Unveiling the Benefits: A Comprehensive Look at the University of North Dakota Alumni Association
The University of North Dakota (UND) Alumni Association & Foundation plays a pivotal role in fostering the ongoing growth and development of the University. As the official fundraising and private gift-receiving organization for UND, the association works closely with a diverse group of stakeholders, including alumni, friends, faculty, staff, corporations, and foundations. Together, they create fundraising programs and opportunities that benefit the University and its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and public engagement.
Celebrating Generosity: "Notes from the Nest" and the Circle of Excellence Award
In a heartwarming display of gratitude, UND students participated in the first-ever "Notes from the Nest" event. This event provided an opportunity for students to express their appreciation to scholarship donors. Last October, nearly 2,500 students gathered at the Memorial Union to pen thank-you notes to those who support their education. Three glossy cards were available to choose from, with one featuring the words “thank you” in several different languages, representing the diverse student population at UND. Students enjoyed free pizza and doughnuts and entered their names into a scholarship drawing.
The success of "Notes from the Nest" was a result of a campuswide partnership among the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, UND Student Finance, and various colleges, schools, and departments. The event garnered significant recognition, earning UND a Circle of Excellence Silver Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). CASE is a global nonprofit association dedicated to advancing alumni relations and education communications in 80 countries.
DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UNDAAF, expressed her excitement about the award, stating that it is a testament to the planning and effort that went into the event, as well as the students who participated. Jenn Lukens, UNDAAF director of Stewardship & Donor Appreciation, also shared her gratitude with everyone who contributed to the success of "Notes from the Nest," including the students who showed their appreciation to their donors.
Fundraising Success and the "Forever UND" Campaign
The UND Alumni Association and Foundation has achieved remarkable success in its fundraising efforts. In 2025, the foundation secured $119.95 million in gifts, setting a new record. This achievement followed a recent change in financial reporting from fiscal years to calendar years. The previous record for fundraising in a 12-month period was $100.5 million, which was announced in August 2024.
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The foundation's endowment also reached a new milestone, reaching $510.7 million. The growth in the endowment fund resulted in a payout of $15.3 million, a 10% increase over the previous year.
The foundation has been actively working on a fundraising campaign called Forever UND, which relaunched in May with a new goal after the initial $500 million goal was reached 20 months before the anticipated deadline of Dec. 31, 2026. Progress has already been made toward the new goal, but Zink said the number raised so far will be kept under wraps for now. Zink said the foundation’s confidence in reaching the new goal has it planning a “big party” for the next State of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation Address, in January 2027.
Connecting Students with Their UND Legacy
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation not only supports the University financially but also helps students connect with their UND legacy. During the State of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation address, Ava Leifur, a senior majoring in kinesiology at UND, shared her story of discovering her family's UND roots through past issues of the UND Alumni Magazine.
Leifur is a fourth-generation UND student with an interest in genealogy and family history. She found that the library carries some copies of a book titled "Our State, North Dakota," written by her great-grandfather, Conrad Leifur. While working on the 1960s portion of the digitization project, she read about her great-grandfather winning the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement and Leadership. Her grandparents and parents also were students, and one of her brothers has joined her at UND as a student.
Leifur's experience highlights the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of UND alumni and their contributions to the University and the wider community.
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Additional Benefits and Resources
Beyond fundraising and legacy building, the UND Alumni Association offers a range of benefits and resources to its members. These include:
Delta Discount Program
UND employees can access the Delta Discount Program through PeopleSoft Employee Self Service. This program allows employees to earn miles when booking flights through an approved travel agency. To access the discount, employees must log into their account by logging into Delta.com or the Delta app using their SkyMiles account.
Campus Ministries
Campus Ministries, including Christus Rex and Wittenberg Chapel, provide spiritual support and community to students.
Wellness Center
Residents of University Townhomes-Oxbow/Longbow Ct. can access the Wellness Center. Once logged in, the waiver should automatically pop up.
Locker Rentals
Lockers are available for members to rent on a semester basis. All locker contents must be removed from the lockers by the end of each day. Each day, all locker contents will be brought to the welcome desk. If items are not picked up within two weeks, they will be donated to charity.
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