Minnesota State Moorhead Celebrates $5.5 Million Gift from Nibbe Family Foundation

Minnesota State Moorhead Celebrates $5.5 Million Gift from Nibbe Family Foundation

Unveils the Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning

Minnesota State Moorhead celebrated a $5.5 million gift from the Nibbe Family Foundation with a public unveiling ceremony at Lommen Hall, officially establishing the Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning.

The gift is the largest gift in university history. It will provide undergraduate scholarships, support innovative teaching initiatives (which could include learning technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence), expand opportunities like study abroad and conference participation, and recognize excellence through innovation and lecture series programming.

"This announcement affirms our long-standing commitment to preparing outstanding educators for our region and beyond," said Tim Downs, President of Minnesota State Moorhead. "This gift builds on Moorhead's legacy, giving our future educators the tools, experiences, and confidence to be innovators in classrooms across the region."

"Through the Nibbe School, we will strengthen recruitment and retention, enhance hands-on preparation, and ensure our graduates are ready to meet the needs of all learners," said interim Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs Ok-Hee Lee.

Personal Commitment from the Nibbe Family

For Jay Nibbe '85 (accounting & finance), the gift is deeply personal: "A love for education runs in my blood. The passion is strong in my entire family. My father was a teacher, my sister is a teacher, and while I chose to focus on a business career, I managed to also teach part-time at the Masters of Taxation level for several years. This is a proud day for our family and a recognition of the role of education has had for us. We believe in the university, its faculty, and most importantly, its students. The Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning will make a lasting impact on the future of education."

Nibbe, who recently retired as Global Vice Chair, Markets with Ernst & Young, also serves on the MSUM Foundation Board of Directors.

Dawn (Nibbe) Guse '88 (social studies), CEO of the Nibbe Family Foundation and a retired social studies teacher from Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School in southeast Minnesota, emphasized the family's motivation:

"Our family believes in the power of education to change lives," Guse said. "By supporting students at Minnesota State Moorhead, we hope to inspire more young people to pursue careers in teaching and ensure that schools in our region and beyond have access to highly qualified educators."

Meeting the Challenges Facing Teachers

Teaching is one of society's most impactful professions, yet it is also among the most challenging. A 2024 Pew Research survey found that 77 percent of teachers report frequent stress, and only one-third feel highly satisfied in their roles.

The Nibbe gift will help address these challenges by:

• Expanding strategies to recruit and retain future teachers.
• Preparing students for evolving classroom demands, including technology and mental health needs.
• Supporting educators through undergraduate, master's, and Ed.D. programs.
• Enhancing opportunities for continuous professional development.

A Legacy of Teacher Preparation at Minnesota State Moorhead

Since its founding as a normal school in 1887, Moorhead has placed teacher preparation at the heart of its mission. The Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning carries this tradition forward by prioritizing the recruitment, retention, and development of exceptional educators while advancing innovation and community engagement.

The Nibbe Family Legacy of Dragons

The Nibbe family's connection to Minnesota State Moorhead spans three generations:

• David Nibbe '63 - Social Studies
• Jay Nibbe '85 - Accounting & Finance
• Dawn (Nibbe) Guse '88 - Social Studies
• Teresa (Nibbe) Jesten '91 - Psychology and Sociology
• Jeffrey Nibbe '92 - Theater Arts
• Troy Nibbe '93 - Finance Management
• William Gerl '93-Criminal Justice
• Dana (Nibbe) Gerl '94 - Elementary Education
• Danielle Nibbe '94 - Mass Communications
• Justin Guse '18 - History
• Gabbi Nibbe '23- Speech Language Pathology
• Cameron Nibbe - student/non-degree alum

About the Nibbe School of Education and Leadership

The Nibbe School of Education and Leadership at Minnesota State Moorhead is dedicated to preparing the next generation of teachers, school leaders, and community change-makers. Rooted in a commitment to equity and innovation, the Nibbe School offers undergraduate, graduate, and licensure programs that empower students to excel in classrooms and leadership roles across Minnesota and beyond. The Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning enrolls about 900 students in its education programs, including more than 500 undergraduates and 355 students pursuing master's, specialist or doctoral degrees in education. These programs have a total of 22 faculty members.

About Minnesota State Moorhead

For more than 135 years, Minnesota State Moorhead has prepared the region's most sought-after graduates by aligning academic relevance with workforce needs, empowering students through hands-on experiences, strengthening communities through bold partnerships, and fueling opportunity, innovation, and regional prosperity. A member of the Minnesota State system, Moorhead offers more than 130 majors, emphases and options, 17 graduate degrees and more than 70 undergraduate and graduate certificates and licensures. Minnesota State Moorhead enjoys a national reputation for programs in education, business, film/animation, social work, biosciences, nursing, and project management, including several 'best of' lists for our nationally accredited programs.