Michael “Mick” Dunn

Michael Dunn, an accomplished artist in the Red River Valley, has been named the NDSCS Alumnus of the Year.

Dunn and other NDSCS Alumni Foundation award recipients will be honored at the annual Friday evening Homecoming banquet, scheduled Oct. 5 in the Flickertail Dining Room of the Student Center.

Dunn was born and raised in Fargo and pursued a Liberal Arts degree in pre-education at then-NDSSS. He was part of the first Wildcat football team to play on Frank Vertin Field. Dunn earned letters in football for two years. He was named to the All-North Dakota Collegiate Athletic Conference team in 1971 and named recipient of the Wildcats’ team spirit award that year.

Dunn completed a bachelor of science degree in art and physical education at then-Valley City State College and later finished a master’s of art degree from what is now Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Dunn has been a practicing professional artist and educator since 1975.  He teaches senior high art and serves as chairman of the Visual Arts Department at Moorhead (Minn.) Senior High School.  He is also the throwing coach for the girls’ and boys’ track and field teams.

Dunn’s works include numerous local, regional and national exhibition awards.  Most recently he received “Best of Show” award at the Art Educators of Minnesota art exhibition.  In 2006 he became a signature member of the Red River Watercolor Society. He also served as an artist in residence at NDSCS four years ago during the college’s centennial celebration.

Dunn and his wife, Ellen, live in Fargo. They have two children, Heather (Ryan) England and Michael Dunn, and one granddaughter, Rayna England.