One of Bemidji State University’s 2019 Outstanding Contribution awards goes to Dr. Misty Wilkie, associate professor of nursing, who is passionate about mentoring the next generation of minority health care professionals.

The driving force behind the Niganawenimaanaanig program funded by a $2 million federal grant, Wilkie has helped BSU dramatically increase its number of indigenous nurses, which will in turn increase health equality and patient outcomes in the communities they eventually serve. This program had a goal to increase the number of indigenous nurses at BSU by 75 percent in four years; in the second year, BSU has seen a 600 percent increase.

This level of success is directly related to Wilkie’s passion for students, her ability to connect with students as a fellow indigenous nurse, and her genuine care for BSU’s nursing program.

A nominating colleague said Wilkie “routinely goes above and beyond to mentor our next wave of health care professionals in Indian Country. Her contributions to the university should not go unnoticed.”

One of Bemidji State University’s 2019 Outstanding Contribution awards goes to Paul Ekhoff, facilities building and maintenance supervisoe who goes “above and beyond“ to create and maintain a clean, comfortable environment for BSU’s resident students.

A caring and dedicated employee, Ekhoff works side-by-side with students and makes the quality of their residential experience his number one priority. He helps instill this ideal in other residential life staff, as well.

Ekhoff is also recognized as an industrious and organized planner and project manager. Overseeing projects valued at around $1 million each year, his relationships with other BSU staff, community contractors, engineers, architects, and suppliers helps ensure our students are safe and comfortable in their homes on campus.

A nominating colleague called him “one of, if not the, most caring, approachable, positive, capable and successful employees with whom I have ever worked.”

Dr. Pat Donnay, professor of political science, received the 2019 Bemidji State University Excellence in Teaching award for being a “phenomenal educator, mentor and colleague.”

For 27 years, Donnay has been preparing students to conduct research, assemble and draft their findings and present locally or regionally as a capstone instructor in their department. He meets with students weekly — outside of class time — and helps students produce “first rate” work. As a result of this extra effort, other faculty in the political science department have noticed improvements in their students’ verbal and written communications skills, as well.

One nominating colleague said Donnay has served as his role model and that his “talents, efforts, and dedication to the students are extraordinary.”

President Faith C. Hensrud recognizes Jean Lanners as the 2019 Distinguished Service award recipient.

Bemidji State University’s 2019 Distinguished Service award goes to Office and Administrative Specialist Jean Lanners who is recognized by colleagues as always makes the person they are working with feel like the most important person on campus.

Described as a “dedicated, distinguished employee,” Lanners was praised for her knowledge and ability to find the answers to any question asked. Seen as the type of person who “has a great day every day,” Lanners has been described as having “the soft skills that we all hope to achieve” and being an “extremely professional individual who will make sure everything is taken care of for everyone.”

A nominating colleague said, “I feel very privileged to work with someone who is such a dedicated, high-quality employee and who has always gone above and beyond.”