Fergus Falls Journal Names Dale Heglund Its 2026 Citizen of the Year

Dale Heglund called himself speechless standing before members of Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity at Federated Church on March 19, and he had good reason: Daily Journal Media had just named the longtime Fergus Falls volunteer its 2026 Citizen of the Year.

"To be one of them is incredible, but to be recognized as one of them is life-changing," Heglund said of the county's volunteer community. "It's amazing and I'm so grateful. This has made me speechless for the first time in my life, I think."

Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Paul Shol arranged the presentation. The local affiliate has built 68 homes in the area since 1991, and Heglund serves on its board as part of a broader civic record that extends across transportation advisory work and other nonprofit efforts throughout Otter Tail County.

His professional background frames the scale of that record. Heglund spent 15 years with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, advancing to assistant district engineer in Dickinson, before joining the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University. As director of UGPTI's North Dakota Local Technical Assistance Program from 2014 until his retirement, he helped build the Northern Tribal Technical Assistance Program, which wove tribal road systems across the Upper Great Plains into the larger regional network over a career spanning more than 45 years.

UGPTI honored him with its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for what the institute described as a "life-long passion for improving transportation." He also holds membership in the Order of the Engineer and received the Bruce Nelson Award from the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers.

Heglund, who lives in Fergus Falls with his wife Jennifer, continues his board work with the local Habitat affiliate, which is actively seeking volunteers for upcoming home builds in Otter Tail County. Residents interested in getting involved can reach Executive Director Paul Shol at paul@ffhabitat.org.