Senator still honored years later at Minot State University

Quentin N. Burdick, a former North Dakota senator, is still being remembered at the Gordon B. Olson Library on the campus of Minot State University 16 years after his death. Pieces from Burdick’s Minot office are on display in the library and provide a unique study area on the third floor for MSU students.

In 1993, the display was placed at I Keating, Inc and moved to MSU in 2001, under the direction of H. Erik Shaar, Minot State University president at that time. I Keating purchased the memorabilia from the federal government and also received items directly from the Burdick family.

"We wanted to preserve the impact that Quentin N. Burdick had on our region and Minot State University," said Chuck Kramer, president of I Keating and a Minot State University alumnus. "MSU was a great place to house the replication."

Chuck Kramer’s father, Daryl Kramer, worked with Burdick as a state legislator for many years.

While at Minot State, the room was locked for four years. It was then decided the room needed to go back to the students as a study area. Some pieces were put away in safe keeping, while the desk and other artifacts are still intact today.

"It was decided by MSU that the room needed to go back to the students as a study room," said Susan Podrygula, collection development librarian at Gordon B. Olson Library. "Students really appreciate the area and it is widely used by the students."

Quentin N. Burdick represented North Dakota in the United States Senate for 32 years. He died from heart failure in September 1992 at the age of 84. Burdick, a democrat, acquired a reputation for a bold pursuit of federal funds for his home state. For example, he secured funding for the Burdick Job Corps in Minot.

08/29/08

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