
Alumni Awards Celebration to recognize 5 graduates’ achievements
Published April 9, 2012
The North Dakota State University Alumni Association will honor five NDSU graduates for their achievements by presenting 2012 alumni awards April 26 at the Fargodome. The awards recognize NDSU graduates compete successfully, nationally and globally.
Alumni Achievement Award
Gilman Rud, BS ’66, agricultural economics, and Barry Batcheller, BS ’77, electrical and electronic engineering, are recipients of the Alumni Achievement Award that honors alumni who have earned distinction in their professional field.
During his 28-year U.S. Navy career, Rud flew aerial combat missions in the Vietnam War, earned the rare distinction as commanding officer for the Blue Angels and served as commanding officer for two Navy ships. He went on to work for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Company, which is now part of Boeing Company. He played a key role in the development of the F-18 Super Hornet, which at the time was one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world. Rud lives in Coronado, Calif.
Batcheller holds more than 20 U.S. patents and has founded four start-up companies, including Phoenix International, which pioneered the use of microcomputer controls, adaptive software algorithms and “fuzzy logic” for agricultural and off-highway control systems. He also started Appareo Systems, LLC, an advanced technology business that designs and manufactures electronic, mechanical and software products for aerospace, defense and transportation applications worldwide. Batcheller was awarded an honorary doctorate from NDSU in 2010. He lives in Fargo.
Henry L. Bolley Academic Achievement Award
Marvin J. Miller, BS ’71, chemistry, is the recipient of the Henry L. Bolley Academic Achievement Award that recognizes alumni who have attained achievements in academia as instructors, researchers or administrators. Miller serves as the distinguished George and Winifred Clark Chair of the chemistry program at University of Notre Dame. Among his accomplishments are 269 publications, 22 patents, 142 papers presented and 201 invited lectures. He also has directed graduate research for 77 students, most at the doctorate level, and served as a consultant for Eli Lilly and Company. Miller earned his doctorate in chemistry from Cornell University. He lives in South Bend, Ind.
Heritage Award for Alumni Service
Dale O. Anderson, BS ’59, agricultural mechanization, and MS ’60, agricultural economics, is the recipient of the Heritage Award for Alumni Service that recognizes outstanding volunteer service to NDSU. He served NDSU starting as a student and continued as a faculty member, Development Foundation trustee, team maker, volunteer for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and diehard Bison fan. Anderson also worked for the Greater North Dakota Association, now the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, and served as its president from 1981-2003. He lives in Fargo.
Horizon Award
Kristina L. (Boostrom) Schlecht, BS ’97, pharmaceutical sciences, and Pharm.D. ’99, is the recipient of the Horizon Award that recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years and have distinguished themselves in their professional field or through community service. At age 29, she was promoted to a vice president position at Clinical Supplies Management, Inc., after only three years with the company. Schlecht now works for the National Community Pharmacists Association in Washington, D.C., and serves on NDSU’s Pharmacy National Advisory Board.
Detailed biographies for each honoree are available at www.ndsualumni.com.
The awards will be presented at the NDSU Alumni Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 26, at 11:30 a.m. at the Fargodome. All alumni and university friends are welcome to attend. Register for the awards celebration online at www.ndsualumni.com or by calling 701-231-6807.
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