Success Stories

Chris Thomas of EAPC Architects Engineers is a 2000 NDSCS graduate. Chris is one of two Project Managers for the latest NDSCS endeavor, the Career Innovation Center, currently under construction in south Fargo.  He and his wife Marisa live in West Fargo and have three children, Avery (13), Holt (11), and Kenna (8).

Malee Olson, from Aberdeen, South Dakota, is the third generation to attend NDSCS. She enrolled in the Culinary Arts program in 2019. Despite the pandemic and all of the sudden changes, Malee still gained the hands-on experience that would prepare her for the food industry. Some of her favorite experiences were catering large events, baking apple pies from scratch during Thanksgiving, and baking as a work study for the school cafeteria. Malee recently graduated after her summer internship at Moccasin Creek Country Club and is now employed. 

Anna Winter is about to learn extensively about fast-paced kitchens.

The Coon Rapids, Minn., native attends the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and is working toward a culinary arts degree.

Now, she’ll head to Washington, D.C. for the summer after earning an internship with one of North Dakota Farmers Union’s restaurants.

“I’m very excited – it was one of the first things I heard about on day one of our (culinary) program,” Winter said. “I knew that’s where I wanted to go. I’m definitely nervous, but super excited at the same time.”

So many times, we hear of greatness and success that was started by walking the very same campus as you.  Well that’s what happened for Pecos Loughlin, a 20-year-old from a small town in Texas, nearly 25 years ago.

What can you do with a Precision Machining Technology degree? Just ask Chris Berndt!! Chris graduated from the program at NDSCS in 2001. He started working for Tecton Products, where he was a tool and die maker, became the tooling manager and then moved into the role of Manufacturing Engineering Manager. While working full time, he pursued his bachelor's degree in Operations Management at MSUM with financial assistance from his employer.

Theresa Johnson was born and raised in the small town of Sidney, Montana. A childhood experience led her to know exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up. At a young age, she was left in the care of the nursing staff at hospital 50 miles from home for a week. Her parents were unable to stay with her the entire time due to their work schedules. She felt well supported by her “new family” and received a special stuffed elephant from the caring nursing staff that she still has today.

My NDSCS journey was unexpected and took until even after the late signing period for me to commit there. I had no prior knowledge regarding the school or state besides the fact that it is extremely cold and above South Dakota. I honestly believe this experience worked out in my favor because I was able to step out of my comfort zone, entering into the mysterious world of college, and gained a completely fresh start away from Milwaukee. The two years I spent at NDSCS were probably two of the most impactful, fun, and amazing years of my life.

My NDSCS journey began at one of my last High School basketball games. What I thought was just a regular game, turned into a journey that changed my life forever. I got recruited by the Women’s Basketball team staff after that Saturday afternoon, and it didn’t take long until I chose to become a Lady Wildcat player. The two years I was at NDSCS, were two years full of unforgettable memories from games, to bus rides, to practices, to painting business windows for Homecoming, to Christmas break movie parties, and the list goes on!

Chris Link, originally from Roseau, MN, holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Technology with an emphasis in Electrical Construction from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. AE2S Construction recently hired Link as a Project Manager and Estimator in the firm's Watford City, ND construction office. He will manage industrial and commercial electrical projects, as well as new construction for clients in western North Dakota and Montana.

Originally from Wahpeton, ND, Susan dreamed of becoming an Architectural Drafter at a very young age. She recalls sketching cities on the paper that wrapped loaves of bread from the bakery. Drawn to the perfect composition of space and order, Susan developed a love and passion for architecture’s endless possibilities. As a high school student, Susan won awards for her impeccable lettering and keen attention to detail. Encouraged by her skills and interests, in the fall of 1975 Susan enrolled in Architectural Drafting at NDSCS. Her journey into drafting and architecture had begun.