Theme: Because

From the simple to the extraordinary, TEDxUMary Because will encourage attendees to reexamine the driving forces behind human motivation, perseverance, and achievement within our community. Our event will showcase individuals with a unique passion for action, a distinct understanding of their own "because" story, and a commitment to using this truth to impact the world around them. Because seeks to answer the question of what makes us tick and reveals the critical moments that push us to make a difference.

7500 University Drive
Bismarck, North Dakota, 58503
United States

Dan Donlin

Chief of Police - Bismarck Police Department

Chief Dan Donlin was born and raised in Bismarck, graduating from St. Mary’s Central High School and the University of Mary. He has served for 30 years with the Bismarck Police Department. His career includes working on Patrol as an officer, a Sergeant and as a Lieutenant. He worked in the Investigations Section as a detective, specializing in personal and property crimes, and also as a Sergeant. He was the Director of the Police Youth Bureau for five years and the department’s PIO. He served 15 years on SWAT. He served as the Deputy Chief in the Field Services Division and the Support Services Division. He was promoted to Chief of Police on January 20, 2013. He’s a law enforcement instructor specializing in defensive tactics and officer involved shootings. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo and is a 2003 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Dr. Brenda Tufte

Professor and Chair of Graduate Education at the University of Mary

Dr. Brenda Tufte is a Professor and Chair of Graduate Education at the University of Mary in Bismarck. She has taught in higher ed for 7 years and prior to that, taught in K-12 for 23 years in Minnesota and North Dakota and is the 2012 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. In 2014, Tufte was awarded the National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence and was a 2014 Global Fellow to China. In 2017, she received the Crystal Apple Outstanding Post-Secondary Teacher and has written and presented extensively on differentiated instruction, personalized learning, reading instruction, and educational neuroscience. Courses she currently teaches in University of Mary Master’s and Doctorate programs include Leading Differentiated Instruction, Project-Based Learning & Instructional Coaching, Strategies for the Technological Classroom, Reading in the Content Areas, Issues and Trends in Education, and Brain-Based Learning.

Evan Anderson

Founder of Gizmonics

Evan Anderson owns Gizmonics, a design, prototyping, and product development company in Bismarck, ND. With an on-site prototyping shop, CAD tools, and a commercial grade 3D printer, most development work can be accomplished in-house. Evan has 23 years of product development, manufacturing, and project management experience and has brought several innovative products to market. Evan began his professional career with the Boeing Company. He then worked for Applied Films Corporation, a high-tech manufacturer in Boulder, Colorado. At Applied Films, Evan held the titles of Quality Engineer, Capital Projects Manager, and Manufacturing Manager. As Manufacturing Manager, he was responsible for 250 employees and $50M in annual production. Evan holds Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Industrial Technology from the University of North Dakota and recently served as the President of the UND Technology Department Advisory Council.

Patrick Atkinson

Founder and CEO of the GOD's CHILD Project

Patrick Atkinson was raised in Bismarck, ND and, after attending Minnesota State University Moorhead, worked in New York City with runaways, prostitutes, and gang members after which he moved to Central America to begin an international career in war-zone reconciliation, post-war reconstruction, and missing persons recovery. Patrick is the founder and CEO of The GOD’S CHILD Project charity network (www.GodsChild.org), which includes the Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons (www.ITEMP.org) and The Atkinson Center (www.AtkinsonCenter.org). He is on several boards of directors and the author / co-author of six books. When not being shot at, knifed, caught in car-bombings, or traveling worldwide on behalf of abused, abandoned, or human trafficked victims, he resides in Bismarck, ND, in Central America, and outside of Minneapolis, MN.

Tyler Auck

Addiction Counselor and Advocate

Tyler Auck was born and raised in Bismarck, ND. He has a Bachelor’s of Science and is currently an Addiction Counselor. He is a husband, father and most importantly a proud member of the recovery community. He has a passion for helping other people who suffer from the disease of addiction and mental health issues. He has had the privilege of being part of a team that helped get the ND Good Samaritan overdose law and the Narcan bill passed. He has been a panel member on the Eyes Wide Open opioid community forum in Bismarck North Dakota and on the In Plain Sight opioid community forum in Mayville North Dakota. He strives to help people build strong foundations of hope, survival, strength and recovery. His goal is to show people, using his personal experiences, that full-filling your dreams after a life of destruction and pain is possible.