Sertoma partnership enhances MSU Communication Sciences and Disorders program
Minot State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders continues to expand its service and impact thanks to generous contributions from the Minot Sertoma Club and matching funds through the North Dakota Challenge Grant Program.

Sertoma recently provided more than $17,000 to support the department’s mission to improve speech and hearing health across the region, allowing the department to purchase vital audiology equipment, including audiometers, Miaco EroScan Plus DP screeners, and tympanometry units. Through the North Dakota Challenge Grant, those gifts were matched by an additional $8,500, further extending their reach.

“We are deeply grateful to the Minot Sertoma Club for their generous donation, which has allowed the MSU Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to acquire essential equipment for our program and clinic,” said Rick Hedberg, MSU’s vice president for advancement and executive director for the MSU Development Foundation. “Sertoma’s long-standing commitment to supporting speech and hearing health aligns seamlessly with our mission, and we are proud to continue a partnership that has spanned several decades. Their ongoing support makes a meaningful difference in the education of our students and the care we provide to our community and the region.”

Along with audiology equipment, funding will enhance the aesthetics and acoustic quality of therapy spaces by installing felt wall designs in the on-campus clinic.

“Our on-campus clinic sees an average of 75 families each semester, provides hearing screenings for approximately 400 area preschoolers, and serves another 25 families per week during our summer Speech Sound Camps,” said Mary Huston, chair of Minot State’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “The equipment provided through Sertoma’s generosity is used nearly every day. We use it for everything from infant screenings to geriatric hearing assessments, both on campus and throughout the region. We are deeply grateful for their continued partnership.”

Along with its investment in equipment, the Minot Sertoma chapter has been a long-time, steadfast supporter of its scholarship endowment, demonstrating its dedication to expanding opportunities for MSU students. Through this commitment, Sertoma has provided scholarships that have helped hundreds of students pursue degrees in communication sciences and disorders.

Pedersen a part of historic International Congress on Education of the Deaf in Rome

For Holly Pedersen, presenting at the International Congress on Education of the Deaf wasn’t just a professional milestone; it was the product of years of dedication to education for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

“This conference has been on my professional ‘bucket list’ for quite some time,” Pedersen said. “It is only held once every five years — I had plans to attend in 2020; however, the pandemic made that impossible. So, it was wonderful to finally have the opportunity, not only to represent Minot State, but to be part of the global community in this field.”

Pedersen, Minot State associate professor in special education, traveled to Rome to present her research at the conference, a location holding immense meaning in the history of deaf education.

“It was definitely exciting to be there,” she said. “I’ve been a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) for more than 30 years. The Milan Conference of 1880 is significant in our field because the membership at the time voted to ban all forms of sign language in deaf education. This movement was led by Alexander Graham Bell. Times have changed, and the field now recognizes that all forms of communication and language acquisition are valid so that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully participate in our society.”

While presenting at any international conference holds a certain significance, Pedersen felt the gravitas of the congress returning to Italy.

“The conference being back in Italy for the first time since the 19th century was a big deal,” Pedersen said. “The membership endorsed a joint declaration issued by three leading organizations: the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), and the National Association of the Deaf in Italy (ENS). This declaration urges governments, schools, families, and the general public to recognize sign language as a basic human right and to provide full access to it for all deaf children. The President of the WFD said to us, ‘Let us ensure that no deaf child is ever again made to feel ashamed of who they are — or of the way they communicate.’”

Pedersen’s presentation, titled “Faith of Our Fathers: Exploring the Role of Faith, Spirituality and Religion as Support Among Fathers of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing,” explored a unique and often overlooked dimension of family support.

Minot State Staff Senate presents Fair Thee Well: A Carnival of Wellness

'Tis the season to indulge ourselves — but how can we do so while also keeping our wellness goals in mind? Minot State Staff Senate Professional Development has the answer. The MSU campus is invited to Fair Thee Well: A Carnival of Wellness. Step right up for carnival games to learn about wellness while having more fun than a day at the fair, hosted by MSU's Kelsey Higginson, assistant professor in kinesiology, scheduled for Monday, Dec. 8, from 10-11 a.m. in the Hartnett Hall Collaboration Space. Direct questions to Higginson by EMAIL or MSU Staff Senate's Kacey Donamaria, record specialist, by EMAIL. 

Holiday Door Decorating Contest

Holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to sign up for the holiday door decorating contest sponsored by Minot State Staff Senate. This contest is open to student groups, faculty, and staff. Send a photo of your door to Karla Bredahl by EMAIL by Dec. 12 to be entered. Entries will be judged on three criteria: creativity, use of materials, and overall impression. Your score will be a combination of Facebook likes and the Staff Senate Events Committee scores. Winners will be announced on Dec. 19. For more information, see attached FLYER.

Academic Support Center workshop

The Minot State Academic Support Center is hosting free workshops throughout the semester in the lower level of the Gordon B. Olson Library. Come learn from Karina Stander, residence life director and registered yoga teacher, for her presentation Finals Flow: Yoga and calm for crunch time, a calming and energizing workshop designed to help students unwind, refocus, and recharge. This session includes gentle yoga, breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, and wellness tips to support your body and mind during one of the most stressful times of the semester. No experience needed, just wear comfy clothes and bring an open mind. Mats will be provided for those who don't have one. The workshop is Thursday, Dec. 11 at 12 p.m. For a full list of workshops, see the Academic Support Center's workshop WEBPAGE.

Honors Program capstone presentations

On Friday, Dec. 12, 12-12:50 p.m. in Old Main 103, Minot State students Emerald Okotie, Kyler Meigs, and Brenna Dutenhafer will present their Honors Program capstone portfolios. All are invited to attend the presentations.

Minot Symphony Orchestra presents first-ever, two performance Holiday Magic Concerts as part of its centennial season

The Minot Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly continues its milestone 100th season with two performances of its beloved holiday concert — a historic first for the organization. Holiday Magic performances will take place Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on the campus of Minot State University. See the attached PRESS RELEASE for more information.

Bingo Night

The MSU Alumni Association invites everyone to a fun night out at the Spicy Pie for Bingo Night on Tuesday, Dec. 9. There will be a variety of bingo games played, including the highly requested music bingo. Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Prizes will include MSU swag and gift cards, and guests are welcome to order their own meals and drinks. Wear your MSU gear if you have it. For more information, see attached FLYER.

Campus Holiday Celebration

Minot State University President Steven Shirley and Jennifer Shirley invite the campus to attend MSU's annual Campus Holiday Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 1-3:30 p.m. in the Student Center Conference Center. See the campus invitation HERE.

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 on holidays.

• INT'L All Media 2025: The Northwest Arts Center's annual juried exhibition for its 30th year. The exhibition is on view Oct. 23 through Dec. 20 in the Walter Piehl Gallery. From its first call for entries in 1993, each year the All Media competition has brought diverse artwork in all mediums, traditional and experimental, to our community. This year's exhibition features over 40 artworks by artists from the United States and Japan. Juror for 2025 is Melissa Monroe, a self-taught multidisciplinary artist based in Portland, Oregon. Since beginning her artistic journey in 2013, she has immersed herself in painting, textiles, and sculpture--creating work that explores vulnerability, transformation, and self-reflection. Monroe's work has been exhibited widely in galleries and art fairs across the U.S., including exhibitions at Brassworks Gallery in Portland, Hey There Projects in Joshua Tree and Mortal Machine, New Orleans as well as showing at the Seattle Art Fair and Scope Art Fair in Miami.
• Umbrae: Mezzotints by Jacob Crook: The exhibition is on view Oct. 23 through Dec. 20 in the Walter Piehl Gallery. Jacob Crook, winner of the INT’L All Media 2024 Best of Show award, is a mezzotint printmaker located in Starkville, Mississippi. Crook currently is an Assistant Professor of Art and Printmaking Coordinator at Mississippi State University. With his artwork, he emphasizes light’s ability to “bring poetry to the prosaic, magic to the mundane, and beauty to the banal.” His exhibition, “Umbrae” consists of mezzotint prints of moody scenes that “set the stage” for viewers to consider their own associations with the imagery.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Evan Borisinkoff, professor in the Minot State Department of Education and Inclusive Services, recently attended the 2025 UNM Mentoring Conference, hosted by the University of New Mexico’s Mentoring Institute from Oct. 21-24. The annual conference brings together educators, researchers, and leaders from across the country to share evidence-based strategies for effective mentoring in higher education, professional settings, and community programs. Through his participation, Borisinkoff expanded his expertise in faculty and student mentorship — an area closely aligned with Minot State University’s mission of academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. He plans to apply insights from the conference to further strengthen mentoring practices within the Department of Education and Inclusive Services and across campus.  For more information about the conference, visit its WEBSITE.

Sierra Haren, senior defender; Sabrina Amezcua, junior forward; and Anna Miotto, sophomore forward, were named All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in women’s soccer for 2025, as voted on by the league’s coaches.

Colby Joseph and Sabrina Amezcua were named Pinnacle Athletes of the Month for October. Joseph scored six goals and added seven assists in eight games last month for the men's hockey team, earning him the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Male Athlete of the Month. Meanwhile, Amezcua led the way for the Beaver women’s soccer team, scoring eight goals and assisting on two others in nine games to earn the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Female Athlete of the Month.

Evan Lovett, a senior from Tucson, Arizona; Aidan Shumate, a sophomore offensive lineman from Cypress, Texas; Ace Perex, a redshirt freshman from Cypress, Texas; and Cody Grossinger, a redshirt junior from Buffalo, Minnesota, all earn all-conference honors as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) announced its All-NSIC North Division.

Anna Miotto was honored by the D2 Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-Central Region Second Team. This marks the second all-region honor for the sophomore from Riehen, Switzerland, as she was named to the United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Central Region Second Team following the 2024 season.

Dane Schaffer, associate professor of science, along with MSU composite science education majors, Maxie Cardinal, Haley Hahn, and Kole Stroh, presented at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) National Conference held in Minneapolis on Nov. 12-15. Schaffer wrote a grant and received funding from the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium to allow her students to go. Click HERE for a photo of the group. For more information on the NSTA National Conference, see its WEBSITE.

Gemma Thomas was selected as the Academic Support Center (ASC) Student of the Month for October. She has contributed to the ASC’s programs as an access services graduate assistant.

Lauren Young, an administrative assistant in the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies, was named October’s Staff Senate High Five Award winner. She is pictured HERE with Minot State President Steven Shirley, Staff Senate President Celeste Simmons, and Dan Ringrose, chair of the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies. She has worked at Minot State for the past 4.5 years, starting in social sciences and performing arts before moving to her current position. Young has been married for 15 years to Charlie Young, associate professor of music, and they currently have three dogs: Snarky Puppy, Moonchild, and Teeny Turner, who is most often in her office. She emphatically states she has many hobbies, but the main ones are cake baking/decorating, crocheting, fantasy costume design/building, and reading. When asked if she would like to share anything with the MSU campus, she said, "A couple of things that come to mind: always be the bright shining individual that you are, and when in doubt, Nerf gun fights solve almost everything."

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is pleased to have several faculty whose proposals were accepted for presentation at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association National Convention held in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the association.

• Kayla Fisher, Kara Nunziato, Erin Holt, Emily Stephens: "EMPOWERing the Future: Innovative Recruitment Strategies for CSD Majors"
• Erin Holt, Kara Nunziato, Robyn Walker, Lisa Roteliuk: "Sensory-Informed Therapy Practices in a University Clinic: Implementing a Sensory Movement Gym"   
• Kara Nunziato, Kayla Fisher, Erin Holt, Emily Stephens: "Funding Innovation: How Giving Day Transformed Clinical Training at Minot State"
• Emily Stephens: "Speech Language Pathology Graduate Programs: What Influences Students to Apply"
• Courtney Olson: "Improving Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Confidence in Evidence-Based Practice"
• In addition, Alicia Murillo, a 2025 graduate, presented her research under the mentorship of Shelley Bredin-Oja. "The Perspectives of Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students Who Identify as Having a Disability"

Winners of the Global Sights Photo Contest were named in November. An electronic photo gallery is available at the Minot State Office of International Programs' WEBSITE.

Student Category

• First place: “Daydreamer” by Wardah Husain taken in Turkey
• Second place: “Let There Be Light” by Muhammad Rohan Azhar taken in Pakistan
• Third place: “Capped Peaks & the Meadow” by Zahra Zulfiqar taken in Pakistan
• Honorable mentions: “Tokyo Sky Tree from a Japanese Garden” by Aina Murata taken in Japan and “Luminescent Cave” by Savannah Barnes taken in Mexico

Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Retiree Category

• First place: “Blue Mountains” by Serena Pontenila (faculty) taken in Australia
• Second place: “Weeeeee” by Justin Anderson (faculty/staff/alum) taken in Germany
• Third place: “Garden Companion” by Jessica Smestad (faculty) taken in Italy
• Honorable mentions: “Ivan Vazov National Theatre” by Ralitsa Wierson (staff) taken in Bulgaria and “A Sugar Loaf Perspective” by Erin Heit (staff) taken in Brazil 

Two sabbaticals have been recommended by the Minot State University Faculty Senate Sabbatical Committee for the 2026-27 academic year, and both have been approved:

1. Wenjing Zheng, special education, Fall 2026 semester: “Connecting Through Culture: Promoting Critical Thinking in Special Education with Folktales and Distance Collaboration.”
2. Micah Bloom, fine arts, 2026-27 academic year: “Interventions: A Visual Inquiry into the Miraculous Unknown.”

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