MSU employee has cheered on the university for decades

MINOT, N.D. (AP) - Bev Alex has been cheering on the Minot State University Beavers for decades.

“I attend every sporting event!” she said. “We have soccer tonight, so I’ll be out there screaming and hollering.”

Alex goes to the games and cheers just as loudly whether the college athletes are playing football, basketball, soccer or volleyball, the Minot Daily News (https://bit.ly/2efeBTo ) reported.

She has worked at Minot State University for some 50 years, first in the payroll office for 37 years and now doing part-time office work for the MSU athletic director.

Her first day in the payroll office was Oct. 10, 1966.

“Then they went to the new technology stuff and I didn’t think I wanted to get involved in that,” said Alex, so she was asked to take a job in the athletic director’s office. She does office work and also counts gaming money for the Beaver Boosters.

She describes herself as an office gofer, but it’s clear that her positive spirit makes her much more.

“I just enjoy it,” she said of work. “I like being around people and I like helping people.”

When one of her great-grandchildren, a Minot State student, strolled by, Alex had to stop and give him a hug.

“He’s a good kid,” she said.

Alex said she doesn’t see a lot of the students, but enjoys working with the athletic director and Beaver Boosters.

She has also known all of the Minot State University presidents since the 1960s but won’t play favorites.

All of them have been very nice, she said.

Alex grew up in Hitterdal, Minnesota, a small town where there weren’t as many athletic opportunities for girls. Alex went to business college in Fargo and eventually went on to work at Dickinson State College. She and her husband Val moved to Minot in 1959 when her husband, a beer distributor, was transferred to the area. Alex stayed home for a few years and then decided to apply for a job in the Minot State business office.

Her husband passed away a number of years ago. Alex said staying busy with her job and her many community activities has helped her.

There is always something going on to keep Alex busy when she isn’t cheering on the Beavers.

She is active in the Minot Eagles Auxiliary No. 2376, where she has served in different roles from ritual team and charity committees to secretary and president. She is the treasurer for the state auxiliary.

Alex is also active in the Second Story Social Club and at Christ Lutheran Church.

She also enjoys the company of her son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Alex said she plans to keep working at Minot State for the foreseeable future.

“As long as they’ll have me!” she said.

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Information from: Minot Daily News, https://www.minotdailynews.com