BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University is preparing for a week of celebration as Homecoming 2025 brings alumni, students, faculty and community members together for events that honor the past and look toward the future.
The week will feature alumni returning to classrooms, a gala recognizing distinguished graduates, a Homecoming football game, a memorial concert honoring a legendary music leader and a launch party for BSU’s second-ever fundraising campaign.
Alumni Leaders in the Classroom
One of the most impactful traditions of Homecoming is Alumni Leaders in the Classroom, which brings Bemidji State graduates back to campus to share experiences and advice with current students.
On October 3, panelists representing a variety of professions will return to the classrooms where their own journeys began. Students will hear directly from alumni who have transformed their BSU education into meaningful careers, and faculty members will guide the discussions.
The business and accounting session will be facilitated by Bill Graves, associate professor of accounting, in Memorial Hall. Criminal justice alumni will return for a panel led by Amber Laffin, associate professor of criminal justice, and Robert Fraik, assistant professor of criminal justice, in Hagg-Sauer Hall. Dr. Julie Larson, professor of chemistry, will connect chemistry students with alumni experts. Laura Buchholz, assistant professor of project management, will facilitate the technology, art and design panel in Bridgeman Hall.
Panelists will encourage students to participate actively by asking questions and networking. For many, the opportunity goes beyond career advice. It is a chance to see themselves in the stories of those who once walked the same halls and to understand that professional journeys are often shaped by persistence, adaptability and passion.
2025 Returning Alumni
- Dr. Ken Anderson, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Winter Garden Implants and Oral Surgery
- Earl Bitetzel, retired vice president of finance and development, Abbott Northwest Hospital
- Courtney Black, senior accountant, Sikich
- Alex Darsow, sales manager, St. Cloud Toyota
- Travis Fisher, pretrial supervisor, Cass County Probation Office
- Kaitlyn Hayft, adjunct instuctor, criminal justice, Bemidji State University, and probation officer, Minnesota Department of Correections
- Mike Herbert, professor emeritus of criminal justice, Bemidji State University
- Jake Hodapp, special agent, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
- Alizandra Johnson, outpatient therapist, Nystrom & Associates
- Mike Mastin, chief of police, City of Bemidji
- Danny Schmidt, training specialist, Knife River
- Kaleb Smith, project manager, Construction Engineers
- Jayme Steele, agency producer, Weizenegger–Engel Insurance
- Houston Walsh, construction estimator, Knutson Construction Services
- Adam Wick, soil engineer, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Annual Gala Honors Alumni Excellence
On October 3, BSU Alumni & Foundation hosts its annual Honors Gala at the Sanford Center ballroom. The gala is one of the university’s premier Homecoming traditions, honoring alumni, donors and friends who embody the spirit of the institution.
This year’s honorees include Outstanding Alumni Award recipients Dr. Kenneth Anderson, Dr. Christine Imbra and Tuleah Palmer. Dr. Michael Herbert will be recognized with the Alumni Service Award. In addition, the Alumni & Foundation will present the Philanthropist of the Year award, with the recipient to be revealed at the event.
The gala will also recognize President’s Society donors and new Legacy Society members. With its theme “For the North,” the evening will highlight the strength and generosity of the BSU community.
The event begins with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 for adults, $15 for children under 12 and $50 for community members who wish to sponsor a student seat. Learn more at bsualumni.org/events/gala.
Homecoming Football
Saturday, Oct. 4, marks the centerpiece of the week with the Homecoming football game at Chet Anderson Stadium. The Beavers will face Northern State University at 1 p.m.
The game is more than an athletic contest — it is a rallying point for alumni, students, faculty and the community. Fans can expect tailgating, reunions and displays of student spirit before kickoff, along with halftime recognitions and traditions that highlight BSU pride.
Homecoming games offer nostalgia for alumni and energy for current students, making them one of the most visible traditions of the fall.
Carl O. Thompson’s Legacy of Music
On Sunday, Oct. 5, the celebration continues with the Bemidji School of Music’s Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert at 3 p.m. in the both the Main Theater and Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. The concert honors the legacy of Carl O. Thompson, who came to Bemidji State in 1937 and shaped its music community for decades.
Thompson founded the A Cappella Choir, the Bemidji Civic Oratorio Society and the Lutheran Campus Center. He also served as chair of the Department of Music and directed countless high school clinics and festivals throughout Minnesota and the nation. He was a past president of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and directed the First Lutheran Church Choir for 25 years.
The memorial concert celebrates Thompson’s influence while supporting the next generation of musicians. Proceeds fund the Carl O. Thompson Scholarships, awarded to outstanding BSU student performers. This year’s program will highlight scholarship recipients including xylophonist Brady Kacon, bass-baritone Carson Binkley and soprano Hailee Colgrove.
Performances will feature the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Bemidji Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Singers and the Bemidji Choir. The repertoire ranges from Ralph Vaughan Williams and Arcangelo Corelli to Miles Davis and Aaron Copland, reflecting the diversity of BSU’s music program.
The event continues Thompson’s belief that music has the power to inspire, unite and elevate both performers and audiences.
A Launch Party for BSU’s ‘For the North’ Campaign
Also part of highlighting Homecoming week is the official launch of “For the North,” Bemidji State’s second-ever fundraising campaign. The campaign focuses on transforming lives at BSU and in northern Minnesota, and the kickoff event for faculty, staff and students will emphasize that the campaign’s mission belongs to the entire campus community.
The celebration will begin with a short program on the steps of Memorial Hall, featuring a drum group, appearances from student leaders, student-athletes and Bucky the Beaver. The energy will continue with a Battle of the Bands, live music and giveaways, including a scholarship prize.
Throughout the afternoon, the campus will host food, games and activities. Students can enjoy Red Rocket Pizza, brats, sliders, walking tacos, and beverages from Keg N’ Cork. Entertainment will include cornhole, bouncy houses, a prize wheel and a 360-degree photo booth. Attendees can also share their stories on the “For the North” testimonial wall.
Faculty and staff will have access to a lounge in the David Park House featuring piano music, a wine and cheese board and short massages.
While the event offers fun for all, its purpose is to unite the BSU community around a campaign that invests in students, strengthens the university and impacts the region.
A Week of Spirit
From classrooms and concert halls to the football field and the ballroom, Bemidji State’s Homecoming 2025 schedule reflects the university’s traditions of learning, service and community.
Whether honoring distinguished alumni, celebrating the legacy of Carl O. Thompson, cheering on the Beavers or joining the launch of “For the North,” students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends will find opportunities to connect and celebrate.
Homecoming remains one of BSU’s most visible traditions, uniting past and present while looking forward to the future.