Alumni Spotlight: Isaiah Kludt ’22

From the small town of Hettinger, North Dakota, to the sidelines of Florida Gators football, Dickinson State University alumnus Isaiah Kludt ’22 is proving that hard work, persistence, and strong relationships can take you anywhere.

Kludt graduated from Dickinson State in 2022 after an outstanding career as both a student and a standout athlete for DSU Football. A dynamic running back for the Blue Hawks, Isaiah became known for his electrifying kickoff returns, taking numerous returns all the way to the end zone and becoming a fan favorite in the process.

Today, Kludt is celebrating another major milestone. After earning his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Dakota this year and successfully passing his boards, he was selected for a highly competitive residency with the Florida Gators football program. For Kludt, the journey began with the values he learned growing up in southwest North Dakota. “Coming from a small town and small school helped me understand the importance of hard work and consistency in everything I do,” he said.

Although he always knew he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, physical therapy was not initially the plan. “I did not know I wanted to become a physical therapist until my last year of undergrad,” Kludt explained. “I knew I wanted to do a job similar to PT, but I did not want to go through three more years of school.” That perspective eventually changed, and the experiences and relationships he built at Dickinson State helped prepare him for the next chapter at UND. “Throughout all my experiences at DSU, I learned that no matter how hard I work toward a goal, I am going to need the help of others to get me there as well, including parents, friends, coaches, and others.”

Like many graduate students, Kludt faced moments during PT school that tested him mentally and physically. What kept him moving forward was the support system around him and the bigger picture ahead. “There were plenty of challenging moments during PT school, but knowing there were 45 others around me who had to go through the same thing helped a lot,” he said. “Also, knowing what this field of medicine has to offer once I finished helped keep me focused on accomplishing my goals.” When he finally completed PT school, passed his boards, and officially earned his doctorate, the moment was both exciting and rewarding.

“There was not much going through my mind at the time because there was plenty of celebrating to be done,” Kludt said. “More than anything, I was excited to finally begin my career and start making an impact on patients.”

That excitement only grew after learning he had been selected for the Florida Gators residency, an opportunity that is highly competitive and nationally respected. “Being selected for that residency was a huge accomplishment for me because I know it is an important step toward my future career goals,” he said. “It also reminded me that coming from a small town in North Dakota does not limit what I am capable of achieving.” Kludt added, “I am still not convinced people down there know we have running water up here in North Dakota.”

As he begins this next chapter, Kludt hopes current DSU students, especially those from small towns, recognize that their goals are within reach. “For current DSU students who come from small towns and may have big goals of their own, I would tell them to always make an effort to keep in contact with friends they became close with during their four years at DSU and to stay persistent in reaching whatever their goal may be.”

He also carries with him a quote from close friend and fellow DSU connection Kellen Ray, a reminder that perfectly reflects both his journey and outlook on life:

“Just keep moving and grooving, baby. You’ll eventually get there.” - Kellen Ray