
It was a weekend of nostalgia, laughter, and new memories as the UND Society of Women Engineers celebrated its 50th anniversary, coinciding with another Grand Forks tradition — Potato Bowl Weekend!
For half a century, the UND SWE Section has been at the heart of empowering women in engineering, breaking barriers, and creating a close-knit community of support in the Red River valley. To celebrate the milestone, current students and alumni gathered for an unforgettable weekend. One of the highlights was riding together on a float in the annual Potato Bowl Parade that snaked through downtown Grand Forks.
“It was such a blast!” said Josie Wagner, current SWE section president, who organized the celebration. “Seeing alumni from as far back as the ’70s alongside current members — it really made the parade float special. We felt like we were part of something much bigger than ourselves. It was a reminder of how SWE has shaped lives here at UND.”
SWE members from past and present rode the float, waving to the crowd and the enthusiasm and energy of the community that has always been behind their mission. There were plenty of cheers as they celebrated their chapter’s golden anniversary in style.

Over the years, the SWE Section has been a driving force in making UND’s engineering programs more inclusive. From hosting workshops on professional development to championing outreach events for young girls interested in STEM, the section continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.
In addition to the parade, the celebration also featured a student showcase, tours of UND’s campus, tours of the engineering buildings, the Potato Bowl football game, breakfast at the Wilkerson Dining Center, and the 50 Years of Women in Engineering Banquet.

The banquet was the highlight of the weekend. The evening was full of activities, laughs, and memories. Alumni and students made gear earrings and tested their knowledge of SWE’s past and present in trivia. The UND-SWE quilt, handmade by SWE members during the section’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, was on hand for viewing as well. After dinner, alumni and students could write down and share some of their best SWE memories, how SWE contributed to their career and personal success, and their hopes for the section’s future.

“We’re not just celebrating 50 years of SWE at UND,” Wagner stated. “We’re celebrating the friendships, mentors, and opportunities that have come with it. We’ve come a long way, and we’re excited to see what the next 50 years will bring!”
Joyce Medalen was the chapter’s first counselor in 1974; she is beloved by all alumni and current students.

“It had been 50 years since the chartering of UND-SWE, but this weekend, it seemed like yesterday,” said Medalen. “In 1974, as the 17 students signed the petition for a charter, little did they know the history that would follow.”
“In the mid-70s, UND Engineering Dean Alan Fletcher made it an important goal to encourage high school girls to consider engineering as a career. He felt strongly that a portion of the population (women) was unrepresented in engineering and set out to change that. UND-SWE played an important role, with Dean Fletcher firmly supporting the chartering of UND-SWE and its success in increasing the number of women engineering students at UND. UND-SWE went on to be an award-winning organization at both regional and national levels, receiving the Best in the Nation Award four times. The women attending the 50th Anniversary were some of the ones that led the way.”
As the UND-SWE chapter looks toward the future, it exemplifies the spirit of inclusivity, innovation, and empowerment. The 50-year celebration may be in the rearview mirror, but the legacy of UND’s Society of Women Engineers is more vital than ever — and they’re just getting started.
“For me, it was an honor to serve as UND-SWE Counselor alongside Dr. D.P. Naismith (UND-SWE Faculty Advisor) from 1974-2000. Seeing the alumni from earlier times reconnect and having them return to campus was so exciting. To interact with current students was also important. It was a time to celebrate the 50 years and to look forward to the years to come.”
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SWE Blog provides up-to-date information and news about the Society and how our members are making a difference every day. You’ll find stories about SWE members, engineering, technology, and other STEM-related topics.
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