DSU HERITAGE FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Account Manager
- Accounting Manager
Amanda Bramhall is the Accounting Manager for the DSU Heritage Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked as a Mortgage Processor and a Closing Escrow Agent in the title insurance field for 10 years.
Amanda's role within the Foundation is managing the daily accounting operations and assists with general office duties and Foundation events.
She is married to Joe and they have a daughter Megan, a recent graduate of DSU. Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, camping, fishing, crafting and playing with their three dogs.
Born and raised in Dickinson, North Dakota, Brian Jesperson attended Dickinson State University from 1970 to 1974. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology. He participated in football, golf, and student government while at DSU. He was the President of his fraternity and a student ambassador. He was the last Homecoming Chief and after graduation he received the Young Hawk Award. After graduation, he taught at Bismarck High School and coached football and basketball. He attended Loyola Dental School and after receiving his Doctor of Dental Science, he continued this education at the University of Iowa and received his Master of Science in Orthodontics. He practiced for forty years in Bismarck and Dickinson before retiring in 2021. He is board certified in his specialty and is a past president of the Midwest Society of Orthodontics. He has been president of his church council and the Bismarck Public School Foundation and continues to be on the Young Life Board.
Job Titles:
- BOARD MEMBER / past PRESIDENT
Dr. Thomas Arnold, MD, practices Obstetrics & Gynecology at CHI St. Joseph's Health Clinic in the Women's Health department (formerly St. Joseph's Women's Clinic). Dr. Arnold received his medical degree from University of ND School of Medicine. He has practiced for nearly a quarter of a century and has remained in the Dickinson area.
He has delivered over 5000 babies during that time, including some to mothers whom he delivered early in his practice. In addition to delivering babies, he provides prenatal care to his patients. His professional accomplishments include serving as the District Chair for American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Arnold and his wife, Marie, have five children. Besides reading and keeping abreast of changing healthcare options and treatments, his hobbies include farming and running.
Job Titles:
- Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator
A Dickinson, North Dakota native, Kierra Schneider was born and raised in the Blue Hawk Community. Sticking to her Dickinson roots, Kierra enrolled at Dickinson State University in the Fall of 2018. She came to the DSU Heritage Foundation as a student worker in Spring 2018.
Job Titles:
- Development Officer - Athletics & Rodeo
Kyle Smith joins the DSU Heritage Foundation as the Development Officer for Athletics & Rodeo. A former Blue Hawk, Kyle was a member of the football team as a player and coach during his academic career. Since graduating from DSU, Kyle has volunteered and served as a member of the Blue Hawk Booster Club, helping support athletic scholarships.
Kyle serves on numerous committees in the Dickinson community including; Dickinson Youth Football and Little Buddy Foundation and a former member of the St. John Trust Fund Committee. He is married to Brittney (Morast '11), and together they have two future Blue Hawks, daughter Brannigan and son Jett.
Bob graduated from Dickinson State University with a bachelor's degree in composite science in 1979. He has worked as the technology director for the Bottineau Public Schools in Bottineau, ND, as well as an instructor in Cisco Networking classes at Dakota College in Bottineau. In 2011, he was hired by the North Dakota Information Technology Department (ITD) where he currently serves as the PowerSchool Manager within the EduTech division.
Bob is married to Jan '77 and they have two children: Erica (Pete) and Andrew (Alicia). Their pride and joy is their grandchild, Fiona.
Job Titles:
- BOARD MEMBER / past PRESIDENT
Bruce is originally from Killdeer and a 1977 graduate of DSU with a BA in Business Administration. His wife Lisa graduated from DSU in 1983 with her Registered Nursing (RN) degree. While at DSU, Bruce was active in athletics and later involved with the Board of Directors of the Blue Hawk Booster Club and the DSU Heritage Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Key Account Manager
- MEMBER of the BOARD
Dodie is the Key Account Manager, on the Grocery West team, for Nestle USA, based in Boise, ID. He graduated from Dickinson State University in May 1992, with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration. During the 2013 DSU Homecoming, he was recognized by the Business Department as an Alumni Fellow. On the Birdsall side of the family, including spouses, they have had 18 family members graduate from DSU, 6 more have attended, and the list is still growing. Dodie was born and raised in Dickinson.
Grant Haugland is originally from Ambrose, ND and attended Divide County High School in Crosby, ND. He graduated from Dickinson State University in 2003 with a degree in Business Management. During Grant's time at DSU he was a member of the football and basketball programs.
Hank is a former football player and coach. He was the head football coach at Dickinson State University, a position he had held since the 1976 season before retiring following the 2013 season. Hank was one of the few college football coaches with over 200 career wins and 30 seasons of experience at the collegiate level. In 2006, he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame as a coach. He is also in the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and the North Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame.
Jim is a 1974 graduate of DSU with double majors in Mathematics and Business Administration. Jim has achieved the professional designations of CPA,PFS, CFP, and RIA practicing out of the main office in Dickinson as well as their branch office in Longmont Colorado - specializing in tax, estate, financial planning, and asset management. Jim and his wife, of 52 years, Darlene, are Dickinson natives and have lived in the community their entire lives. Jim was fortunate, when Uncle Sam called, and got to experience an all expense paid tour of Vietnam in 1971. He was even more fortunate to have returned to Dickinson, establish professional roots, and in turn give back to his community. DSU proved to be the stepping stone into a rewarding professional career and he is eternally grateful to DSU and all of his professors.
Job Titles:
- TREASURER
- Financial Advisor for Edward Jones Investments
Originally from Medicine Bow, Wyoming, Klayton Oltmanns is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones Investments. He attended DSU and graduated in 1993. Since then, he has been active in the community serving as a past member of the Dickinson City Council.
Originally from Baker, Montana, Pete chose to attend Dickinson State University and was a two-sport athlete for the Blue Hawks, excelling in football and track. After graduating in 1989, Pete returned to Montana to teach and coach at Terry High School (9 years) and Belgrade High School (2 years). He also graduated with his master's degree from Montana State University. He returned to his alma mater in 2000 as a professor in the Department of Health & Physical Education as well as the head coach of the men's and women's track and field teams and assistant football coach.
He was named the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year from 2003-2006 with the men's teams winning national titles from 2004-2006 and runner-up titles in 2003 and 2007-2010.
Pete Stanton is currently the head football coach and athletic director of Blue Hawk Athletics. He has led the Blue Hawks to seven consecutive North Star Athletic Conference Championships in football. He resides in Dickinson with his wife, Candace '91. They are the proud parents of Luke and Maddy.
Rob is a 1974 graduate of Dickinson State majoring in history, teaching and coaching. He is the Vice President for Advancement and Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rob was formerly the Executive Director for University Advancement at Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation and prior to that a Development Officer & Assistant Athletic Director at the University of North Dakota.
During his coaching career, he was the Offensive Coordinator at UND and Central Missouri State University; head coach at Northern State University in South Dakota, Bismarck Jr. College, and Richardton High School.
Bob is the owner and President of AG Insurance Services in Fargo and Valley City, North Dakota and Fergus Falls, Minnesota. His wife, Dr. Susan Cordes-Green, is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Bob graduated from DSU in 1971.
Scott graduated from Dickinson State University in 1988 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management. He was the Chief Operating Officer of LIDS Sports Group from 1995 until January 2016.
He and his wife, Carolyn, live in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Raised on a ranch by New Town, ND, Butch graduated from Dickinson State Teachers College in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a major in Biology and a double minor in Social Studies and Physical Education. During the summer of 1969, he went to Imco Drilling Fluids School in Houston, Texas, where he became a chemical engineer. Butch is active with the DSU Heritage Foundation as a member of the Development Committee.
He is also a member of the Blue Hawk Touchdown Club, Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, Republican Party, Elks Club in Williston and Dickinson, Chamber of Commerce in Williston, and the API. He is one of the six Charter members of the Savages Boosters. Butch has been happily married to his wife of 57 years, Patti. They have three sons: Dean (Kristy), Shawn, and Chad (Kim).
Vince Terrald Bang was born to ranch. Raised in the Killdeer Mountains, Terrald attended Killdeer High School before furthering his education at Dickinson State College. He graduated in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in education. He pursued teaching for a few years before returning to the family ranch to help with the day-to-day operations.
Terrald and his wife, Carol '70, continue to ranch on the family operation northwest of Killdeer. Terrald is also involved with the Dunn County Fair Board, Dunn County Saddle Club, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and the Killdeer Mountain Elk Unit Landowners Association.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- EX - OFFICIO
As the Executive Director for the DSU Heritage Foundation, Ty Orton coordinates efforts to strengthen relationships and raise funds to support the University, fulfilling its commitment to provide high-quality accessible programs; promote excellence in teaching and learning; support scholarly and creative activities; while serving the region.
Orton began his fundraising career in 2002 at McCook Community College where he was the Head Men's Basketball Coach. Moving to Dickinson in 2007, he continued to invest in relationships while coaching and fundraising for Dickinson State University athletics. Prior to his appointment at the DSU Heritage Foundation, he was the major gifts officer at Sanford Health. Orton serves on the Presidents Cabinet and the President's Advisory Council. Orton earned a Bachelor of Education from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana in 1998. Ty and his wife, Michelle, have two sons: Tristan and Cooper.
Ty was chosen to serve as Executive Director of the DSU Heritage Foundation by its board of directors in December, 2015. He came to DSU as its men's basketball head coach in 2007, but was most recently a major gifts officer of Sanford Health.
He has 13 years of fundraising experience, which began in athletics as head men's basketball coach as McCook (NE) Community College and continued into coaching and fundraising at DSU. Ty and his wife, Michelle, have two sons - Tristan and Cooper.
Vince was employed with Dickinson Public Schools for 41 years before retiring in the spring of 2017. He served on the board of directors for the Blue Hawk Booster Club from 1987-2003 and served as president from 1991-1993. Vince also served on various North Dakota Educational field boards including, but not limited to, North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders, North Dakota Elementary Principals, and the North Dakota Association of School Administrators Legislative Focus Group.
Job Titles:
- VICE - PRESIDENT
- Managing Partner of the Marinosci Law Group PC for North Dakota
Haylee Cripe returned to her hometown, Dickinson, after graduating with her Bachelors of Accountancy from the University of North Dakota's School of Business and Public Administration and her Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law. Haylee started her college education at Dickinson State University, taking advantage of the dual credit courses offered through DSU while she was a student at Trinity High School.
Haylee is the managing partner of the Marinosci Law Group PC for North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. She currently serves on the Downtown Dickinson Association DID Board and several other committees for the local hospital foundations.
Deb was raised in Taylor, ND. She attended NDSU for two years but received her degree in Business Administration from Dickinson State College in 1975. She worked in the acounting department at West Plains Electric Cooperative after graduation and remained committed to her employer until she retired from Roughrider Electric as the Director of Finance and Administration.
Deb loves DSU and can be found at almost all of the home football games. She enjoys camping, gardening, and spending time with her family and dog, Zoey.
Irene attended DSU as an ‘other than average' student for five years and received a Bachelor of Science degree.
She is currently one of the new board members working to re-organize the DSU Heritage Foundation and is serving on two committees including the Centennial Committee which will be organizing our 100th Anniversary Celebration.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the BOARD
- Senior Trust Officer for Dakota Community Bank & Trust
Val Mack transferred to DSU after attending Miles City Community College and Adams State College. She played college basketball and helped the women's basketball team win the conference championship while working towards attaining her degree in Business Administration.
Val is the Senior Trust Officer for Dakota Community Bank & Trust in Dickinson and serves as a member of Rotary and the Western Dakota Estate Planning Council. She resides in Dickinson with her husband, Scott, and their two sons.
A native of Bakersfield, Myren Moore graduated from DSU in 2014, majoring in Communications. After attending Bakersfield Junior College, he earned a track scholarship and transferred to Dickinson State University, where he achieved an All-American Track and Field award in Men's 4 by 1. After "walking on" to the DSU Football Team, he was awarded additional scholarships during the three years he played for the Blue Hawks. Myren has impressed his dedication to DSU by joining the DSU Blue Hawk Football coaching staff after he graduated, and continuing to provide project support to various fundraising projects at the DSU Heritage Foundation. His dedication to the communities he has lived in includes hosting Turkey Drives in Bakersfield, California and establishing the Dakota Brotherhood Scholarship Fund with his former DSU teammates and college roommates: Jesse Carney, Quincy Mason, and Alex Hutizel; with the goal of supporting other junior college transfer student-athletes that find their way to DSU.
Job Titles:
- Office Service Coordinator
Pam Rudolph came to the DSU Heritage Foundation as the Office Manager by way of 30 years employment in Yellowstone National Park.
Serving as the President at his alma mater, Stephen Easton came on board in December 2019. He is a 1980 graduate of Dickinson State College where he attained his bachelor's degree in accounting and a minor in business administration. After graduation, he continued his education at Stanford Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1983. Easton practiced law for over 20 years before returning to higher education as a professor and administrator.
Steve is a 1988 graduate of Dickinson State University, majoring in Business Administration with a Concentration in Agriculture. While attending DSU, he was a four-year letter winner in football. Since graduating, Steve has been engaged in farming in Ray, North Dakota. In addition to farming, he spent many years coaching football. He has also been active in numerous organizations. He has been serving as a Director for Ag Country Farm Credit Services, US Durum Growers, the Blue Hawk Touchdown Club Board, and St. Michael's Church Finance Council. In 2018, Steve was honored to be the recipient of the DSU Heritage Foundation Golden Hawk Award. Steve and his wife, Bernadette, also a DSU alum, have four children and two grandchildren.