A video of ASF members was shown Monday evening, Jan. 26, during a presentation celebrating UND's partnership with the foundation. Robin Turner, senior director of development at the College of Engineering and Mines, said the collaboration brings UND into an elite group of universities, recognizes its student and faculty excellence, and opens "exciting new doors for our talented undergraduates pursuing STEM degrees."
"Today's event is more than a celebration. It marks the beginning of a powerful collaboration that will directly empower the next generation of innovators, researchers and explorers right here at UND," she said. "At the heart of this partnership is student opportunity."
Turner and other university leaders were present, alongside astronaut and UND alumna Karen Nyberg, who shared some of her experiences in space. UND's partnership with ASF, a scholarship foundation created by the Mercury 7 group of astronauts to help the U.S. retain its world leadership in technology and innovation by supporting scholars in STEM, gives students the chance to become ASF scholars. Being chosen will include not just scholarships, but lifelong membership in the foundation and mentorship by ASF members and astronauts. UND is one of 55 universities that partners with ASF, which has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to more than 900 students over the years.
Colleen Middlebrooks, CEO of the ASF, was unable to attend the celebration due to weather, but asked Turner to share remarks on her behalf. In her message, Middlebrooks said every ASF student scholar pushes the boundaries of discovery, even if they don't become astronauts themselves.
"Partnerships like this are truly the heartbeat of our mission, creating a national network committed to developing the next generation of innovators," Middlebrooks said. "ASF scholars are advancing research across fields ranging from biomedical engineering to cybersecurity. ... We look forward to honoring the University of North Dakota's first astronaut scholar in the coming academic year."
Nyberg first attended an ASF gala about four years ago. She didn't know much about the foundation at the time, or that UND wasn't a partner.
"They were announcing all of the scholars, they came on stage, and on the big screen was the university logo," she said. "And I kept waiting for UND and was waiting for UND, and there goes NDSU, and I'm waiting for UND, and I'm like, 'why is there no UND?'"
She approached Curt Brown, fellow astronaut and current chairman of the ASF's board of directors, to ask why UND wasn't involved. That led to the work over the last three years to make the partnership a reality.
"( UND ) is the most natural fit for the (ASF)," Nyberg said. "I'm really excited about this."
Nyberg shared her story of being an astronaut and answered questions from the audience about her experiences, the ASF and how students can further their education.
Vice Provost Eric Link, who introduced Nyberg, thanked the UND leaders and Nyberg for their roles in helping the partnership come to fruition.
"We think it's an amazing opportunity for our students, for our campus," he said. "It really is, I think, a great fit here at the University of North Dakota."
Brad Rundquist, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Ryan Adams, dean of the College of Engineering and Mines; and Caitlin Milera, director of the North Dakota Space Grant at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, also were in attendance.
Rundquist said the ASF aligns with UND's goal and vision for the university's new STEM Complex, now under construction.
"The thing that's driven our vision for that building the whole time is just exciting students about science," he said. "To fuel passion for science, exploration and momentum."
Adams added that while the scholarship opportunities are incredible for students, the mentorship, plus expansion and application of knowledge, will lead students to learn things they had never conceived of before.
"Imagine what that can do to your future," he said. "In the College of Engineering and Mines, essentially every student in this college could benefit from this program."
Milera shared words on behalf of Beth Bjerke, associate dean of aerospace. Bjerke outlined the history of some of UND's space efforts, including the establishment of the Space Studies Program with the involvement of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, support to the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium, a collaboration with NASA that led to the installment of an agricultural camera aboard the International Space Station and, last year, two UND satellites being put into orbit.
UND has, through these efforts, shaped a curriculum grounded in service to the space enterprise, expanded access to space-related education, supported generations of students pursuing science, engineering and space policy careers and more, Bjerke said. The new relationship with the ASF is the next step.
"This partnership with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation represents an exciting new chapter at UND — one that will further inspire and empower the next generation of students," she said.
© 2026 the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
