Dear alumni and friends,

Homecoming @ Home was our answer to the coronavirus pandemic, and I’m happy to call it a success.

Due to the pandemic, the decision was made to forego in-person Homecoming events this year. Rather than cancel Homecoming, the UND Alumni Association & Foundation and UND worked together to create a virtual Homecoming dubbed “UND Homecoming @ Home.”

Check out some photos here.

Inauguration

Several events were held online including the inauguration of Dr. Andrew Armacost as UND’s 13th president. Due to the pandemic, I know that many of you who would like to meet the new president in person have not had the chance to do so. Let me assure you that he is doing an excellent job managing the pandemic on campus and is excelling in other areas such as strategic planning, student connection, and academic leadership. I have been impressed so far and expect even more once we put COVID-19 behind us.

Buildings in the spotlight

Two building projects were front and center during Homecoming 2020. A groundbreaking was held for a building that will be the new home for the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration (NCoBPA). We also held an online first look at the Gershman Graduate Center, a new life and major renovation of the oldest standing building on campus.

The $70 million NCoBPA project kicked off with a lead gift from Werner, ’68, and Colleen Nistler that was announced just before Homecoming last year. Thanks to the work of Grand Forks legislators Ray Holmberg and Mark Sanford, the state of North Dakota agreed to provide a $20 million match program. That helped us secure a total of $50 million in private gifts in just over a year’s time! I am so excited for what this project will mean for UND students well into the future. A big thank you to all who have contributed to this historic project! There is still a chance for you to be an investor in this project; visit UNDalumni.org/shareholder to become part of the Shareholder Society and make a difference in the lives of UND students.

The Gershman Graduate Center is another amazing addition to the campus. Hal, ’68, and Dr. Kathy Gershman donated $3 million to renovate the Oxford House, built in 1903. The gift received a $1.5 million match from the state. The renovated building is now a much-needed social and academic hub for graduate students.

Campus renewal

These projects are part of a major campus renewal. A new Memorial Union is rising along University Avenue thanks to students who voted to pay for the building. The street itself has undergone a major upgrade with new landscaping, street improvements and pedestrian safety features. The old steam plant at the corner of the quad has been torn down and replaced with a new building away from academic buildings. The Carnegie Library building is being renovated and the Chester Fritz Library underwent millions of dollars in renovations and has a new entrance.

You are going to be impressed the next time you set foot on campus!

On the shoulders of giants

There are so many wonderful things happening on campus and many of them originated with donors who wanted to improve the student experience at UND. Each new class stands on the shoulders of these giants. Some have names on buildings, but thousands of others created scholarships in their name or in the name of loved ones. Thousands more give to programs and causes on campus like the Food for Thought Food Pantry.

This year, in response to the pandemic, we put an emphasis on two programs to provide immediate aid to students most in need during a time in which there is so much uncertainty. I am so proud of the response from our alumni and friends to the Open Door Scholarship program and the UND Angel Fund. More than 1,000 students in great financial need have been helped by your donations. You can find out more by visiting our website at UNDalumni.org.

CARES Act

One of the provisions in the CARES Act of 2020 provides a unique situation in which a donor may be able to deduct cash gifts of up to 100% of their Adjusted Gross Income. There are many possible gift options to maximize the tax deduction provided by this temporary legislation. And I do mean temporary: you have until December 31st to take advantage of this provision.

You can find out more on how you can take advantage of the CARES Act to make a gift to UND at UNDalumni.org/cares. Be sure to discuss the specifics with your financial planner or tax expert to understand your unique situation and potential state tax or other tax liabilities.

I want to personally thank all of you for being giants in the lives of UND students. Your impact is immeasurable.

Sincerely,

DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’86, CFRE

UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO

deannac@UNDfoundation.org