Bernard Hilgers Family

The Hilgers family connection with NDSCS (then NDSSS) began in 1946 when Bernard T. Hilgers (BT) enrolled and graduated; then soon after becoming a faculty member in Automotive department. NDSCS demonstrated a commitment to education to the Hilgers family; and, in return, every single Hilgers family member after BT started their careers with an education at NDSCS.

Bernard T. Hilgers (BT)

NDSCS Instructor and Occupation Coordinator – 1946-1983

After serving in the Army Air Force during World War II, Bernard, also known as ‘Barney’ or ‘BT’ enrolled at NDSCS in the Sheet M Department. During the war, Barney met and married Mildred ‘Millie’ McGregor in 1944 who proudly served in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in Ephrata, Washington. Following graduation in 1948, BT and Millie moved to Oregon where BT worked as a machinist and welder. In 1950, they moved back to North Dakota; during that time BT also earned a teacher’s training certificate in Machine Shop from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Barney then returned to NDSCS to teach in the automotive, welding, and machine tooling departments; also serving as the Machine Tooling Department Chair. As a life-long learner, Barney officially graduated from NDSCS in 1968 with his Associate Degree, then took a sabbatical to finish his Bachelor of Vocational Education degree at Stout University in Wisconsin in 1971-72. After returning to NDSCS, he became the Occupation Coordinator until his retirement in 1983. Barney was honored as our NDSCS Homecoming Grand Marshal in the fall of 1994.

Barney and Millie lived in Wahpeton until 2005 when they moved to Fargo. They were married 63 years, had six children, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and too many memories to count.

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Hilgers Family

­­­Bernie and Millie’s daughter, Sheila, shared “NDSCS was a wonderful educational foundation for us all. It was our second home. Our parents valued family first, church second, and NDSCS third.” She went on to say, “They truly lived and breathed NDSCS, proudly promoting the school wherever they went. The ‘learn by doing’ motto was extremely important to us all. Our mom was a very supportive wife, member of the then NDSCS Faculty Wives and a stay-at-home mom who always encouraged us to do our best.”

Kathy (Hilgers) Larson is a 1966 graduate in Pre-Education. She was active in band as a majorette and featured in the ‘Who’s Who’ among students in America Junior Colleges. Kathy continued her education at Moorhead State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1968.

Kathy taught elementary education for the Bloomington (Minnesota) school system for six years then in the Faribault (Minnesota) school system for 28 years. Kathy earned her Masters in Education from the University of Minnesota and retired in 2005 after 34 years in education. Together with her husband, David, have two children, seven grandsons and reside in Faribault, Minnesota.

Dan Hilgers graduated from NDSCS in 1969, earning a degree in Pre-Education. Dan also earned an athletic letter for football and wrestling, was selected as a campus personality, and admitted in the ‘Who’s Who’ among Junior College students. While at NDSCS, Dan met his wife Anita Sandoval, a 1970 Dental Hygiene graduate who sang in choir and was a Wildcat Kitten. In 1971, Dan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Distributive Education from Moorhead State College. Soon after, Dan was drafted in the U.S. Army and served one year in Vietnam and an additional two years in a Special Security Group at Fort Leavenworth (Kansas). After his service, Dan began his career teaching business and Anita continued her career as a Dental Hygienist. Dan completed his master’s degree from Emporia State University (Kansas_ and they relocated to Iowa where Dan taught business at the Des Moines Area Community College for 30 years before retiring in 2013. Dan and Anita attribute their successful careers to their start at NDSCS. They have two daughters and three grandsons and are enjoying retirement at their lake home in Dexter, Iowa.

Patti (Hilgers) Haberman is a 1969 graduate, and also studied Pre-Education. At NDSCS, she was involved in the ‘Wildcat Kittens’ and served as an ambassador for the College-proudly representing the College at many events. It was through that involvement she formed many lifelong friendships during her time at NDSCS.

Patti transferred to Moorhead State College in the fall of 1969 to pursue an English/Reading Secondary Education major and graduated in 1972. In 1979, she then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Gifted and Talented Reading Education from Mankato State College. She taught Language Arts in Marshall (Minnesota) for two years and in the Farmington (Minnesota) School System for the next 38 years. She retired in 2011 but is still an active member as a substitute teacher.

While at NDSCS, Patti met her husband, Carl ‘Chuck’ Haberman. Chuck studied pre-engineering and graduated in 1970. They have three children and nine grandchildren and are enjoying their retirement.

Mike Hilgers is a 1974 NDSCS graduate, earning a degree in Architectural Drafting and Estimating Technology. Mike was a member of the Architectural Drafting Club, the Ski Club, was selected to the ‘Who’s Who’ among students in American Junior colleges and selected as a Campus Personality. Mike played football and started as a defensive back and punt returner while at NDSCS. In fact, Dr. John Richman, former NDSCS President, was his teammate!

Mike continued his education in Architecture and graduated from North Dakota State University in 1976. He began his career in Bismarck (North Dakota) as an Architectural and Construction Manager and Partner. In 1984, Mike moved to Phoenix (Arizona) and served for the next 17 years as Director of Operations and Construction at two school districts. He now is semi-retired from his architectural and construction company. Mike has one son and lives in Mesa, Arizona.

Brian Hilgers graduated from NDSCS in 1976 with an Associate’s degree in Business with an emphasis in healthcare. While at NDSCS, Brian was active in football and continued his education at Minot State, earning a Bachelor of Science in Radiology Technology in 1978. Brian moved to Oregon to become an X-Ray Technologist and soon joined the imaging business field with a career in Medical Imaging Sales. It was through his work he met and married Rebecca Pylipiw in 1988. Brian has held various leadership positions with several major companies across the United States and continues to work as an Executive Director at Change Healthcare an IT healthcare company. Brian and Rebecca have one daughter and reside in Hermosa Beach, California.

Sheila (Hilgers) Beauchene graduated from NDSCS in 1982, with a Legal Secretary degree and a Certificate in Data Processing. While at NDSCS, she served on the Legal Secretarial Advisory group for two years and was admitted to the ‘Who’s Who’ in American Junior Colleges. Sheila married Mark Beauchene in 1985 and worked at Vogel Law Firm while continuing her education at Moorhead State College. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in the Legal Assistant program in 1986 and was soon hired as a Courtroom Deputy in the United States District Court in Fargo for the Honorable Paul Benson. Sheila worked as a Courtroom Deputy and Assistant Supervisor for 28 years; retiring in 2013 as the court’s District Trainer and Human Resources Assistant. During her career Sheila was elected to the Federal Court Clerks Association Board of Directors for four terms and served as the organization’s Secretary for six years. Shelia and Mark have two children and two grandchildren and reside in Fargo, North Dakota.

The Hilgers Family truly embody the NDSCS commitment to excellence and tradition.