46 Notable alumni of North Dakota State University
Updated: June 13, 2026 EliteDegrees
North Dakota State University is ranked #581 in the world and #180 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 46 notable alumni from North Dakota State University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with North Dakota State University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Verne J. McCaul
1903-1968 (aged 65)
military officer
Verne James McCaul was a lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps who served as the Director of Aviation and the 7th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
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2. Gary L. Sayler
1950-. (aged 76)
military leader
Gary L. Sayler served as Idaho's Adjutant General from January 2010 to November 2017.
3. Paul Johnsgard
1931-2021 (aged 90)
university teacher
ornithologist
zoologist
Paul Austin Johnsgard was an ornithologist, artist and emeritus professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His works include nearly fifty books including several monographs, principally about the waterfowl and cranes.
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4. Deng Geu
1997-. (aged 29)
basketball player
Dengeu John Geu is a Ugandan professional basketball player for HLA Alicante of the Primera FEB. He played college basketball for the North Dakota State Bison and the North Texas Mean Green.
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5. Jean Guy
1922-2013 (aged 91)
politician
Elizabeth "Jean" Guy was an American First Lady of the U.S. state of North Dakota. The longest serving First Lady in North Dakota's history, she served from 1961 to 1973 during the tenure of her husband, former Governor William L. Guy, the longest-serving governor in the state's history. Described as a highly influential behind the scenes, Jean Guy has been...
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6. Pam Gulleson
1947-. (aged 79)
politician
Pam Gulleson is a former member of the North Dakota House of Representatives for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party, representing the 26th district from 1993 to 2009. She is now Vice President of Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
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7. Colleen Kiko
1950-. (aged 76)
lawyer
Colleen Duffy Kiko is an American attorney and government official serving as Chair of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Prior to assuming her current role, she was a Judge of the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board in the United States Department of Labor. Kiko worked in the predecessor agency to the FLRA and first joined the newly created agency in...
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8. Ryan Smith
1991-. (aged 35)
Canadian football player
Ryan Smith is 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.
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9. Steve H. Murdock
1948-2023 (aged 75)
university teacher
sociologist
Steve H. Murdock was 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. Murdock served as the first official Texas State Demographer.
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10. Glenn Caruso
1974-. (aged 52)
American football player
Glenn Caruso is an American football coach. He is the head football coach at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, a position he had held since the 2008 season. Caruso served as the head football coach at Macalester College from 2006 to 2007. He has been awarded the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award for NCAA...
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11. Josh Hayes
1999-. (aged 27)
American football player
Josh Hayes is an American professional football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison, Virginia Cavaliers, and Kansas State Wildcats.
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12. Dennis Walaker
1941-2014 (aged 73)
politician
Dennis Walaker was 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. He was re-elected twice during municipal elections held on June 8, 2010, and June 10, 2014. Walaker died in office during his third term as mayor. His...
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13. Arthur A. Link
1914-2010 (aged 96)
politician
Arthur Albert Link was an American politician and farmer of the North Dakota Democratic Party, and later the Democratic-NPL. He served as a U.S. representative from 1971 to 1973 and as the 27th governor of North Dakota from 1973 to 1981. Link was a charter member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
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14. Rod Rohrich
1953-. (aged 73)
plastic surgeon
Rod J. Rohrich, F.A.C.S. is a Dallas-based plastic surgeon, author and educator. He is former the editor-in-chief of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a founding member of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, a founder of the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery, Chair of the Dallas Rhinoplasty and Cosmetic Meeting, and has served as President of the American Society of Plastic...
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15. Ben Woodside
1985-. (aged 41)
basketball player
Benjamin Michael Woodside is an American former professional basketball player who spent the majority of his eight-year career playing in Europe.
16. Earl Mindell
1940-. (aged 86)
nutritionist
homeopath
writer
Earl Lawrence Mindell is a Canadian-American writer and nutritionist who is a strong advocate of nutrition as preventive healthcare and homeopathy.
17. Charles F. Wald
1948-. (aged 78)
military officer
Charles F. Wald is a retired United States Air Force general and former Deputy Commander of United States European Command. He retired on 1 July 2006, and was succeeded by General William E. Ward.
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18. Loren D. Hagen
1946-1971 (aged 25)
soldier
Loren Douglas Hagen was a United States Army Special Forces officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Vietnam War as Recon Team (RT) leader of a small special reconnaissance unit "RT Kansas", manned by USASF Green Berets and highly trained Montagnard commandos from Task Force One Advisory Element aka...
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19. William L. Guy
1919-2013 (aged 94)
university teacher
military officer
politician
William Lewis Guy was 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.
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20. Joe Mays
1985-. (aged 41)
American football player
Joseph Lamont Mays is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) 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.
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21. Neil Wagner
1984-. (aged 42)
baseball player
Neil Kannas Wagner is 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.
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22. Payton Otterdahl
1996-. (aged 30)
athletics competitor
Payton Otterdahl is an American male shot putter who competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics & the 2024 Summer Olympics.
23. Craig Dahl
1985-. (aged 41)
American football player
Craig Dahl is an American former professional football player and was a safety for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison in Fargo, North Dakota and was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007.
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24. Dillon Radunz
1998-. (aged 28)
American football player
Dillon Jeffrey Radunz is an American professional football guard for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.
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25. Derrek Tuszka
1997-. (aged 29)
American football player
Derrek Tuszka is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison.
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26. Milton Young
1897-1983 (aged 86)
politician
Milton Ruben Young was an American politician, most notable for representing North Dakota in the United States Senate from 1945 until 1981. At the time of his retirement, he was the most senior Republican in the Senate, and the last member of the Lost Generation to serve in the Senate.
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27. Tyson Ward
1997-. (aged 29)
basketball player
Tyson Christopher Ward is an American professional basketball player for Olympiacos of the Greek Basketball League and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for North Dakota State.
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28. Steve Nelson
1951-. (aged 75)
American football player
Steven Lee Nelson is 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. He served as the head coach at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts from 1998 to 2005, compiling a record of 64–22.
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29. Amy Olson
1992-. (aged 34)
golfer
Amy Olson née Anderson is 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.
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30. Kyle Emanuel
1991-. (aged 35)
American football player
Kyle Emanuel is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison and won four straight FCS championships with the team. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He won the Buck Buchanan Award in 2014.
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31. Rick Berg
1959-. (aged 67)
business executive
businessperson
politician
Richard Alan Berg is an American businessman and politician who is the interim president of North Dakota State University and previously served as the U.S. 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. Before his election to Congress in 2010,...
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32. Gus Bradley
1966-. (aged 60)
American football coach
American football player
Paul Casey "Gus" Bradley is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks from 2009 to 2012, where he was the original playcaller of the team's Legion of Boom secondary. Bradley later served as the head coach...
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33. Brad Rheingans
1953-. (aged 73)
coach
amateur wrestler
professional wrestler
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...
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34. Billy Turner
1991-. (aged 35)
American football player
William Mason Turner is an American former professional football offensive tackle. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison.
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35. Cody Mauch
1999-. (aged 27)
American football player
Cody Mauch is an American professional football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison.
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36. Carson Wentz
1992-. (aged 34)
American football player
Carson James Wentz is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison, winning two consecutive NCAA FCS national championships as the starter. Wentz was selected second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL draft, making him the highest drafted FCS player.
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37. Doug Burgum
1956-. (aged 70)
angel investor
businessperson
politician
Douglas James Burgum is an American businessman and politician who has served as the 55th United States secretary of the interior since 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.
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38. Bob Backlund
1949-. (aged 77)
actor
amateur wrestler
professional wrestler
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. His 2,135-day reign is recognized as the second longest in the championship's history. Backlund was inducted into...
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39. Ilhan Omar
1982-. (aged 44)
political staffer
writer
women's rights activist
civil servant
politician
Ilhan Abdullahi Omar is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2019. She 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. Her congressional district includes all of Minneapolis and some of its first-ring...
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40. Warren Magnuson
1905-1989 (aged 84)
prosecutor
secretary
lawyer
United States Attorney
politician
Warren Grant Magnuson was 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. He was Washington state's longest-serving senator, serving over 36 years. During his final two years...
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41. Gary Tharaldson
1945-. (aged 81)
entrepreneur
Gary Tharaldson is an American entrepreneur and founder of the Tharaldson Companies. As of 2019, Tharaldson is the wealthiest individual in North Dakota.
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42. Roger Moe
1944-. (aged 82)
teacher
politician
Roger Moe is 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.
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43. Mark Andrews
1968-. (aged 58)
screenwriter
director
voice actor
storyboard artist
animator
Mark Andrews is an American professional football tight end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and was selected by the Ravens in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. Andrews has been elected to the Pro Bowl three times and was named to the 2021 All-Pro Team...
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44. Ralph Herseth
1909-1969 (aged 60)
farmer
businessperson
politician
Ralph E. Herseth was 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.
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45. Ryan Taylor
1970-. (aged 56)
politician
Ryan Taylor is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Marshall Thundering Herd before playing a season in Iceland with ĂŤĂľrĂłttafĂ©lag ReykjavĂkur and a season in the CBA with the Indianapolis Blaze.
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46. Humayun Ahmed
1948-2012 (aged 64)
writer
science fiction writer
film director
screenwriter
Humayun Ahmed was 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. He was one of the most popular authors and filmmakers in post-independence Bangladesh. Pakistani English newspaper Dawn referred to him as the cultural legend of Bangladesh.
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