Engelstad donates funds for Norwegian programs

Monday, Jan. 22, 2001 | 11:16 a.m.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Las Vegas Imperial Palace casino owner Ralph Engelstad has made good on a promise to donate money for Norwegian programs at the University of North Dakota.

Engelstad donated $261,000 to his alma matter, fulfilling a pledge he made in 1999 to help the university launch its Nordic Initiative, school officials said.

"We're very appreciative of Ralph Engelstad's gift. He feels very strongly about UND having a strong Norwegian language curriculum and for UND to become a leading university in the nation for Norwegian programs," said Terri Horpedahl, the university's Nordic Initiative coordinator.

The donation is separate from the $100 million Engelstad has pledged for the construction of a new hockey arena on campus.

University officials began raising money in 1999 for the program.

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