Bemidji State University welcomed back its alumni on Friday for a heartfelt Homecoming tradition — the Alumni Leaders in the Classroom series. The event brought together former students who once walked the same halls to share their career experiences and lessons learned with current students. Through four sessions held throughout the day, alumni spoke about their professional journeys, challenges, and the importance of persistence and passion in building meaningful careers.
In Memorial Hall, the first session focused on business and accounting. Moderated by associate accounting professor Bill Graves, the panel included graduates Earl Beitzel (1977), Alex Darsow (2016), Courtney Black (2017), and Jayme Steele (2008). They shared honest reflections about skills they wished they had developed more during their college years. Steele, now a marketing representative for Federated Insurance, said confidence was something he learned later in life. “Being in sales, nobody wants to buy insurance from someone who walks in with their head down,” he said. “You need to look like you deserve to be there, not that you’re lucky to be there.”
Courtney Black, now a senior auditor in the government sector, admitted she wished she had maintained her motivation to pursue her CPA immediately after graduating. “Your last year in accounting is exhausting,” she said. “When I graduated, I wanted to be done. Once you stop, it’s hard to get going again.”
Across all sessions, one theme echoed strongly — the power of networking. Beitzel, a retired vice president of finance and development at Abbott Northwest Hospital, encouraged students to reach out and connect even with people they don’t know. “You don’t have to know people to network,” he said. “Find just one little thing in common and build from there. Employers value people who are willing to make that call.”
Darsow, now a sales manager at St. Cloud Toyota, emphasized stepping out of one’s comfort zone. “I put myself in as many uncomfortable situations as I could,” he shared. “When I was a freshman, I was too shy to speak in front of people. But I kept pushing myself because I wanted to work in sales. Now, I love what I do.”
Over in Bridgeman Hall, the session on technology, art, and design, moderated by assistant professor Laura Buchholz, featured alumni Danny Schmidt (2003), Houston Walsh (2021), Adam Wick (2004), and Kaleb Smith (2012). Schmidt, now a training specialist at Knife River, urged students to remember that the impressions they make today can shape future opportunities. “We only get one chance to make a first impression,” he said. “That might come back years later.”
Walsh, an estimator for Knutson Construction, advised students to stay open-minded about their career paths. “Don’t lock yourself into one idea,” he said. “Be open to taking on more and trying new things. Growth often comes from extra effort.” Smith, a project manager for Construction Engineers, highlighted the value of internships as “extended interviews” that benefit both students and employers. “That’s where the real learning happens,” he said.
Adam Wick, now a soil engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, reminded students to remain curious and adaptable. “Don’t close yourself off,” he said. “Find a mentor, ask questions, and keep networking.”
The day also featured panels for chemistry and criminal justice alumni, led by professors Julie Larson, Amber Laffin, and Robert Fraik. Other returning graduates included Ken Anderson, Travis Fisher, Kaitlyn Hayft, Mike Herbert, Jake Hodapp, Alizandra Johnson, and Mike Mastin.
By the end of the event, students left not just with career tips but with a deeper understanding of how perseverance, confidence, and connection can shape their futures. For the alumni, it was a return to where it all began — a chance to inspire the next generation to dream big, stay curious, and never stop learning.
