RLND Class X Graduation Gala

Join Us in Celebrating Class X of Rural Leadership North Dakota

You are cordially invited to celebrate the accomplishments of RLND Class X and honor the enduring impact of the Rural Leadership North Dakota program. This special evening will bring together alumni, supporters, family, and friends to recognize the individuals and stories that have shaped North Dakota’s rural leadership landscape over the past two decades.

👉 Click here to RSVP for the RLND Class X Graduation Gala

🎉 Evening Highlights

🎓 Recognition of RLND Class X Graduates
Celebrate the achievements and leadership journeys of the Class X cohort.

🧭 Reflections on 20 Years of RLND and the Class X Legacy
Honor two decades of leadership development and the unique mark Class X leaves on the program.

🍽️ Dinner and Refreshments
Enjoy a meal and fellowship in the company of alumni, supporters, and friends.

🎟️ Silent Auction Supporting RLNDAA Programming

Bid on unique items and handcrafted table-top cookie bouquets in support of RLND programming. The traditional RLNDAA Silent Auction will feature written bids, with the highest bidder drawn at the end of the evening.

We invite each RLND class to contribute a basket for the auction. Individual donations are also warmly welcomed. Items can be brought the day of the event or coordinated with Marsha Van Laere (Class VIII) at mvanlaere@polarcomm.com.

📝 Complete the Silent Auction Donation Form here

Thank you for your generous support—it makes a lasting impact.

🎁 Cookie Bouquet Raffle
Enter to win handcrafted table-top cookie bouquets created especially for the Gala. Proceeds support RLNDAA programming and outreach.

🎫 Gift Card Raffle Supporting the O'Keeffe Fund
Contribute to the RLND Tuition Scholarship Endowment Fund with the chance to win curated gift card packages.

📸 Professional Headshots and Group Photos
Take advantage of professional photography to commemorate the evening.

🖼️ “Memory Lane Walk” Exhibit
Explore artifacts and stories from RLND Class X.

🥂 RLNDAA-Hosted After-Gala Social
Reconnect and celebrate during a casual social gathering following the formal program.

🌟 Meet RLND Class XI
Welcome the incoming class of leaders as they begin their own RLND journey.

🧠 RLNDAA Professional Development Opportunity

Before the celebration begins, Alumni are invited to join a powerful leadership development experience hosted by the Rural Leadership ND Alumni Association (RLNDAA):

🗓 Friday, November 21, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM MT
📍 Medora, ND
💵 Cost for non-RLNDAA members: $30 (billed later by RLNDAA)

Session: The Five Behaviors Assessment – Strengthening Team Leadership
This interactive session will guide participants through the nationally recognized Five Behaviors Assessment, grounded in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and integrated with Everything DiSC®. The session focuses on improving team effectiveness through the five key behaviors that drive cohesive leadership: trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results.

🔹 Increase self-awareness of your leadership style
🔹 Improve communication and collaboration
🔹 Build stronger, more accountable teams
🔹 Reconnect with the alumni network before the Gala

📌 RSVP for this session as part of your Graduation Gala registration.

If you already submitted your RSVP and would like to attend, simply email katherine.tyler@ndsu.edu to be added.

We look forward to seeing you there; learning together and celebrating what makes RLND leadership so impactful.

🎓 RLND Class X Graduation Gala

Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
Location: Medora, North Dakota
Time:
• 5:30 PM – Social & Silent Auction (Rough Riders Hotel)
• 6:30–9:00 PM – Dinner & Graduation Program (Rough Riders Hotel)
• 9:00 PM – RLNDAA After-Gala Social (Rough Riders Hotel)
All times are Mountain Time (MT)

Hotel Information

🏨 Lodging Information

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Rough Riders Hotel in Medora for RLND Graduation Gala guests.

Booking Deadline: October 18, 2025
Lodging Dates: November 21–22, 2025 (or as needed)

To reserve your room, you may call or book online:

🔗 Hotel Booking Link

📞 Call 1-800-633-6721
Be prepared to provide the following:
• Group Code: RLND111825
• Lodging Property: Rough Riders Hotel
• Dates of Stay

We encourage early booking to ensure availability.

Support the Celebration

Interested in supporting the gala through sponsorships or auction donations?

Contact Christy Stenseth-Hedstrom, Assistant to the Directors at christy.stenseth.1@ndsu.edu or (701) 231-1865 or Katie Tyler, Ph.D., RLND Program Director, at katherine.tyler@ndsu.edu or (701) 231-5640.