Kupchella takes UND nationwide
From UND's own backyard to both coasts, President Kupchella visits with
alumni
Alexis Einerson
Dakota Student Staff Writer
As UND President Charles Kupchella sees the
first year of his presidency wind down, he is expanding his position beyond UND by touring
the country and meeting with many alumni of the university.
"It's a fantastic chance to meet so many alumni that have such high affection for this
place," Kupchella said.
Starting in January of 2000, Kupchella and his wife, Adele, began visiting cities all
across the country and different reservations in North Dakota.
They have traveled from Los Angeles to Denver to New York. The largest group of alumni in
these cities has been just around 200 people.
"We're proud of so many people in leadership positions and many are UND graduates,"
Kupchella said. "It's wonderful to see the difference UND makes."
One of the many subjects that have been brought up at these different meetings is the Sioux
nickname.
With Kupchella being the person who will make the final decision on the nickname, he is in
the process of getting the perspective from both alumni and local reservations.
"It's very gratifying to me when the alumni say that whatever decision I make is fine
because they know I will make the decision in the best interest of UND," Kupchella said.
"But there are strong feelings both ways."
Along with these national tours, Kupchella has also visited many cities and reservations in
North Dakota, including Minot, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Fort Berthold, Spirit
Lake reservations, Trenton and Turtle Mountain reservation.
On all of these visits in North Dakota, current UND students have accompanied Kupchella.
The students, such as former Student Body President Chris Semrau, junior Ryan Eagle, senior
Francine McDonald, and senior Stephanie Larson just to name a few, would show the president
around his or her hometown.
"I've enjoyed having students along for the reservation and town visits," Kupchella
said.
As with discussions across the nation, Kupchella said the Sioux nickname has been brought
up at the local meetings as well. He has been getting different opinions from the
reservations around the area.
"Most people are very polite about it," Kupchella said, "but they would rather the nickname
not be used."
But Kupchella has been doing a lot more this year than just traveling the country.
Kupchella said he learned a lot about the statistics of the university before deciding to
come here. And since starting he has met with different groups and faculty all around
campus.
"It's fun to see how this place works and who makes it go," Kupchella said. "There are
terrific students here and the faculty is the most dedicated I've seen anywhere."
Kupchella is not going to be able to slow down any time soon. In April and May he will be
visiting Washington, D.C., Portland, Ore., Seattle, Williston, N.D., Fort Yates on the
Standing Rock Reservation, and the United Tribes Technical College, among others.
Even though this is a draining schedule, Kupchella is not sorry he came to UND and is going
through all this work.
"This university is just the right size and has almost unbelievable potential," Kupchella
said. "It has great students and great people.
"We're glad we came."