Notable Alumni of North Dakota State University: Shaping Fields from Athletics to Politics
North Dakota State University (NDSU) has a rich history of producing influential figures across various fields. From its beginnings as North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890, NDSU has grown into a comprehensive research university that fosters talent and innovation. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni who have made significant contributions to athletics, politics, business, and more, showcasing the diverse impact of NDSU graduates.
Athletic Achievements: From the Gridiron to the Olympics
NDSU's athletic programs have a strong tradition of excellence, particularly in football. The North Dakota State football dynasty has secured nine FCS championships since 2011, producing remarkable players who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Football Legends
- Easton Stick: As North Dakota State’s all-time leader in passing yards (8,693) and passing touchdowns (88), Stick's contributions to the Bison football program are undeniable. With three championship rings (2015, 2017, and 2018), his pivotal role in the team's success, especially filling in for an injured Carson Wentz during the 2015 season, solidifies his place among the greats.
- Brock Jensen: The starting quarterback of the first three Bison national championship teams, Jensen was the quarterback to start the North Dakota State dynasty. In 52 starts, Jensen led the team to a three-peat, establishing a foundation of excellence.
- Kyle Emanuel: The 2014 Buchanan Award winner as the best defensive player in the FCS, Emanuel is the North Dakota State all-time leader in tackles for loss (58.5) and is tied for the school record for sacks (35.5). Emanuel's exceptional defensive skills made him a standout player.
- Zach Vraa: North Dakota State’s all-time leading receiver with 195 catches for 2,957 yards and 28 touchdowns, Vraa's resilience and pivotal postseason catches after recovering from multiple collar bone injuries in 2012 underscored his importance to the team. Welcome to the show, Zach Vraa. No. 3 in the #SCTop10.
- John Crockett: With 4,309 career rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns, Crockett ranks second and sixth in Bison history, respectively. His standout 2014 season, with 1,994 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, was instrumental in the Bison's fourth-straight championship.
- Cody Mauch: An American professional football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, Mauch played college football at North Dakota State, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.
- Dillon Radunz: An American professional football guard for the Tennessee Titans of the NFL, Radunz played college football at North Dakota State and was drafted by the Titans in the second round in the 2021 NFL draft.
- Billy Turner: An American professional football offensive tackle, Turner was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft after playing college football at North Dakota State.
- Josh Hayes: An American professional football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, Hayes played college football at North Dakota State, Virginia, and Kansas State, demonstrating his versatility and skill.
- Joe Mays: An American former professional football linebacker, Mays played college football at North Dakota State and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. Mays also played for the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.
- Steve Nelson: An American former professional football player and high school coach. He played as a linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1987.
- Craig Dahl: A former American football safety who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at North Dakota State.
- Derrek Tuszka: An American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota State. In 2019 graduated with bachelor's degree in weed science.
- Ryan Smith: A former American professional Canadian football wide receiver who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for North Dakota State University.
- Gus Bradley: An American football coach who is the current assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL).
Other Sports
- Amy Olson: An American former professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour from 2013 to 2023. She turned professional in 2013 after her collegiate career at North Dakota State University where she won an NCAA record 20 collegiate events.
- Payton Otterdahl: An American male shot putter who competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics & the 2024 Summer Olympics.
- Neil Wagner: An American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions.
- Ben Woodside: An American former professional basketball player who spent the majority of his eight-year career playing in Europe.
- Tyson Ward: An American professional basketball player for Paris Basketball of the LNB Pro A. He played college basketball for North Dakota State.
- Brad Rheingans: Bradley Bert Rheingans is an American former Greco-Roman wrestler and professional wrestler. He was a member of the United States' Greco-Roman wrestling teams for the 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics, as well as winning two gold medals in the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games and a bronze medal in the 1979 World Wrestling Championships. As a professional, Rheingans co-held the AWA World Tag Team Championship one time.
- Bob Backlund: Robert Louis Backlund is an American retired amateur and professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in the World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation from 1976 to 1984 and in the 1990s, where he held the WWWF/WWF Championship on two occasions.
Political Leaders and Public Servants
NDSU has also produced numerous leaders who have shaped public policy and served their communities at the local, state, and national levels.
- Ilhan Omar: A representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2019, Omar is a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to Congress, Omar served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019, representing part of Minneapolis.
- Doug Burgum: An American businessman and politician who has served as the 55th United States secretary of the Interior since February 1, 2025, under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 33rd governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024.
- Warren Magnuson: An American lawyer and politician who represented the state of Washington in Congress for 44 years, first as a Representative from 1937 to 1944, and then as a senator from 1944 to 1981. Magnuson was a member of the Democratic Party.
- Rick Berg: Representative for North Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2013. Berg served on the House Ways and Means Committee. He is a member of the Republican Party.
- Milton Young: An American politician, most notable for representing North Dakota in the United States Senate from 1945 until 1981.
- Mark Andrews: An American politician from the state of North Dakota. He was a member of the Republican Party who served in both chambers of the United States Congress, the United States House of Representatives from 1963 to 1981 and the United States Senate from 1981 to 1987.
- William L. Guy: An American politician who was the 26th governor of North Dakota from 1961 to 1973. Guy was North Dakota's longest-serving governor in state history, serving two consecutive two-year terms and two four-year terms in office.
- Arthur A. Link: An American politician and farmer of the North Dakota Democratic Party, and later the Democratic-NPL. Representative from 1971 to 1973 and as the 27th governor of North Dakota from 1973 to 1981.
- Ralph Herseth: The 21st governor of South Dakota from January 6, 1959, to January 3, 1961. He was a Democrat and was the patriarch of the prominent Herseth family of South Dakota.
- Roger Moe: An American politician who served as a member and majority leader of the Minnesota Senate. He was the Democratic nominee for governor in the 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election.
- Dennis Walaker: An American politician who served as 34th mayor of Fargo, North Dakota. He was elected to a four-year term on June 13, 2006, and took office on June 28, 2006.
- Charles F. Wald: A retired United States Air Force general and former Deputy Commander of United States European Command.
Contributions to Arts, Literature, and Academia
NDSU alumni have also made significant contributions to the arts, literature, and academia, enriching cultural and intellectual landscapes.
- Humayun Ahmed: A Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and academic. His breakthrough was his debut novel Nondito Noroke published in 1972. He wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books.
- Paul Johnsgard: An ornithologist, artist and emeritus professor at the University of Nebraska. His works include nearly fifty books including several monographs, principally about the waterfowl and cranes.
- Steve H. Murdock: An American sociologist and the former director of the United States Census Bureau. He held named professorships in sociology at Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at San Antonio and Rice University.
- Rod Rohrich: A Dallas-based plastic surgeon, author and educator. He is the editor-in-chief of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and a founding member of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute and the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery.
Business and Entrepreneurship
NDSU alumni have also excelled in the world of business and entrepreneurship, driving innovation and economic growth.
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- Gary Tharaldson: An American entrepreneur and founder of the Tharaldson Companies. As of 2019, Tharaldson is the wealthiest individual in North Dakota.
Other Notable Alumni
- Earl Mindell: A Canadian-American writer and nutritionist who is a strong advocate of nutrition as preventive healthcare and homeopathy.
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