Awarded in 2024

JOAN (LEICHTMAN) HECKAMAN ’67
Joan graduated from Valley City State University in 1967 with a double major in Mathematics and Health/Physical Education. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Minot State University.

Joan taught at East Central Special Education Unit in New Rockford until her retirement in 2004. Following retirement, she taught at the Four Winds Tate Topa elementary and middle school and the Four Winds Alternative High School until final retirement in 2013.

Joan’s legislative career began in the 2006 session when she was elected to the Senate to serve District 23. As a state senator, she excelled in building relationships, doing her homework, and understanding the needs of her district and state. Joan was an advocate in VCSU’s quest to fund the addition to the Rhoades Science Center and the building of the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts. She served 2 sessions as the assistant minority leader in the Senate and 3 sessions as Minority Leader. She ended her service to the legislature in December of 2022.
Joan has received several acknowledgements and awards during her legislative career including the VCSU Certificate of Merit Award (2018), Rural Health Champion Legislative Years of Service Award (2022) and the Governor’s Legacy of Leadership Award (2022).

She has served in several community and church organizations over the years and serves on a few nonprofit board of directors across the state.
Joan said, “VCSU provided me with a sense of belonging and success. The focus on academic excellence continues today along with the college’s ability and willingness to adapt to student and business/industry needs. But foremost is VCSU’s continued emphasis on developing well equipped educators.”
Joan’s special memory at VCSU is the solid foundation she received from the instructors because of the manageable class sizes. Mr. O’Connell, Ms. Graichen, Dr. Dafoe, and Dr. Waa helped Joan form her philosophy on education. Joan remembers her participation in Atheneum Antics and keeps in touch with some of her sorority sisters.

Joan now lives in Dickinson, ND with her husband, Duane. She is a proud wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma!