NDSU Alumni Center Celebrates Donation

The NDSU Alumni Center celebrated a donation to the Development Foundation with an open house Saturday morning.

Alumnus Harry D. McGovern donated $1 million, and the Alumni Center building was dedicated to him to recognize the generous donation. The event ran most of the morning and was open to students, alumni and friends.

The Harry D. McGovern Alumni Center will be a reminder of McGovern’s gift and his philanthropy for current students, alumni and the community.

The Center is a “welcome place, a gathering place for alumni and friends and an excellent environment in which to conduct the business of the foundation and the association,” Development Foundation Board President Jonal Uglem said.

McGovern graduated from NDSU in 1966 and is now a co-owner of MCM Construction Inc. “NDSU was perfect for me and will always be remembered as four of the best years of my life,” McGovern said according to a University Relations press release.

McGovern said he has great pride for the NDSU.

The dedication took place outside the center, where McGovern spoke about his experiences. McGovern said that even though his company is based out of California, his “heart is still with North Dakota, and with North Dakota State.”

After the dedication, students and alumni sang The Yellow and Green. Then the audience was invited into the center for refreshments. The band played and the Yell Team Leaders welcomed McGovern into the center before the rest of the crowd made their way inside.

The Alumni Center is used by many members of the community and campus, as well as alumni for their events.