A NEWSLETTER FOR EMPLOYEES AND FRIENDS OF MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY » Archived Issues
Nov. 2, 2022
Next Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
Submissions Due: Nov. 28, 2022
Administration, second floor
Voice: 858-3298 - Fax: 858-4481
michael.linnell@minotstateu.edu

Minot State announces historic capital campaign

Minot State University has launched a comprehensive capital campaign to raise $50 million by the end of 2024, the most ambitious fundraising effort in the University’s history.

“EMPOWER: A Campaign for Minot State” will focus on five main campaign pillars: Scholarships, Academic Programs, University Facilities, Athletics, and the Vision Fund. More information on the entire EMPOWER campaign is available at the University’s campaign WEBSITE.

“We are very excited to announce the public phase of the EMPOWER campaign,” said Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley. “For over a century, MSU has proudly carried a commitment to our students and our community, and this campaign reaffirms that commitment. Through the generosity of our donors around the world, Minot State will ensure students are empowered to reach their potential.”


Launching Leadership Conference held at Minot State University

Strengthen ND partnered with Minot State University and North Dakota Department of Commerce to host the first leadership institute for high school students in the north central region of North Dakota Oct. 19-23.

“Launching Leadership is a community-first focused leadership program which engages high school students in developing leadership skills and implementing these skills within their local communities,” said Beth Odahlen, Strengthen ND director of community engagement and solutions. “Launching Leadership highlighted a multitude of ways leadership can happen within individual communities. Students are able to take skills learned in this program and return to their local communities to make positive impacts and change.”

The program provided education specific to leadership development, as well as introduced participants to local communities, businesses, organizations, and local leaders. Those in attendance learned essential leadership pillars and developed a list of local and regional issues they were concerned about in their own communities.

“What makes this conference different is that it is not just leadership for the sake of leadership,” said Jim Sturm, Minot State University Looyenga Leadership Center director. “Our goal was to teach students skills that they can then use to positively impact their own communities. We want to be instrumental in getting young people interested in what is happening in their hometowns and willing to get involved to create positive change.”

The Launching Leadership Conference began late afternoon on Wednesday, Oct. 19 and ran through 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22. Attendees stayed on Minot State’s campus and took several field trips including to Project Bee and Basin Electric Wind Farm.


‘The Memory Dump’ wins Digi-Key Collegiate Computing Competition

Minot State's computer science team called "The Memory Dump" captured first place at the annual Digi-Key Collegiate Computing Competition VERSION 2.0.22 (DKC3) Friday, Oct. 21 at Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

The team was comprised of students Ross Hardy, Yongmin Kim, Keegan Summers, and Long Nguyen.

“We are lucky to have a really strong group of students this year,” said Darren Seifert, associate professor in math and computer science. “They've worked really hard improving their Python programming skills and spent a number of hours working through practice problems this year. It's been fun to watch them grow in their abilities and then succeed like this.”

The win at DKC3 in 2022 follows a second-place finish in 2021 and is the second win for MSU in the past seven years. Teams from all across the upper Midwest compete including North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota, multiple Minnesota schools, Dakota State University in South Dakota, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Wisconsin. Competitors must be junior or senior undergraduate students majoring in computer science or a related field.


Minot State presented NoDakon 2022

The Minot State Business Information Technology Department and Computer Science Department along with MSU SWIFT (Students With Interest in Future Technology) Club and the Computer Science Club partnered together to present NoDakon 2022.

The cybersecurity awareness themed event was geared for both students and the greater Minot community interested in cybersecurity.

“NoDakon 2022 is MSU’s premier cybersecurity event,” said Kristi Berg, chair and professor in business information technology. “The event featured activities for all students during the day including a bug bounty workshop, demonstrations by the SWIFT and Computer Science Clubs, and a speaker from North Dakota Information Technology discussing career paths and certifications. The afternoon eSports event was open to the public as well as the MSU community..”

MSU kecked off NoDakon 2022 for students with a welcome from SWIFT and the Computer Science Club with refreshments sponsored by Trinity Health. Jesse Clark’s Bug Bounty Workshop and a demonstration by Raspberry Pi finished the morning sessions. SRT sponsoring a Lunch, Learn, and Network event at the Northwest Art Center in the lower level of the Gordon B. Olson Library. The ND Information Technology: Cyber Tools and Jobs presentation finalized the MSU sessions.

The community and student portion of NoDakon 2022 began with eSports: Demo and Learn to Play with refreshments by Verendrye Electric Cooperative and the day finished with a panel discussion titled: Current and Emerging Cyber Security Issues.


Minot State announces new Prairie Rose Scholarship for high school seniors

Minot State University is launching a new, automatic Prairie Rose Scholarship for North Dakota high school seniors from Billings, Burleigh, Golden Valley, Morton, and Stark counties.

“Minot State is proud of the role we play in educating citizens across the state, and we are pleased to launch this scholarship opportunity for graduating seniors throughout western North Dakota,” said Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley. “I look forward to welcoming the next class of students to the MSU campus in 2023!”

The $1,000 scholarship is exclusively for spring 2023 high school graduates from regional schools located in North Dakota’s western counties along the I-94 corridor.


Central Europe Study Tour open to all

Minot State's International Programs, Division of Performing Arts, and the Honors Program have partnered  to offer this exciting opportunity in Austria, the Czech Republic and Bavaria, May 16-27, 2023. This program is rich in renaissance history, music and culture and will allow you explore some of Central Europe's most beautiful cities.

Students from all majors, alumni and community members, are welcome to join! The next seven students who join the study tour will receive a $200 discount towards the program fee. Act quickly to secure your spot: download an APPLICATION FORM and submit it to the Office of International Programs, along with the program deposit.    

This incredible travel opportunity will bring students to famous European sites and world-class museums. Travelers will discover breath-taking natural scenery and visit beautiful musical venues that contribute to cultural and historical understanding of modern and traditional Europe. Explore the world with Minot State University! Visit the program WEBPAGE for more information.


CTS ServiceOne town hall at Minot State

Dirk Huggett from NDUS will be on campus Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. in the Westlie Room to talk about CTS updates and projects. Join us for some treats for a successful launch of their Service Now initiative. Additional topics include security, CTS projects and announcements, and open forum Q&A with CTS staff. We prefer you attend in person but there is a teams link available if you are unable to attend. The event invitation is HERE.


MSU English Club murder mystery

Minot State University's English Club returns with a new and original interactive murder mystery, "Death of the Author," and you're invited. Help us figure out who is behind the murder of the famous, faceless author, R. Quigs. RSVP your spot for the murder mystery, set for Nov. 12 in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, at 6, 7:30, or 9 p.m. by filling out the online FORM. For more information, see attached FLIER, contact the MSU English Club by EMAIL, or check them out on INSTAGRAM for updates.


Wellness Fair

MSUWell is hosting its annual Wellness Fair on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center (second floor, above the atrium). If you or someone you know in the community would like to promote an area of wellness to campus, please contact COURTENAY BREKHUS to reserve a booth. See the attached FLYER for more information.


COVID-19, flu vaccination clinic Nov. 10

Minot State University will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a flu vaccination clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for students, staff, and faculty on Thursday, Nov. 10. The clinic will have Bivalent (Booster) Pfizer doses available and a limited amount or primary Pfizer doses available. Pre-registration is encouraged. There is no cost for the clinic. Appointments can be made HERE.  For more information, contact the COVID hotline at 1-866-207-2880 or see the attached FLIER. For the flu vaccine, students will be charged $25 to your student account, free for students with the United HealthCare Plan for International students or Sanford Health Plan. Faculty and staff will need to provide their Sanford health insurance ID for billing. Flu vaccines are available for family members covered under your Sanford plan ages 16 years and up.


Department of Nursing open house Nov. 29, Dec. 1

Minot State University's Department of Nursing would like to invite students to come tour our nursing department on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. or Thursday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Our nursing students will be the tour guides showing off our high fidelity simulation lab and will also introduce you to some of our favorite ‘patients.' No need to RSVP! The event flyer is available HERE.


Food pantry

Beginning Nov. 1, the food pantry will be relocated to the first floor of the Wellness Center. Frozen food options will also be available. The food pantry hours are open during normal building hours of the Wellness Center. Ask our staff at the front desk for more information!


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. 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.

  • Rosanne Olson: A Creative Life: This retrospective exhibition by Minot State alum, photographer, artist, and educator, Rosanne Olson, will be on view in the Northwest Arts Center’s Walter Piehl Gallery from Oct. 6 to Nov. 26.
  • Portraits: An Identity Exploration: Blair Treuer is a self-taught textile artist and storyteller from rural Minnesota. Her introduction to textile arts began with the creation of ceremonial blankets that were a part of her children’s spiritual offering for their traditional Native American ceremonies. After a decade of creating ceremonial quilts, Treuer transitioned to creating a series of textiles—wall-hanging portraits depicting each member of her family. As the only non-Indigenous person in her Indigenous family, the portraits are her reflections as an outsider and depict what she sees. They explore intimate parts of their life and center on a juxtaposition between her white culture and her husband’s traditional Ojibwe culture. "Portraits: An Identity Exploration" will be on view in the Northwest Arts Center Walter Piehl Gallery from Nov. 3 to Dec. 1
  • Reception: Portraits: An Identity Exploration: Join us for the opening reception of "Portraits: An Identity Exploration," an exhibition of textile art by Blair Treuer on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6:30-8 p.m. There will be an artist’s talk at 7 p.m. The exhibit will be on display Nov. 3 to Dec. 1 in the Walter Piehl Gallery at the Northwest Arts Center. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

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.


ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Emerson Eads, assistant professor of music / director of choral activities, will have a world premier of Fantasia for British Brass Band and Organ, Invincible Amiability, in Seattle on Dec. 3 by the Puget Brass (FACEBOOK) and Philip Tschopp (FACEBOOK), by whom it was commissioned in 2021. It is named after a description of Walter Harper, who, among many other things was the first Native Alaskan to summit Denali, and was also a main character in Eads’ second opera The Princess Sophia. More information on the event, see the Puget Brass WEBSITE

Eads’ "Mass for the Oppressed," had its East Coast premiere on Nov. 5 in Washington DC at St. Mark’s on Capitol Hill. Maestro Jeff Kempskie and the forces of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will be joined by soloists Deborah Sternberg, soprano;  Kristen Dubenion Smith, mezzo-soprano; Matthew Hill, tenor; and James Rogers, bass.

Eads released a cantata, “…from which your laughter rises, for mezzo-soprano, oboe, and orchestra. It was written for the mothers of the Fairbanks Four, who endured the unjust incarceration of their sons for 18 years. Learn more HERE. Text was assembled and written by Evan Eads and set to music by Emerson Eades.

Mary Huston, communication sciences and disorders, presented at the 39th annual Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association (NRMERA) conference in Billings, Montana on Oct. 12. Her presentation, "The Forces Behind Academic Dishonesty: A Survey of SLP Students," explored the motivation behind academic dishonesty among SLP students. NRMERA is an educational organization whose purpose is to encourage educational research.

Laura Zucca-Scott, associate professor, teacher education and kinesiology, won the First Prize of the International Literary Prize "Florence, Capital of Europe," in the theme poetry: sport, section D, with the poem "Ricordo d'Estate" ("Summer Memory"). The award ceremony is schedule from Dec. 10 in Palazzo Vecchio, Hall of the Five Hundred, in Florence, Italy.

Dr. Alaric Williams has accepted the position of assistant vice president for academic affairs. He will begin on Feb. 15, 2023.

IT Central welcomes Ann Haider-Bougard to the IT Central team as our new administrative assistant. 

Malachi Brown was selected as the ASC Student of the Month for September. He has contributed to the Academic Support Center’s programs as a student office assistant.

Faculty and students from Minot State University presented at the 28th annual Conference of the American Association on Oct. 6-8 in Chicago.

  • "Honoring Rose: Ecological Education through Community Elders" Daniel R. Conn (Minot State University), Ian Clemente (Michigan State University), & Blake McCullough (US Army). This paper describes and interprets dreamBIG Green Schools, Inc.’s attempt to honor a local Hidatsa elder for her Traditional Ecological Knowledge, while also offering insights about race and power for ecologically-minded educators to consider through institutional critique and self-reflection.
  • "How can an innovative framework assess faculty’s fitness to teach social-emotional learning to teacher candidates?" Daniel R. Conn (Minot State University), Michelle Teman-Zemach (Nova Southeastern University), Jeanette Hoffman (North Dakota State University), Jenny Linker (North Dakota State University), & Nathan Anderson (Minot State University. This presentation explores the implementation of a professional development experience for University faculty that utilizes an innovative and novel framework, CP²R: Capacity, Passion, Presence and Relevance.
  • "Utilizing an innovative framework to assess faculty’s fitness to teach social-emotional learning" Jeanette Hoffman (North Dakota State University), Jenny Linker (North Dakota State University), Nathan Anderson (Minot State University), Daniel R. Conn (Minot State University), & Michelle Tenam-Zemach (Nova Southeastern University). This workshop gives participants an opportunity to complete a self-assessment using the CP2R: Capacity, Passion, Presence and Relevance model to assess fitness to teach socialemotional learning competencies.
  • "Afraid to Offend: Teaching Elementary Science and Social Studies in the Age of High-Stakes Testing, Political Division, and Cancel Culture" Lori Nehlsen (Minot State University) & Daniel R. Conn (Minot State University). Explore elementary teachers’ perspectives on teaching science and social studies.
  • "Curriculum Transparency: Turning a Foe into a Friend" Michelle Tenam Zemach (Nova Southeastern University), Derek Gottlieb (University of Northern Colorado), Daniel R. Conn (Minot University), David Stovall (University of Illinois Chicago), & William White (James Madison University). The purpose of this panel is to investigate the underlying agenda and messaging of the curriculum transparency movement and discuss how we can reframe what it means to make curriculum transparent across student, teacher and parent groups to strengthen public education for all.
  • "The Wrong Side: Students Speak Up" Laura Zucca-Scott (Minot State University). Through poetic transcription, students’ voices, aspirations, and concerns emerge powerfully. As educators, we are reminded of the importance of dialogue and solidarity during the delicate formative years of our learners. We also recognize that oppressive practices can stymie students’ growth.
  • "Finding Connections: Student Identity, Solidarity, and Activism in Higher Education" Laura Zucca-Scott (Minot State University), Patrick Baker (Minot State University), & Julia Suchan (Minot State University). This study explores practices that promote higher education students’ growth and connectedness. The participants in this study conducted project-based and community centered activities. As students developed critical awareness and cultivated their gifts, they became caring, reflective practitioners.
  • "Working Together: There Are No Easy Fixes, Only Better Outcomes" Laura Zucca-Scott (Minot State University), Daniel R. Conn (Minot State University), Samuel Stinson (Minot State University), & Lauren Cowden (University of Denver). Questioning and discussion are foundational in STEM education. This study explores the development of synchronous simulations coupled with asynchronous learning modules to engage secondary STEM teacher candidates in experiential deliberate practice focused on questioning and discussion skills.

UNSUBSCRIBE
This email is a promotional item for Minot State University. To unsubscribe from this list, please click HERE and confirm by sending email.

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.