Boswell leaves legacy of generosity
Those who knew Paul Boswell will remember him as an individual who was always giving back to others.
Boswell served as the director of Multicultural Student Services at NDSU from 1997 to 2004.
He died Feb. 19 at age 46 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident
During his time at NDSU, Boswell was the adviser to the Native American Student Association and helped a group of students establish the Black Student Association.
Boswell also played a vital role in the foundation of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Americans (HOLA).
“ He always really had the students’ interests at heart,” Kara Stack, assistant director of service learning and civic engagement, said. “He was always interested in trying to do what’s best for the students here, especially the students of color.”
Stack met Boswell when working on a project for diversity issues. He worked hard to find opportunities for students to promote their heritage and to also take leadership roles.
Abby Gold, a graduate student in the communication program, also met Boswell when working together on a committee.
“ I remember he was so much fun,” Gold said. “He wasn’t your usual person to have a meeting with.”
Gold recalled that when Boswell was serving as the director of MSS, there wasn’t as much going on culturally as there is now.
“ Maybe part of it is because of Paul,” Gold said.
Gold said that while at NDSU, Boswell served as an important mentor for students, and she heard it was the same scenario at UND, where he was currently working as the Native Media Center director.
Shock seemed to be the standard reaction people experienced upon hearing of Boswell’s death.
“ I was very shocked …very sad because he’ll be greatly missed,” Stack said. “I immediately thought of the people who were in his life, people like Peg (Furshong, Boswell’s fiancée) … and the students he impacted.”
Boswell sustained serious head injuries after falling or jumping out of a vehicle driven by a UND colleague, Jenny Lynn Saplis. Saplis, 25, is the director of alumni and technology for UND’s School of Communication.
Saplis was charged with actual physical control of a motor vehicle after reporting the accident Friday night. Police said the offense is similar to drunken driving, according to a Forum article.
The article also stated Saplis requested a jury trial at her court hearing Feb. 23.
Furshong said the investigation is still ongoing, but the family has not received any more details about the accident.
Furshong met Boswell when she worked at NDSU as the visual arts and gallery coordinator. Furshong is currently the director of University Programs at St. Cloud State University.
She was at work Friday night when she received a phone call about the accident. She traveled to the hospital in Grand Forks where Boswell was undergoing surgery.
Furshong said Boswell went through two surgeries that attempted to repair damage. A neurological physician pronounced him dead just after 10 a.m. Sunday, a Web site prepared by the family said.
Boswell’s mantra of generosity continued posthumously through organ donation. Most of his major internal organs were used for transplant, and what wasn’t used will be used for research, Furshong said.
“ It’s a really neat thing,” Furshong said. “That was one of the things about Paul — he was always giving people things.”
Someone in Minnesota received Boswell’s heart, which provided some comfort to the family knowing Boswell’s heart is close.
Furshong said if the situation allows, Boswell’s family would like to meet the recipient.
Boswell’s funeral was Friday, Feb. 24 in Naytahwaush, Minn. The treacherous weather that morning didn’t detain very many people from paying their respects. The church, which holds approximately 200 people, was packed, Furshong said.
“ That meant a lot to the family,” Furshong said.
A memorial service was held at UND Monday, and around 150 people attended.
Furshong said the service was very nice and many students and colleagues of Boswell spoke. A former NDSU student, Jerry Covington, sang a song he wrote as a tribute to Boswell.
The family prepared a Web site through a program at the hospital that was designed as a way for people to track patients they know.
The tool allowed Boswell’s family to post entries about his condition. The site is now a collection of stories, memories and condolences.
It allows his family to see how many people he touched, Furshong said.
Boswell is survived by his parents, brother and three children.
Boswell’s family is establishing two scholarships in his honor at his alma mater, Bemidji State University.
Many people were calling to see what they could do, and Boswell’s family knew he wouldn’t want many flowers, Furshong said. Instead, they decided to set up the scholarships to carry on his work.
One scholarship will go to an American Indian student studying journalism, and the other will be given to an American Indian student at Bemidji State with any academic focus.
The fund will be set up as an endowment so people can donate to it at any time.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune has agreed to match all donations to the fund, Furshong said.
The Web site the family created has information about how to contribute. The address is www.caringbridge.org/visit/paulvboswell.