2008: Dr. Tom Isern, West Fargo ND

Dr. Isern is a professor of history at North Dakota State University and the longest-serving member of the board of directors. He has been a tremendous asset to PND as an innovative leader, passionate advocate, and generous donor. He has worked tirelessly on the Prairie Churches of North Dakota project, serves on several committees, and has been instrumental in increasing the fundraising capacity of the organization. Dr. Isern has presented programs at the annual North Dakota Historic Preservation Conference and for the past few years he has brought student volunteers from NDSU and teachers from across the United States to work on the Hutmacher Farm demonstration project in Dunn County. He has a strong spirit of volunteerism and encourages his students to get involved as well.

"Our deepest thanks and most sincere congratulations go out to Tom," said Jennifer Wilkie, Preservation North Dakota's Development Director. "We are very lucky to have such a dedicated supporter."

2007: Donovan Larson

The Preservation North Dakota 2007 Board Award was presented to Donovan Larson of Fargo, ND; a dedicated preservationist. His enthusiasm, commitment, effort, and passion are evident in the time and energy he has displayed in shaping the future of Preservation North Dakota.

Larson is with ICON Architectural Group as a designer and project manager. Originally from Grand Forks, Donovan has gained experience in Architecture and several trades of construction with companies in Fargo and Grand Forks. Working for himself and/or other firms he has been involved with planning, development, design, construction, and project management for the past 17 years.

Larson received a B.A. in Architecture from North Dakota State University, attended Yestermorrow Design Build School in Warren, Vermont and recently completed Preservation Leadership Training through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and a Governors Trustee for the State Historical Society of North Dakota. He received a 1997 AIA, ND Special Recognition Award for "Re-Imaging Downtown Greater Grand Forks, ND."

Larson has been volunteering with Preservation North Dakota for several years. In that time he has provided a variety of technical assistance, structural assessments and site visits that have served as a catalyst for preservation efforts in our rural communities. Larson has attended Preservation Leadership Training (a week long in-depth training sponsored by the National Trust), with the aid of a scholarship from the State Historical Society of North Dakota. He has served actively on the Hutmacher Committee, and has made significant contributions to the projects of PND by loaning the use of his construction trailer (loaded with tools and supplies) to the Hutmacher project.

Larson has also worked on the Coghlan Castle and the Leeds Bank rural preservation project that PND has provided assistance on. He recently attended the NTHP Conference in St. Paul representing PND. His time commitments and training will help PND grow in the future.

Larson was unable to attend the ceremony this evening, as his other passion in life, coaching hockey must be attended to as well. But he sent this message to share, "I love being a part of Preservation North Dakota and will do everything I can to see that it continues its mission well into the future."

Former Board Award recipients include: Susan Sigurdson Moorhead, MN & Mountain, ND, Rebecca R. Heise Valley City, and Janinne Paulson Stanley.