A NEWSLETTER FOR EMPLOYEES AND FRIENDS OF MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY » Archived Issues
Aug. 5, 2019
Next Issue: Sept. 3, 2019
Submissions Due: Aug. 28, 2019
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Minot State begins Summer Theatre revitalization fundraising project

SummerTheatreRendering_FrontPage.jpgMinot State University announced Monday a project to revitalize the MSU Summer Theatre complex. The total renovation and expansion is slated to begin after the 55th season in 2020.

The project will feature a number of improvements to the facility to enhance the comfort and convenience of audiences.

“MSU Summer Theatre is a true gem in our community, something that thousands of folks look forward to each summer,” said Rick Hedberg, vice president for advancement. “The complex is definitely showing its age and is in need of renovation. We are excited about the potential changes as it will make the experience better for the crew and attendees.”

The amphitheater on the north end of Minot State’s campus drew nearly 10,000 spectators for its summer program in 2018 and has sold out numerous shows during its first two programs in 2019.

The Theatre's third show of the season, "Big Fish," runs July 10-15. All performances begin at 8:30 p.m. with the box office open at 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online to avoid any lines at www.MSUSummerTheatre.com.

The updates include the complete relocation of the main restrooms from the upper level of the amphitheater to the lower/ground level of the complex. The concession stand will also be relocated to the ground level, which will take on a plaza-like appearance. Enhancement and expansion of the cast dressing rooms and the box office/ticketing area are being planned, along with the addition of a canopy covering the center stage.


Minot State offers online option in criminal justice

CJ OnlineAt Minot State University, prospective and current students can now begin or complete their criminal justice degree online.

The addition of the online program affords students more flexibility in attaining their criminal justice degree and joins a growing list of learning options provided by Minot State: online, on campus, at Bismarck State College’s campus, and through the Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC), a program that provides airmen the opportunity to pursue an advanced education beyond their associate degree.

“We are excited about offering the criminal justice degree as an online option for students,” Gary Rabe, Minot State professor and chair of the criminal justice department, said. “This is a flexible option for students to complete the degree at a time and place that best fits into their schedule. More and more we see students who have barriers to starting and completing the degree in the traditional on-campus format.”

In a high-demand career field, this flexibility offers more learning options for students. The strength of Minot State’s criminal justice program enhances the selections.

“The online degree option allows us to reach new markets with a top-notch comprehensive criminal justice degree, “Rabe said. “Our students consistently score in the top 5-10% nationally on a criminal justice assessment test.”

The three minors — police management and investigations, law and legal studies, and offenders, risk assessment, and corrections — will allow students to specialize in key areas in the criminal justice system and were launched during the 2017-18 school year.


Coughlin, Langemo join Minot State Development Foundation Board of Directors

Board of RegentsThe Minot State University Development Foundation announced Leslie Coughlin and Dan Langemo as new Board of Director members, starting their terms on July 1.

Coughlin and Langemo replace outgoing board members Jan Barlow, who served for two years, and Kathy Gaddie, who served for the past six years.

Coughlin is a 2001 graduate of Minot State with a degree in criminal justice. She also earned her associate degree from Minot State in criminal justice in 1993. Coughlin and husband John are owners of Coughlin Construction and Development in Minot.

Along with being a member of the MSU Development Foundation, Coughlin has served as a member of the Minot State University Board of Regents. She is a board member of the Minot Area Community Foundation, a member of the Minot Lions Club, Power of the Purse, and the Souris Valley United Way – Women United.

Langemo is a 1975 graduate of the University of North Dakota. He joined the Minot State Development Foundation as major gifts officer in 2015 and held the position until this past June. Langemo was previously employed at First Western Bank for 16 years, retiring as vice president and trust officer.

He is extremely active in the MSU and Minot community serving as a member and president of the Minot State Board of Regents and the current vice president of the MSU Summer Theatre Board of Directors. He is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Minot, the chair of the Minot Symphony Association – Endowment Fund, board member of First Lutheran Foundation, and a board member of the Minot Public School Foundation.


Dakota Wellness program overview webinar

Today is the day to commit to your health and wellness. Start with an overview of the Dakota Wellness Program to learn how you can earn up to $250 in wellness incentives. Plus, get a tour of the enhanced online wellness portal's new features. . One session is still available.

  • Thursday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m.

Each webinar will last 30 minutes, followed by an opportunity for questions.


Staff Senate invites staff, faculty, and families to Welcome Back Celebration
The Minot State University Staff Senate will host its annual Fall Kick-Off Welcome Back Celebration Aug. 21 from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Roosevelt Park - Shelter 2, just east of the Roosevelt Park pool. The event is open to all staff and faculty as well as their families and is free to attend. This year's entertainment will be provided by Brent Winiger along with special guest performances by Minot State employees! Members of Staff Senate will grill hamburgers and hotdogs as well as salads, chips, and desserts will be available. There will also be lawn games, activities for kids, door prizes provided by local merchants, and a free-will offering fundraising featuring baked goods and garden produce.

IN THE GALLERIES

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. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 1-5 p.m., and by special arrangement. It is closed holidays.

  • Creative Legacy: A memorial exhibition for former Minot State Professor of Fine Arts Tom Willis on display July 5 through Aug. 9.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Christina Paxman (Broadcasting & Professional Communication) published the research study "Everyone thinks I am just lazy”: Legitimacy Narratives of Americans Suffering from Fibromyalgia in Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine.

Troy Roness has been selected for the recently added mental health counselor position. Roness was an instructor in the Teacher Education and Kinesiology Department, within the College of Education and Health Sciences, at Minot State and has been on staff since 2013. He graduated from Minot State in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education and completed his first master's degree in education and cognitive science from MSU in 2012. He completed his second graduate program in counseling and student affairs in 2018 from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.

Beth Odahlen has been named the Director of the Academic Support Center (ASC) at Minot State University. Beginning this fall, all academic support services will be housed in the lower level of the Gordon B. Olson Library. Odahlen will facilitate services and programming for access services, tutoring, career services, and other services currently housed in CETL. She will also work closely with Holly Major and the POWER Center to ensure smooth and coordinated operations between POWER and the other services.

Amy Armstrong has been named Minot State’s Director of Office of Sponsored Programs. She will serve in this position on a halftime basis while she continues to work halftime for the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD). Armstrong has a long history with Minot State and NDCPD. Since 2001, she has written and worked on a variety of successful federal and state grants. Armstrong is currently the project director for the Advancing Students Toward Education and Employment Program (ASTEP) at Minot State University and recently completed work as the site coordinator for a large multi-state national research grant. Armstrong holds two Bachelor of Science in Education degrees from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota and Minnesota State University - Mankato and a Master of Education concentrating in special education from Minot State University. Armstrong will work with the campus to provide assistance, training, and infrastructure for grants or other extramural funding.

Brigitte Mikula, coordinator CEL at Minot Air Force Base, was named Minot State University Staff Senate's June High Five Award winner.

Yun Ji Nam and Isis Cabral each received a second place at the Page One Awards for their work at the Red & Green newspaper in 2018. Nam earned her award for her review of "Crazy Rich Asians," while Cabral was awarded for her graphic on the front cover of the Red & Green's special issue, "Is ignorance bliss." 

Northern Plains Writing Project presentations
The following North Dakota teachers and candidates for the Minot State Master of Education degree are giving presentations to over 100 regional teachers July 24 at the North Dakota Conference for Teachers of English (NDCTE). These presentations are a culmination of their work for the Northern Plains Writing Project  (NPWP) Summer Institutes. NPWP is one of 200 sites nationwide dedicated to the model of "teachers teaching teachers." It has been housed at Minot State since 1978.

  • Tatiana Potts (NPWP, MAFB PS) "Don't Be Afraid, It's Just Poetry." 
  • Megdalyn Johnson (NPWP, Bell School) "Competing to Learn Literacy." 
  • Kayla Tatro (NPWP, Roosevelt Public School, Carson) "Connecting Grammar and Poetry with Etheree Poems."
  • Stephanie Wilson (NPWP, West Fargo HS) "The Theory and Application of Aesthetics in Education." 
  • Madison Aiman (NPWP, MAFB Missileer and future English teacher) "Lord of the Flies and Integrating Creative Writing."
  • Sarah Joy (NPWP, Composition Teacher, Minot State) "Conflict Resolution Through Writing Reflection."
  • Nathan Kurtti (RRVWP, Fargo) "Re-Imagining How To Grade Writing: Giving Teachers and Students Timely and Authentic Feedback."
  • Jill Hambek (NPWP, Central HS) "Island of the Blue Dolphins and ELL."  
  • Robert E. Kibler, Director, Northern Plains Writing Project, Language and Cultural Studies, Minot State University.
  • Daniel Conn, Co-Director, Northern Plains Writing Project, Director, Graduate Program in Education, Minot State University.

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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.