Submitted Photo Dakota College at Bottineau Alumni Association award recipients are, from left, Brian Kalk, Gold Service Award; Al Wondrasek, Friend of Dakota College at Bottineau; and Halle Serhienko, Young Alumnus Award. Photo courtesy of DCB Photography.

BOTTINEAU – Dakota College at Bottineau Alumni Association honored three alumni at an awards recognition banquet Saturday, Oct. 11, according to information from the college.

Halle Serhienko received the Young Alumnus Award, given to a graduate from within the last 15 years who has shown success, growth and promise in a career and who has contributed in a beneficial way to the community or society.

A 2014 graduate of DCB, Serhienko was an active member of the LadyJacks Volleyball team for two seasons and participated in numerous student activities during her time on campus. Following her graduation, she earned her teaching degree and built a meaningful career as a high school English teacher at Bottineau Public School. Beyond the classroom, she contributed to student life through coaching and leading the Student Council in activities and fundraising efforts.

As a member of DCB’s Evergreen committee for the past three years, she has played a role in ensuring the success of the DCB Foundation’s signature event. She joined the DCB faculty this fall as an English Instructor.

Brian Kalk was awarded the Golden Service Award, given to a graduate who has had a successful career or shown exceptional achievement that benefited the community or society.

A Bottineau native, Kalk grew up hunting and fishing with his family, developing an early appreciation for North Dakota’s natural resources. His father’s 40-year career with North Central Electric also influenced his lifelong interest in energy and environmental stewardship. He began his higher education journey at NDSU-Bottineau Branch, now Dakota College at Bottineau, on a hockey scholarship.

After his freshman year, Kalk’s desire to see the world led him to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he began a distinguished 21-year military career that took him to 48 countries. While in the Marines, Brian earned a degree in political science from Campbell University, completed Officer School in Quantico, Virginia, and later received a Master’s in environmental engineering from North Dakota State University. He served as environmental officer at Camp Pendleton, California, and later as the officer in charge of the Military Entrance Processing Station in Fargo. During this time, he also completed a Ph.D. in natural resources management from NDSU.

Following his retirement from the Marines, Kalk became a professor at NDSU, teaching environmental policy and natural resources courses. He served eight years as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner before joining the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) as director. He later served as executive director of the NDSU Research and Technology Park before returning to the EERC, where he currently serves as chief research officer.

The Friend of Dakota College at Bottineau Award is presented annually to an individual who, though not necessarily an alumnus, has demonstrated exceptional support for DCB. The award went to Al Wondrasek, a 1971 graduate of the North Dakota School of Forestry. He has been a long-time, active member of the DCB Logrollers, attending as many athletic events as possible. He played an integral role in the recent Old Main renovation project, visiting the building weekly to track its progress, sponsoring a room and purchasing multiple tiles inside the facility.

A retired U.S. Army Colonel, he serves as the director of Bottineau County Veterans, playing an instrumental role in relocating and upgrading the Veterans Memorial Hall. He also designed more than 100 aluminum can collection sites across the area, a program that has recycled nearly six million cans to help sustain the Veterans Hall.

Wondrasek remains active in supporting civic and youth programs, including Boys and Girls State and local American Legion baseball.