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The Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Donald Bungum, from Lindstrom, is the 2009 Community Ambassador! Each year, as part of the Celebration of the Lakes festivities, the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce selects an individual or family who is devoted to this community, has made a significant contribution to the quality of life within this community and who helps to preserve the heritage of this community to fill the role of Community Ambassador.

Bungum has a long history of outstanding service to this community, beginning in 1969 as education administrator in the Chisago Lakes School District. Bungum led the Taylors Falls and Chisago Lakes schools through consolidation and rebuilding, and overcame the initial defeat of a contentious bond issue.

In 1976, the same year that the new Chisago Lakes High School opened, he was one of the first recipients of a Bush Fellowship, granted to "accomplished and motivated individuals who are eager to prepare themselves for greater leadership opportunities and create positive change in their communities". A very limited number of these fellowships are granted each year, across Minnesota, North and South Dakota, by a foundation established in the 1950's. The recipients include leaders from across the public and private sector, developing together through a non-degree academic program.

Under Bungum's leadership and direction at Chisago Lakes, the high school district received a blue ribbon award from Governor Rudy Perpich for the 1985-86 school year as a "School of Excellence". He left an impressive legacy in our area schools, then opted for early retirement in 1987, and began an 18-year career in cash management - continuing to serve the educational system in that capacity. During that time, and after retiring from Cadre Securities in 2005, he continued his community involvement. He currently serves on Parmly's Community Council, the Thrivent Financial Board of Directors, the Chisago Lakes Community Foundation Board, the Minnesota Association of School Administrators Board of Trustees and many other leadership roles.

As a fifth generation Norwegian, Bungum is President of the Nordmann's Forbundet (Norse Federation), maintaining a connection to Norway and keeping his Norwegian heritage alive! He is active in the Sons of Norway and the Norske Torske Klubben - they sing the Norwegian National Anthem in Norwegian, to preserve their heritage, and also sing "God Bless America". He is also active in the American Legion, the Lions Club and many other organizations.

As the impetus behind the video recordings of Chisago County Veterans, he is helping to preserve their military experiences through the Library of Congress, and at the Chisago County History Center, for the Veteran's History Project. These recordings also provide the veteran's families a treasured keepsake of thoughts and experiences that are often not shared with loved ones.

Bungum was born in the small town of Hayfield, MN, one of nine children raised on a farm in Dodge County. He attended Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa and earned a teaching degree in Social Studies and Economics. He received a deferment during the Korean War, then volunteered for the Army after college. His time in the military, after basic training, included typing special orders - sending soldiers all over the world, and being trained to jump out of a plane. He served two years on active duty, and then was employed for one summer at Libby's canning factory in Rochester, canning peas, prior to his first teaching position in New Albin, Iowa. Bungum taught there for two years, and also drove the school bus to ball games, umpired, kept score and took on other assignments that teachers were asked to do. He began a Masters program at the University of Wyoming, with help from the GI bill, and moved his wife Joan, son David, born in 1955, and daughter Jane, born in 1957, there with him each summer. He went on to teach in Redwood Falls, and became the Principal at Ceylon, MN. His youngest son, Philip was born in 1960, and by this time Don was working on his P.H.D. at the Univerity of Minnesota, and also selling World Book encyclopedias - earning an award as "Top Teacher Salesman". He was Superintendent in Hector/Bird Island, and from there became an Assistant Principal in Minnetonka, so he could be closer to the U of M and complete the PHD program. He was in charge of "vice" at Minnetonka, which he says was an education in itself - since it was the late 1960's!

Bungum says modestly, that early in life he set goals and attained them. Through self-motivation and initiative, and a strong desire to learn, he became well-educated, opening up career opportunities. Undoubtedly, his family made sacrifices in the early years, and his children and grandchildren have benefited from his strength and conviction.

The Chisago Lakes Chamber is proud that Bungum has chosen to live in this community, and to share his strengths and talents. He will be recognized by the Chamber at the Balloon Pilot's reception Friday evening, January 30, and will be out on North Center Lake during the weekend events. He'll also represent the Chamber at community events throughout the year, including the Karl Oskar and Ki Chi Saga parades.

Please be sure to congratulate Bungum, and thank him personally for all that he has contributed to the Chisago Lakes Area. THANK YOU, Don!

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