Feb. 8, 2017

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For its ninth year running, Darwin Day returns to Minot State University Thursday and Friday (Feb. 9-10). Darwin Day is a global celebration of science and reason, focusing on how all living creatures evolve.

“This has always been a fun event for all,” said Alexandra Deufel, chair and professor within the Department of Biology. “We want to, again, open our doors to the community and area high school students and together explore evolutionary biology.”

The Darwin Day celebration begins Thursday (Feb. 9) with Harry W. Greene, renowned naturalist and Cornell University professor emeritus, presenting “Natural history, ethics, and aesthetics: Why should we care about nature?" in Cyril Moore Science Center Auditorium, 7 p.m. Greene was professor and curator in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley and began teaching at Cornell University in 1999. Having won many awards, Greene was named one of Cornell’s “Top Ten Professors” in 2014 by Business Insider, and he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His book, “Snakes: the Evolution of Mystery in Nature,” won a PEN Literary Award, garnered a two-page spread in Time magazine and made the New York Times’ annual list of 100 Most Notable Books.

Friday (Feb. 10) from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the Cyril Moore Science Center will host a variety of biology activities about evolution, geared toward high school level students. Home schooled students are welcome. Individuals may tour the greenhouse and research labs. On the greenhouse tours, they will learn about plant diversity. On the lab tours, they will learn about ongoing Minot State research in the neurobiology of addiction, human anatomy, paleontology and more.

At noon in Aleshire Theater, guest artist Jessica Christy will present “The Evolving Narrative: Keeping Tradition in the Contemporary.”

All events are free and open to the public. Visit news release and schedule for more information.

Minot State University Noon Luncheon Series will finish off its winter schedule Thursday (Feb. 9) at noon in the Dome south lobby. This week’s lineup features women’s and men’s basketball along with the Beavers track and field program. MSU head coaches Sheila Green Gerding (women’s basketball), Matt Murken (men’s basketball) and Stu Melby (track and field) will serve as keynote speakers, and each program will feature selected student-athletes.

Special events are planned for the Alumni, Beaver Boosters and Friends Appreciation Night Friday (Feb. 10), when MSU basketball hosts University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Since it’s a “Red Out,” attendees are encouraged to wear red clothing. The women’s game starts at 6 p.m. in the Dome, with the men’s game at 8 p.m.

Postcards provide admission to the event. The special events begin at 5:30 p.m. with free food from Homesteaders Restaurant (while it lasts). Prizes will also be awarded. The MSU Alumni Association, the MSU Athletic Department and the Beaver Boosters sponsor the event. For questions, contact the alumni office at 858-3234.

The Northern Lights International Film Series takes a dark turn Monday (Feb. 13) with the screening of “Valley of Shadows,” a horror thriller from Greenland. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. in Aleshire Theater with a social and appetizer buffet preceding the film at 6 p.m.

All Minot State University students, faculty and staff are invited to attend one of two campus forums for information on MSU strategic planning. These open forums will provide updates on the progress of the strategic plan’s action items. The forums are Tuesday (Feb.14) at 12:30 p.m. and Feb.16 at 8 a.m. in the Conference Center. For questions, contact Amber Wright, administrative assistant to the College of Business dean, at amber.l.wright@minotstateu.edu.

Feb. 15 at Minot State University, high school students will compete at the Department of Business Information Technology’s 19th annual Technology Day. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. in the Conference Center, third floor of the Student Center.

“Technology Day is an excellent event to showcase area high school students in their business and technology skills. This year, 15 schools, the most ever, are competing,” said Jan Repnow, business information technology assistant professor. “This event also showcases our business teacher-education students as they plan, organize and manage all aspects of this competition in preparation for their upcoming teaching careers.”

High schools select students for competition in accounting, business communication, business law, desktop publishing, document production, business principles, spreadsheet applications and presentation software. For instance, in one competition, participants create a spreadsheet and a chart from given data. For another, participants create a presentation of slides on an assigned topic. Every school is eligible to enter one student in each of the eight individual events.

“As part of the presentation software segment, the students must present their presentation to a panel of judges,” Repnow said.

The school with the most points for placements in all competitions will receive a sweepstakes trophy. Participating high schools are Berthold, Bowbells, Burke Central, Des Lacs-Burlington, Kenmare, Max, Nedrose, Powers Lake, Stanley, Surrey, TGU Granville, TGU Towner, Tioga, Underwood and Westhope.

BIT faculty members and business teacher-education students will supervise the competition, which starts at 9:30 a.m. in Old Main and the Conference Center. At 11:45 a.m., Vernon Dosch, president and chief executive officer of National Information Solutions Cooperative, is the keynote speaker in the Conference Center. An awards ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the Conference Center.

Technology Day corporate sponsors include SRT Communications, Grand Hotel, MSU Office of Enrollment Services, First Western Bank and Trust, CompuTech Inc., Town and Country Credit Union, First International Bank and Trust, The Computer Store and Bremer Bank.

For questions, contact Repnow at 858-3325 or jan.l.repnow@minotstateu.edu.

Open campus forums providing updates on the current budget situation will be held on Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m. and Feb. 16 at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Center. Please plan to attend one of these two forums.

Feb. 15 in Aleshire Theater at 7 p.m., Terry Eckmann, professor of physical education, will discuss practical tips for healthy, active aging from her book, “101 Ways to Age Gracefully.” This presentation, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Northwest Art Center lecture series.

Eckmann’s book, a research-based guide to better health and wellbeing, includes photos of Minot area women of all ages.

“The book is dedicated to women in my life who are aging gracefully by living life to the fullest,” Eckmann said.

Eckmann, who has received numerous awards, has over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry. She presents internationally on topics related to health and wellness, and “101 Brain Boosters,” her 2013 book, is used by a multitude of individuals, educators and communities globally.

The Halliday native holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and speech-language pathology and a master’s degree in communication disorders from Minot State University, a master’s degree in physical education/exercise science from the University of Montana, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota. 

An informal reception will follow. This program is funded in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. For questions, contact Avis Veikley, Northwest Art Center director, at avis.veikley@minotstateu.edu.

Minot State University’s Beta Theta Sorority will sponsor a blood drive Feb. 17 in the Swain Hall Atrium, third floor, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is a fun and convenient way to donate blood, get blood pressure, temperature, pulse, hematocrit and cholesterol checked and possibly save someone’s life, all in less than an hour.

“American Red Cross’ blood supply is low because our extremely cold weather,” said Chelsea Geis, Beta Theta philanthropy chair. “We all believe it is important to give back to the community, and there is no better way to give back than by also saving lives.”

Minot Symphony Orchestra continues its 2016-17 season, “Music of the Sphere,” Feb. 18 in Minot State University’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall with a family concert titled “The Troublemakers” at 7:30 p.m.

MSO will perform notable compositions about troublemakers. Paul Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” from the Disney movie “Fantasia,” celebrates magical mischief. Maria gets in trouble in “The Sound of Music,” and bullets are dodged in Aaron Copland’s “Suite from Billy the Kid.” Minot High junior Kari Jenks, the MSO High School Concerto Competition winner, will be the featured soloist.

Minot State University students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a current ID. Ticket prices for adults are $25 main floor and $30 balcony; senior citizen is $20 main floor and $25 balcony; students 13-17, $15; children 12 and under, $10. Erik Anderson, principal cellist, invites attendees to a 6:30 p.m. preconcert lecture for an inside look at the symphony program. For more information, visit the MSO website.

The Cyril Moore Science Center and the undergraduate student clubs, Beta Gamma Science Club, Club Biology and AUGITE, are hosting an open house Feb. 21 for students in grades 3-6 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Minot State University faculty and students will demonstrate science research projects.

For the public, the Division of Science will host a chemistry magic show at 3 p.m. in Hoffman Auditorium. Faculty and students will perform experiments developed by MSU classes that include things parents warn their children to never do — play with dangerous chemicals, fire and explosions. The public chemistry magic show starts promptly at 3 p.m. and lasts 40 minutes. It is free and open to the public.

Feb. 16 from 6 to 7 p.m., the Science Club will collaborate with Scheels Kids Club for a mad scientist event. Children are invited to come to the front of the Scheels in Dakota Square Mall, where they can carry out science-based activities.

Feb. 18 in the Dome from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Science Club will participate in the CHI St Alexius Children's Olympics. Children will partake in science-based activities.

Jean-Francois Mondon, assistant professor of foreign language and coordinator of foreign languages, will discuss “When Languages Fight: Contact Situations, or the Un-Englishness of English” (Feb. 22) for The Two-Minute Lecture Series. He will be in the Beaver Creek Café by the curved wall at 12:30 p.m. Come on out and time it.

On March 8, Melissa Naslund, instructor of psychology, will present “Expressive Art: A Therapeutic Medium.” For questions, contact Robert Kibler, co-chair and professor within the Division of Humanities, at Robert.Kibler@minotstateu.edu.

Minot State University welcomes new employees, Mike Aldrich and Dana Cordova.

Aldrich, head football coach, comes to Minot State after two successful seasons as the assistant head coach and defensive line/linebackers coach at Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn. He was named the 2016 AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year. The native of Burnsville, Minn., played collegiately for St. Olaf where he holds a bachelor's degree in economics and social studies education. He earned his master's degree in kinesiology/sports management from the University of Minnesota in 1999. Aldrich and his wife, Kristen, have three children.

Cordova, head volleyball coach, spent the past six seasons at Tiffin University, Ohio, compiling a 72-99 overall record including a 19-12 season in 2016. The Trinidad, Colo., native was named a NJCAA All-American in basketball at OJC as a player and finished her collegiate career at McPherson College, Kan., earning all-conference honors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social science in 2000 from McPherson and earned an associate of science degree from OJC in 1997.

On Dec. 13, the North Dakota University System Staff Senate re-elected Andy Wakeford as the staff advisor to the State Board of Higher Education. Wakeford, the online coordinator/online advisor at Lake Region State College, will serve through June 2018.

Wakeford is the third NDUS staff member to serve in this position, which was created with the passage of HB 1213 by the 2011 Legislative Assembly. He is a non-voting SBHE member and can be contacted at andy.wakeford@lrsc.edu. For more information about Wakeford, visit SBHE members.

The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee hosts Saturday legislative forums at the North Dakota State Fair Center, with the next forum Feb. 18 at 9 a.m.

The forums give attendees a chance to meet with Minot area legislators and ask questions. The format includes a moderator who asks questions submitted in writing by the audience. Each session runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at the NDSF Center. Other dates are Feb. 18, March 4 and 18 and April 1. 

Feb. 8-15 — “Sea Change” by Fawn Atencio, a Denver artist and Best-of-Show winner in MSU's Americas 2016 Paperworks competition, Library Gallery.

Feb. 8-23 — “Americas 2017: Paperworks," a national juried exhibition with guest juror Michael Strand, Hartnett Gallery. 

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

Joseph Jastrzembski, professor of history, is serving on North Dakota’s WWI Centennial Commemoration Commission, part of the national WWI Centennial Commission, which is planning, developing and executing programs that commemorate the centennial of American involvement in World War I.

Submissions Due: Feb. 15, 2017
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.