Conversations Bios

JenkinsonClay.jpgClay Jenkinson is a North Dakotan, born in Minot, raised in Dickinson, who left to go to college. After 20 years away, he returned to North Dakota in 2005. Clay is an award winning historical performer and the voice of his alter-ego Thomas Jefferson on the weekly NPR program The Thomas Jefferson Hour. He has published half a dozen books, including the award winning edition of the writings of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in North Dakota, A Vast and Open Plain. Clay also travels extensively as a historical performer, is the Distinguished Scholar of the Humanities at Bismarck State College; and the principal consultant of the Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University. He holds degrees in the humanities from the University of Minnesota and Oxford University.


SkogenLarry.jpgDr. Larry C. Skogen became president of Bismarck State College in 2007. He was named Acting Chancellor of the North Dakota University System in June 2013 and served as Interim Chancellor of the NDUS from November 1, 2013 until June 30, 2015, when he returned to BSC. Prior to 2007, he was academic dean and deputy superintendent for academic affairs at New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, N.M. Dr. Skogen has taught history in collegiate and military settings and served as a squadron director of operations and wing inspector general at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming from 1998 to 2001 as well as other capacities for  the U.S. Air Force. He's a recognized authority and published author on federal Indian policy. He holds a B.S. in secondary education from Dickinson (N.D.) State University, an M.A. in history from University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo., and a Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.