Bemidji State University President John L. Hoffman and BSU Alumni & Foundation are bringing BSU’s “For the North” Presidential Road Show to Minnesota’s Iron Range and surrounding communities from February 9–12.
The tour, promoting the university’s “For the North” targeted-initiative campaign, will bring Hoffman and other university leaders to a series of local meetings with alumni and friends, industry and other site visits. The tour gives BSU leadership an opportunity to hear directly from community leaders about their needs and to explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
The tour’s Northeast Loop will include visits to several north-central and northeast Minnesota communities:
- February 9: Grand Rapids and Chisholm
- February 10: Hibbing and Duluth
- February 11: Duluth and Brainerd
- February 12: Brainerd and Baxter
A social for all BSU alumni in the Brainerd/Baxter area is set for February 12. That event takes place from 4-5 p.m. in the Pioneer Room at Jack Pine Brewery, located at 15593 Edgewood Drive North in Baxter.
• Find the Jack Pine Brewery on Google Maps.
BSU Alumni & Foundation asks that social attendees RSVP to help with planning by contacting Angela Schmidt, BSU director of alumni and career advancement, at angela.schmidt@bemidjistate.edu or 218-755-2599.
To schedule an interview with President Hoffman during a Road Show stop in your community, please contact Andy Bartlett, Director of Communications, Bemidji State University, at andy.bartlett@bemidjistate.edu.
About the ‘For the North’ Presidential Road Show
The Road Show is a tour of northern Minnesota and bordering states to promote BSU’s “For the North” fundraising campaign, announced in August 2025, and to give BSU leadership opportunities to meet with business, industry, service and education leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
“For the North” is a targeted-initiative campaign that aims to raise $25 million to support student success, facility upgrades and faculty excellence, and enrollment and recruitment. Hoffman says the campaign offers a “fundamentally transformative opportunity” for BSU and the broader northern Minnesota region to support students and elevate the university’s mission and impact.
Since it began in October 2025, BSU’s “For the North” Presidential Road Show has visited 11 communities in Minnesota and North Dakota. The tour’s opening Northwest Loop visited Bagley, Red Lake and Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota, between Oct. 27-30. The tour’s North Loop included stops in Greenbush, Roseau, Bemidji, Warroad, Baudette and International Falls, Minnesota, from Dec. 8–12.