Jim & Ellen Sturdevant Family

The Sturdevant family has a long history with NDSSS and NDSCS going back to 1922 when Charles and Lucy, our grandparents, purchased John Ness’s battery and auto repair business. Mr. Ness had taken a teaching position with NDSSS and was hired to develop the auto mechanic program at the new trade and technical division established by the Babcock Plan and adopted by the State Board of Administration in 1922. In 1925 our grandfather Charles was hired by NDSSS to teach a class in Storage Battery Rebuilding which he did in his downtown shop making him one of the first adjunct teachers of NDSSS.

In 1941 NDSSS became a Navy base with a machining engine class which was taught by our father Virgil Sturdevant a 1936 graduate of NDSSS. When WW2 broke out Virgil continued with the Navy as a Warrant Officer on the PT boats in the Mediterranean Sea. He contributed to rebuilding the Packard Marine engines used in the Patrol Torpedo boats. Each PT boat contained 3-12 cylinder engines.

Ben Barnard, for whom Barnard Hall was named, married Ellen’s Aunt Effie Muir. Ben was hired to develop the electrical trades program at NDSSS in 1922.

Our connection to NDSSS continued since our home was in the first block south of the 6th street school entrance and the grounds of NDSSS became our playground. I had 5 brothers and 1 sister and all but one attended NDSSS.

Jim & Ellen Sturdevant

Jim graduated from NDSSS in 1961 with a liberal arts degree and continued his education at Moorhead State University graduating in 1963 with a business degree. While at NDSSS Jim participated in football, basketball and baseball. He has continued a close association to the college serving on a number of boards and was president of the alumni foundation, elected to the athletic hall of fame in 2000 and selected alumnus of the year in 2001. Jim also received the L.B. Hartz Professional Achievement Award from Moorhead State College of Business in 2017. Jim continued his activity with the city of Wahpeton by serving 16 years on the city council and 8 years as Mayor.

Ellen Muir Sturdevant graduated from NDSSS in 1962 with a degree in Pre-Education. Jim & Ellen were married after Jim’s junior year at MSU. While at NDSSS Ellen participated in chorus, the Sacagawea Club, the Dakota Scientist staff, and other various committees. Later she continued her music education privately at MSU & NDSU and attended many pedagogy workshops and seminars. Ellen was active in state, national and local Music Teachers Associations and taught piano and did accompanying in Wahpeton for many years.

Ellen valued Vernon Hektner as an advisor and favorite teacher. Jim & Ellen lived in Moorhead for 12 years where their 5 children were born.

Susan Sturdevant Nagel

Susan Sturdevant Nagel is a 1984 graduate in Liberal Arts. She was active in the music department accompanying the choirs, playing in the jazz band, concert band and a member of the Wildcat singers. She also was a sprinter on the track team for one year, placing 5th at the junior college national meet as a member of the 400-meter relay team. Susan continued her education at Moorhead State University, earning a BM in piano performance and later a master’s degree at NDSU. She works as a teacher and collaborative pianist in the FM area.

Susan’s husband, Tom, originally from Bismarck, is a 1985 graduate of NDSCS in Electronics Technology. He is currently the vice president of Sales at D & M industries in Moorhead. Together, they have 3 children, Tyler, longtime employee at the West Fargo DQ, Matthew (Brianna), a software consultant/teacher and Lindsay, a firefighter for the city of Seattle, WA. Susan and Tom enjoy spending time with their grandsons, Grant & Henry.

Cathy (Sturdevant) Michels

Cathy (Sturdevant) Michels attended NDSSS in 1983-84. Cathy transferred to NDSU in Fargo and graduated in 1988 earning a degree in interior Design. While Cathy was a senior at Wahpeton High School, she took an Architectural Drafting class at NDSSS from Roger Jensen that sparked her interest in the design field. Cathy began her career in Minneapolis working as an Interior Designer. She moved to Moorhead, MN where she currently lives with her husband Kevin and has worked designing custom cabinets since 1999.

Cathy and her husband Kevin have twin daughters. McKenna is a 2020 graduate from NDSCS with a degree in Dental Hygiene. McKenna lives in Fergus Falls, MN and currently works for LifeSmiles Dental. Morgan lives in Detroit Lakes, MN and works in the healthcare field as an Xray technician.

Brad Sturdevant

Brad graduated from NDSCS in 1989 in Civil Engineering Technology. His first job was in Spearfish, SD doing general surveying and construction inspection. In 1990 joined DJ&A Engineering in Missoula as a crew chief focusing on Cadastral Land Surveys,GPS and remote surveying technology. He and his wife Nancy, a PHD entomologist, have two sons. Jimmy graduated from NDSCS in diesel technology and is employed with Lithia Ford in Missoula and Sam is presently a student at the University of Montana Western.

Jane (Sturdevant) Koppang

Jane graduated from NDSCS in 1993 earning a degree in Business Management. After raising their children she rejoined the workforce at Chahinkapa Zoo, NDSCS and the Clinic for Oral Health. Jane is married to Kevin Koppang, a 1990 NDSCS graduate in Architectural Drafting & Estimating, Construction Management, and Business Management. Kevin is the General Manager for Comstock Construction. They have three children, Connor Koppang and his wife Karly Sokness who are both 2015 NDSCS graduates. Connor finished his degree at Moorhead State and Karly at NDSU. Connor is a project manager for the Kilbourne Group in Fargo and Karly is an industrial engineer for Noridian Health. Blake graduated from NDSCS in 2022 in the Electrical Program and works for Summerville Electric. Kristen (Andrew) Bonine lives in Prescott, WI and has 3 children.

David Sturdevant

David graduated from NDSCS in 1992 with a degree in Liberal Arts. He transferred to the University of Southern Colorado where he obtained an Automotive/Business Management degree. After graduation he worked in sales for an Automotive Computer Company. In 2000 David started an Automotive Tool Internet Sales business where he’s self-employed. He resides at Ottertail Lake, MN.