Contact BSU Magazine BSU Home Beaver Athletics SUPPORT BSU Alumni Events Get Connected Giving Athletics News About Us Honorary Alumni Award ← Award Winners Wayne Thorson 2018 Inductee Wayne Thorson grew up in Hendrum, Minn., a small farming community on the banks of the Red River, 30 miles north of Moorhead. After a stand-out high school basketball career, Thorson answered the call of duty by serving in the South Pacific during World War II. After returning from the war, Thorson met and married his wife Bev. The Thorsons started Thorson Construction in 1958 before acquiring the Bemidji-based company Ritchie and Tell in 1962. The company was subsequently renamed Thorson, Inc., and soon became one of the largest suppliers of asphalt and aggregate in the area. Thorson has been a regular volunteer and philanthropic supporter for many local Bemidji-area organizations, including the BSU Foundation, WoodsEdge Senior Campus, North Country Health Service, Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota and First Lutheran Church. In 2017, Thorson was awarded the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce’s Charlie Naylor Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and service to the Bemidji area. Thorson lives in Bemidji. Previous Honorary Alumni Award Winners 2010 - 2019 2000 - 2009 1990 - 1999 1500 Birchmont Drive NW #17 Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 Contact Us | Directions Email alumni@bemidjistate.edu foundation@bemidjistate.edu Phone Alumni Office: (877) BSU-ALUM (278-2586) Foundation: (218) 755-3989 Quick Links Giving Opportunities Alumni Stories Events Update Your Info Connect With Us: A member of the colleges and universities of Minnesota State, Bemidji State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. Privacy Policy © 2021 BSU Alumni & Foundation. All Rights Reserved. | Site by Evolve Creative