Council on Staff Affairs

CSA Staff News
Welcome New Staff


Spring 2011 to Present


Mike Jorud

Mike Jorud began his new duties at MSUM in April 2011 as an Auto Mechanic and Welder. Before joining the team at the Physical Plant, he worked as an Auto Mechanic Technician at Gateway Chevrolet. Mike is one busy guy. During his off-duty hours he runs his own auto repair business, Mike's Auto, in Barnesville. Mike received his automotive training at the Wadena Technical Institute and has a background in computerized diagnostics and auto fabricating.

Mike and his wife, Cindy, live just outside of Barnesville, MN. Cindy is a Director of Pediatrics Intensive Care and the Children's Resource Team at Sanford Health. Their eldest son, Matt, works for a concrete company and is engaged to be married. Their middle son, Tanner, is married to Trisha (who is a student at MSUM). Mike and Cindy's youngest son, Brady, attends NDSU.

The family will be celebrating Tanner's graduation from the US Army National Guard Officer Special Training later this spring at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. (Congratulations to Tanner, not to mention his proud Mom and Dad!)

The Jorud's share their home with Max, their Golden Retriever-Samoyed mix dog. In his spare time, Mike likes hunting, fishing, and four-wheeling in modified pickups.

When asked what he liked best about working at MSUM, Mike replied, "the people. Everyone is willing to help you out."


Clint Miller

Clint Miller began working at MSUM on February 7, 2011, in the position of Building Utility Mechanic at the Physical Plant. Prior to joining MSUM, Clint worked for the past 10 years at Nash Finch, Fargo, ND, in the areas of refrigeration and forklift. Clint received his education in HVAC/Refrigeration at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN.

Clint grew up in south Fargo and, ironically, purchased a house in his old neighborhood. He and his wife, Melissa, share their home with Blondie, a female yellow lab.

Before settling down into a career, Clint served in the US Army Infantry with the 101st Airborne Division based in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He later became an MP with the Joint Security Area / Joint Security Force (JSA/JSF) and was deployed to Camp Boniface, South Korea. While there, he served as part of the security force during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

During his off-duty hours, Clint enjoys deer hunting, bird hunting, and training his hunting pal, Blondie.
When asked what he liked best about working at MSUM, Clint replied he enjoyed the constant challenge and learning something new every day.


Mike Sorum

Mike Sorum began his official duties at MSUM as a General Repair Worker/Carpenter on May 11, 2011. Although he is a new staff member, Mike is well acquainted with MSUM as he worked on a temporary basis in Building Maintenance beginning in July 2010. Mike specializes in case work, countertops, and custom jobs. His custom work was on display recently in the carved plaques that he created for recent MSUM retirees.

Before joining MSUM, Mike worked for two and a half years as a Project Manager for R&S Casework, Inc., Fargo. During his time with R&S, he did estimate work and project management. He also supervised the design work of the draftsmen in his company. Before joining R&S, Mike worked as a residential contractor and did custom cabinets.

Originally from the Wahpeton area, Mike's father was in construction so it was natural that he would eventually follow down the same path. Before pursuing a career in construction, however, Mike began his college studies in a more artistic field-- Sculpture. He studied at UND and NDSU and considered a dual degree in Education. He gained skills in custom pottery, painting, drawing, bronze casting, and, via Tri-College, glass blowing from MSUM. Mike still owns a wheel and kiln.

Mike eventually returned to his roots in construction and achieved degrees in Architectural Drafting and Building Construction Technology from North Dakota State College of Science. Mike said he would relish taking on an artistic construction project. He enjoys a challenge, the more complicated the project the better.

Mike's wife, Heather, recently achieved her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UND. She works as an outpatient therapist for Sanford Health in Detroit Lakes, MN. They have two children: Thomas (16) and Megan (10). They share their home with their female "oversized lapdog" Dazzle, a Reverse Brindle Boxer. Mike does not have much free time currently as he is immersed in remodeling their home near Dwight, ND, to get it ready for sale. Their goal is to buy a home in the Detroit Lakes area.

When asked what he liked best about working at MSUM, Mike replied that he enjoyed how everyone pitches in and the great teamwork. "Everyone seems like family." 


Jeff Stedje

Jeff Stedje is currently serving as the Interim Facilities Services Supervisor. He works in Housing and Residential Life. He was first hired as a temporary General Repair Worker in Housing in August of 2009. In October of 2010, he was hired for a permanent position in Housing and Residential Life; and in November of 2010, he was appointed to the position of Interim Facilities Services Supervisor, for which he plans to apply when the permanent position is posted. He credits Beth Sand and Steve Lucero, with whom he worked very closely before their departure from MSUM, for preparing him for the many duties he currently fulfills.

Jeff is very familiar with the campus and personnel here at MSUM; he was a student back in the ‘80s, and got to know many staff members during that time. He has been hired by a number of our staff as a freelance handyman for building projects prior to starting work here, so came highly recommended from our own people. His mother, Donna Stedje, worked in the Records Office for many years; and his sisters, Jayne Washburn and Janet Hohenstein, are currently employed here.

Jeff attended Moorhead High School; after graduation, he attended Moorhead Technical College, where he received a two-year degree in architectural electrical drafting. He then attended MSUM, studying construction management.

Jeff makes his home in Dilworth. He has two children: a son, Kallan, who is 19 and a student at University of Minnesota Duluth studying business; and a daughter, Kylie, who is 16. He enjoys spending time at his cabin on White Earth Lake, where he likes to fish, hunt, and relax. He has a German Short-Hair named Tess, who is his fishing and hunting companion. He also enjoys scuba-diving with his son and the beauty of the many tropical paradises they visit on these adventures.

Jeff loves working here at MSUM and says it’s by far the most fun and challenging job he’s ever had. He thoroughly enjoys working with the students in Residential Life, and appreciates the familiarity of MSUM, knowing so many of the staff from his prior contacts with the university.