Augie Alumni Spotlight

Gordon L. Iseminger ('59) taught at the University of North Dakota for fifty-seven years before retiring in 2019. He earned his undergraduate degree at Augustana and continued his education at the University of South  Dakota and the University of Oklahoma. A distinguished historian, Iseminger served on the Grand Forks HIstoric Preservation Commission and published extensively in various scholarly journals. In  recognition of his contributions, he was named Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor in 2003, recieved the Distinguished Contribution to Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of the Northern Plains Award from the Center for Western Studies in 2015, and was honored with the Heritage Profile Honor Award by the State HIstorical Society of North Dakota in 2020. He is the author of two books: The Quartzite Border: Surveying and Marking the North Dakota-South Dakota Boundary, 1891-1892 (2019) and The All-American Turkey Show (2024). 

The All-American Turkey Show offers a glimpse into early 20th-century farming culture, focusing on the promotion of prize turkeys and the turkey industry during the two decades between the World Wars. Iseminger's engaging narrative delves into the world of turkey domestication, explores various breeds, and highlights the significance of the All-American Turkey Show to the industry. He brings this once-forgotten piece of Americana history to life, caputring the importance of the event and how it became rooted in Grand Forks, ND. 
The All-American Turkey Show is available at the Mikkelsen Library.