MSUM Foundation announces 10 Under 10 Award Winners
The Minnesota State University Moorhead Foundation announces the recipients of its 10 Under 10 Award, which recognizes rising Dragon alumni who have graduated within the last decade and are making a remarkable impact in their early careers. These honorees stand out as up-and-coming leaders, innovators, and community builders, demonstrating significant achievements and dedication within their professions, organizations, and communities.
They will be recognized on Thursday, May 1, in the MSUM Foundation’s Alumni Center Barry Auditorium. The social begins at 5:30 p.m. with the program at 6 p.m. The campus community is invited.
10 Under 10 Award Recipients
The 10 Under 10 Award celebrates these Dragons’ dedication, potential, and commitment to excellence, inspiring both the MSUM community and the next generation of Dragons.
- Maddie Craig ’15 (business administration): The founder of Blue Cypher Bookkeeping, Maddie fine-tuned her leadership skills through United Way of Cass-Clay’s 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program. Her company earned the inaugural Woodard Top 50 Accounting Services Practices list in 2023.
- Sara Hand ’18 (broadcast journalism): Sara uses purposeful storytelling and leadership to spark change, whether implementing a video to support English language learners or advocating for and mentoring individuals navigating infertility.
- Saad Janjua ’18 (communications): New U.S. citizen Saad credits love of country and his time at Moorhead for the experiences and opportunities to be owner/agent of Saad Janjua Insurance & Financial Services, State Farm.
- Katie Merrick ’21 (communications): Vice President of Business Operations for the Fargo Force, Katie guided the team to receive the USHL Organization of the Year award in the 2023-24 season. Additionally, they have helped raise over $175,000 for local charities.
- Jake Pundsack ’22 (life science education, biology): Jake is the shortest-tenured teacher ever to win the Minnesota Science Teaching Award in 2024. He was recognized for his exemplary science teaching and reputation with instructors and students.
- Lauren Starling ’17 (criminal justice, psychology): A mental health professional working with incarcerated women, Lauren provides rehabilitative services to achieve social reintegration.They are also an artist, having created nearly 100 murals across the tri-state region.
- Hannah Stelter ’21 (BFA graphic design): Hannah is a professional artist and founder of Scribble Lady, an art supply and gift brand. Her goal is to use her art to encourage people to love their bodies, themselves, and others.
- Kristen Mary Thomason ’16 (social work) & ’23 (MSW): Kirsten uses her social work skills as a counselor at the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. Her goal is to create a healthy and safe place for marginalized communities.
- Joe Tjosvold ’18 (finance, marketing): Joe is the founder and CEO of Chezy, a successful video production company that brings clients’ visions to life. The company recently expanded into Nashville, Tenn., the first of many planned expansion cities. Tobias (Toby) Zikmund ’22 (studio art): As program manager for the North Dakota Council on the Arts, Toby considers himself a community builder. He recently launched a shared art studio to create opportunities for other young artists.
The MSUM Foundation congratulates these outstanding individuals for their accomplishments and continued contributions to the university and beyond.
About the MSUM Foundation
The Minnesota State University Moorhead Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities for generations of MSUM students by inspiring alumni and friends to connect, engage and give.