Minot State University will induct two new members into its Academic Hall of Fame in its Class of 2025.

A reception ceremony honoring the two newest members, Terry (Ferebee) Eckmann, 1981-1982 graduate, and Mary McCarvel-O’Connor, 1997 graduate, is planned for Friday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. at the Hartnett Hall Collaboration Space. The public is invited.

“Minot State is excited and proud to announce Dr. Terry Eckmann and Mary McCarville-O’Connor as members of the Academic Hall of Fame,” said Laurie Geller, MSU vice president for academic affairs. “Their contributions have made a difference in their disciplines and in the lives of thousands of people.”

Eckmann is a professor in kinesiology within the Minot State Department of Science. She holds bachelor’s degrees in speech-language pathology and elementary education and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Minot State.

She later earned a master’s degree in physical education and exercise science from the University of Montana and her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota. Eckmann is a certified exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine, an ACE and AFAA certified group exercise instructor, a 500-hour registered yoga teacher, and a NASM-certified senior fitness and behavior change specialist.

For more than 35 years, Eckmann has presented at more than 300 conferences and events across the United States and internationally, sharing her expertise in lifestyle choices associated with healthy aging and positive psychology. Eckman has written two books, has been actively involved in research and published numerous articles examining the impact of lifestyle choices on physical and cognitive aging.

McCarvel-O’Connor has more than 25 years of experience in special education, with a career dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities. She currently serves as the director of the Office of Specially Designed Services at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI), where she leads statewide efforts to enhance special education programming, staffing, and quality instruction.

She began her career as a teacher for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, working across Iowa and Wisconsin. She earned both her Bachelor of Science degrees in education of the deaf and elementary education as well as a Master of Science in special education from Minot State University.

Since joining NDDPI in 2009, McCarvel-O’Connor has played a key role in the implementation of several recruitment and retention initiatives and funded innovative North Dakota teacher preparation programs to address recruitment and retention of special education and related services. Her leadership in this area has fostered strong, ongoing partnerships with universities across the state.