MSU Academic Hall of Fame adds Eckmann, McCarvel-O’Connor in 2025

MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University will induct two new members into its Academic Hall of Fame as Terry (Ferebee) Eckmann '81/'82 and Mary McCarvel-O'Connor '97 will represent its Class of 2025.

A reception ceremony honoring the two newest members is planned for Friday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. at the Hartnett Hall Collaboration Space. The public is invited.

"Minot State is excited and proud to announce Dr. Terry Eckmann and Mary McCarville-O'Connor as members of the Academic Hall of Fame," said Laurie Geller, MSU vice president for academic affairs. "Their contributions have made a difference in their disciplines and in the lives of thousands of people. Congratulations, Terry and Mary!"

The Class of 2025 joins 13 past recipients, including last year's class of Vicki (Greel) Michels '88 and Jacob Schillo '15. Becky (Fred) Becker '91 and Tim Henry were enshrined in 2020. Veronica (Cavallo) Pinnick '04 was inducted in 2019, Robert Hubbard '91 in 2014, Kim (Baldridge) Siegel '82 in 2013, Robert Holmen '83/'88 and Joe Alme '68 in 2012, and Carrie (Forshner) Evans '90, Lisa (Christensen) Feldner '86/'90, Delane C. Kristky '65, and Rosanne Olson '72 were a part of the inaugural class in 2011.

TERRY ECKMANN
Eckmann is a professor in kinesiology within the Minot State Department of Science. She holds bachelor's degrees in speech-language pathology and elementary education and a master's degree in speech-language pathology from Minot State. She later earned a master's degree in physical education and exercise science from the University of Montana and her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota. Eckmann is a certified exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine, an ACE and AFAA certified group exercise instructor, a 500-hour registered yoga teacher, and a NASM-certified senior fitness and behavior change specialist.

For over 35 years, Eckmann has presented internationally on topics related to healthy aging. Her presentations have included Network New Zealand in Auckland, the Asia Fitness Conference in Thailand (where she was joined by 13 MSU students in 2018), and over 20 years at CanFitPro in Toronto. She has presented at more than 300 conferences and events locally and across the United States, sharing her expertise in lifestyle choices associated with healthy aging and positive psychology.

Eckmann is the author of "101 Brain Boosters" and "101 Ways to Age Gracefully," and co-author of "101 Practices of Mindfulness and Meditation," written with her daughter, Katie (Eckmann) Heupel '19. She has been actively involved in research and has published numerous articles examining how lifestyle choices impact physical and cognitive aging. For over 25 years, Eckmann hosted the local television segment "Eye on Fitness" in the Minot region. She is married and the proud mother of two adult children and grandmother to five grandchildren.

MARY McCARVEL-O'CONNOR
McCarvel-O'Connor has over 25 years of experience in special education, with a career dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities. She currently serves as the director of the Office of Specially Designed Services at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI), where she leads statewide efforts to enhance special education programming, staffing, and quality instruction.

She began her career as a teacher for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, working across Iowa and Wisconsin. She earned both her Bachelor of Science degrees in education of the deaf and elementary education, as well as a Master of Science in Special Education, from Minot State University.

Since joining NDDPI in 2009, McCarvel-O'Connor has played a key role in the implementation of several recruitment and retention initiatives, including the Resident Teacher Program, the Speech-Language Pathology Paraprofessional grant, the Speech-Language Loan Forgiveness Program, and the Traineeship Scholarship. She has funded innovative North Dakota teacher preparation programs such as the Special Education Technician project, Para-to-Teacher Pathway pilot, Project Resilience, and Discretionary Grants for Special Education Units to address recruitment and retention of special education and related services. She has also developed recruitment and retention initiatives such as the Educator Pathway and the Goalbook Toolkit project. These programs are designed to address critical shortages and increase the number of qualified special education and related service professionals in North Dakota, as well as improve instructional practices. Her leadership in this area has fostered strong, ongoing partnerships with universities across the state.

Induction into the Minot State University Academic Hall of Fame honors meritorious service in an academic discipline and highlights the accomplishments of our most distinguished alumni. Nominations may be made by any individual or organization, either within Minot State University or from the community at large. Nominees must be Minot State alumni who completed a significant portion of their education at Minot State, have gone on to complete an advanced degree, and made a substantial contribution to the advancement of their field of study.

More information on the Minot State Academic Hall of Fame, including past winners and to nominate individuals, can be accessed ONLINE.