Tom Shorma

Tom Shorma, an NDSCS graduate, has led an active and accomplished life since leaving NDSSS in 1978 with a Liberal Arts Degree. Tom has been a loyal alumnus, donor, supporter, and champion of NDSCS every year since graduation, demonstrating his deep understanding and appreciation of the NDSCS mission countless ways. He was part of the support team that worked alongside state legislators and SBHE members to establish the Skills and Technology Training Center in Fargo during the early 1990’s. Fast forward to 2021 and Tom is right there supporting and providing legislative testimony to advance the NDSCS Career Innovation Center in Fargo.

Tom is a business, marketing, advertising, coaching graduate, and football alumni of the North Dakota State College of Science (1978) and The University of North Dakota (1980). Tom has served on program advisory committees, the NDSCS Foundation Board, and the Wildcat Catbacker Club.  Tom and WCCO have been great contributors…together they have been long-standing Wildcat Athletics supporters. Tom was inducted into the NDSCS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998, the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 and was a charter inductee into the Richland County Athletic Hall of Fame. The NDSCS Shorma Family Workout Gym (located in Clair T. Blikre Activities Center) was dedicated in 2019. Tom also served on the search committee for our 10^th president of NDSCS.

Tom was also most recently the CEO/President of WCCO Belting, Inc., located in Wahpeton, North Dakota. He held that title since late 2001. WCCO Belting was then a privately owned primary sector manufacturer of agricultural and industrial rubber belting and conveyor products. During his tenure with WCCO the company grew its revenues 1000% with as much as 60% of total annual sales being generated from customers located outside of the United States. During that time Tom hired many part-time and full-time employees who were/are NDSCS students and graduates.

Tom and his wife, Julie, have been instrumental in bringing guest from the Fargo area to the annual NDSCS Foundation DREAMS Auction. They have invited and transported many donors–reconnecting them to the college–through their invitation to join them at their table. Tom utilizes every opportunity to advocate for NDSCS–be it local, regional, or statewide.

Tom and his family are longstanding staunch supporters of NDSCS who cultivate relationships with people who may or may not be connected to the college and (over time) cultivates them to support the college (financially and publicly) year after year.

Tom lives in Fargo, North Dakota and is married to Julie (Fisher) Shorma. They have four children, Karley (Tony) Serati of Fargo, Cassie (Tucker Bartlett) Jamestown, ND, Maggie (18) and Thomas (TJ) (17) of Fargo and his grandson, Asher Bartlett.

Tom lives and breathes NDSCS and is truly deserving of the Alumnus of the Year Award. We are truly honored and grateful to name Thomas D. Shorma as our NDSCS Alumnus of the Year. His individual support and relationship building since his graduation in 1978 is second-to-none and he richly deserves this honor.