The Partner in Excellence Award recognizes a corporation, foundation, or organization that has given significant support as well as demonstrated inspirational philanthropic giving in the University.
The Barry Foundation embodies the guiding principle of its founder, B. John Barry, whose father often said, “My goal is to help you reach your goals.” This spirit of collaboration and empowerment drives The Barry Foundation to inspire, lead, and share alongside its community partners. Through its programming and grantmaking, the Foundation uplifts its core values — creativity, passion, proactivity, gratitude, and sustainability — ensuring that each initiative reflects a commitment to meaningful impact.
The Barry Foundation’s alignment with NDSU is rooted in a shared dedication to helping students achieve their aspirations. The Barry Foundation believes, “NDSU’s team of leaders is committed to our students, to our community, and to our future — it’s that positive spirit and momentum that is constant in making our world a better place.” The synergy has resulted in transformative opportunities for young people, from scholarships through The Barry Scholarship Program to leadership development with Philanthropy and Youth (PaY), a high school program which has over 7,200 alumni from 23 area schools, and the PaY Summer Internship Program, where students are placed in paid nonprofit internships to learn about community needs and further professional skills. Over the past decade, The Barry Foundation Scholarship Program has supported 50 scholars in pursuing their education at NDSU and propelled 150 students with learning and scholarship through NDSU’s Problems to Possibilities program, a testament to The Barry Foundation’s belief in investing in the next generation.
Beyond financial support, The Barry Foundation fosters a culture of philanthropy by mentoring students and empowering them to become future leaders and changemakers. Its enduring contributions include key investments in Richard H. Barry Hall (an integral part of the NDSU College of Business), the Commodity Trading Room, and the Louise S. Barry Auditorium—spaces designed to spark catalytic connection and collaboration.
The Barry Foundation exemplifies the spirit of the Partner in Excellence Award through its unwavering commitment to education and philanthropic leadership, remaining deeply connected to NDSU and the state of North Dakota and beyond as it continues to inspire and invest in a brighter future for students.
Margaret and her husband, Hugh Veit ’79, established the Eleanor S. Fitzgerald Memorial Graduate Student Scholarship to support NDSU students earning advanced degrees in the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences or the Department of Human Development and Family Science.
Core areas of home economics remain part of current NDSU degree programs such as accounting; apparel, retail merchandising, and design; education; family and consumer science; financial planning; human development and family science; interior design; and nutrition science.
Home economics programs opened doors, particularly for women, to earn college degrees and pursue careers in education, Extension, state and federal government, business and industry, health care, and more. NDAC listed domestic economy as one of its courses in its founding year, 1890.
Established by Dr. Teresa Conner, dean of the NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences, and cochaired by Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald ’83 and Col. Esther Meyers ’75, the Wisdom Keepers provide support and share their knowledge and expertise with students, faculty, staff, and leadership in the College.
The home management house at NDAC was the first facility built on a college campus specifically for home management practice. In 1954, it was named in honor of Alba Bales, the first female academic dean at NDAC.