$5 million gift made to UND Athletics and Academics

(KNOX) – Dan and Jolene Mikkelson of Grand Forks have made a $5 million gift to fund
scholarships at their alma mater, the University of North Dakota.
Dan, a 1990 graduate, worked in his family’s land development and property management business in Grand
Forks. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Edgewood Real Investment Trust, which
has real estate holdings in 14 states. Jolene, a 1998 graduate, spent 20 years as a Pediatric Occupational
Therapist at Altru.
The gift will fund scholarships with the following breakdown:
• $2 million to UND Hockey
• $1 million to UND Football
• $1 million to UND Women’s Athletics
• $500,000 to the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
• $500,000 to the Occupational Therapy program in the School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Dan and Jolene say they were inspired to give to their alma mater partly by their son’s interactions with
student-athletes over the years. Tommy is a Special Olympian who has been impacted by student-athletes who
volunteered as Special Olympic mentors. The entire family has enjoyed cheering for UND teams over the years
as well.