Inside - MSU University Communications
A NEWSLETTER FOR EMPLOYEES AND FRIENDS OF MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY

May 25, 2016

Next Issue: June 22, 2016
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Congratulations graduates!

Minot State University is proud of the Class of 2016. More than 835 undergraduate and graduate students were eligible to walk through commencement exercises May 13.

Graduate student Nichole DeSautel, undergraduate student Jacques Stanley, and alumna Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota superintendent of public instruction, addressed the Class of 2016.


Fallen heroes to be honored by Minot State Veterans Center

The Veterans Center will honor veterans Friday (May 27) with a search-and-discover-fallen-heroes mission on the Minot State University campus and in First Lutheran Church Cemetery. Interested participants should meet near the Student Center flagpoles shortly before 10 a.m.

Those unable to attend the event may conduct their own search-and-discover missions at three Minot cemeteries by going to the Veterans Center webpage, http://www.minotstateu.edu/veterans. Click the “Search and Discover Mission” link for instructions on how to conduct a search-and-discover mission along with answers to questions about veterans buried in the cemeteries.  

“If people want to pay tribute to area veterans this Memorial Day weekend, here is an opportunity for families and individuals to learn more about those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces to help preserve the freedoms everyone enjoys today,” said Andy Heitkamp, Veterans Center director.  


MSU Summer Theatre tradition continues with season 51

Minot State University Summer Theatre celebrates its 51st season at the MSU Amphitheatre June 8 through July 17 with “Godspell,” “School House Rock, Live!” “Noises Off” and “Oklahoma.” For detailed descriptions of each play, go to http://www.minotstateu.edu/pio/news/2016/05/msu-summer-theatre-tradition-continues-with-season-51.shtml.

Nestled into the grassy hillside just north of the campus, the amphitheater has been home to MSU Summer Theatre since 1971. Boasting exceptional views of the stage and Minot, it delivers the perfect spot for a night of theater under the stars.

All performances begin at 8:30 p.m. The box office opens the evening of each performance at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are: $12 adults, $10 seniors, students and military with ID, $8 for children (12 and under), $5 for MSU summer students, faculty and staff with current MSU ID. Reservations, which are strongly recommended, begin May 31. For reservations or questions, call 858-3228.

MSU bringing Friend-raising Golf Tour to area communities

Minot State University alumni and friends are invited to participate in the 11th annual Friend-raising Golf Tour. The summer tour will stop in six cities: Velva on June 7, Burlington on June 14, New Town on June 21, Garrison on July 12, Bottineau on July 19 and Kenmare on Aug. 4. MSU will recognize area students receiving 2016-17 scholarships at each event.

“Minot State receives amazing support from the surrounding area in everything its students do,” said Janna McKechnie, director of alumni relations and annual giving. “The Friend-raising Golf Tour enables Minot State’s people to be out in the communities to thank them.”

The tour’s motto is “Golf One or Golf Them All” with the format of a four-person, 9-hole scramble. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. with a shotgun start at 5 p.m. A social will immediately follow completion of golf. Non-golfers are welcome to attend.

Prizes and T-shirts will be awarded at each event. To read the news release, go to http://www.minotstateu.edu/pio/news/2016/05/msu-bringing-friend-raising-golf-tour-to-area-communities.shtml.


Dakota Chamber Music celebrates 20th anniversary

The Dakota Chamber Music will celebrate its 20th season June 20-26. The institute brings professional artists together with talented and motivated students and adults for intensive performance and study. Minot State University’s resident trio, Luminus, forms the core of the 2016 DCM faculty. Erik Anderson, cello, Dianna Anderson, piano, and Jon Rumney, violin, comprise the trio.

“This is our 20th anniversary year, and we dedicate this week of music making in celebration of the life and legacy of Lynne Rumney, who founded DCM with her husband, Jon,” said Erik Anderson, professor of music. “Each year, it is a thrill to see their dream come alive once again in our halls and on our stage.”

Each year, DCM draws 40-50 musicians, high school through adult, who play strings, piano, winds and brass. It is by audition only and is coordinated by the MSU Division of Music.

Faculty concerts are on June 20 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. The June 20 concert features guest artists Beo, a Pittsburgh string quartet with two Minot State graduates, and the Ying Quartet, an ensemble with a distinguished international career and direct ties to the first years of DCM. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Concerts by DCM students are June 20 at 4 p.m., June 21 at 11 a.m., June 25 at 7 p.m. and June 26 at 1 p.m. Admission is free.

All concerts are in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall and are open to the public. For questions, contact Anderson at 858-3576 or erik.anderson@minotstateu.edu.


INBRE research student presents at 2016 Posters on the Hill

Jin Hee Choi, Minot State University chemistry major, was selected as a winner in a national competition to participate in the Posters on the Hill event sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research. The native of Taean, South Korea, was one of 60 undergraduate students from across the nation who presented their research to members of the United State Congress on April 20. It is the sixth time that one of Chemistry Professor Mikhail Bobylev’s IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence student researchers was selected.

The students and their research advisors spent nearly the entire day in the U.S. Capitol. Choi and Bobylev met with U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp and Rick Collin, senior policy advisor for U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer. To read the full news release, visit http://www.minotstateu.edu/pio/news/2016/05/inbre-research-student-presents-at-2016-posters-on-the-hill.shtml.


SGA names Professors and Advisor of the Year

The Student Government Association selected Kristi-Ann Berg, Thomas Froelich and Laurie Geller as 2015-16 Professors of the Year and Advisor of the Year. These awards honor faculty members from Minot State University’s three colleges and one faculty or staff advisor for their dedication to students.

“Student Government Association recognizes the commitment and remarkable work of Minot State professors and advisors and congratulates the 2015-2016 recipients for what they do in and outside of the classroom,” said Alex Buchholz, SGA president.

Berg, business information technology associate professor, was selected Professor of the Year for the College of Business and Froelich, communication disorders assistant professor, was chosen for the College of Education and Health Sciences. Geller, mathematics professor, was selected as Professor of the Year for the College of Arts and Sciences and Advisor of the Year.

Pictured, left to right, are Froelich, Geller and Berg. For questions, contact Buchholz at sga@minotstateu.edu.


College for Kids

The Center for Extended Learning has great opportunities for kids this summer. Minot State University employees receive $10/kid/camp as an employee discount. For the classes and information, visit www.msucollegeforkids.com.

E-waste pickup time frame set for Aug. 1

Minot State University will again participate in the free Apple Recycling promotion. The tentative pickup week will be Aug. 1. If departments have unusable electronic equipment, such as computers, monitors and televisions, Information Technology Central and facilities management staff will pick up those items. All e-waste items must be MSU-owned and have a completed Change of Inventory form. No personal e-waste is allowed under this free program. A tentative deadline has been set for the last week of July to allow time to palletize and shrink wrap any remaining items.

Previously, MSU has recycled over 100,000 pounds of used electronic equipment. Please participate. Contact the Help Desk at 858-4444 or submit a work-order request to helpdesk@minotstateu.edu.


MSU receives CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ accreditation

Minot State University continues to uphold its reputation as a leader in encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and workplace wellness. MSU received accreditation with the CEO Cancer Gold Standard™, a workplace-based initiative dedicated to fighting cancer in workplaces. The Gold Standard is a comprehensive program that focuses on risk reduction, early detection and quality care in cancer treatment.

To achieve this distinction, organizations must adopt standards that focus on cancer-related activities in five critical areas, known as the Five Pillars: tobacco use; diet and nutrition; physical activity; prevention, screening and early detection; and access to quality treatment and clinical trials. For each pillar, CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ organizations must sustain a culture that values and supports a healthy lifestyle and offers benefits and programs that help detect and prevent cancer. To read the full news release, go to http://www.minotstateu.edu/pio/news/2016/05/msu-receives-ceo-cancer-gold-standard-accreditation.shtml.


MSU’s online special education master’s degree ranked No. 2

Minot State University was recently recognized by Affordable Colleges Online, a leading education and industry resource for online education information, for having one of the best online special education programs in the nation.

“Affordable Colleges Online highlights the top-ranked online master’s in special education programs across the nation.” said Dan Schuessler, CEO and founder of Affordable Colleges Online. “Not all students who desire a master’s degree in special education fit into the traditional college landscape; these programs give them the freedom to learn in the best way possible for them.”

To qualify for this ranking universities must be public and not for profit. Qualifying schools were evaluated based on the count of online master’s degrees available, graduate tuition and fees, academic and career counseling services, job placement for graduates, and AC Online Peer-Based Value. For the full news release, go to http://www.minotstateu.edu/pio/news/2016/05/msus-online-masters-degree-in-special-education-ranked-no.-2.shtml.

Retirees honored

Minot State University employees, who recently retired or will retire at the end of this semester, were honored May 11 at the Employee Recognition and Retirement Event. Pictured, left to right, are Ken Bowles, music; Cheryl Gilson, communication disorders; Stephen Hayton, mathematics and computer science; Donna Just, library; Kevin Neuharth, communication arts; David Rochholz, teacher education and human performance; Marv Semrau, advancement; and Thomas Seymour, business information technology. Not shown: Patti Fedje, accounting and finance; Koletta Ficek, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities; Susan Herzog, Center for Extended Learning; Joan Houston, accounting and finance; William Klimpel, facilities management; and Rebecca Volk, publications and design services.  


In the galleries

May 25-27 — “Facing the Future,” charcoal portraits by MSU senior art student DelRay Audet of Minot, Minot Public Library.

May 25 - June 9 — “Archetypes,” charcoal drawings by MSU senior art student Justin Stevenson of Minot, Hartnett Gallery.

June 1-30 — North and South Dakota Photography Group Show, Library Gallery. 


Faculty and staff achievements

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

Minot State University social work students met with Senator Heidi Heitkamp May 6 to discuss funding and legislative action for Head Start. The students were enrolled in MSU's Social Welfare Policy course taught by Susan Peterson, social work program director.


Newsletter submissions

Submissions Due: June 15, 2016
University Communications, Administration, second floor
Email: michael.linnell@minotstateu.edu
Voice: 858-3298 - Fax: 858-4481


Minot State University mission

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.

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