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Green trees framing the VCSU clocktower, which peeks out in the background

Alumni Awards

Distinguished Alumni

Kleppe, Thomas

Kleppe, Thomas

Thomas Kleppe, who serves as Secretary of the Interior during the Ford administration, was the first native North Dakotan to sit on a presidential cabinet. Previously, he was elected a Congressman from North Dakota's west district between 1967 and 1971. His Association with business began at the age of 17, managing a grain elevator. He later managed a bank at the age of 21. He served as Mayor of Bismarck and Vice-President and later President of the Gold Seal Company, and Vice President and Director of Dain, Kalman and Quail, a Minneapolis investment banking firm.

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