Minot State University is pleased to announce 11 projects have been funded by the MSU Development Foundation’s EMPOWER Grant Program.

The EMPOWER Grant Program began in January as part of the University’s comprehensive capital campaign. The historic campaign, EMPOWER, was announced in October 2023 and is the most ambitious campaign in school history with a goal of $50 million raised by the end of 2024.

“This project is a direct result of our generous donors realized through the capital campaign,” said Rick Hedberg, vice president for advancement / MSU Development Foundation executive director. “These various grant-funded projects from multiple programs on campus are a fantastic way to showcase the impact of the capital campaign now and in the immediate future. We are excited to be able to fund these projects to enhance the educational experience for students at Minot State.”

A total of $100,000 was utilized to promote the EMPOWER grant. Minot State faculty and staff members could request funding up to $20,000 to increase student enrollment, advance academics, or to enhance the academic experience for students.

See Minot State’s WEBSITE for a complete list of EMPOWER grants.

Due to overwhelming success and continued support from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and the Bush PIPELINE grant, Minot State has announced it is expanding the Aspire Scholars Program to summer and fall semesters.

The Aspire Scholars Program will provide selected juniors and seniors an engaging experience exploring a career in education. Minot State is currently accepting nominations from school administrators or counselors for the summer and fall semesters. Students must be nominated by their respective high schools to be accepted. The electronic nomination form can be found at askmsu.com/aspire.

“The Aspire Scholars program has been well received and we are excited to expand this educational experience so more students can participate,” said Kevin Harmon, vice president of student affairs.

“The level of impact an educator can have on someone is amazing and, frankly, surprising. I can’t wait to be a teacher,” said one of the Spring 2023 cohort students during MSU’s on-campus experience event.

The program components include:

• Dual credit SPED 110 Introduction to Exceptional Children delivered online with tuition and materials paid! This class is required for all education and communication sciences and disorders majors at MSU.
• Peer mentors
• A one-day immersive experience on campus
• Development of an individualized pathway to a career in education

Minot State designed the Aspire Scholars Program to partner with North Dakota K-12 districts in identifying and training high school students who aspire to be educators. This collaborative effort aims to address shortages in teaching fields in North Dakota. The partnership with the ND Department of Education and the Bush PIPELINE grant allows for all tuition, fees, and textbooks at no cost to the student.

Caitlyn Vogel-Medalen ’22 never dreamed the Limitless Fashion Show would need a venue like Ann Nicole Nelson Hall.

But the event Vogel-Medalen and friend Kyley Lauf planned and founded while still in high school to empower people with disabilities, foster friendships, and support shopping local has grown exponentially through the years.

The 2023 Limitless Fashion Show, which has doubled to more than 100 participants and volunteers, will utilize the Minot State’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on April 8. Doors open at 3:40 p.m. with the show starting at 4 p.m.

“This all goes back to fifth grade when I met an individual with down syndrome and, at first, just watched from afar, before deciding to say hi, and it changed my life,” said Vogel-Medalen, Limitless Fashion Show co-founder and executive director. “We became best friends. I was modeling at the time and thought this could be something fun that a lot of girls my age would want to do.

“I’m an advocate, but I can’t just tell someone inclusion is a good thing and they will automatically believe it. Kyley and I were juniors in high school and were really young and didn’t have any experience, but we partnered with the Dreamcatchers for the first one. We really thought it would be a one-year event, but so many people came and donated through a free-will donation that we decided to make it an annual event.”

The evolution of the Limitless Fashion Show isn’t just the venue or size and scope. The 2023 event will be the first year to have male models along with female. The total number of models has grown to over 50 this year.

The Minot State University Early Childhood Education (ECE) online bachelor’s program has been ranked third in the nation according to Best Accredited Colleges.org.

Minot State was placed in the top five, just behind Florida International and Iowa State, but ahead of the University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. For the complete list, go to Best Accredited College.org’s Early Childhood Education ranking HERE.

“This distinction reflects the amazing vision and dedication of (instructors) Karen Foley and Nichol Anderson as well as our colleagues and support staff throughout Teacher Education and the Center for Extended Learning,” said Dan Conn, chair of Teacher Education and Kinesiology. “We look forward to continue growing our online ECE program in relevant ways.”

Early childhood educators typically work with children from birth through grade three and must possess the skills necessary to explain reading, writing, science, and other subjects in ways young children can understand. This degree readies educators for the Birth to Grade 3 North Dakota teaching license and can work in public and private schools. For more information on the Early Childhood Education degree program, see MSU’s WEBSITE.

Best Accredited Colleges.org is based in California and creates guides and school rankings with student education in mind. The site considers hundreds of institutions across the country and ranks them in various categories using data from financial aid awards, quality of education, faculty, campus resources, and more.

Tickets are now on sale for the 39th annual Minot State University Alumni Association Gala Dinner and Auction set for Friday, May 5 at the Clarion Hotel.

The Gala and Auction commemorate the University’s history, alumni, and students with a social, dinner, silent auction, and live auction. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the social and silent auction. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. with a live auction to follow.

The fundraiser supports student scholarships and Alumni Association sponsored activities. Individual tickets for the Gala are $75 and tables of eight are still available and are priced at $600. Tickets can be purchased by calling the MSU Alumni Office at 701-858-3373.

“It is exciting to announce tickets are on sale for our premier event of the year,” said Janna McKechnie, director of alumni relations and engagement. “This is our largest fundraising event and helps us support both our amazing students and the Alumni Association.”

Along with the silent and live auctions, the fundraiser will feature mobile bidding sections and multiple games of chance.

The deadline to submit hours for the Spring Engagement Honor Roll is April 10. More information, including the submission form, is available online HERE. The Engagement Honor Roll is an opportunity for students to receive recognition for the engagement activities in which they participate while they are students at Minot State University, through inclusion of this distinction on their transcripts. The list of qualifying activities includes: Community Service (volunteerism), Civic Engagement, Service Learning, Community-Based Problem-Solving, and Leadership Development. This includes hours for activities such as: research, internships, club leadership hours, volunteer hours for athletics teams and FYE classes, etc. Students must complete a minimum total of 50 hours, verified by supervisors, in any combination of engagement activities in order to be recognized during any given term. Students may only submit hours that have already been completed, not hours expected to be complete by the end of the term. Hours may be accumulated over several semesters; however, recognition for engagement activities will only be awarded for the semester in which the reported activities total 50 hours. Please encourage students you have contact with to submit their hours of activity as soon as possible. An Engagement Honor Roll poster is available HERE.

Be our guest for a free showing of the Academy Award winning film "CODA" with an audience question and answer with Minot State faculty member and CODA Erica Bailey on Sunday, April 16 from 3-5 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. The event flyer is available HERE.

Northwest Arts Center
The gallery is located on the lower level of the Gordon B. Olson Library, with its own entrance on the south side of the library. The arts center is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 1-5 p.m., and by special arrangement. It is closed holidays.

Flat Tail Press
Flat Tail Press is an educational printmaking studio at Minot State University. The gallery is located in the landing space on second and third floor of the Minot State Student Center, west entrance. It is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-12 a.m.

Kyle Bittle, instructor, business information technology, now occupies a seat on the Council representing the great state of North Dakota in the CompTIA National Career and Technical Education Advisory Council. The Council advocates for career and technical education for everyone, everywhere, in an ever-changing workforce.

Emerson Eads’, assistant professor of music, song cycle/cantata hybrid "The Gleaners,"which won third place in the American Prize for Vocal Chamber Music in 2021, has been selected for publication by North Star Music. The poetry was written by Seattle-based poet, Patrick Milian. The piece is available for purchase HERE. Learn more HERE. To learn more about Milian, visit HERE. The live world premiere of "The Gleaners" Can be found HERE.

Terry Eckmann, professor in teacher education & kinesiology, had an article published in The Journal on Active Aging. Her article, "Mindfulness and meditation: research to practice," appeared in the 2023 issue. To read the article, see the attached PDF.

Serena Pontenila, assistant professor, business information technology, was appointed to the Minot City Planning Commission. The Planning Commission consults and advises with public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional, and other organizations, and with citizens relative to the carrying out of planned development of the city and surrounding area. 

Faculty members Amanda Watts, Eric Furuseth, and Robert Kibler had their papers accepted and will present at Northern Plains Conference of Early British Literature at Bemidji State University.

• Amanda Watts: "The Age of Enlightenment in Egypt: Archaeology, Exploration, and the British Invasion of Reason from Richard Pococke to Flinder Petrie"
• Eric Furuseth: "On "The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker:" Another Example of the Eighteenth-Century Epistolary Novel Using Middle/Professional Class Satire as a Teaching Tool to a Changing Society 
• Robert Kibler: "Kinship Dyads, Detached Fathers, and Vengeful Response in 'King Lear'"

Anne Nordgaard began her new position as an academic coach in the POWER Center/TRiO Student Support Services. Nordgaard brings over a decade of work experience at Minot State University, including her previous position as an admission specialist in Enrollment Services.

Emily Norman, a student recruiter in enrollment services, was named the February winner of the State Senate High Five Award. She is pictured HERE with MSU President Steven Shirley and Staff Senate President Katy Allers.

Megan Connell was selected as the ASC Student of the Month for February. She has contributed to the Academic Support Center’s programs as a peer tutor.

Gillian Woodward and Garrett Nicholson, students in both the MS sports management and MS management programs, have published a graduate manuscript in the Journal of Business, Management, Commerce, & Research. The full-text article is available HERE.

Minot State University participated in the 2023 North Dakota University System Legislative Showcase at the North Dakota State Capital on Wednesday, March 22. Students from both the College of Business and the Department of Math and Computer Science along with faculty from both departments presented on MSU’s cyber security offerings as well as an overview of the University. Students included Amber Schmaltz, Cameron Abel, Sam Aannerud, Quinn Sullivan, and Travis Smith with faculty Chad Fenner, assistant professor, business information technology, and Darren Seifert, assistant professor, math and computer science. 

Minot State Esports won a place on the podium at the University of Jamestown’s inaugural Esports Online Invitational, taking home a trophy and a portion of the monetary winnings thanks to a third place finish. The invitational, which featured gameplay in "Overwatch 2," "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," "Rocket League," "Valorant," and "League of Legends," took place on March 17-18 and included schools from North Dakota and South Dakota.  University of Jamestown took first place with 47.5 team points, with North Dakota State barely edging out Minot State for second place with 30 team points against MSU’s 29.5. MSU’s performance included a second place finish in "League of Legends" and third place finishes in "Overwatch 2" and "Valorant" alongside strong competition in "Super Smash" and "Rocket League."  MSU was represented at the tournament by 12 students (alphabetical by last name): Brooke Billadeau ("Overwatch 2"), Cody Bloms ("League of Legends"), Kaden Byker ("Overwatch 2," "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," "Rocket League," "Valorant"), Mason Collins ("Super Smash Bros. Ultimate"), Emily Couse ("League of Legends"), Christian Fridge ("League of Legends," "Overwatch 2," "Valorant"), Sawyer Goodwin ("League of Legends"), Blake Guttormson ("Rocket League"), Bri Romfo ("Overwatch 2," "Valorant"), Reid Tarbox ("League of Legends," "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate"), Alex Vigested ("Rocket League"), and Tam Vu ("League of Legends," "Valorant").

The Minot State University Concert Choir, under the direction of Emerson Eads, assistant professor of music, has been selected as National Semi-Finalists in the American Prize in Choral Performance - College/University Division (smaller program), 2023. The group was chosen for their performance with Metropolitan Opera Tenor, David Cangelosi, of "Todd's Song," on text written by Minot State alumnus, Todd Mathistad, and set to music by Eads. For a list of semi-finalists, see the American Prize WEBSITE. To listen to the song, log on to SPOTIFY or watch on YOUTUBE.

The Minot State Esports Valorant team has earned a second-place regular season finish in Division C of GGLeagues for Spring 2023 and will move on to the league playoffs. The team went 5-2 in the regular season, including a win over Dakota State University from neighboring South Dakota.  The team, including Bri Romfo, captain; Christian Fridge; Tam Vu; Kaden Byker; and Sawyer Goodwin, will compete in the playoffs in April for a chance at the league’s prize pool. 

Minot State Division of Science students and faculty traveled to Bismarck for the first biennial North Dakota Research Roadshow. Minot State has six presentations out the total of 24. MSU students Nicole Anderson (geology), Spencer Gorgon, and Faith Hauck (chemistry) presented research posters and faculty Brian Schmidt (chemistry), John Webster, and Joe Collette (geography) were there for support. The event was sponsored by ND EPSCoR and was put on by the ND SBHE Research Working Group with special thanks to David DeMuth (Valley City) for getting this even planned and off the ground. To see photos from the day, log on to Minot State Geosciences' FACEBOOK.

Eleven members of Minot State FBLA Collegiate competed at the 2023 ND State Leadership Conference held March 26-27 in Bismarck/Mandan. The chapter earned — for the second consecutive year — the coveted Dorothy L. Travis Adviser’s Award, a sweepstakes award named after the founder of ND FBLA. Points are given for each state officer candidate, current state officer, as well as each participant and placements in competitive events.  All members earned the right to compete in the National Leadership Conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia June 22 – 25.

• Brendan Barnes: Foundations of Finance, first place; Emerging Business Issues, second place
• Jada Clarke: Help Desk, second place; Public Speaking, first place
• Nicole Ferebee: Computer Concepts, third place; Cyber Security, second place
• Hailey Graner: Job Interview, third place; Business Law, first place; Chapter Who's Who
• Chloe Gunderson: Management Analysis and Decision Making, first place; Future Business Executive, first place; Retail Management, first place; Chapter Who's Who
• Mason Lemer: Information Management, second place; Business Ethics, first place; Chapter Who's Who; Elected 2023-24 State President
• Melanie Segura: Accounting Case Competition, first place; Retail Management, second place
• Stephen Tao: Macroeconomics, second place; Microeconomics, third place
• Tanner Thompson: Accounting Case Competition, first place; Hospitality Management Case Competition, first place; Impromptu Speaking, first place
• Alec Wolf: Business Ethics, first place
• Sarah Yeater: Job Interview, first place; Business Communication, first place 

The 2023-24 Minot State Student Government Association elections were held in March. The following were elected for the upcoming academic year:

• President: Divine “Nengi” Daminabo
• Vice President of Finance: Maggie Anderson
• Vice President of Internal Affairs: Wardah Husain
• Vice President of State Affairs: Tam Vu
• College of Arts & Sciences: Shawn Bennett and Travis Smith
• College of Education & Health Sciences: Heather Parrish and Ankita Rijal
• Athletics Senator: Keela Kary
• Senator At Large: Faith Hauck
• International Senator: Zahra Zulfiqar
• Freshman Senator: Zoe Banack