Youngquist Auditorium to Be Dedicated

The Northwest Experiment Station Agricultural Research Auditorium will officially be named the Youngquist Auditorium in honor of Bernard E. Youngquist, superintendent 1956-1983. The dedication will take place Wednesday, October 29, 11:30 a.m. in Brown Dining Room on the University of Minnesota, Crookston Campus.

Youngquist has distinguished himself as an alumnus, educator and administrator of the University of Minnesota. The auditorium will be named to honor his leadership in northwest Minnesota and his lifelong dedication to agriculture in the State of Minnesota.

Youngquist was born in Finlyason MN. He received his BS, MA and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota.

He joined the University in 1946 at the West Central School and Experiment Station at Morris and served there until becoming principal at the Southern School of Agriculture at Waseca in 1952. He became superintendent of the Northwest School of Agriculture and Experiment Station, Crookston in 1956. Under his direction, the station doubled in land resources, added staff and increased research.

Youngquist served as president of the Red River Valley Winter Shows Board of Managers for 26 years. He provided leadership for the establishment of the new University of Minnesota Technical College, for rebuilding the facilities for the Red River Valley Winter Shows, and the Red River Valley Natural History Area.

He was president of the Red River Valley Development Association and received the Builder of the Valley Award. He served as chairman of the Citizen’s Advisory Council on the Souris-Red-Rainy River Basins Section of the Upper Mississippi River Basins Commission for eight years.

Youngquist has received many awards for his leadership activities, including Honorary State Farmer Award from the Minnesota FFA, Top Aggie from the Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni Association, Friend of 4-H Award from the Minnesota 4-H Foundation and the UMC Torch and Shield Award. He was elected to the Hall of Fame of the Red River Valley Winter Shows.

After his retirement in 1983, he researched and authored a 75-Year History of the Red River Valley Winter Shows which was published in 1985. He recently completed his 16^th overseas consulting trip with a non-profit agency working with third world countries.

He and his wife Bernice live in a condominium in St. Paul. They have three children with families, all who live in the Twin Cities.

Disability accommodations for the dedication are available upon request. For more information, call 218-281-8602.

Contact: Barbara Weiler, University Relations, 218-281-8435

Posted: 10-13-97

Back to News and Notices | UMC Home