April 8, 2015

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The inauguration of Steven W. Shirley as the 11th president of Minot State University will celebrate the university’s honored past and history of service while advancing its future. Shirley is also the president of Dakota College at Bottineau. April 13-21, MSU departments and entities will host special events highlighting Minot State’s strengths leading up to the inauguration ceremony.

Dr. Steven Shirley“As the traditional school year draws closer to commencement, we gather as a campus to celebrate the official inauguration of Minot State University’s and Dakota College at Bottineau’s new president, Dr. Steven Shirley,” Dick Jenkins, vice president for student affairs, said, “The variety of activities planned throughout the week will be fun and inspirational, and we invite the community to join us in this momentous event.”

Planned events, which are free and open to the public, include:

• Monday (April 13), 3 p.m. — Staff Senate will donate proceeds from its charitable silent auction in the Westlie Room. President Shirley will assist with presentation of a check to the Backpack Buddies Program, which provides food to children at risk of hunger on weekends. Backpack Buddies started as a staff leadership project through the College of Business.
• April 15, 7 p.m. — Celebration of Talent, a variety show, will showcase gifted MSU students, faculty and staff in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall.
• April 16, 1 p.m. — President Shirley will participate in the Diversity Tapestry Weaving in the Multicultural Center, Student Center, first floor. Throughout the week, MSU students, faculty, staff and groups will participate in the creation of a tapestry that will represent the diverse backgrounds, cultures and other exceptional aspects of the campus community.
• April 17, 2 p.m. — Minot State University invites all to attend the inauguration ceremony of Steven W. Shirley, MSU’s 11th president, in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. An inaugural reception will follow.
• April 18, 1:30 p.m. — Baseball versus Northern State University at Corbett Field (back up: Jack Hoeven Park). President Shirley will throw the opening pitch at 1:30 p.m. Free tailgating will include games and free burgers and brats while supplies last.
• April 19, noon — Softball versus Minnesota State University Mankato at South Hill Softball Complex (back up: Herb Parker Stadium). President Shirley will toss the opening pitch at noon. Free tailgating will include games and free burgers and brats while supplies last.
• April 21, 1 p.m. — Dakota College at Bottineau will host a public reception for President Shirley in Thatcher Hall.
• To commemorate President Shirley’s installation, student-athletes will visit area elementary schools for reading sessions in forthcoming days.

For questions, contact Deb Wentz, executive assistant to the president, at 858-3301 or deb.wentz@minotstateu.edu.

Minot State University students, faculty and staff will share their research and scholarly work at the 2014 Research Poster Session Friday (April 10) in the Student Center Atrium, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to the poster presentation, a collection of abstracts will be published.

Minot State University students who are part of the Honors Society and are currently enrolled in Hon 391H “Community Problem Solving” will host the Minot Area Hope for the Hungry Community Banquet Friday (April 10) at Sevens Restaurant (2315 North Broadway) at 6 p.m. The banquet will raise funds for the Minot Area Salvation Army to combat hunger.

“We, as a class, decided to put on this event to raise funds for the local Salvation Army because after looking at many problems in the Minot community, we found hunger to be one of the most prevalent, and one we could address,” explained Catie LeDesma, an MSU student.

“The need continues to increase steadily,” Teri Nauta, Minot Salvation Army captain, said. “While most people are employed, the cost of living in Minot continues to be a challenge.”

The event includes catering and a cash bar by Sevens Restaurant, a silent auction and live local entertainment. Tickets are $20 in advance ($15 for four or more) and $25 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Budget Music and Broadway Bean and Bagel Co. For questions, contact Jessica Smestad, tutoring and mentoring coordinator, at jessica.smestad@minotstateu.edu or 858-4039.

Minot State University’s Program of Theatre Arts presents Annie Baker’s “Circle Mirror Transformation" April 21-25 in Aleshire Theater at 7:30 p.m. Kevin Neuharth, associate professor of communication arts, will direct the play. Doors open at 7 p.m.

“Circle Mirror Transformation," a 2010 Obie Award winner for the Best New American Play, tells the story of four enrollees in a six-weeklong community center drama class. Their experimentation with theatre games leads to hearts being quietly torn apart.

For tickets, contact the MSU theater box office at 858-3172. Tickets are $6 for adults; $5 for seniors, students and children under 12. MSU students, faculty and staff are admitted free with current MSU ID. Seating is general admission only, and reservations are strongly encouraged.

•  8:30-9:30 a.m. in Cyril Moore Auditorium — Introduction of Mushegian and VanReken before their campus-wide presentation about National Science Foundation and Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). A question-and-answer session will follow.
• 9:30-9:50 a.m. — Coffee break and time for conversation.
• 9:50-10:50 a.m. — Two separate sessions, which most probably will pertain to Biological Sciences (BIO) programs and about other NSF programs in the Cyril Moore Auditorium and another smaller science auditorium.

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges selected 35 juniors and seniors from Minot State University for inclusion in the 2015 edition. A campus nomination committee and editors of the annual directory chose the students based on their academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities and potential for continued success. They will be honored at a luncheon April 22 at noon in the Conference Center, third floor of the Student Center.

The honorees, listed by hometown and major, are Cortnee Adacsi, Weyburn, Saskatchewan, senior, communication disorders; DelRay Audet, Minot, junior, art education; Melissa Bell, Belgrade, Mont., senior, chemistry; Danielle Bolinske, Minot, senior, graphic design; Samantha Christman, Berthold, senior, criminal justice; Carl Clarito, Minot, junior, nursing; Jesse Crosby, Minot, senior, addiction studies; Alison Cygan, Belgrade, Mont., senior, corporate fitness; Joshua Dueck, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, senior, special education and physical education; Nicole Egge, Williston, junior, elementary education; Lindsey Eliasen, Williston, senior, addiction studies; Stacy Fournier, Langley, British Columbia, senior, marketing, international business and management; Chloe Froehlich, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, senior, communication disorders; Abigail Graves, Benson, Minn., senior, elementary education; Brady Gudgel, Park River, junior, music education; Jamie Harris, Sawyer, senior, nursing; Hannah Harvey, Minot, junior, elementary education and special education; Dalton Houghton, Lethbridge, Alberta, junior, corporate fitness; Mary Lukasik, St. Albert, Alberta, senior, nursing; Jamie MacFarlane, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, senior, physical education and corporate fitness; Emily Mark, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, senior, communication disorders; Johannah Mayhew, Mandan, senior, chemistry and mathematics; Elizabeth Meyer, Buffalo, Mo., senior, computer science and mathematics; Suzannah Miller, Mandan, senior, music and chemistry; Connor Moughtin, Victoria, British Columbia, senior, physical education and corporate fitness; Alexandra Nychuk, Domain, Manitoba, senior, athletic training; Carrie Richardson-Ozuna, Philadelphia, Pa., senior, social work; Liva Rovig, Minot, senior, business education; Amanda Sansaver, Wolf Point, Mont., junior, corporate fitness; Kayla Scholes, Carson, senior, elementary education; Robert Schwartz, Hornell, N.Y., senior, history; Jacques Stanley, Minot, senior, management information systems; Taylor Teske, Westhope, senior, history education; Alyssa Wagner, Regina, Saskatchewan, senior, communication disorders; and Kelsey Walz, Burlington, senior, elementary education and special education.

To make a reservation for the luncheon, contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs by April 15 at 858-3299 or 1-800-777-0750, ext. 3299.

The 32nd annual Gala Dinner and Auction, a night to celebrate Minot State and its supporters, is May 1 at The Grand Hotel, Minot. The social and silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and live auction to follow.

“The Gala is the most significant fundraiser we hold. It is a great opportunity to support the university, student scholarships and the Alumni Association,” said Janna McKechnie, director of alumni relations and annual giving. “We are so grateful to the generous individuals who make donations and those who attend our event.”

Successful bidders may win a granite Beaver bistro table, a progressive dinner for eight, MSU Cornhole game, Beaver landscaping brick, Norsk Hostfest tickets, gourmet cooking classes, car detailing, Scheels gift cards, Lake Sakakawea pontoon rides, succulent pots from Lowes Garden and Floral, and a hotel package.

The $60 ticket includes a gourmet dinner, music and elegant atmosphere. Attire for this event is semi-formal. Valet parking is available. For tickets, call 858-3234, as this event has sold out in the past.

At the YWCA Women of Distinction Banquet March 26, the honorees included a Minot State University staff member, a student and alumnae.

This year’s Women of Distinction winners are Evelyn (Stevenson) Klimpel, ’80, disability services coordinator, for the education award; Breanna Benson, student, for young woman of today and tomorrow; and alumnae Alisa (Johnson) Dahl, ’08, businesswoman; Susan (Hanson) Gates, ’78, Renville County; Debbie Guitian, ’81, faith community; Jennifer (Thorgramson) Kleen, ’10, professional.

Annually, this banquet honors women for their achievements and contributions to the community, as well as businesses and agencies committed to the empowerment of women. The Minot YWCA provides a safe environment to women and children in crisis.

Pictured are (back row from left) Breanna Benson, Evelyn Klimpel, Alisa Dahl and (front row from left) Debbie Guitian, Susan Gates, Jennifer Kleen.

“Buckshot’s Best Bites,” the 2015 Staff Senate cookbook, is available for sale for $15; cash and check are accepted. The cookbook features more than 300 recipes from faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Minot State University.

Proceeds from cookbook sales benefit the Staff Senate Scholarship Endowment, with interest from the endowment supporting classified staff and their families for educational expenses, professional development and special projects.

Pick up a copy from Darla Weigel, administrative assistant to the vice president for student affairs, in Administration 164, or Aaron Hughes, student activities coordinator, in the Student Success Center.

Minot State University welcomes new employee, Shannon Ritchie. Ritchie is an early interventionist with the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities. She moved to Minot because her fiancé, an United States Air Force officer, is stationed at Minot Air Force Base. She earned a Bachelor of Science in developmental psychology and a Master of Education in early intervention/autism from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

• April 8-16 — "Americas 2013: All Media Best of Show," paintings and sculptures by Thomas Stephens of Greeley, Colo., Gordon B. Olson Library Gallery.
• April 9-May 7 — Minot State University Juried Art Show with Greg Walter, Dickinson, as the juror. A public opening reception will be April 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with awards and comments by the juror at 7 p.m., Hartnett Gallery.
• April 22-May 6 — "Weirdos," a capstone exhibition by Takuma Abe of Tokushima, Japan, Gordon B. Olson Library Gallery. A public opening reception for “Weirdos” will be April 22 in the Library Gallery, at 7 p.m.

The Office of Public Information proudly shares the many accomplishments of faculty and staff with the campus community in every issue.

Linda Cresap, business information technology associate professor, recently published a book chapter, “Preparing University Students for Flipped Learning, “ in A.G. Scheg (Ed) “Implementation and Critical Assessment of Flipped Classroom Experience,” (pp. 175-195), IGI Global. Cresap has been invited to present a pre-conference special interest group (SIG), “Let’s Flip the Learning Not the Faculty,” at the UB Tech Conference in Orlando, Fla., this June. Kristi Berg, business information technology associate professor, will present during Cresap’s SIG, and the two colleagues will also co-present their research, “To Flip or Not to Flip: Does Flipped Learning Make a Difference in Student Learning.”

Jan Repnow, business information technology assistant professor, served as written testing coordinator for the Future Business Leaders of America State Conference in Fargo. More than 1,300 high school students competed in business competitive events.

Tom Seymour, business information technology professor, chaired a Higher Learning Commission visit to Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, Okla., from March 31 to April 2.

Submissions Due: noon, April 15
University Communications, Administration, second floor
Email: michael.linnell@minotstateu.edu
Voice: 858-3298 - Fax: 858-4481

Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.