Donor Impact Dragon Stories

Mike Ceynowa ‘97 could have had a long career as a police officer without a bachelor’s degree, but his four years at Minnesota State University Moorhead instilled in him a deep passion for service and the resourcefulness to notably impact the communities he’s served. 

President Anne reflects on past projects within the community and expresses her heartfelt gratitude for the city of Moorhead. 

Women ignite powerful change. That’s why, when three women at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) joined forces to overhaul the university’s athletic training program, it evolved into an exciting new opportunity for students. 

Today we honor veteran Molly Johnson, a senior at MSUM studying ecology and evolutionary biology with a geospatial analysis emphasis. Molly is from Moorhead and was inspired to join the military through her family, as many of them also served. Her sister Heidi was in the army band prior to moving to Colorado and her other sister Ali served as an Air Force medic. Molly’s mom worked as a social worker for soldiers at the armory in Fargo and her father is captain of the Fargo Fire Department. 

Today we honor veteran Justin Kester, a first-year computer science student at MSUM. Justin’s experience in the military lent a hand in determining their major in school.  

Today we honor Jonathan Bauer, a second-year animation major at MSUM. He is originally from Montgomery, Minn. Jonathan served in the Army for three and a half years in active duty as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and wrecker operator. He first served in Camp Casey, South Korea, then in Fort Drum, New York.  

Today we honor veteran Brenda Norris, a staff member here at MSUM. Brenda is the Executive Director for Facilities Management and prior to that she worked on campus as a consultant on several capital building projects, beginning in 2002.   

On November 8, City of Moorhead voters will consider a ballot initiative to build a new Moorhead community center and regional library, funded by a 0.5% local option sales tax. As a 12-year Moorhead resident and proud president of Minnesota State University Moorhead, President Anne Blackhurst strongly endorses this initiative.

When Kevin Hanson walked into Gate City Bank one morning in 1983, he didn’t know if they were hiring. He had graduated with a bachelor’s in finance from MSUM two days prior and opened a phone book just hours before to look for job openings. 

Before Angel Fuentes knew what she wanted to study, or even whether college was the right path for her, she felt the pressure of being a first-generation college student.

As the MSUM Planetarium celebrates its 50th anniversary, it reflects on the many students, faculty and staff who have helped shape its success over the past half century. 

MSUM has recently been awarded a Federal grant that will allow us to take our commitment to veterans to the next level.