Alumni Awards

Alumnus of the Year Awards

2024 Alumnus of the Year

Carroll L. Dewing

Carroll L. Dewing graduated from BSC in 1976 with a notable career trajectory in the field of Civil Engineering. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University in 1978 and completing the Harvard Business College Advanced Management Program in 2014, Dewing's commitment to academic and professional excellence shines brightly. As a Registered Professional Engineer since 1982, he currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at NACCO Natural Resources, showcasing his expertise and leadership skills. His dedication and contributions have not gone unnoticed, with accolades such as the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation Harold Schafer Founders Society, the BSC Honor of Silver in 2015, and the BSC Sapphire Award in 2017. Dewing's commitment to his community is equally commendable, having served as a past Wilton City Commissioner and the President and member of the Sunne Lutheran Church Council. His involvement with the BSC Foundation as a Trustee further underscores his unwavering support for his alma mater and its alumni community.

2023 Alumnus of the Year

Glenn Bosch

Glenn Bosch was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2016 and is serving in his fourth legislative session as Assistant Majority Leader. Prior to his time in the legislature, he had a successful 35-year career in the visual communication industry, helping businesses across the country integrate technology to support their operations. He began his career as a bench technician and worked his way up through the ranks, retiring in 2017 as the Executive Vice President of AVI Systems. Honored to serve the citizens of North Dakota, Glenn has a passion for developing policies that lead to the success of our state. He has championed legislation that supports our energy industry, public safety, and education including the funding of the new BSC Polytechnic Institute. In recognition of his impactful legislative efforts, in 2022 he was named as a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow.

Continuing to invest in the lives of Bismarck families, Glenn worked with the Northwoods League to bring the Bismarck Larks to the community. As co-owner, he has strived to ensure that Larks baseball becomes a mainstay in Bismarck and a pillar for family entertainment. Glenn and his wife Julie recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. They have three children and seven wonderful grandchildren.

Rising Star Awards

2024 Rising Star Award

Lori Furaus

Lori Furaus is a dedicated educator and community leader, who graduated from BSC in 2013 before earning her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Mary. Since then, Lori has been teaching middle school in Bismarck and coordinating the AVID program, showcasing her commitment to student success. Recently, she transitioned to a role as a field consultant at North Dakota United, answering a call to further support educators and students in the west-central region of North Dakota. Lori's passion for education and service is evident through her numerous achievements and community involvement. She has been elected to the Mandan public school board multiple times and received accolades such as the Pre-Service Teacher of Excellence award. With a heart for service, Lori has been actively involved in various organizations including the Mandan Foundation for Education, demonstrating her dedication to giving back to her community. Her impactful leadership extends to her role as the president of CREA and past president of the Bismarck Education Association, where she tirelessly advocates for students and educators alike. Through her engagement with BSC and commitment to promoting the benefits of community college education, Lori continues to inspire and support the growth of those around her.

2023 Rising Star Award

Stephanie Schramm Little

Stephanie Schramm Little never dreamed she would pursue higher education. But in 2012, she graduated from BSC with an Associate of Arts degree. She continued her education at Minot State University, earning a bachelor’s in social work, and at Minnesota State University in Mankato, earning a master’s in social work. Currently, she serves as an assistant social work professor at Minot State University on the BSC campus while completing her PhD in Health Sciences and a Master of Public Health degree at the University of South Dakota in 2024. As a board member of the National Association of Social Workers, she contributes to their Advocacy Committee, Education Committee and annual Conference Committee.

She is an editor for both the Health & Social Work and Health and Justice Journals and chairs the American Public Health Association Marketing Committee. She is active with the United Network for Organ Sharing as an elected representative for the Safety and Operations Committee and social work consultant for the Patient Affairs Committee and Ethics Committee. Her dissertation focus is on the social work implications of organ allocation and ethics, with specific aims meant to tackle roles in academia and scholarship by combining social work with community research and policy. In total, Stephanie is an active member in over a dozen organizations, stays involved in outreach education programs, donor registration events, and organizes bone marrow drives in rural North Dakota.

Legacy Family

2024 Legacy Family

Wachter Family

Spanning multiple generations, the Wachter Family has established themselves as a beacon of generosity and commitmentChad Wachter Family towards BSC. With their legacy deeply rooted in the institution's history, Lance and Gail Wachter, along with Chad and Stacy Wachter, have demonstrated unwavering dedication. They have significantly contributed by establishing a substantial scholarship endowment, which benefits students enrolled in the Carpentry program and other technical fields. Their efforts have made it possible to award 10 scholarships annually, enabling students to achieve their educational ambitions. Furthermore, Chad's contribution extends beyond mere financial assistance. Yearly, he generously donates a lot, allowing BSC Carpentry students to acquire practical experience through the construction of a house, the costs of which he has covered. Since 2007, Chad's involvement with the BSC Foundation Board of Trustees has been instrumental, further emphasizing the family's profound influence on the institution. Dating back to 1947, the Wachter Family's connection with BSC encompasses four generations and includes 15 family members who have attended the college. Their impact on the local community is monumental, tracing back to 1885 when they harvested ice from the Missouri River to supply local ice boxes, leading up to the establishment of the Wachter Ranch. The family's contributions are diverse, ranging from land donations for schools and recreational facilities to public services. They have played a pivotal role in the development of Bismarck, including significant projects like Kirkwood Mall. Through their involvement in businesses such as Big Boy, Blarney Stone, and Investcore, and their contributions to the development of subdivisions like Cottonwood Lake, Promontory Point, and Silver Ranch, the Wachter Family's legacy in Bismarck is unparalleled.

2023 Legacy Family

Frank Bavendick

From 1949-1950 Frank Bavendick attended BSC as a student-athlete competing in track and field. This started Frank’s love for BSC and started his and wife Joanne’s lifelong friendship with BSC spanning over 70 years. One of Frank’s last requests before his death in 2018 was to attend one of his favorite community events, a BSC Mystics Basketball game.

Frank and Joanne’s generosity to the BSC Foundation has provided academic, athletic, and energy scholarships, arts and humanities program funding, as well as contributions for many improvement projects within the Armory. Frank served as a BSC Foundation Board Trustee for many years. In addition to financial support, Frank was a loyal Mystic fan, cheering on the BSC teams at various sporting events. A frequent user of the Armory weight room, Frank got to know many athletes on a first name basis. Frank and Joanne’s tradition of personal support of the teams has been carried on by their son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Yvette Bavendick. Greg also attended BSC, and both he and his wife continue Frank’s legacy of support of Mystic athletes by attending nearly all BSC Mystics sporting events and hosting team dinners. They are some of the biggest Mystics fans in the community.

BSC Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

Dave Hummel

Dave Hummel will be inducted into their Hall of Fame for his incredible accomplishments in sports. Hummel's name will forever be remembered in the college's history as he played football, basketball and baseball at Bismarck Junior College, now Bismarck State College. Hummel's athletic abilities were evident from his earlier days, where he competed at Central St. Mary's High School. During the years 1956 and 1957, Hummel was a part of the American Junior Legion Baseball State Championship teams, batting .643 and having a 10-0 record as a pitcher. Hummel's dedication and passion for sports led him to receive numerous Hall of Fame inductions, including North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame, North Dakota Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame, Mayville State Hall of Fame with the 1961 football team and the 1962 basketball team, and Central St. Mary's Central High School Hall of Fame. Bismarck State College is proud to welcome Dave Hummel to its Hall of Fame and recognizes his contributions to the world of sports. Hummel's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder of the rich sports history of North Dakota.

Roger Keller

Roger Keller, a former wrestler at Bismarck State College, is set to be inducted into the Bismarck State College Hall of Fame for his outstanding performance in wrestling. Keller was a student-athlete at Bismarck Junior College, which is now known as Bismarck State College, and won a national title for the team in 1964 at 157 pounds. Notably, Keller was the first athlete from North Dakota to win a National Championship in wrestling. Keller's remarkable performance also helped lead the Bismarck Junior College Matmen to a fifth-place finish as a team. Additionally, his performance earned him the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, his wrestling career was cut short due to an injury he sustained at the Trials. Despite being known as a fierce competitor on the mat, Keller's teammates described him as a jokester and a happy-go-lucky guy off the mat. This recognition is a testament to Keller's skill, dedication, and sportsmanship during his time at Bismarck Junior College. The induction of Roger Keller into the Bismarck State College Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor, and the college community extends its heartfelt congratulations to him for this achievement.

1985 Women's Volleyball Team

The 1985 Women's Volleyball Team was a remarkable team that had a record of 34-6, becoming the first-ever Mystic volleyball team to make it to nationals. This team was no stranger to competing everywhere they went. Their road trips included driving to Chicago as well as flying to Miami. At the National Tournament, they would play three matches. They faced off against Charles Community College in Maryland, Penn Valley in Kansas, and NW Community College in Wyoming. The 1985 Women's Volleyball Team's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of each player and coach. Throughout the season, they defeated several four-year colleges, demonstrating their ability to compete against any opponent. Honors earned by the team included Charlotte Rothermel receiving All-American nomination, voted onto the all-Region 13 team, and first all-state team. Laura Couckuyt also earned a spot on the all-state first team. Laurie Zacher and Lisa Enns were both voted all-conference and second-team all-state. Head coach Cynthia Graham won coach of the year for District 6. Bismarck State College is proud to honor the 1985 Women's Volleyball Team for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the college's athletics program. This induction into the Bismarck State College Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of their extraordinary efforts and abilities. We congratulate the team on their incredible accomplishment and thank them for their continued representation of the college's values of excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Tom Woodmansee

Tom Woodmansee is a sports legend for his time on the court and the playing field, and for what he did following his college career at BSC and the University of Wyoming.

Tom was a Bismarck High graduate who excelled in basketball and baseball at BSC from 1962-1964 before pitching for two seasons at the University of Wyoming. Prior to BSC, Tom set pitching records in 1961, which still stand today for the Bismarck Governors American Legion baseball team.

Following his college athletic career, Tom taught school and served in the military before acting as president of the North Dakota Grocers Association for 32 years. Tom was named into the North Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013, and his sports career continued as a radio announcer for 11 years with Jim Adelson, and for 28 years on KFYR and KBOM radio. His son, Scott, carries on the family radio broadcast tradition in Bismarck.

Tom Kirchoffner

Tom Kirchoffner coached the BSC men’s basketball team for seven seasons, compiling a 103-102 record and four junior college state titles, including three in a row. He led the Mystics to a berth in the junior college nationals Sweet 16 and was named Region XIII Coach of the Year in 1987. Kirchoffner coached two All-Americans in Bob Upgren and Dave Howell. Tom’s teams won 21 games twice (21-12 in 1986-87 and 21-8 in 1988-89). The 1985-86 team was 19-12. All three teams won state junior college championships. In 1986-87, BSC won the Region XIII championship and advanced to the NJCAA national tournament. Two years later, the Mystics were region runners-up. Upgren was named second-team All-American after that season.

Twelve BSC players earned all-state or all-MonDak Conference titles under Tom, who is a member of the state amateur basketball Hall of Fame.

Staci Sprauer

Staci Sprauer was already a decorated college athlete by the time she came to BSC, where she turned in an All-American season for the Mystics in 1994. Staci, a native of Vancouver, Wash., played women’s basketball for four seasons at the University of Oregon. She left there as the school’s seventh-leading scorer and third in 3-point shooting percentage. She was an All-Pac 10 selection and named to the university’s All-Decade Team.

Staci had one year of eligibility remaining and came to BSC to play volleyball. That team entered the postseason with a 28-9 record that included several matches against four-year schools. The Mystics were 19-4 against two-year schools. Staci made the most of it by playing her way onto the NJCAA All-America team as an honorable mention selection.