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The year that Frank Bavendick attended Bismarck Junior College was not only an investment in his future, but an investment in the future of the college. Frank, who passed away in 2018, and his wife, Joanne, have been significant supporters of the Foundation for more than 30 years and hundreds of students have benefited from their generosity. Frank graduated from Bismarck High School in 1948. After high school, he attended the University of North Dakota for a year, returned to Bismarck to attend BJC for a year, and finished his college career at UND, graduating in 1952. In the early 1960s, Frank went to work for a major oil company, later establishing his own company dealing in oil and gas exploration properties. He began accumulating land and mineral rights in the mid-1960s, in addition to investments in farming and real estate throughout North Dakota. While Frank didn't know that hydraulic fracturing technology would make those acquisitions as valuable as they are, he always considered them wise investments. His views on investments extended beyond business to his community as well. He made a difference to Bismarck in a myriad of ways. In addition to their contributions to the BSC Foundation, the Bavendick's generous support helped fund Bismarck's Salvation Army building, the soccer field at the Bismarck Community Bowl, and the YMCA Wellness Center addition. The Bavendick's generosity indicates that helping others is as motivating to them as business success. Frank participated in the grandparents program at the State Youth Corrections Center and carried on active "pen pal" contacts with inmates at the North Dakota State Penitentiary. In addition to the BSC Foundation, Frank provided his leadership and vision to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, the University of Mary, the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation, the American Association of Professional Landmen and the UND Alumni Association, among others. The Bavendicks established scholarships not only at BSC, but also at the University of North Dakota and the University of Mary. Frank Bavendick was the recipient of numerous awards including the BSC Distinguished Service Citation, the North Dakota National Leadership Award of Excellence, the UND Sioux Award, and Landman of the Year from the Landman's Association of North Dakota.
