University of North Dakota donors sign pact
Published 8:12 am Wednesday, August 21, 2019
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — A major donor to the University of North Dakota who had threatened to stop sending money in a dispute with the former president announced Tuesday that she will fund the school’s hockey facilities and Ralph Engelstad Arena through September 2030.
Engelstad Foundation trustee Kris Engelstad McGarry said in a news release that she appreciates interim President Joshua Wynne’s leadership.
“We are committed to a positive and productive relationship with UND and we appreciate the productive manner in which they dealt with the usage agreement extension,” McGarry said.
McGarry’s father, Ralph Engelstad, played goaltender for UND before building a fortune as a real estate mogul and Las Vegas casino and hotel owner. Engelstad donated money to build the $110 million arena and the foundation in his name was created in 2002, the year he died.