Altru president named to North Dakota higher ed board
Jul 14, 2026 | 2:41 pm ET
Description
Dr. Joshua Deere, left, and Kelby Azure are newly appointed members to the State Board of Higher Education. Board Chair Kevin Black also was reappointed. (Photos courtesy of Governor's Office)
A leader in the healthcare industry will join the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Tuesday announced that Dr. Joshua Deere, president of Grand Forks-based Altru Health System, will join the board. Deere also is a family medicine physician.
Deere earned his undergraduate degree from Mayville State University, his medical degree from the University of North Dakota and a master’s in business administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck.
Deere succeeds Danita Bye, who has served on the board since 2020 and reached the maximum term limit.
Armstrong also reappointed Kevin Black of Minot, the current board chair, and named Mayville State student Kelby Azure to a one-year term as the board’s student member.
Azure graduated from Mayville State in May with a bachelor’s degree in allied health and is working on his master’s degree while playing football for the university. He is from Portland, North Dakota.
The board oversees the North Dakota University System’s 11 public colleges and universities.
Bismarck, ND
