Mataya Larson arrived at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) unsure of her Indigenous identity, having only recently learned about her family’s roots in the White Earth Nation. Through her studies in anthropology and American Indian Studies, she began to confront the colonial legacy of academia while reclaiming space for cultural preservation. Her involvement with the American Indian Learning Resource Center and the Indigenous Student Organization helped her connect deeply with her heritage. Now nearing graduation, Larson speaks with clarity and pride about her journey.Read more about Mataya's story: https://news.d.umn.edu/articles/mataya-larson-2025

The annual cardboard boat race at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) never disappoints. Learn more about campus life at UMD: https://campus-life.d.umn.edu/

Learn more about campus life at UMD: https://campus-life.d.umn.edu/

Learn more about studying at the University of Minnesota Duluth: https://d.umn.edu/

For more than 50 years, a group of University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) alumni known as “The College Boys of UMD” have gathered annually to celebrate their friendship. Over the years, they’ve shared in many of life’s transformative moments. From marriages and career achievements, they’ve celebrated each other's success and supported one another through illness and loss. And while their paths diverged, their connection endured, rekindled each year around the “Fire pit of knowledge.”Read more about the College Boys of UMD: https://news.d.umn.edu/articles/college-boys

Leah Blomquist, a professional sales major with a minor in health and wellness coaching, made the bold decision to apply to only one school: the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). Her confidence was rooted in the university’s specialized sales program, but she quickly discovered that UMD offered more than just academics. Through a high-level remote internship with Gartner and her work as a lead fitness instructor at UMD’s Recreational Sports Outdoor Program (RSOP), she found that her two seemingly different fields of study were complementary.Read more about Leah's story: https://news.d.umn.edu/articles/professional-sales

Erin Schommer’s journey at the University of Minnesota Duluth is a story of ascent, both literal and intellectual. Drawn to UMD by its proximity to climbing routes and its strong science programs, Schommer has carved out a path that fuses her passion for environmental chemistry with her love of rock climbing. Through her research at the Large Lakes Observatory, she analyzes plant matter in Great Lakes sediment to uncover clues about climate change, all while guiding fellow climbers and sharing geological insights on the trail. Supported by the Swenson-funded SURP program, Schommer has transitioned from assisting graduate students to leading her own research, gaining independence and confidence along the way. Her story is one of curiosity, grit, and the joy of finding footholds in science, in nature, and in herself.Read more about Erin's story: https://news.d.umn.edu/articles/rock-climbing

Learn more about studying at the University of Minnesota Duluth: https://d.umn.edu/

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are studying lake sediment to reconstruct long-term climate and flood histories in the region. Using a technique called freeze coring, they extract intact layers of mud, called varves, from the bottom of lakes. These varves form annually and preserve chemical and physical clues about rainfall and weather conditions dating back hundreds to thousands of years. This method enables scientists to analyze extreme precipitation trends far beyond modern data limits. The findings could improve flood modeling and guide infrastructure decisions.Read more about this impactful research: https://news.d.umn.edu/articles/flood-history

UMD Women’s Rugby Club offers students an opportunity to connect with peers, and for many, learn a new sport. Learn more about sport clubs at UMD: https://umdrsop.d.umn.edu/sport-clubs