The eighth annual NDSU Distinguished Alumni Award Program is scheduled for the months of October and November. Sponsored by each of the colleges at NDSU, the program recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding alumni. It also presents an opportunity to educate students by introducing them to successful alumni in their respective fields of study.
Distinguished alumni will share career-related experiences and knowledge while visiting NDSU. Each alumnus will have an opportunity to meet and give presentations to students, faculty, alumni and the NDSU community. All classroom presentations and seminars are free and open to the public.
College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources
Perry Cregan, MS ’75, PhD ’77, agronomy, recently retired as research leader of the Soybean Genomics and Improvement Laboratory at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland. He also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland, College Park.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Cregan served with the Peace Corps as an agricultural extension agent in Nicaragua, Central America. He subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in general agriculture from Oregon State University and then his master’s and doctoral degrees in plant breeding and genetics from NDSU.
As the research leader of the Soybean Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, he oversaw soybean gene discovery research, the search for resistance to soybean diseases including the soybean cyst nematode and soybean rust, research related to the analysis of genetically modified soybean and detection of unanticipated changes in seed composition as a result of genetic modification.
Cregan’s personal research focused on the development and application of DNA markers and the creation of the genetic map of the 20 pairs of soybean chromosomes. The genetic map was an important resource that was used to assemble the DNA sequence of the whole soybean genome that was recently completed as part of a collaborative effort by a large group of U.S. scientists.
In recent years, the range of Cregan’s research expanded to include the development of genetic markers and genetic maps in common bean and wheat. Recently, the development of a genetic map of the common bean in collaboration with common bean researchers at NDSU was used in a large collaborative effort to assemble the whole genome sequence of the common bean.
Cregan has received many honors, including USDA-ARS Science Hall of Fame, Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America and fellow of the American Society of Agronomy.
Cregan is scheduled to return to campus on Tuesday, Nov. 18, for classroom and faculty visits. For more information, contact Patti Sebesta at patti.sebesta@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8524.
College of Engineering
Tim Brookins, BS ’87, MS ’90, electrical engineering, is a Distinguished Engineer for Microsoft. Based in Fargo, Brookins works on the Windows Mobile team, contributing to the company’s Windows phone efforts.
A native of West Fargo, ND, Brookins joined Great Plains Software in 1990. At Great Plains, he was instrumental in producing the company's first offering based on Microsoft SQL Server. Brookins also designed the model-driven architecture that enables products from multiple parties to merge seamlessly into a single solution without source code changes. In 1997, he was named the first “Technical Fellow" at Great Plains in recognition of his contribution.
In 2001, Brookins joined Microsoft as part of the Great Plains Software acquisition. After joining Microsoft, Brookins worked in the Developer Division as part of the Microsoft Visual Studio team. He researched CLR-based, model-driven business frameworks with a focus on advanced customization via model extensibility and managed programming models. In 2007, Brookins was recognized by Microsoft CEO Bill Gates with the title of Distinguished Engineer, a prestigious title held by a very select few individuals company-wide.
Brookins maintains a strong relationship with NDSU, serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2010. Most recently, he developed an app called Bison Tracker that allows NDSU fans to check in at all football games. It also has a GPS locator feature to locate friends at tailgating or in seats in any stadium where the Bison play.
Brookins is set to return to campus in November for classroom visits, faculty and student interactions and a seminar presentation and reception. For more information, contact Nancy Rossland at nancy.rossland@ndsu.edu or 701-231-7994.
College of Human Development and Education
Eileen Karp, BS ’75, textiles and clothing, has a broad background in fashion. Her more than 30 years of experience in creative design, patternmaking, and technical design combined with more than 25 years in education demonstrates her successful track record in the apparel business.
After earning her degree from NDSU and the Fashion Institute of Technology, her fashion design career began as a creative designer of loungewear and sportswear. She founded a business designing an exclusive maternity line for an upper eastside New York City boutique; the designs were also sold to Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue. Her entrepreneurial background led to freelance and consulting opportunities for a variety of companies. She moved into several design positions, primarily in the knitted and woven sportswear areas.
Concurrently, Karp began teaching as adjunct at Fashion Institute of Technology–SUNY and became a full-time professor in 2007 in its fashion design department. In 2008, Karp earned a Master of Science Degree in Education from California State University, East Bay. She developed a new interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science program in Technical Design at FIT that has grown steadily since its launch in 2009.
In January 2014, Karp became chair of the fashion design department. She previously was international coordinator for fashion programs for study abroad opportunities. She teaches design courses in draping, patternmaking, construction, technical applications, sportswear, digital apparel management and related topics.
She earned an Associate of Applied Science with Highest Honors, Fashion Design, Lingerie Specialization from the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, in 1974. Karp also earned an online teaching and learning certificate in 2005, followed by a Master of Science in Education – Online Teaching and Learning degree from California State University East Bay, Hayward, California, in 2008.
Karp is scheduled to discuss her career journey Friday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. in Family Life Center 122. Her presentation is open to the public. For more information, contact Nancy Gress at nancy.gress@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8216.
College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Sciences
Paul F. Richard, AD ’74, nursing, BS ’74, economics, is president of Sanford Fargo Medical Center, a 583-licensed bed medical center in Fargo. In 1979, he received his law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law.
Richard has served as a quality review nurse, chief legal officer and senior administrator for Sanford Health for the past 43 years and assumed the role as president in 2013.
He is licensed as an attorney in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, and is a member of the State Bar Associations of North Dakota (past president), South Dakota and Minnesota. In addition, he is a member of the American Bar Association, American Healthcare Lawyers Association and is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Richard recently completed 17 years as a member of the North Dakota Board of Law Examiners. He has been active in various bar and community activities and serves on the board of directors of the State Bar Association of North Dakota Foundation and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.
Richard and his wife, Mary Jo, have three adult children.
He is scheduled to return to campus Friday, Oct. 24, for classroom and faculty visits. For more information, contact Sara Wald at sara.wald@ndsu.edu or 701-231-6461.
College of Science and Mathematics
John Hanish, BS ’86, chemistry, history, is a partner in Goodwin Procter’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice in New York, which is listed among the top 50 firms.
He earned his doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Chicago and then worked for several years in research before pursuing a law degree from New York University School of Law. He focuses on patent infringements and patent licensing disputes, and counseling inventors and entrepreneurs regarding patent procurement.
Hanish has more than 17 years of experience counseling clients on intellectual property issues related to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, as well as other products and services. He is a member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association, New York Intellectual Property Law Association, Licensing Executives Society and International Intellectual Property Society.
Originally from Fargo, Hanish returns several times during the year to visit family and to renew his NDSU connections. He also has hosted NDSU student gatherings at his office in the New York Times building. On Thursday, Oct. 9, he presented a seminar on “The Importance of Understanding Intellectual Property for Careers in Science, Arts, Business and Law.” Following the seminar he met with the Pre-Law Club.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.
