Bernt Lloyd Wills was born on this date in 1909 in Drake, ND. After graduating from high school in Casselton, he started teaching, got his bachelors’ degree from Valley City State, his masters Montana State and his doctorate from Northwestern University. He served in the Navy during World War II and taught at UND, where he became chair of the Geography Department.

Dr. Wills wrote two books on North Dakota geography and was the first president of the Association of North Dakota Geographers. He also served as National Vice President of Gamma Theta Upsilon, a national professional geographic fraternity, and served as National President for the group from 1955 - 1957. He was also awarded UND’s Alumni Award for outstanding teaching in 1976.

Source: “Bernt Wills Papers: Biographical Sketch.” Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. University of North Dakota. http://www.library.und.edu/Collections/og510.html

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