2004 Recipients

If colleagues had to use one word to describe Wendy Granum-Frappier, it would be "perfectionist."

The 1985 Fargo South graduate won 13 varsity letters for the Bruins and went on to become an All-America sprinter at Moorhead State University. She hasn't slowed down since, working her way to the top of her field as a professor of health and physical education.

"She's a very hard working, goal minded person," says Mary Ann Donnay, one of her former coaches. "She knows where she wants to go."

Earlier this year, Wendy took over as president of the North Dakota Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Although she's the youngest member of the Health and Physical Education program and Minnesota State University-Moorhead, she has been selected as chair of the department.

She also handles research and evaluation of major physical education grants.

"In just a few short years since high school, Dr. Frappier has made outstanding contributions to the field of health and physical education," says Jan Adair, who taught and coached Wendy. "She is the ultimate professional, balancing and strengthening her skills as a teacher, researcher, author and colleague."

Wendy won 13 varsity letters at South, including five in gymnastics and four each in swimming and track. She was a member of the prestigious Fargo-Moorhead Acro Team for six years.

She led South to four state championships in gymnastics and indoor and outdoor state titles in track. She placed first in state in both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. She set a school record for springboard diving in 1984.

Wendy was the school's homecoming queen in 1984.

She went on to become a standout sprinter at Moorhead State, qualifying for seven career events in the NAIA Track and Field Championships and earning All-America status in the process. She was a three-time member of the all-Northern Sun Conference team while helping the Dragons to four conference titles.

Wendy was a team leader and an inspiration to her teammates, says Randall Smith, assistant professor at the Moorhead college.

"During our association I have found her to be extremely motivated and resolute in adhering to lofty standards," Smith says. "She was extremely versatile, competing in several relays as well as both the short and long hurdle races."

Wendy won Moorhead State's outstanding senior athlete award in 1989.

Bruce Houglum has character that sets him apart from the ordinary. When Bruce returned to his Alma Mater to lead the Concordia’s world-class orchestra, he attracted so many quality students, Concordia had to add a second orchestra, and they both flourish.

Concordia students treasure Bruce and his high standards, his faith, his gentle touch, his understanding. John Pierce notes that “In a day and time of restlessness, loss of values and ‘rootless-ness,’ Bruce is a true mentor, example, and exemplar.” However, Bruce deflects all praise and gives glory to God as he focuses on how well his students have done.

Bruce conducts the larger of the two orchestras at Concordia and teaches instrumental conducting and horn lessons for performance majors. He has received numerous teaching awards for his work in public schools in North Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois. He recently was guest conductor with the South Dakota Symphony and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony. He is also an active festival conductor, adjudicator and clinician.

Bill Law, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, is supportive with “Bruce embodies the best of teaching and of teaching music. He has made a lasting impression on his students wherever he has been and will continue to do so for years to come.”

Dr. Huttlin notes that “…Bruce developed model orchestra programs in both Moorhead and Fargo. He had the rare ability to be demanding in a kind and unobtrusive way. Students praised him for the sincere concern that he had for each individual.”

Dr. Huttlin concludes his character praise of Bruce that he is “…intelligent, humble, kind, and dependable.” Other people instantly recognize Bruce because of “…his musical ability, integrity and dedication to teaching. Through the art of music, he has influenced the lives of thousands of students.”

The North Dakota State football guide calls Tony Satter the most explosive running back in school history, high praise for one of the top college programs in the country.

An All-American running back for the Bison, the 1987 Fargo South graduate helped the Bison to a pair of NCAA Division II titles. He averaged about 10 yards whenever he touched the ball and ran for 100 yards or more 21 times in his career.

In 1990, Satter ran for a record-setting 619 yards in four playoff victories. He led the Bison with 174 yards rushing and scored a touchdown in a 51-11 rout over Indiana of Pennsylvania in the championship.

Satter went over 100 yards rushing in each of his last eight playoff games with NDSU.

He still holds the school record with 387 all-purpose yards in one game and he only touched the ball 12 times. Against Northern Michigan in 1989, he had six rushes for 67 yards, four kickoff returns for 214 yards, and two punt returns for 106 yards.

Sports Illustrated named Satter on the state's top 50 sports figures of all-time.

"What made Tony better was his ability to see the field and change direction, a natural ability," says John Marsh, who coached Satter in football and track at South. "Tony also worked to improve the things he needed to improve such as his ability to deliver a physical blow to the opposing tackler by his position and body strength."

As a senior at South, Satter helped the Bruins to state championships in football, basketball and track. He also was a key player on the Fargo American Legion baseball team.

Former South teacher and coach Gelaine Orvik says Tony lifted weights nearly every day.

"Many people marveled at Tony's success and performances, but few people understood how he dedicated himself to become a success," Orvik says. "He stayed late to put in extra work to perfect skills and techniques."

Tony currently works as a representative for Medtronic Sofamor Danek, traveling throughout the Midwest to assist with medical spinal surgery. He earned that position after intense training and scoring above the 90th percentile on a test.

"His willingness to develop his talents and character has made him a marvelous young man," Orvik says.

Told at one time he would never be a doctor, Don Lamb is someone who has simply made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people.

The 1976 Fargo South graduate has a successful plastic surgery practice in Fargo and Grand Forks, performing life-changing procedures on young and old alike. He became a board certified plastic surgeon despite having a reading disability that affected his performance on early aptitude tests.

"To this day, Don will never forget how hard it was to get through school struggling with dyslexia and has donated his time to give talks and lectures to students with reading disabilities," says his sister, Billie Rowles. "After high school, Don got through college by sheer will and determination."

Don also has donated his time to help the less fortunate. He has volunteered for three Interplast surgery team missions, one to Ecuador and two in Peru, where surgeons offer their skills free of charge.

"I have seen the photographs and the results are nothing short of amazing," says Scott Schnell, a longtime friend and South graduate. "Individuals with severe deformity were, through Don's skill, given corrective surgery that in many cases made it difficult to tell that they had ever suffered a problem."

A reporter from WDAY-TV documented Don's work on one of his trips to South America. That piece was nominated for an Emmy award.

Don won the resident award for outstanding surgical technical ability in the Department of Surgery at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in 1988-89. The F-M Sertoma Club recognized with the Service to Mankind Award in 1995 for his cleft-lip and palate work.

"Don is fearless when it comes to tackling new challenges and learning new things," says Matt Haakenstad, a longtime friend and South graduate. "I don't know many other surgeons who somehow find time to become a master plumber while tackling a major remodeling project."

Don is quick to offer a hand to family, friends and patients, Schnell says.
"Don has consistently shown over the years that he is ready and willing to drop what he is doing to go out of his way to help a friend," Schnell says. "If I were ever in a tough situation anywhere in the world, and I could only call one person for help, it would be Don Lamb."