UGPTI Awards Banquet Held October 16

The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute honored two prominent individuals in North Dakota's transportation industry at its annual awards banquet.

Receiving the John Agrey Award for outstanding contributions in transportation were Warren B. Diederich and Walter R. Hjelle. Diederich is the founder of Industrial Builders, Inc., and still serves as chairman of the board. He was active in the state and national Associated General Contractors of America, serving as state president and on numerous national committees. He was honored for work on highway funding legislation that benefitted North Dakota.

Hjelle served as North Dakota highway commissioner from 1961 to 1981 and again from 1985 to 1988, longer than any other commissioner in state history. The state highway system had its greatest expansion under his leadership, including the state's portion of the Interstate Highway System.

UPGTI also awarded four undergraduate scholarships to NDSU students.

Paul E.R. Abrahamson Scholarships were awarded to Justin Sorby, Fort Ransom, N.D., and Justin Goettle, Donnybrook, N.D.

   

Transportation engineering scholarships were awarded to Nathan Pederson, New London, Minn., and Robert Klein, St. Cloud, Minn.

   

Funding for the scholarships is provided through the Mountain-Plains Consortium through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.