NORTHERN TODAY 9 SPRING 2015 NORTHERN ALUMNI “THIS CAREER has afforded me the opportunity to give to other people, which has truly been enriching,” said Bina, president of the Maryland School for the Blind. Bina, who graduated from Northern State College in 1969, spoke at NSU’s spring commencement in May. He intended to impart similar words of wisdom during his speech, including: “Pay more attention to earning a reputation than a salary. To be happy and reveal life’s true meaning, be useful to others.” FOUND LIFE’S CALLING AT NORTHERN Bina, a native of New Effington, S.D., was a freshman living in Kramer Hall when he got a call from the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired across the street. The school needed a swimming instructor, and from the very first minute in working with these children, Bina found his life’s calling. “I fell in love with the kids. They definitely captured my heart,” he said. GOOD ROLE MODELS AT NORTHERN Bina began teaching, starting with his days as a boy scout camp counselor. He credits Northern staff and faculty as major influences in his career. “When I was at Northern, everyone from nurse Carol Cramer to NSU’s legendary Clark Swisher were superb role models for giving back, making people feel important and helping others,” he said. “I had incredible support there,” he said, adding, “Coming from a small town, Northern helped me gain confidence. I have always appreciated what Northern did for me in my work with students and their families. I just want to return the favor.” DIDN’T LET FEARS HOLD HIM BACK Bina helped others in many ways, which included working during the summers while he was at Northern as a U.S. Forest Service Smokejumper, parachuting into forest fires throughout Montana, Idaho, California and Alaska. Bina admitted his fear of heights, laughing, “What could I expect — being a ‘flatlander’ from East River of South Dakota.” “Northern taught me to face those fears,” he said. He did 25 jumps with the forest service. He did another 25 after college when he served for three years as a Green Beret Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Vietnam era. Bina received the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary performance. After 50 jumps, Bina said he is still afraid of heights. “But I did not let my fear of heights hold me back,” he said. IMPRESSIVE EDUCATIONAL, CAREER BACKGROUND After his military service, Bina earned a master’s degree in special education in 1973 from California State University Los Angeles. He attended the University of Northern Colorado and earned his Doctorate of Education degree in 1980, majoring in special education administration. Bina has worked in special education in states across the U.S., has served on boards for numerous nonprofit agencies, and has written extensively on topics related to education of students who are blind. He has received numerous awards. He was honored by former President Jimmy Carter, and was invited to the White House by President Clinton for the fourth anniversary signing of the American’s Disabilities Act. Bina and his wife, Mary, have three children and two grandchildren. CHALLENGES BRING OPPORTUNITIES He also planned to tell graduates to look for the golden opportunity that may be hidden in each challenge in life that presents itself often as a storm cloud. Throughout his life, Bina has learned that with each adventure come challenges that result in growth. NSU alum Bina shares life wisdomwith spring graduates Often those you are trying to inspire, inspire and enrich you – this is a lesson Dr. Michael Bina has learned in his nearly 50 years working in special education for children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. M I CHA E L B I NA “I had incredible support there. Coming from a small town, Northern helped me gain confidence.”
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