Minot State University was selected by Berry Acres Pumpkin Patch as its 2023 corn maze design, the local business revealed on social media Thursday.

The design featuring the Minot State athletic logo and MSU was cut by Precision Mazes and will be open to the public beginning Sept. 9. Berry Acres is on Country Road 15 just west of Minot.

“When we don’t have a specific sponsor for the maze, we like to do something that is community related,” said Ashley Berry, owner of Berry Acres. “A few years back we did Minot High, and we thought it was time to do Minot State Beavers. I think it turned out great and the logo works really well in the corn maze.”

Berry contacted Sal Rodriguez, assistant athletic director for revenue and fan development, in March to see if the University would be interested. Other than some concern in the reproduction quality of the logo, it was an emphatic “yes.”

“At first, we had some concern that the Beaver logo would not look like the actual logo, but it was a very easy yes to give to Ashley,” Rodriguez said. “I think this is a great partnership providing us with an exciting way to connect with our community and our campus family.”

Any worry over the logo design was quickly put to rest with the work of Precision Mazes, a Missouri company that professionally cuts and designs mazes all over the United States. Berry Acres has used Precision Mazes for all 13 of their fall designs.

Minot State University is proud to announce Bravera Bank has signed a three-year agreement to become a premier sponsor for the MSU men’s club soccer team.

Minot State University Beavers FC was announced in March as an official club team at Minot State and will begin play in the Great Plains Soccer Conference (GPSC) and the NIRSA Region 5 in the fall.

“Soccer has been the fastest growing sports discipline in the United States, and Minot State is vigorously addressing this opportunity with creation of this new soccer team,” said Jacek Mrozik, Minot State vice president for enrollment, marketing, and outreach. “We are very happy to partner with Bravera that will secure the future growth of our men’s soccer program and enable us to compete at the highest level.”

The three-year deal will include jersey recognition, signage, and an annual youth coaches and player clinic — The Bravera Bank Youth Coaches and Players Clinic. The clinic will be provided by MSU’s coaching staff and players free of charge on an annual basis to local youth and their coaches.

“Bravera is honored to be involved in bringing men’s club soccer to Minot State University,” said Kelly Perrin, regional president, Bravera Bank. “This is an asset to MSU and Minot. We are excited to watch the players develop as a team while supporting our community and area youth.”

Minot State University is implementing a new system of delivering and monitoring mental health and mental health treatment for students, named Stepped Care.

The model is a multi-tier system of programs that seeks to meet students where they are in their mental health process while promoting autonomy and empowerment.

“The Stepped Care Model is important for Minot State University because it will help counseling services and, ultimately, the University as a whole, in responding to and streamlining student needs and requests regarding their mental health,” said Troy Roness, Minot State clinical mental health counselor. “Our plan is to provide students with opportunities for connections with other on- and off-campus resources and support, as well as an integration of services across all of campus — this is crucial for a healthy campus climate.”

The most effective, yet least resource intensive, intervention is offered first based off an individual’s needs. Services will then “step up” as required depending on the level of student desire or need.

Less intensive treatments may include campus referrals, brief consultations, and self-help approaches like self-help practices and mental health apps, while more intensive treatments encompass options such as longer-term therapy, group therapy, or an off-campus or community referral. With Stepped Care, a variety of resources for individuals and an intervention structure that promotes resilience encourages a growth mindset.

The Northwest Arts Center presents “ART in the PARKS,” featuring artwork created by artists participating in the North Dakota State Parks Artist in Residence Program. A partnership between the Northwest Arts Center and the Minot Public Library, “ART in the PARKS” will be on display at the Minot Public Library for the month of August.

Each year the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department and North Dakota Council on the Arts put out a call for artists to participate in the Artist in Residency program. The program offers artists the opportunity to stay and work in unique environments where they draw inspiration from a North Dakota state park, demonstrate their skills, and assist park visitors of all ages in discovering their artistic side.

The program's goal is to continue creating works of art that showcase, document, and celebrate North Dakota’s state parks while providing opportunities for visitors to become stewards while gaining a deeper appreciation of artistic works inspired by the parks. Artworks generated from this program have characterized the state's beauty for present and future generations, allowing park visitors to see North Dakota through the eyes and ears of contributing artists.

The exhibition features artworks from a variety of North Dakota artists participating in the program since 2009. After each residency, the artist donates one work from their time at the respective park. Touring over the summer, “ART in the PARKS” is the first time the pieces have been brought together for an exhibition.

Minot State University is proud to announce the highly anticipated premiere of "NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet" at the Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m.

“NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet” features artists from around the world with principal artists from Ukraine, Japan, Turkey, and beyond. Averaging 100 performances during November and December, the event combines the highest caliber ballet with historic international theatrical traditions, 10-foot-tall playful puppets, nine intricately hand-painted backdrops, and hundreds of exquisite costumes.

The classic holiday story originated as a fairytale ballet in two acts and revolves around the Stahlbaum family’s Christmas Eve celebration. Alexandre Dumas Père adapted the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, which was set to music by Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Petipa. Commissioned by Ivan Vsevolozhsky, the director of Moscow’s Imperial Theatres in 1891, the ballet premiered a week before Christmas in 1892.

Since its premiere in western countries in the 1940s, “NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet” has become the most popular ballet performed during the Christmas season. This is the first time the ballet has come to Minot State and is one of just two performances in the state of North Dakota this holiday season.

This extraordinary performance promises to captivate audiences with its unique collaboration between the internationally renowned prima ballerina, Daria Ivanenko, and distinguished cellist and Minot State professor of music Erik Anderson.

Anderson is an esteemed cellist with a rich and diverse musical background. Principal cellist of the Minot Symphony Orchestra for the past 20 years, Anderson has also performed with notable orchestras such as the Cincinnati Symphony, Opera, and Pops Orchestras. Recent performance highlights include two recitals with celebrated guitarist Eliot Fisk and soloist for the Lalo Cello Concerto with the Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra.

Students from Minot State University College of Business won top prizes at the 2023 Collegiate National Leadership Conference of Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. FBLA is the nation’s largest Career and Technical Student Organization focused solely on business. The event, held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 22-25, attracted nearly 1,000 college students and educators from across the country.

FBLA’s National Leadership Conference brings together students to compete for cash prizes in dozens of competitive events over four days each year. Students also had the opportunity to engage in learning workshops, network with alumni, meet with potential employers, and hear from business professionals. 

Minot State winners include:

• Tanner Thompson, National Champion, Hospitality Management Case Competition; third place, Accounting Case Competition
• Jada Clarke, fifth place, Help Desk; ninth place, Public Speaking
• Sarah Yeater, sixth place, Job Interview; eighth place, Business Communications
• Alec Wolf, advanced to finals In Business Ethics

See attached PHOTO of MSU winners (from left to right, Jan Repnow, assistant professor, business information technology; students Sarah Yeater; Alec Wolf; Jada Clarke; and Tanner Thompson).

All members of the Minot State University community are encouraged to attend and welcome our new students at New Student Convocation Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. Convocation will last approximately 35 minutes. Everyone is also encouraged to attend a free Welcome Lunch Barbeque on the lawn of Old Main at noon the same day. Please help us show our friendly, student-first attitude by getting to know our newest Beavers. The convocation schedule and other welcome information sent to students can be found HERE.

Did you know that Minot State University offers more than 50 student organizations reflecting the variety of interests of our student population? These organizations are invited to participate in the Minot State University Fall Club Fair on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Student Center Quad. The Club Fair is a great opportunity for recognized student organizations to recruit new members and for new and returning students to explore new ways to get involved in campus life. Free food will be provided for those with a current Student I.D., while supplies last. 

Minot State University departments are invited to showcase their departments, resources, open positions, upcoming events, or other areas of interest to new and returning students at the Minot State University Resource Fair on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Student Center Quad. Free food will be provided for those with a current Student I.D., while supplies last. 

To help connect our students to the Minot community, Career Services and MSU Life have coordinated the MSU Community Fair. This is a great opportunity to showcase volunteering and civic engagement activities as well as part-time job opportunities to our students.

The Western Plains Opera is proud to present their production of the opera "Carmen," by Georges Bizet, directed by Ted Christopher, Sept. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. This event is FREE to all Minot State students with their MSU ID. Sarah Heltzel returns to Minot for the titular role, and Minot native and Minot State alumni Nathan Bowles joins her as the infatuated and love-sick soldier Don José, along with a cast that is sure to dazzle and delight you in this story of a woman consumed by passion, and men who are overcome by their emotions. "Carmen" is a romantic story with a twist. This production will be sung in English. Get your tickets 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.

• Print Day in May: Each year artists assemble, worldwide, to celebrate printmaking in an event titled “Print Day in May.” At Minot State, Print Day in May is fun opportunity for alumni, students, and art faculty to come together in the studio and make some art. Hosted by Minot State’s Flat Tail Press, 2023 was the ninth annual Print Day in May, featuring 11 artists. Each printmaker provided a unique response to the challenge: create an edition of 11 x 15-inch prints. The end result includes screen prints, lithographs, collagraphs, linocuts, giclées, chine collés and letterpress prints. The exhibition will run from June 15-Sept. 15.

Micah Bloom, professor of art, will have "Radiosity" on exhibit at The Arts Center in Jamestown until Sept. 2. Radiosity is inspired by the Light & Space art movement that blossomed in California during the 1960-70s. The Arts Center is located in downtown Jamestown, featuring an exhibition gallery, performance stage, artist-in-residence apartment, and studio.

Emerson Eads', Minot State’s director of choral activities, and poet Patrick Milian’s songs from their forthcoming book and recording that will be released together this September by Entre Rios Books, was published and released today for purchase and distribution by North Star Publishing. YouTube links for sound are available HERE and HERE. The music is available HERE.

Eric Pietrzak recently joined the Minot State Academic Support Center as an academic advisor where he will be working with pre-nursing and undeclared students. Pietrzak comes to Minot State from the College of Western Idaho where he served as clinical coordinator and faculty for the Surgical Technology Program.

Jordan Quinlan joined Minot State Athletics as assistant athletic director for compliance, student life and the department's senior women administrator. She was hired in May after spending three seasons as an assistant women's soccer coach at Northern State (S.D.). While serving as the assistant coach for the Wolves soccer program, Quinlan handled many of the duties directly related to compliance. Prior to her time at Northern State, Quinlan spent a year as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri, and also spent a season as the assistant coach at Iowa Western Community College where she was part of the staff that led the Reivers to third place at the NJCAA National Championships in 2018. Quinlan earned a Master's in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Northwest Missouri State and is a graduate of the University of Missouri in 2016 with a bachelor's in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

Kristen Striha is the June winner of the Minot State Staff Senate High Five Award. She is pictured HERE with MSU President Steven Shirley and Staff Senate Vice President Karla Bredahl. Striha just completed her first year as MSU's payroll and benefits technician as she was hired in June 2022. She and her husband, Joel, have two children; Parker, a current MSU professional communication major, and Mason; a daughter-in-law, Kadrien; a 7-month old granddaughter, Raylee; along with two dogs, two cats, and a pasture full of cows.

Shania Wendel has started as test center manager in the Minot State Academic Testing Center. Wendel is an MSU alumna who once worked at MSU as a residence assistant. Her office is Admin 361 if you would like to welcome her back to Minot State.

Kirstin Nelson, Hannah Peterson, Maelyn Sanders, and Krista Permentier, Minot State students, were published on the leadership dots blog, a website that drills to the very core of systemic change, consistently making intentional connections that foster change. Jim Sturm, Looyenga Leadership Center director, requires his LEAD 201 Collaborative Leadership class to read leadership dots and write their own assignment. Peterson's article can be read HERE, Peterson's HERE, Sanders' HERE, Permentier's HERE.