Evangelina Villegas was a cereal chemist from Mexico. She earned her PhD in plant breeding and cereal chemistry from NDSU in 1967. Dr. Villegas’ work has been recognized as one of the most important contributions to food security in human history. This is her story. 

Rebecca Undem is the founder of Growing Small Towns, a business- and community-building nonprofit based in her hometown of Oakes, North Dakota. She graduated NDSU in 2003. This is her story.

Jennifer Smith is a literary consultant who has helped published hundreds of New York Times bestsellers. She graduated NDSU in 1999. This is her story. 

Lilian Imuetinyan Salami is the  Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. She graduated from NDSU in 1982. This is her story.

Donald Pederson was an electrical engineer and pioneer of the design of electronic chips. He graduated from NDSU in 1948. This is his story. 

Manny Ohonme is the founder of Samaritan's Feet International, an organization that inspires hope in children by providing shoes. He graduated from NDSU in 1996. This is his story. 

Jake Joraanstad and Ryan Raguse founded Bushel, a software provider for growers, grain buyers, protein producers, and food companies. They graduated from NDSU in 2011 and 2012. This is their story. 

Chad Johnson is an architect and business owner. He graduated from NDSU in 2007. This is his story. 

Keenan Hauff is the co-founder of Threefold.tv, an advertising and commercial video production company. He graduated from NDSU in 2014. This is his story. 

Erik Hatch is a realtor and coach. He graduated from NDSU in 2002. This is his story. 

Alf Clausen is an Emmy Award-winning composer from Jamestown, North Dakota. He graduated from NDSU in 1963. This is his story. 

Doug Burgum founded Great Plains Software, which was eventually acquired by Microsoft. He graduated from NDSU in 1978. In 2016, he became the 33rd governor of North Dakota. This is his story. 

Jennifer Burgard is the co-founder of Hopeful Heart Project in Fargo, North Dakota. She graduated from NDSU in 2007. This is her story. 

Kevin and Kalli Black run Creedence Energy Services in Minot, North Dakota. They graduated from NDSU in 2010 and 2012. This is their story. 

Humayun Ahmed was a chemist, writer, and film director from Kendua Upazila in the Netrokona District of Bangladesh. He graduated from North Dakota State University in 1983. This is his story.

North Dakota State University alumni are creators, building the future and solving problems in North Dakota and around the world. This podcast series from The Nice Center at NDSU highlights a handful of these inspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging current and future students to take a leap and make an impact in their communities.

Listen to all the stories, download the book, and become a mentor at: https://thenicecenter.org/nicealumni