
ogy will be state-of-the-art, and its education (first rate).
Programs will address the needs of the area workforce,
and may bring new businesses to Williston.”
Richter noted WSC had originally requested $5.2
million in funding, with the North Dakota
— campus expansion Cont’d on Page 4
Architectural rending of Career & Tech Center
3
 n o v e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 0 9

— alumni spotlight Cont’d from Page 1 — campus expansion Cont’d from Page 3

State Legislature allowing for up to $6

million in funding for the entire project
during the last legislative session via
Senate Bill 2003. With $5 million coming
from the state’s Permanent Oil Tax Trust
Fund, Richter said that funding came from
several sources, including some local
and federal, with the bulk of the money
“mostly in hand.”

Area leaders who first saw the need for

the building approached State Represen-
tative Bob Skarpol of Tioga, who began
the drive to seek funds from the Legisla-
Scott Molander ture, said Richter. Richter credits Skarpol

Even with his move to Indianapolis and extraordi- Junior and senior high
nary achievements there, Molander’s North Dakota
roots run deep. He visits home frequently to help out
school students will be
on the 3,000-acre family farm in Crosby, which is run able to complete as “dual
in partnership with brother-in-law Lynn Torgerson. credit” the equivalent of
one year of college course-
“Indianapolis is a big town,” he said, “and I’m really
not a big town guy.” Molander was back this fall to work. “This came together
help with the harvest. “I love the crisp weather in as something the area high
North Dakota!” he exclaimed. school superintendents
He and his wife, Carolyn, have two daughters, wanted and needed,”
Maggie, age 8, and Sarah, age 4. Molander says he’s Richter said.
content now with his life, in which he is able split time
among work, farm and family. Asked if he planned with spearheading the effort, helped by
another entrepreneurial venture, he observed, “Never Williston legislators Representatives Pat
say never, but I’ve got a really good life right now, Hatlestad and Gary Sukut, Representative
with good balance.” David Rust of Tioga, and State Senator
Stan Lyson. Superintendent Murray Klein of Alexander also noted that Williston State College Foundation
When volunteering at business competitions, he is is the lead administrator for the overall project. Richter Director Terry Olson was involved from the start.
asked for advice from budding entrepreneurs. His
answer: “Whatever you do, you’ve got to have
passion, because that’s what will get you through
the tough days. The money will come, but you need

FAST FACT!
passion first.”

As he looks ahead, Molander tries to consider, now

and then, what people might say about him at his
funeral, and to live with that thought in mind. He
hopes that his eulogy goes something along the lines While 84% of the state’s top job opportunities require only
of, “He was a good man and a good son, sibling,
husband, father, friend, teammate, boss, a 2-year degree, 80% of the state’s post-secondary students
businessman and farmer.” However,
he adds, an honest eulogy would
are enrolled at 4-year colleges, according to the North Dakota
have to include mentioning, “He Workforce Development Division.
was slow on the basketball Source: The Bismarck Tribune, 2/28/09
court and could not jump.”

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F o r m o r e s t o r ies , v isi t www . wscf o unda t i o n . c o m o r ca l l us a t 7 0 1 - 5 7 2 - 9 2 7 5
coaching Staff update
Flaco brings fit and flair as
new Tetons men’s assistant
E verything was turning up roses for the new Tetons
men’s basketball coaching assistant Robb Flaco in
sunny Arizona. So why did he feel compelled to leave
those warm climates and transfer to the frigid north?
His family was the first to ask. “My family called from
Arizona in October, and I told them it had snowed
already. They think I’m crazy, but we love it here.”
“My wife Sonia is from a small mining town in Ari-
zona, and when I told her that there was a chance to
live in a community of 20,000, she was excited to live
a small-town life and strengthen our values as a fam-
ily.” Flaco left a post as a high school administrator in
Phoenix, and began at Williston State at the beginning
of the school year. “
Just being around Robb for a couple months, you
see his passion for coaching basketball,” said Tetons
Head Coach Hunter Berg. He has a good knowledge
of the game, and works very well with our players.”
“I’m aware of the academic and the maturity levels
of these students. I like being there as a coach for that
academic, emotional and athletic growth.”
Brady Martz
1/8
By Tom Kvamme
Floco dramatically turned two of Arizona’s high
school basketball doormats into contenders within a
three-year period, and tripled the win production of
the Scottsdale Community College Artichokes. The
best thing about their veggie mascot, he said, was that
it was green and gold, he laughed. “So I’m halfway
there for Williston State attire!”
Flaco is cut out for WSC’s two-year program, he said.
“I was a junior college kid, too. Those two years made
me a different young man. You get bigger, stronger,
faster. If you work hard, you can create opportunities
for yourself,” he asserted. I like coaching toward that
academic, emotional and athletic growth.”
Flaco and Berg find their different coaching styles
complementary, he said. “I’m a Type-A guy, very pro- Mr. Floco enjoys a trip to the zoo with
active. Hunter is straightforward, and person of great Rachael, 10, and Roman, 3.
character. I told him, I’m a real go-getter; I’m here to
assist you. If he’s successful, we’re successful. I think
we’re a good match.”
Berg concurred. “He’s very vocal and I’m more
reserved and quiet at times. He’s a good injection
of energy into practices and games, and does an
excellent job of planning and scheduling.”
Flaco’s wife Sonia, and children Rachael, age 10,
and Roman, age 3, have found a fit too at home and
school. “We’ve fallen in love with Williston, the people
and with what the community has to offer,” he said.
Williston Fire
1/8
5

FACULTY FOCUS By Julie Kendrick
Historian Stenberg lives and dresses the part
W hen it comes to teaching history, many profes-
sors talk the talk. A few even walk the walk.
But Richard Stenberg, history professor at Williston
State College, actually dresses the part.
Stenberg, a long-time History / Political Science
faculty member, has become a favorite teacher by
dressing in the period garb of his subject -- wheth-
er a Civil War soldier dressed in wool and carry-
ing a bayonet, or a fur trader on the Mississippi,
complete with animals pelts. For Stenberg,
it’s just a “passion for history,” one that
he hopes to pass on to students. “By
wearing period dress, I embody living
history,” he said. “I can get students
thinking about all sorts of things, like
-- could you put all you’d need for
two years in a haversack? It creates a
new dynamic in the classroom.”
Stenberg does his best to conduct
what he calls “repair work”
on his field of study, which
he feels is often presented
in a dry, uninteresting
“I took three of his classes even though I didn’t need that many.
He makes history come alive!” — Riley Evitt, WSC Alumnus, ‘08
6
“Sometimes the love of history
is strangled right out of people,
so I do my best to restore it.”
way. “When I was a student in college,” Stenberg
noted, “whenever I would tell someone that I was
a history and political science major, they would
wrinkle their noses in distaste.”
For many students, a class with Professor Sten-
berg marks the first time they ever enjoy a
history course. Often, the professor’s work
plants a seed that leads to a lifelong inter-
est in the past, especially in North Dakota’s
unique contributions to the American experi-
ence. This was certainly the case with Mike
Liudahl, who received his associates’ degree
from Williston State College in 1995.
“I was one of Professor Stenberg’s very
first students, way back in the fall of
n o v e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 0 9
1994,” Liudahl reported. “I have to say, he kept the
attention of students much more effectively than any
history teacher I saw, even when I transferred to what
was a supposedly more prestigious school.”
Another former student, Riley Evitt, agrees. Evitt,
who received his Associate’s Degree in 2008, said, “I
took three of Professor Stenberg’s history classes, even
though I didn’t need that many. I took more than were
required because I liked them so much. He makes
history come alive, and he’s so passionate about it.
Another thing I appreciated was that he presents all
sides of a controversial subject. I always recommend
his classes to other friends at Williston State.”
His passion for educating others about the past
doesn’t stop at the classroom door, however. For
the past 15 summers, he has worked as a ranger at
the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.
During some shifts, he wears the traditional ranger
hat and uniform, leading school groups and interact-
ing with the public. Frequently, he dons period dress
and works as an interpretative ranger, stationed in
the reconstructed mid-19th century fur trading fort.
F o r m o r e o n W i l l is t o n S t a t e C o l l e g e , v isi t www . wscn o da k . edu o r ca l l 7 0 1 - 7 7 4 - 4 2 0 0
— Historian stenberg Cont’d from Page 6
“It’s history come alive,” Stenberg enthused, adding,
“In the trade house, you can see beaver, muskrat and
buffalo skins, and the things those skins were traded
for, like metal fish hooks, glass beads and blankets.
It’s fun to help people understand that these thriving
forts were really the Walmarts of their day.”
“I just came from delivering a lecture
about the American Revolution, and
it was so exciting! We could almost
smell the scent of gunpowder!”
The professor’s family life is a busy one, too. He and
his wife, Mary, have three daughters, ages 8, 4 and 3.
The story of their relationship shows that history can
be just as interesting as fiction. After meeting on a
blind date arranged by a mutual friend, they realized
that they had been in close but parallel paths their
whole lives. “Our grandmothers lived next door to
each other,” Stenberg marveled, “and our parents
went to high school together. Our dads even played
football together. We were surprised we had never
crossed paths before, but glad when we finally did.”
Voller
1/2
Stenberg, who attended Williston State College
himself as an undergraduate, insisted that a love of
history has a practical aspect for Williston State
College students, too. “Our bread and butter as a
college has always been the liberal arts, so we’re not
just a tech school. We’ve always done these classes.
And no matter what field they go into, students
always need to be able to read, to write and to
give a speech,” Stenberg commented, noting that
liberal arts classes are the perfect preparation for the
development of those skills.
For Stenberg, the effort to bring history alive is a
daily pursuit and a lifelong passion. “People have
talked to me about considering a job in adminis-
tration, but I love the classroom,” he observed. “I
almost feel guilty about getting paid to do history,
since it’s really my first love. My personal motto
is ‘make history become part of your future.’ I
encourage my students to read history and to look
into their own backgrounds, because if you lose
the connection with your own past, that’s kind of
rough.” In an exuberant tone, he continued, “I just
came from delivering a lecture about the American
Revolution, and it was so exciting! We could almost Richard Stenberg
smell the scent of gunpowder!”
Wisco
1/4
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 n o v e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 0 9

Can’t imagine juggling

work and school?
Take these popular courses online!
Williston State now offers online courses in:
• Algebra • Calculus • Economics
• Biology • Management • Keyboarding
• Accounting • Chemistry • Speech

Williston Herald
• History • Nutrition
• Introduction to Computers • Psychology & Sociology

1/4
• College Composition • Concepts of Fitness & Wellness
“In the coming years, jobs requiring at
least an associate degree are projected
to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring
no college experience. We will not fill
those jobs — or keep those jobs on our
shores — without the training
offered by community colleges.”
— President Obama, July 14,
2009, USA Today

A
fter the new buildings are built and the big machines drive away, it will
be time for finishing touches. 90% of our funds are tied to scholarships.
We need your help to assure that visiting students like what they see!

Two ways you can help:

1 Add Some Beauty 2 Become a Member
Provide finishing touches to our By simply joining the WSC Foundation
campus renovation. A donation of: team, you help give students a “Regional
Center, offering Affordable Education, on a
• $100 buys a Tree
Vibrant Campus, with Excellent Faculty.”
• $1,000 adds designer tables,
Only $50 (individual), $100 (family), or
chairs, and other Furnishings
$250 (business), can make a difference!
• $2,000 Landscapes building
entrances with shrubs & flowers
• $10K creates an attractive Patio
Gathering Space and benches Be a part of rebuilding the great
• $15K provides Williston warmth tradition of Williston State College
around a Fireplace in preparation for our
• $20K gives a new high-use 50th Anniversary in 2011!
Conference Table and Chairs
• $25-35K builds an Outdoor Recreational Area Send your tax-deductible gift to the
• $50K enlivens the entrance with a momentous
Sculpted Statue or other public art that captures
Williston State College Foundation or
the history and culture of our community and stop by at 501 18th Street East,
honors the name of a loved one! Williston, ND 58802-1286.

8
F o r m o r e s t o r ies , v isi t www . wscf o unda t i o n . c o m o r ca l l us a t 7 0 1 - 5 7 2 - 9 2 7 5

sports spotlight By Tom Kvamme and Julie Kendrick

Hall of Famers cheered for buzzer

beaters and super serves
A t a packed Elks Club, videos rolled and devout
fans cheered, recounting memories of the 14
Williston State College athletes inducted into the
new Athletic Hall of Fame. Alumni from around the
nation reunited with former teammates, giving high
fives and beaming with pride while discussing their
buzzer beaters and super serves.

Eight players, four teams and three coaches,

representing the finest athletic achievements Williston
State College has known, were lauded and applaud-
ed past midnight by more than 200 former players,
fans, residents and boosters – hallowed on Hallow-
een night – establishing a hall that many considered
long overdue. Basketball stand-out Lori Klabunde,
RN, today is a physician’s assistant “Fast Fred” Fridley, now a coach and
“For almost 45 years, our college’s athletics program for The Bone & Joint Center teacher at University of Mary in Bismarck,
has accomplished great things. I had no idea the in Bismarck. was one of 14 Hall of Famers honored.
number of sports we have competed in or the amount
of success we have had,” said current men’s basketball
coach and WSC athletic director Hunter Berg, one of Berg noted that they just had a col-
many former stars to speak. “This Athletic Hall of lege reunion recently, but still made Teton alumni show fruits of highest
Fame project has been a fun one for me.” the special effort to travel back team GPA. See this related story
to North Dakota. “That team is www.wscfoundation.com under
pretty unique in how committed to they are to getting “Alumni Central,”1990’s graduates.
back together with each other,” he said.

One especially moving speech came from former

standout basketball player Jean Roise, said Berg
in an interview. Roise played women’s basketball
at Williston State from 1978 through 1980. From
WSC, Roise went on to Kansas State, playing
Division I basketball and traveling all over the
country. Berg said he wished that all WSC athletes
could have heard her speech.
“Many consider Jean to be the greatest woman who
has ever played here,” Berg said. She observed that
many junior college athletes often focus on what’s
coming up next – their next school and their next
team – instead of savoring the special qualities of
where they are right now. Roise insisted that Williston
was her greatest place to play basketball, ever.

— SPORTS SPOTLIGHT Cont’d on Page 10

One outstanding group of players that Berg called “probably our best-ever women’s team” showed plenty of Teton
spirit even 30 years after their playing days. Eleven of the 12 members of the women’s 78-79 basketball team traveled
to the ceremony, from as far away as Arizona and Tennessee. — Hunter Berg, Athletic Director

9
 n o v e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 0 9

— SPORTS SPOTLIGHT Cont’d from Page 9

“She said that no matter where she’s been, the one

place she’s always held near and dear to heart is
Williston,” Berg reported.
Attendees feasted on prime rib and shrimp, prepared
by WSC staff, and wiped away tears while watching
video clips of their glory days. Then they got down to
the serious business at hand – launching what many
have considered a long-overdue Athletic Hall of Fame
to honor the remarkable accomplishments of the top
achievers throughout the school’s history.
“Athletes often focus on what’s coming up next – their next school and
their next team – instead of savoring the special qualities of where they are
right now,” Roise observed.
Lori (Carriere) Klabunde, women’s basketball 1981-
1983; Julie (Hendrickson) Kresl, women’s basketball
1982-84; Fred Fridley, men’s basketball 1992-94 and
Hunter Berg, men’s basketball 1995-97.
Coaches who earned induction included Phil Rabon,
who coached baseball as well as men’s and women’s
basketball teams from 1965 to 1992; Penny Slagle,
who headed up a successful women’s basketball
program from 1978 to 1992; and Terry Olson, who
led the men’s basketball program from 1982 to 2007.
This was not a ceremony for the time-conscious, Berg
chuckled. With so many inductees giving grateful,
enthusiastic and occasionally long-winded speech-
es, the evening went two hours longer than he
expected, concluding at midnight. “Next year,
our maximum number of inductees is four, so
we’ll get home a lot sooner,” Berg promised.
But for others, it made up for lost time and
was one of those evenings you wished would
never end. “The Hall of Fame is something the
school has wanted to do for a number of years,” said
Berg. “Most colleges do have an athletic hall of fame
and it’s about time we get on board.”
“I’m very proud and amazed at what
the inductees were able to accomplish.
And I’m just as excited in looking to
the annual selection of new inductees,”
Hunter Berg observed.
“It was an emotional night,” said Berg. “The high-
light videos really brought us back in time. I guess
we all wish we could go back to those moments
sometimes, and so we got to do it for a few minutes
anyway.” “It was an unbelievable turnout, better than
my highest hopes,” concluded Berg. “But then,
as Jean Roise said when she talked about the
incredible support she got when she played here,
‘That’s Williston!’”

“I’m very proud and amazed at what the inductees

were able to accomplish. And I’m just as excited in
looking to the annual selection of new inductees,”
Hunter Berg observed.

Teams inducted included the 1967 volleyball team,

the first University of North Dakota-Williston squad
to qualify for a national tourney. They were joined
by the 1976-77 women’s basketball team, a national
tournament team, along with the 1978-79 women’s
basketball team, which finished third at the NJCAA
tournament. On the men’s side, the 1998-99 men’s
basketball team earned the honor as the first men’s
Coaches Penny Slagle, Phil Rabon and Terry Olson were the first Hall of Fame coaches
team to make the final 16 National Tournament.
inducted. Rabon (left) talks with Olson (right) at the Phil Rabon Field, which was
Other individual inductees included Diana dedicated before a baseball game here on September 18.
(Anderson) Farrenkopf, women’s basketball 1975-77;
Shelly (Hughes) Feeney, women’s basketball 1978-80; Writing, editing and design by Storycraft Communications, www.storycraftbiz.com

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n o v e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 0 9

Volleyball girls lose a coach,

but gain a friend By Todd Svanoe

W hen she leaves as Williston State’s Volleyball

coach this year, Lindsey Graue will go out on
top – of her conference, that is – and maybe on top
of her players’ lists of Facebook friends, as well.
Graue struck a delicate balance between coach and
comrade while taking the Lady Tetons to a confer-
ence championship in October. “We had lots of
doubts as a team at the beginning of the season,”
explained sophomore Ashley Senst.
I came to Williston State, and now, as a sopho-
more, she’s helping me get recruited to a four-year
school.”
Graue’s parting words to her players: “Don’t forget
me. If you ever need anything, I’ll be there for you.”
Her words to Williston: “I’m going to miss you.
The fans were awesome, and there were amazing
people in the athletic department who supported
me 100 percent.”

“But she split us into teams and sent us on a scaven-
ger hunt to build our teamwork. She supported us
on and off the court.” By the end of the season the
team was clicking, even sponsoring a breast cancer
benefit together.
“What I’ll remember is how hard she pushed us and
how she stuck with us. She was very competitive
and very friendly,” said Senst. “She was the reason
That certainly included her best supporter, fiancé,
and Williston State College’s former men’s basket-
ball assistant Eric Peterson whom she will join as
he has accepted an assistant coaching job at Min-
nesota State University Morehead. Surrounding Coach Graue from the left, Katie Hansen
(now head volleyball coach at Surrey High in Minot);
sophomore Chelsea Hicks from Williston, and Chelsea
“If you ever need anything, Hanson from Enderlin, North Dakota.
I’ll be there for you.”

Tragic accident calls for

community support
R ecruited to the Teton Women’s Basket-
ball Team from the Bahamas, Lenishka
McDonald (Nishka) was a dedicated student
who loved Williston State. But on October 18th
her basketball dreams were dashed. Through a
tragic basketball injury, Nishka lost circulation

Sport About
in her leg leading to an amputation. Multiple
surgeries at Minot and Mayo Clinic have gone

1/4
beyond the family’s insurance coverage and
modest income, and family members lack the
funds even to join her.

Williston State College and the WSC Foundation

Lenishka McDonald (Nishka)
Make checks payable to:
WSC Foundation
Lenishka McDonald Fund
PO Box 1286
Williston, ND 58802-1286
call on the community to help lighten the load of
Nishka and her family, to provide funds for both
their visits and necessary medical care. Join us in
making a bright gesture of Williston friendship
after this nightmare and life-altering event.
Tax deductible donations will be accepted at
Williston State College or the WSC Foundation.

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 F o r m o r e o n W i l l is t o n S t a t e C o l l e g e , v isi t www . wscn o da k . edu o r ca l l 7 0 1 - 7 7 4 - 4 2 0 0

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