DCB Recognizes Alumni Award and Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Since 1982 Dakota College at Bottineau Alumni Association has hosted an Awards Recognition banquet that honors athletes, students, supportive community members, and alumni. The DCB Alumni Association accepts nominations for the Golden Service, Friend of the College, and Young Alumnus awarded annually. The Alumni Association and Lumberjack Athletic Hall of Fame recipients will be acknowledged at the Awards Recognition Banquet, Saturday, October 21, 2023, in an event at the Cobblestone Inn, Bottineau.
The Young Alumnus award goes to a DCB Alum who has graduated within the last 15 years, is successful, and shows growth and promise in their chosen career. The recipient must have contributed to society in a beneficial way and is setting a good example in the community. Reed Loucks has been chosen as the 2023 Young Alumnus. Reed attended and played Lumberjack hockey for two seasons in 2012 to 2014. He graduated with two associates degrees then transferred to Waldorf University in Iowa. Reed played hockey and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Education and went on to teach in Oxbow, Saskatchewan. He was named the first women’s hockey coach in 2020 and during his first-year coaching took the team to the National Tournament.
The Friend of the College recipient is someone who has been very supportive of Dakota College at Bottineau, donating time, money, and/or resources that have made a significant impact on the college. Penny Dolbeare of Bottineau is the epitome of a true friend. She has supported the students of DCB for many years as a super fan of all the sports teams working for the college’s dining service. If Penny met you, she never would forget you. She is known for calling all students by their first name and has a special place in her heart for students who need extra attention. As an alum of NDSU-BB, Penny always finds a way to give back to the school and its people.
The Golden Service award goes to a DCB Alum who has retired or is approaching the traditional retirement age after a successful career or exceptional achievement. This individual’s work must have contributed to society in a beneficial way and has set a good example for their community. Allan Fredrickson of Mount Vernon, Washington attended the ND State School of Forestry from 1951-1952 and dedicated his life to serving others. He served in the US Army before continuing his education at the University of Minnesota to garner his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He has a 45-year career as a veterinarian, with a special interest in equine medicine. He married Barbara Nelson in 1960 in Bottineau before moving out to Washington State
Allan has spent much of his career and retirement serving others by opening a spay and neuter clinic for small pets and working with animal shelters to control pet overpopulation. Allan is a published author of three books, and he took on a special desk-building project in 2020 to help kids have a place to do their homework while they studied remotely during the pandemic. He and Barbara continue to show their appreciation for the School of Forestry, now Dakota College Bottineau, by co-endowing a scholarship in memory of Barbara’s parents, Alice and C.N. Nelson.
Dakota College also acknowledges alumni athletes, coaches, staff, and teams. The Hall of Fame Inductee is an athlete that has competed or a non-athlete that has served in an athletic position for DCB. The award is based primarily upon the nominee’s participation while attending or serving DCB. The 2023 Hall of Fame recipients are Jason Harris and 2010-2011 Women’s Basketball Team.
Jason Harris attended North Dakota State University – Bottineau during 1990-1991. He participated in men’s basketball and was named 1st Team All State, 1st Team All-Region, and 2nd Team All Mondak. Jason averaged 19.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.4 steals per game and scored 35 points in the Regional. He competed at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Basketball Tournament with the Lumberjacks that year. Jason went on to Minot State University to continue his basketball career. During Jason’s playing career at Minot he competed at the National Association of Intercollegiate Association National Basketball Tournament. Jason went on to coach at both Dakota College at Bottineau and Bismarck State College.
The 2010-2011 Women’s Basketball Team was a transformational team for Region XIII women’s basketball. The Region XIII Championship team set a school record of 22 wins with a 4th place finish in the MonDak Conference. The women’s team were victorious over traditional Region XIII D2 powerhouse Bismarck State three times, while placing four players on the All MonDak team. Only a last second shot kept the Ladyjacks from their first ever National Tournament appearance. While the records and achievements speak for themselves the ultimate value of this team was proving to everyone in Region XIII that the Ladyjacks were who and where teams had to go through on their journey
The Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame banquet will take place on October 21, 2023, at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Bottineau. The social will start at 6:00 pm, dinner served at 6:30 pm followed by the award ceremony and induction. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance at the college alumni office or the DCB bookstore.
