UND Highlights Enrollment Growth, Research Advancements, and Olympic Successes in Statewide Tour
Grand Forks, ND – University of North Dakota (UND) President Andrew Armacost and Vice President for Marketing and Communications Meloney Linder recently completed a tour across North Dakota, sharing updates on the university’s achievements with alumni and community leaders in Bismarck, Minot, and Fargo. Key discussion points included record enrollment, significant research advancements, and the accomplishments of UND students and alumni at the Olympic Winter Games.
Record Enrollment Signals University’s Growth
UND experienced a surge in enrollment for the fall semester, reaching 15,440 students on the first day of class and ultimately totaling 15,844 by Census Day. This figure surpasses the previous record of 15,250 students set in 2012 by nearly 600, demonstrating the university’s increasing appeal to prospective students.
Advancements in Research and Infrastructure
The university’s commitment to research was also a central theme of the tour. UND achieved R1 status under the Carnegie Foundation’s Research Activity classification in 2025, the highest designation a university can achieve for research activity. This recognition reflects substantial growth in research expenditures, which reached $182 million in the 2022-23 school year—an increase of over $70 million in the prior three years.
Scott Snyder, UND’s vice president for research and economic development, highlighted growth in biomedical sciences, energy projects at the Energy and Environment Research Center, and new national security contracts as major contributors to the university’s research success.
Space Exploration and Student Opportunities
UND continues to expand its presence in space exploration. In June, the university launched two satellites via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as part of the ROADS (Rendezvous and Operations for Autonomous Docking and Servicing) mission. This project provides students with hands-on experience in areas like Doppler tracking and satellite operations. The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and the College of Engineering are collaborating on future satellite projects, with plans for the College of Engineering to design, build, and launch its own satellites.
Student and Alumni Achievements
The tour also celebrated the accomplishments of UND students, and alumni. Truman Scholar Greyson Orne was recognized for receiving a $30,000 scholarship for his work in unmanned aircraft systems operations and political science.
Several UND alumni and a current student competed in the Olympic Winter Games. Distance student Paige Jones, majoring in biomedical engineering, competed in ski jumping for Team USA, achieving Rank 28 in women’s large hill individual and Rank 23 in women’s normal hill individual. Alumni Jake Sanderson and Brock Nelson won gold medals as part of Team USA’s hockey team, while Michelle Karvinen and Susana Tapani placed Rank 6 for Team Finland’s women’s hockey team. Members of the 2018 gold-winning Team USA women’s hockey team, Jocelyn and Monique Lamoreux, represented Team USA in the Olympic opening ceremony.
Women’s Ice Hockey Program
President Armacost addressed the topic of the university’s discontinued women’s ice hockey program, acknowledging the pride associated with the program’s past Olympic successes. While there are currently no active plans to reinstate the program, he stated, “to say there is no chance is an overstatement,” noting the complexities surrounding NCAA regulations, including name, image, likeness, and anti-trust lawsuits.