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Austin Hieb Named to Prairie Business Magazine's 2025 40 Under 40 List; Issue Also Features UJ Student Senate President

Jamestown, ND (12/10/2025) — University of Jamestown (UJ) is proud to announce that Athletic Director Austin Hieb, J.D., has been named to Prairie Business Magazine's 2025 40 Under 40 list. For more than a decade, Prairie Business has recognized outstanding professionals across the Dakotas and western Minnesota in its annual 40 Under 40 issue, with honorees selected through community and peer nominations.

This year's December issue is especially meaningful for the UJ community, as it also features alumna MacKenzie Hertz and current student Margaux Kautzmann. Their inclusion highlights the university's commitment to servant-driven leadership.

Hieb joined the University of Jamestown as athletic director in March 2022, bringing dynamic vision and transformative leadership to the Jimmies athletic program. Under his guidance, the university completed an expedited transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and joined the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference-a process typically requiring three years but accomplished in just two with Hieb's team. Achievements during his tenure also include a national championship for the women's volleyball team in 2022 and the recruitment of key head coaches in wrestling, golf, track and field, tennis and women's hockey.

MacKenzie Hertz, a 2015 graduate of UJ, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in history. She went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2018 with a Juris Doctor degree. Hertz is currently an attorney with Vogel Law Firm.

Margaux Kautzmann is recognized for her dedication to student leadership and campus engagement. Kautzmann is the student senate president, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Psychology and Chemistry. In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Margaux has gained valuable professional experience through multiple internships. These opportunities have allowed her to apply her classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

The magazine highlights her positive impact on campus and her potential to be recognized on future 40 Under 40 lists.

"We talk a lot about building bridges at UJ. We want to help be a bridge to education, to careers, and to building stronger communities for people. I'm grateful for the ways our students, graduates, and leaders live out this mission every day. Seeing them recognized for their talents and hard work is a wonderful reminder of the impact Jimmies are making both on our campus and across the region," said UJ President Polly Peterson.

The December 2025 issue of Prairie Business Magazine can be viewed online: Prairie Business - December 2025 (Full View).To learn more about the University of Jamestown's leadership development programs and degrees, please visit unruh.uj.edu.

About University of Jamestown

University of Jamestown is consistently ranked as a top regional university in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1883 as Jamestown College, UJ is a private, Christian liberal arts institution that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. At the bachelor's level, students can pursue degrees in the arts, sciences, and nursing. The university also grants master's degrees in business, education, leadership, technology and clinical counseling. Additionally, UJ provides doctoral programs in clinical research, character in leadership, and physical therapy. To expand access to its high-quality education, University of Jamestown launched UJ Accelerated, its online division, which delivers intensive upskilling opportunities to learners across diverse settings. For more information about academic offerings, campus life, and online programs, please visit UJ.edu.

Media Attachments

University of Jamestown Athletic Director Austin Hieb, J.D., has been named to Prairie Business Magazine’s 2025 40 Under 40 list. Hieb joined UJ as athletic director in March 2022.

Prairie Business Magazine's latest issue recognized University of Jamestown student Margaux Kautzmann for her dedication to student leadership and campus engagement. Kautzmann, of Mandan, North Dakota, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Psychology and Chemistry at UJ.

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