Jonathan Rundquist

Jon Rundquist (they/them) is a Ph.D. student studying the history of rural LGBTQIA2+ Minnesotans. Their current focus is on the history of Two-Spirit people from Northern Minnesota and the current realities they face as advocates for their communities. As a Trans/Non-Binary scholar living in rural Minnesota, Jon has always felt at home among the rolling prairies of the Red River Valley, and wonders what helps LGBTQIA2+ Minnesotans living on the prairies, hills, forests, and lakes of Greater Minnesota – thrive – despite the metrocentrist ideals of American society. Another aspect that fascinates Jon is how religion and spirituality intersect with rural LGBTQIA2+ Minnesotans, with steeples and cemeteries down nearly every country road. Jon hopes to one day teach at a Minnesota college or university to further their studies by teaching Minnesota history to high school and college students. North Dakota State University was Jon’s original choice for colleges when they graduated high school, but life had other ideas. Many years later, they arrived on NDSU’s campus as a Ph.D. student with big ideas. NDSU might not be in Minnesota, but Jon is growing in their appreciation for North Dakota’s rich history of rural survival politics.