Sep. 26—GRAND FORKS — University of North Dakota President Andrew Armacost proclaimed there is “no better place to be” than UND to business leaders and community members present for the annual Wake Up to UND breakfast on Friday, Sept. 26.
Agriculture, health care, campus advancements and a new enrollment record all were part of the presentation that showcased UND’s accomplishments, opportunities and resources to Grand Forks and East Grand Forks businesses. It was wrapped in the university’s yearly word, “community,” and a quilt symbolizing it.
“You are in a town with an amazing university that has amazing things,” Armacost said. “Sporting events, cultural events, just things that you can participate in. There’s no better place to be than near an environment like that.”
The event was held in the Memorial Union ballroom, with a buffet breakfast and handouts, including the 2024-2025 school year in review and a Fighting Hawk bobblehead. The Hawks in Harmony faculty and staff choir sang before Armacost took the stage. In his presentation, Armacost touted the new record of 15,844 students on campus this fall; the university’s moonshot goals of bringing humanity into the continuing advancement of artificial intelligence and creating four businesses based on UND research; and growing research expenditures at the university.
Mike McLean, of JLG Architects and the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Chamber board chairman, opened the event, touting the years of collaboration between the university and chamber. The entities have collaborated on a number of legislative priorities, he said, bringing in more than $1 billion in investments to the community over the last decade.
“Your presence speaks volumes to the strong connection between the University of North Dakota and the Grand Forks and East Grand Forks business communities,” he said to the audience.
Two business leaders took the stage with Armacost to speak about their own professional partnerships with the university. John Oncken, CEO of True North Equipment, talked about the return-on-investment calculator his company has been working on alongside UND students and in partnership with John Deere. It’s an effort funded between True North and UND. Oncken said there is a certain energy at UND, adding that there are opportunities for businesses to reach out and collaborate with the university community.
“We’re blessed to have them,” he said.
His own business has been “fortunate to create some ideas and do some things at UND,” Oncken said.
Joshua Deere, president of Altru Health System, also spoke about having UND as a partner. Deere said partnering with UND allows Altru to get students into communities to provide health care to rural areas. Altru allows more than 150 students to be in its spaces each day, said Marjorie Jenkins, vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
“There are new opportunities, new programs that we can develop together that are only going to help our state,” Deere said. “Why not be a partner to train those that are going to be serving in our rural communities? We have a unique advantage in the state of having tons and tons of physicians in small, rural communities. That’s different from the rest of the U.S.”
There may also be an increased interest in rural health care by students. Abby Lund Da Costa, a part of the medical doctor class of 2026, said she sees future students sharing in her own experiences and choosing rural health in North Dakota.
“I would love to serve rural North Dakota. That is my ultimate career goal,” she said. “I feel that the state that raised me and gave me all the opportunities that I’ve had deserves my service.”
When asked how businesses can collaborate with UND, Armacost suggested engaging with the Center for Experiential Learning about internships, speaking with deans about projects and visiting the Center for Innovation to contemplate a startup. But the single best place, he said, is the website
, an idea gathering place that also lists points of contact.
“Every nook and cranny on the campus should breathe the spirit of innovation and creativity,” he said.