Minot State University announced a total of 494 students were named to the President’s List, 265 students were named to the Vice President for Academic Affairs’ Honor Roll, and six students earned a spot on the Engagement Honor Roll for Spring 2021.

Students who earned a term grade point average of 3.8 or higher while enrolled for 12 or more credits during the Spring 2021 semester were named to the President’s List. The honor will show on the student’s transcript for the semester it was earned.

“I am pleased to congratulate all of the students being honored on the President’s List. This is the highest academic honor at Minot State University. This group of students faced numerous uncertainties during this COVID year, and they should be commended for their academic excellence during the spring semester,” said Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley.

Students who earned a term grade point average of 3.5-3.79 while enrolled for 12 or more credits during the Spring 2021 semester were named to the VPAA list. The honor will show on the student’s transcript for the semester it was earned.

The Engagement Honor Roll is an opportunity for Minot State University undergraduate students to receive recognition for the engagement activities they participate in while a student at MSU, through inclusion of this distinction on their transcripts. Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours, verified by supervisors, in any combination of engagement activities in order to be recognized during any given term.

“Congratulations to all the students on the VP for Academic Affairs’ and Engagement Honor Rolls. I am proud of these students and their hard work, especially during a challenging year,” said Laurie Geller, Minot State vice president for academic affairs.

To view the entire list for each award, click the links below:

MINOT STATE SPRING 2021 PRESIDENT'S LIST

MINOT STATE SPRING 2021 VPAA & ENGAGEMENT HONOR ROLL

Minot State University President Dr. Steven Shirley was recently elected vice-chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council, effective July 1.

Shirley initially began serving on the Division II Presidents Council, Division II’s highest governing body responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing financial affairs, in August 2019. The vice-chair position is a one-year term with the opportunity for re-election. As Division II Presidents Council vice-chair, Shirley will chair the Planning and Finance Committee.

He will also begin a term on the NCAA’s Board of Governors, the highest governance body in the NCAA overseeing association-wide issues. The Board of Governors is comprised of 21 voting members, two from Division II, and represents the interests of all 1,100 colleges and universities across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. Shirley is believed to be the first college president from North Dakota to ever serve on the NCAA Board of Governors.

“It is a remarkable time in college athletics, and I am excited by the opportunity to serve in these leadership roles for the best interests of our student-athletes, colleges, and universities. I have enjoyed my service the past two years on the Division II Presidents Council and look forward to becoming more active as council vice-chair, as well as delving deeper into Association-wide matters impacting Divisions I, II, and III on the NCAA Board of Governors,” Shirley said.

Shirley is beginning his eighth year at Minot State this summer, and he also serves on the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Board of Directors, including serving as chair in 2018-19. Previously, while president at Valley City State University, Shirley served on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Council of Presidents from 2010-2014.

The Minot State University Alumni Association announced four individuals have been chosen for the 2021 Golden Award and one individual will be honored with the 2021 Young Alumni Achievement Award.

The honorees include Les Anderson ’68, Michael LeBeau ’95, Kevin Neuharth ’74, and Arnold Strebe ’86.  The Young Alumni Achievement Award winner is Evan Meiers ’10.

Anderson is retired from Minot Public Schools, having served as the principal at Jim Hill Middle School for 19 years. LeBeau is currently the president of Sanford Health, Bismarck Region, and specializes in kidney care as a nephrologist. Neuharth retired from Minot State after 40 years teaching. Strebe is currently chief administrative officer and CFO with the North Dakota Department of Human Services. Meiers serves as the band and drum line director with Minot Public Schools.

The Golden Awards are the highest award bestowed by the Minot State University Alumni Association. Selections are based on outstanding service to the University or alumni association and distinguished leadership in the recipient’s career or community. The Young Alumni Achievement Award recipient is between the ages of 21 and 39.

The MSU Alumni Association will honor both its 2020 and 2021 class of Golden Award winners at its annual awards dinner on Thursday, Oct. 7 in the Minot State Conference Center. The 2020 class includes Chuck Barney, Josh Duhamel, Terry Eckmann ’81/’82, and John Schwan ’82 with the Young Alumni Achievement Award going to Joseph Brewer ’04.

Minot State University has named Cole Krueger as its marketing director, beginning within the newly formed marketing and enrollment department in July. The new hire was announced by Jacek Mrozik, head of marketing and enrollment.

He will oversee development and implementation of the University’s integrated marketing plan, including review and analysis of marketing campaigns, and support of MSU’s enrollment services, academic and athletic departments, graphic standards and web design, and management of internal and external public events.

“We are very excited to announce Cole as our new marketing director,” Mrozik said. “He has done a fantastic job at SCHEELS over the past couple of years and we believe he is the right person to lead the marketing department. Cole’s passion for Minot State is evident, he has grown as a person and in his professional life since he last worked for the University, and we are happy to see him return to his alma mater.”

Krueger has been the marketing and public relations leader for SCHEELS of Minot for just under two and a half years, leading its department through marketing, events, social media, and community partnerships. He previously worked at MSU as an admissions counselor for four and a half years, including serving as the assistant director of enrollment services for the final two years.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and his master’s degree in management at Minot State.

Minot State University Staff Senate is inviting all staff and faculty, along with their families, to the 2021 Fall Kick-Off Celebration on Aug. 18 from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Roosevelt Park – Shelter 2. Shelter 2 is just east of the Roosevelt Park Pool. 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 — including a cornhole tournament — activities for kids, and door prizes provided by local merchants.

Providing entertainment — and back by popular demand — is our very own Brent Winiger! Brent says members of the campus community can contact him for song requests in advance of the Kick-Off for “the greatest multigenerational, feel good, foot tapping, world changing, sing-a-long songs of all time!” Those requests for songs can be made by EMAIL.

Grab your favorite Minot State t-shirt and join us in walking in the state fair parade on Saturday, July 24. Friends and family are welcome! Anyone who participates will receive free admission to the North Dakota State Fair for the day. Meet us at 8:40 a.m. on Broadway between the U.S. Post Office and McDonald’s. Look for the giant inflatable Buckshot; we are float 22. The parade starts at 9 a.m. Please note that Broadway and Burdick Expressway will be closed for the parade. There is very limited parking at the beginning of the parade. Please do not use parking spaces at the businesses lining the route. There will NOT be a shuttle operating between the fairgrounds and the parade staging area. You will be responsible for your own transportation.

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.

• Faculties of Fine Arts: The Northwest Arts Center presents "Faculties of Fine Arts," an exhibition drawn from the Minot State University permanent collection alongside new works by Walter Piehl, on view from June 29 to July 29. Featuring 55 works in a variety of media, the exhibition celebrates the contribution of higher education faculty in the fine arts. Faculties highlights artworks acquired from the Northwest Arts Center’s annual juried exhibitions, generous gifts and donations, or through Minot State University’s Flat Tail Press.

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 p.m.

Hartnett Hall Gallery
The gallery provides exhibition space for students, faculty, and community artists, and is located on the second floor on the west side of Hartnett Hall in Room 233. The Hartnett Hall Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Joseph Jastrzembski recently participated in the USGLC Global Impact Forum 2021 as well as the Virtual Capitol Hill Day, advocating for development and diplomacy in fighting COVID-19, as well as supporting trade, investment, and economic opportunity in North Dakota and the world. Jastrzembski is also executive director of the Minot Area Council for International Visitors, soon to become Global ND.

Four faculty from Communication Sciences and Disorders were pleased to present their preliminary research on real-time feedback for clinical experiences at the Teaching Professor Conference. Mary Huston and Robyn Walker presented for the virtual aspect of the conference while Erin Holt and Kayla Fisher represented Minot State at the in-person conference in New Orleans. 

Linda Conn, admin coordinator for Teacher Education and Kinesiology (TEK) and Teacher Education Unit (TEU), was named Minot State University Staff Senate's May High Five Award winner.

Lordina Yeboah was selected as the ASC Student of the Month for May. She has contributed to the Academic Support Center’s programs as a New Student Orientation leader.