Oct. 4, 2008

Bismarck, ND--The University Mary, America's Leadership University,
honored two outstanding alumni at its annual Alumni Recognition Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Barbara Jean Pfliger Gravelin,'85, was presented with the University of Mary's 2008 Presidential Leadership Award, and Marques J. Doppler, '81, was recognized with the Harold Schafer Alumni Leadership Award at the 2008 event. (Please see accompanying bios.)

"It is a great privilege to welcome these exceptional graduates back to their alma mater and to express our gratitude for the outstanding ways in which they have modeled and practiced servant-leadership in their professional and personal lives," said University of Mary President Sister Thomas Welder. "By leading through serving in their individual fields, they have helped and inspired many and contributed to the betterment of their professions and the world."

Marques J. Doppler graduated from the University of Mary in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in financial institutions and a coaching minor. The Dickinson, ND-native has made good use of his education as a leader in the upper-Midwest banking and financial arena and in the communities where he has lived and served. Currently president of two suburban Minneapolis, MN, banks, he exemplifies commitment to his profession and the people he serves.

Inspired by his uncle's successful banking career and his positive influence on the lives of others, his senior year at U-Mary Doppler interned at First Bank Bismarck and was hired there full-time after graduating. Over the next 27 years, Doppler continued his professional education at schools including the Midwest Banking Institute, MBA Commercial Lending School, and the ABA National Commercial Lending School, while growing his experience in positions of increasing responsibility. A Certified Financial Planner with brokerage and insurance licenses, he was appointed president of Community First Bank in Little Falls, MN, in 1994. He accepted the president/CEO position with KleinBank in Montevideo, MN, in January 1997 and following that, the presidency of KleinBank in Chanhassen, MN, in January 2004. In May 2008, he became president of KleinBank in Victoria, MN, as well. He feels fortunate to work for a company where integrity, excellence, teamwork, change, innovation, and service --  values that were so much a part of his U-Mary education -- are integral to the organizational framework.

Doppler's diverse, challenging, and constantly changing work is complemented by his deep and broad community involvement and a full family and faith life. He has been a school board member and served on YMCA, United Way, Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development boards. He also has been active in Kiwanis, Rotary, Jaycees, church finance councils, and hospital foundations. Although he and his wife, Tina, still lead busy lives now that their children are grown, he makes time for daily exercise, bicycling, golf, and occasionally playing the guitar and drums.

Marques and Tina live in Victoria, MN. Their three grown children, Lucas, Lance and Lacy, are disbursed across Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana. His parents, Dennis and Wanda Doppler, reside in Bismarck.

Sgt. 1st Class Barbara Jean Pfliger Gravelin graduated from the University of Mary in 1985 with a Bachelor of College Studies degree with a concentration in education. A member of the U.S. Army since 1983, Gravelin also has extensive military education and is completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Having joined the Army at the older-than-average age of 28, she has served as a "surrogate mother" to countless soldiers, modeling and inspiring servant-leadership.

Currently the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Troop Dental Clinic and a senior Army noncommissioned officer for U.S. Army Dental Activity at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, AK, the Bismarck native became a Certified Dental Assistant in 1999 and was certified in Dental Practice Management in 2006. Her military assignments have included serving as a training operations specialist in Europe and as a member of the forensic team identifying casualties of the USS Cole, as well as an instructor on the Department of Defense Dental Training Course Faculty at Sheppard Air Force Base.

Gravelin has volunteered with the Boy Scouts, Special Olympics and the Humane Society, and even played Ms. Santa Claus. She has set up children's dental health programs in Alaska and Texas, written a Drug and Alcohol Program book, and designed the Instructor's Code of Ethics for the Army.

Gravelin's many honors include the Fort Bliss Helping Hand Award (three years running), Tri Service Instructor Award, 2000 CCM Sgt. Susan L. Gream Dental Assistant Instructor Award for Excellence, U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (first Bronze star), and 1991 Woman of the Year. She is the only soldier in the U.S. Army to have received the U.S.O. Spirit of Hope Award and the only instructor to have been made an honorary Chief of the U.S. Navy.

Gravelin is married to Steve D. Gravelin, retired Army. The couple lives in Fairbanks, where Barbara volunteers for the Yukon Quest, the American Dog Races, and the American Red Cross. She has a brother, Robert Gene, and a sister, Ranada Davis, and enjoys being an aunt and great aunt. Her parents are Gen and the late Robert Pfliger of Bismarck.