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MSU celebrates new classroom improvements

Dedication honors pioneers in education\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s future

By HANNAH VELASQUEZ 4 min read

Minot State university opened a recently modernized classroom dedicated to Gary Hovdestad to guests, family, students and faculty on Monday, Sept. 21. Hovdestad and his wife, Carol, graduated from Minot State in 1963.

The classroom updates will provide MSU students with updated technology, seating, tables and an environment that supports learning and collaboration.

“It’s an exciting time. We’re here to dedicate this classroom in honor of a special couple, Gary and Carol Hovdestad,” said Rick Hedberg, executive director for the Minot State University Foundation. “Gary and Carol have demonstrated their deep commitment to Minot State University through a generous gift recently and really through their many years of support for this institution.”

Dr. Steven Shirley, MSU president, discussed the importance of having up-to-date classrooms and technology. He said having a good learning environment for students and faculty can impact learning.

“Our faculty, teachers and students need to be in a really good environment,” Shirley said. “In a 21st century modern environment, we have some spaces that are not terribly modern, and now we have some spaces that are really modern. This was one of those rooms that was getting pretty dated and your gift has helped us bring this into the 21st century and a couple of other classrooms upstairs as well.”

Shirley later continued, “Having the right facilities and having a good environment for learning is really important. That is what this gift from the Hovdestads has done and allowed us to modernize and spruce up some classrooms for our students studying business.”

Gary and Carol Hovdestad made a magnanimous gesture in 2025, showcasing their beliefs in education and a desire to assist future students, especially in accounting, according to MSU. The gift additionally went toward renovating two other classrooms in Old Main. To honor the Hovdestads, Minot State dedicated the classroom on the third floor, 312, in Gary Hovdestad’s honor.

Gary Hovdestad, inspired by his instructors, pursued a career in accounting at a time when MSU did not offer the degree plan. Shirley said Gary Hovdestad is believed to be the first MSU graduate to earn a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. He also served as president and a board member of the Minot State Alumni Association and a founding member of the Board of Regents and Development Foundation.

“They understand firsthand the difference between a quality education and strong university community and what a difference it can make in the lives of students,” Hedberg said. “Gary, in particular, has given countless hours of his time and leadership to Minot State through his involvement in several boards and committees throughout the years.”

In 1995, Gary Hovdestad received the MSU Golden Award for distinguished service.

Carol Hovdestad graduated with her degree in secondary education with a focus on physical education, according to MSU. She then served as a substitute in the Minot Public School system. At the dedication, she said she wanted to give all the thanks to God for how everything has come together.

Gary and Carol Hovdestad’s daughter, Pam Karpenko, spoke about her family’s dedication to pioneering education for the next generations. She said the legacy recognition Minot State has given her father and his peers has been great, especially because they laid the groundwork for the future.

“It’s really great. I love the fact that there is pioneering and the legacy recognition of those like my father and his peers,” Karpenko said. “They’re still in Minot and the fact that they laid the groundwork for the rest of us, and dad gets to be a part of some of that, I think it’s really important. As we move through generations sometimes you lose that legacy. It’s important for everyone to be recognized for what they’ve done.”

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