The founder and president of the Farm Rescue organization in the Northern Plains has received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of North Dakota.
Bill Gross received the honor during his alma mater's spring commencement ceremony on Saturday. Gross had earned a bachelor's degree in aviation from UND in 1988.
North Dakota-based Farm Rescue helps farmers in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and Montana struck by illness, injury or disaster. The nonprofit that plants and harvests crops with the help of volunteers, donations and business sponsors helped its 300th farm family last fall.