Ed & Pat Shorma Family

Family traditions of attendance at NDSCS date back to the earlier years of the college. The centennial year families selected to receive the NDSCS – A Family Tradition Award began in 1925 and include the Wettstein and Shorma families.

Gilbert Wettstein, father of Mrs. Ed Shorma (Patricia) attended NDSCS (NDSSS) in 1925 and is pictured in the NDSCS football hall of fame photo gallery of football teams at the Blikre Activities Center.

Mr. Wettstein continued on at NDSCS and taught ag machining from 1927-29.

Succeeding generations of the Gilbert and Loretta Wettstein family attending NDSCS are Pat Wettstein Shorma; Jim 1959-60 (civil engineering); John 1965-67; Bob 1967-69; Mary (LPN) 1963-64; and Mary’s husband, Richard Anderson, 1963-65, receiving an associate degree in data processing. He is currently a high school teacher in League, Texas, and Mary continues in the nursing profession. Kathy McKinnon (LPN) attended in 1964-65. Kathy’s children, Darin, Brad and Josh, also attended NDSCS.

Patricia Wettstein married Ed Shorma in 1953. Ed has developed several companies in Wahpeton, including PrimeWood, PrimeBoard and WCCO Belting. He was presented the 1982 Small Business Person of the Year Award by then-President Ronald Reagan in a special White House ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May of that year. Earlier in the year, Gov. Allen Olson praised Shorma’s “self-contained, self-sufficient” approach to business success.

The Shorma’s continued the family tradition with their children attending NDSCS. Richard attended in 1972-74. While at the college he was involved in drama, student council and was named to Who’s Who. He is currently a member of the Alumni Foundation Board. Richard’s children, Paul, attended in 2000-02 and Emily from 2001-02. Bill attended in 1973-75 and participated in Wildcat Singers and was named to Who’s Who. He is president of Shurco in Yankton, S.D., a Shorma family business which was named 2003 Prairie Family Business for South Dakota. Tom, a 1978 graduate of NDSCS with an associate degree in business administration, was active in football and earned all-conference and all-region honors both years. He was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame and was named to Who’s Who in 1977. Tom is a past president of the NDSCS Foundation Board of Directors and is a current member of the Catbackers Club and a lifetime member of the NDSCS Letterwinners Club. He is currently CEO/President of WCCO Belting, Inc. WCCO Belting was recently named ND Export Company of the Year for 2003. Bob took part in intramural sports during his 1978-80 tenure. Jane was a business student in 1979-80. Don attended in 1981-83. Shelle attended from 1987-89, and David enrolled in 1989-91 in liberal arts. He participated in football one year, track one year and choir and drama.