As far as I understand, UND aerospace is always buying new planes and rotating out old ones. The only reason this is news is because they're moving to a different vender and it's a big contract.
Here's an AOPA article about it: http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2016/April/06/Piper-scores-big-with-UND-training-contract
It mentions that Piper has agreed to help market the aviation programs and provider scholarships. I'm personally more of a Cessna guy, but it's good to see Piper actively investing in the future of commercial and general aviation.