Alumni Donor Relations Department News

The UMN Crookston officially dedicated its campus wellness center to donor and alumnus Les Nielsen and his family during a formal event April 20 at the newly named Nielsen Family Wellness Center.

Looking back at her time at UMN Crookston, Siewert, a Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Management graduate and hospitality association student member who spent time in the hotel and human resources industries before starting her own business, said she really enjoyed the ‘small town feeling’ and the people on campus.

Les Nielsen says he and his family feel blessed to be able to support students through impactful gifts.

Ulseth celebrated 28 years as an employee of the University of Minnesota Crookston, where she was the donor relations and gift management specialist for the Alumni & Donor Relations department, though she was so much more than that.

Both Ulseth and Rongen were honored posthumously.

Her dad wanted her to have “more exposure” to people compared to their ‘small town’, so off to the school in Crookston she went.

Going back to his four years at the NWSA, Wilkens lived in all four corners of the campus in residence halls and fondly remembers rooming with a group of “pranksters.”

Wood served as the campus chancellor from 2012-2016, and those who spoke at the event referenced his “always welcoming” demeanor which made the dedication fitting.

Lead Development Officer Brandy Chaffee pointed out that within the fiscal year 2025, the campus raised more than $1.8 million which is the second largest year of giving in UMN Crookston history.

UMN Crookston offered Gutman the opportunity to play baseball at the NCAA DII level and achieve his goal of getting a degree in turf management.