Minot State University and the MSU Development Foundation are proud to announce the seventh annual Giving Day is planned throughout the day on Wednesday, April 9.  

This 24-hour online event invites alumni, friends, students, faculty, and staff to empower generations by making a gift of any size to areas they care about most. To enhance the impact of each gift, the Foundation will match 50% on all gifts up to $1,000. In addition, various donor-funded challenges are available that unlock additional funds, further amplifying donor impact. 

The annual event has proven to be an engaging way for programs to promote essential needs, ranging from student scholarships and new equipment to travel expenses and enhanced student opportunities. In 2025, Minot State will feature 57 total projects from across multiple academic and athletic programs.  

MSU is also proud to announce a continued partnership with Subway of Minot to provide a free lunch to all MSU Giving Day donors in the Old Main Loop. The lunch featuring a Subway sandwich, chips, and a drink is from 11:45 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. or while supplies last. For more information, see the attached FLYER. 

Over the past six years, MSU Giving Day has raised nearly $1.8 million for more than 349 projects. Gifts have originated from all 50 states and numerous countries.   

Giving Day 2025 will start at 12:01 a.m. April 9 and run until 11:59 p.m. (CDT).   

The MSU Development Foundation encourages both participation and engagement from alumni, friends, and donors leading up to and during MSU Giving Day. The hashtag #MSUGivingDay is also encouraged for social media posts.  

Log on to the MSU Giving Day website, Give.MinotStateU.edu, for more information on the event and project details. For questions, contact MSU Director of Foundation Operations Kate Marshall by EMAIL or by phone at (701) 858-4158. 

Western Plains Opera is proud to present Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!,” a musical adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel, on April 11 and 12.

Western Plains Opera is a small opera company that blends the best professional, community, and Minot State University resources, boasting a growing reputation for outstanding performances.

Its latest production, “Oliver!,” is scheduled for Minot State’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on April 11 and April 12, beginning at 7 p.m. each night.

Seth Honerman is set to direct the award-winning production based on the 1838 novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, with Minot State’s Abbie (Naze) Eads ’15 conducting the orchestra.

The score of “Oliver!” masterfully blends lively, rousing melodies with moments of deep emotional resonance, capturing the spirit of Dickens’s world. Bart’s music is instantly recognizable, from the exuberant energy of “Consider Yourself” and “Food, Glorious Food” to the haunting poignancy of “As Long As He Needs Me.” The songs are woven seamlessly into the story, bringing its characters and themes to life with a rich theatricality.

Emerson Eads, WPO artistic director and MSU director of choral activities, serves as chorusmaster, and Angela Schnaible is the production’s children’s chorusmaster.

At its core, the music of “Oliver!” reflects both the hardship and hope of its characters, making it as moving as it is unforgettable. With its sweeping melodies and dynamic orchestrations, this score remains one of the most beloved in musical theater history.

Adult tickets are $35, $30, or $25, with children ages 17 and under priced at $10 each. Minot State students are admitted free with a valid MSU ID, and a military discount is available with an active ID when purchased at the door. Tickets are available at the door or online at Wester Plains Opera’s WEBSITE.

This engagement is supported by the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Minot State University Native American Center and Club will host the 35th annual Spring Honor Dance & Powwow celebration on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, in the Minot State Dome.

In addition to the powwow, on Friday, April 25, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Minot State Dome, MSU will host an educational program titled "Kennedy Bruce (Porcupine Woman) Cultural Teachings." The program was named after former Native American Club president Kennedy Bruce, who passed away from cancer in 2015. Attendees can learn about the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, a North Dakota tribal nation. The program will feature Ojibwe teachings by Alex Decoteau, the cultural teacher at Turtle Mountain School, and his high school language students. This cultural experience is suitable for students in grades 4 through 8 and aligns with North Dakota Native American essential understandings.

Then, on Saturday, April 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., the Plum River Native Prairie Family STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) Day event will take place at the Plum River Site (formerly the Erik Ramstad school location). Family STEAM Day will feature hands-on exhibits showcasing science, technology, engineering, art, and math from MSU programs and community partners. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Minot State Dome.

Grand Entry times are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., with an honoring of graduates at 8 p.m.

There will be craft and resource vendors on site. This event is free and open to the public.

The Plum River Native Prairie project invites families, educators, and community members to attend Family STEAM Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Plum River site, located on the former grounds of Erik Ramstad Middle School.

Plum River Native Prairie is a collaborative initiative to restore the site into a thriving native prairie ecosystem. The project is supported by Minot State University, Minot Public Schools, Audubon Great Plains, the Ward County Soil Conservation District, AmeriCorps, and the CIRCLES Alliance.

Family STEAM Day will feature hands-on exhibits showcasing science, technology, engineering, art, and math from MSU programs and community partners. Attendees will also receive red clover seeds to plant at home and learn why red clover was chosen as the first step in restoring the prairie.

The decision to plant red clover in early May reflects months of collaborative research. MSU undergraduate Patrick Baker, a medicinal plant chemistry major and AmeriCorps member, has been working through AmeriCorps and the CIRCLES Alliance with Ruth De La Cruz of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College and the Ward County Soil Conservation District to determine the most effective cover crop. Red clover was chosen for its soil-enriching properties, medicinal significance, and deep cultural relevance within Hidatsa traditions. The clover will be planted using no-till methods to promote sustainable soil practices this spring.

Family STEAM Day will conclude at 11:30 a.m., allowing attendees to head over to the MSU Powwow Grand Entry, making it a full day of community, culture, and learning.

The North Dakota Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) — Collegiate State Leadership Conference (SLC) was held in Mandan on March 23-24. Thirteen members of the Minot State Chapter networked with business professionals, participated in leadership workshops, and competed in various competitive events. Collegiate chapters from North and South Dakota participated.

Minot State, again, earned the Dorothy L. Travis Outstanding Chapter award, which is a sweepstakes award for the best chapter participation and achievement in events at the SLC.

Minot State received the Largest Local Chapter Membership award with 16 active members. They also received the Largest Percentage of Retention of Chapter Membership with a 25% retention rate from last year. Jan Repnow, chapter adviser, was named the North Dakota Outstanding Local Chapter Adviser.

Alec Wolf and Emma Taylor, 2024-2025 North Dakota officer team vice presidents, assisted with the planning and delivery of the conference. Wolf, Taylor, and Mason Lemar were named 2024-2025 Who’s Who recipients. Wolf was elected as 2025-2026 ND FBLA — Collegiate President.

All members earned the right to advance to the National FBLA — Collegiate conference, which will be held in Dallas, Texas, from May 31 to June 2.

 Individual event winners:

• Business Communication, third place, Nate Olson
• Computer Applications, second place, Luke Curren
• Foundations of Accounting, first place, Connor Radtke; fifth place, Kyleigh Wiltse
• Foundations of Communications, second place, Tessa Galvin; third place, Shaylie Holen
• Foundations of Economics, second place, Nate Olson
• Foundations of Entrepreneurship, first place, Luke Curren; second place, Jersey Johnson
• Foundations of Finance, first place, Nate Olson; third place, Connor Radtke
• Foundations of Hospitality Management, first place, Marissa Beck
• Foundations of Management, second place, Marissa Beck
• Foundations of Marketing, third place, Jersey Johnson
• Foundations of Selling, first place, Jack Johnson
• Foundations of Technology, first place, Luke Curren
• Impromptu Speaking, first place, Cambry Ankenbauer; second place, Tessa Galvin
• Job Interview, first place, Jack Johnson
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership, fifth place, Kyle Sandy
• Public Speaking, first place, Jack Johnson
• Sports Management and Marketing, fourth place, Shaylie Holen

Team event winners:

• Accounting Case Competition, first place, Cambry Ankenbauer, Connor Radtke, Emma Taylor
• Business Presentation, first place, Jersey Johnson, Kyle Sandy, Alec Wolf
• Emerging Business Issues, second place, Marissa Beck, Kyle Sandy; third place, Shaylie Holen, Kyleigh Wiltse
• Hospitality Management Case Competition, first place, Tessa Galvin and Alec Wolf

Minot State University’s Department of Science will offer two new degrees beginning Fall 2025: biomedical science and environmental science.

The biomedical science degree is an interdisciplinary program blending biology, chemistry, exercise science, and psychology that prepares students for graduate school in the healthcare field. In contrast, the environmental science degree explores the complexities of the environment through an integrated study of biology, chemistry, and geoscience.

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science has a curriculum focused on the core sciences of modern medicine, with specialized tracks for different healthcare professions such as primary healthcare (pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-veterinary, pre-pharmacy, and pre-optometry), allied health (pre-chiropractic, pre-occupational therapy, and pre-physical therapy), and research professions.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science has core courses covering all three disciplines, so students can tailor their degree by choosing from the three specialized tracks: conservation (biology focus), earth systems science (geoscience focus), or environmental health (chemistry focus).

Whether preparing for graduate school or an entry-level career, this program equips students with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in environmental science.

To learn more about Minot State’s biomedical science degree, contact Schmidt by EMAIL or see MSU’s program PAGE. To learn more about Minot State’s environmental science degree, contact Pettit by EMAIL or see MSU’s program PAGE. 

Minot State University is proud to announce the launch of a fully accredited online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program in Summer 2025.

The program is designed to provide greater access to social work education for students in rural communities, tribal and community college graduates, and working professionals who need a flexible, high-quality path to completing a social work degree.

This four-year degree program mirrors MSU’s established in-person BSW program by maintaining a commitment to student success, cost-effective tuition, and skills-based program content. Upon completion, students will be prepared for a meaningful career in the field and will be eligible to sit for the national bachelor’s-level social work licensure exam.

The online program offers opportunities to complete concentrations that allow students to cross-train and specialize in high-demand social justice arenas, including addiction studies, human trafficking awareness, and special education. Students who declare a concentration complete 12 elective credits (four classes) specific to the concentration. The addiction studies concentration, which, when paired with addiction-specific practicum hours, allows graduates to qualify for dual licensure in both social work and addiction counseling. This added credential expands career pathways while addressing the growing need for professionals trained in both fields.

A distinguishing aspect of the BSW program is the depth of practice experience brought by its faculty. Each professor is an experienced, licensed social work professional with diverse backgrounds in multiple fields, including clinical settings, child welfare, mental health services, policy development, crisis intervention, corrections, disability services, geriatrics, transplant/dialysis, and medical social work. Faculty members bring real-world knowledge from the front lines of social work, allowing students to learn from instructors who have navigated the rewards and challenges of the profession.

For more information on the Department of Behavioral Science and Criminal Justice, see the department’s WEBSITE. For more information on social work, see MSU’s WEBSITE or PROGRAM PAGE.

As spring approaches, we're excited to invite you to join the campus wide Culture Club Book Study & Discussion Group centered around the insightful work, "Fundamentally Different" by David Friedman. This book explores key fundamentals for building a culture of success through organizational values. In "Fundamentally Different," David Friedman defines “an organization’s culture, more than any other single factor, is responsible for influencing the behavior of its people; and it's the behavior of its people on a day-to-day basis that most influences whether or not the organization reaches its goals. No matter how brilliant the strategy or how skilled the management team, how people perform their everyday tasks is what really determines success (p.3).”

By participating in this book study, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Exchange perspectives and insights with fellow university members.
• Gain deeper insights into the book's fundamentals through collective analysis.
• Reflect on how the fundamentals discussed in the book resonate with your own experiences and professional endeavors.

Logistics:

• Duration: March to May 
• Format: Five one-hour meetings every other week in person to discuss assigned chapters.

If you're interested in joining our Spring Book Study & Discussion Group, please contact Samuel Wedar by EMAIL.  Upon confirmation, you'll receive further details regarding the schedule and assigned reading.

The North Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NDACTE) has released its first Spring Newsletter, featuring highlights of innovative work in teacher education, including Molly Paszek and Karen Foley’s impactful reading program at John Hoeven Elementary. Additionally, NDACTE invites faculty, staff, and stakeholders to the Partners in Education Mixer on April 10 at 5 p.m. at the Heritage Center in Bismarck. This event provides an opportunity for teacher education students and faculty to connect with policymakers and legislators to discuss topics, policies, and legislation related to teacher education. Drinks and snacks will be provided. For more information, see the attached POSTER. Check out the attached NEWSLETTER for more details, and if you're interested in attending the mixer, grant funds are available to support travel. For more information, contact Dan Conn by EMAIL.

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.

• Fairweather: Floyd Fairweather was a North Dakota artist with a proclivity for the arts, theater, literature, and the humanities. He taught at Minot State for 29 years, from 1961 until he retired in 1996. This exhibition contains a sampling of his paintings and works over his lifetime. This project is supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. The exhibition will be on display from March 11 through April 19. 
• Juried Student Art Show 2025: The Northwest Arts Center presents the annual Minot State Juried Student Art Show. Open to all Minot State University students, the Juried Student Show has been a campus tradition since the early 1980s. The exhibition is on display from March 27 through April 24. The competition invites area and regional artists, educators, and other art professionals to serve as jurors each year. Visiting Minot State as a juror for 2025 is artist and art professional Rachel Alfaro, executive director of the Taube Museum.

Flat Tail Press
Flat Tail Press is an educational printmaking studio at Minot State University. The gallery is located in the landing space on the second and third floor of the Minot State Student Center, west entrance. It is open during normal Student Center hours.

• Badlands: Ephemeral Horizons by Michael Baum: Screen prints of the Sage Creek Wilderness by South Dakota artist, Michael Baum. The exhibition will be on display from Jan. 23-May 29.

Emerson Eads, Minot State's associate professor of music, has just been announced as a National Finalist for the American Prize in Composition for his composition “At The Dawn I Seek Thee.” This prize-winning work was commissioned by the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Ann Arbor, and their conductor, Benjamin Cohen, in 2023, and then was given its world premiere by the conductor and his ensemble including solos by Jenny O'Neill, soprano Nicole Wills, mezzo-soprano Tyler Hodges, tenor Frank Doherty. “At The Dawn I Seek Thee” was dedicated to the memory of Andrew Hibshman, the composer’s friend, and the late husband of the composer’s high school music teacher, Lael Hibshman. View the world premiere video HERE and the Northwest Music Festival premiere at Minot State in November 2023 video HERE. Also, American soprano Laura Strickling has included Eads' composition "Patrick’s Rune" in "The 40@40 Project Anthology: Volume 1," now available for purchase through New Music Shelf. The anthology showcases a diverse collection of contemporary works by 40 composers. The anthology can be purchased HERE. In addition to this publication, Strickling will be recording "Patrick’s Rune" for inclusion on her upcoming second album. This album features songs commissioned and curated for her "40@40 Project." The track will be available across all major streaming platforms upon release. To listen to "Patrick's Rune," visit the link on YOUTUBE.

Katherine McCarville, Minot State University associate professor in the Department of Science, presented “The FEW-Nexus: Using soil to grow meaning and relevance in undergraduate general education Earth science courses” at the conference, held March 27-28 in Northfield, Minnesota. MSU GEOL 100 Earth Science students in McCarville’s Spring 2025 class will use this approach to implement a study to establish a soil health baseline at the Plum River Native Prairie, just south of the MSU campus.

Dane Schaffer, Minot State University professor of science and science education, is presenting at this week’s National Conference of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her first presentation is called, “Keeping Your Head Above Water,” as part of the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association’s Share-a-thon/Speed Sharing session. This presentation is over how to better assess a student’s content knowledge of the water cycle. Her second presentation is as an invited panelist for NSTA’s Learning Center. Schaffer has used the Learning Center since the fall of 2017 as her students’ textbook for her science methods courses (SCI 391 and SCI 426).

Evan Borisinkoff and Wenjing Zheng, associate professors in the Department of Education and Inclusive Services, presented “Integrating AI to Improve Efficiency in Special Education” and “Utilizing an Assistive Technology Lab in Teacher Preparation” at the 40th Annual California State University Northridge Assistive Technology Conference. The conference took place in Anaheim, California, on March 10 to 14.

MSU faculty members Efrain Amaya and Jon Rumney received the 2025 ND String Teachers Association Distinguished Service Award on behalf of the Minot Symphony Orchestra at the All State Orchestra concert in Bismarck on Tuesday, March 25. They, along with MSU faculty member Erik Anderson, organized the first "Side-by-Side" orchestra festival for high school students in February, which attracted students from around the state to perform with the orchestra in three concerts for hundreds of audience members. The award is given for outstanding contributions to the cause of string education in the state of North Dakota. 

Lynda Bertsch has been nominated by a student to receive an Eagle Award from the Minot Area Chamber EDC because of her kind, caring, and professional service. She is being recognized for all the help she has provided students to prepare for their future careers and personal goals. The Eagle Award is a program initiated by the Chamber EDC to recognize employees in the Minot area that display excellence in their line of work.

Angie Keller has joined the Department of Nursing as our new BSN completion program administrative assistant/simulation coordinator. Keller comes from MSU Admissions, where she served as an admissions specialist, and brings a wealth of experience from previous roles as a legal assistant, office manager, and administrative assistant. Keller officially began her new role on Thursday, March 20. She will be supporting MSU nursing students, assisting with simulation coordination, and helping manage main office operations. Join the nursing department in warmly welcoming Keller!

Jim Ritchie has joined the Minot State Human Resources as their newest staff member. Ritchie has several years of experience in HR throughout his career, including his time in the U.S. Air Force, and also taught school after his military service. He is a great addition to the HR team and will be working part time in the department. Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself.

Matt Bosch, a student director and videographer for Minot State University Athletics, has been nominated for an Emmy Award. In his collaboration with the Minot State softball team, head coach Sal Rodriguez wanted a special tribute hype-style video to unveil their new Magic City jerseys to the public. The video project featured homegrown talent Isabelle and Ellington Anderson as the main subjects demonstrating what the jerseys look like in action. The video was filmed, directed, and edited all by Bosch himself before the team posted the reveal on all their social media platforms. On March 10, Bosch was notified that his clip featuring the softball team’s jersey reveal is now a finalist under the “Promotional Video” category at the 2025 Upper Midwest Emmy Awards. He is competing with finalists from two other NSIC institutions, including Minnesota State, Mankato and St. Cloud State. The awards ceremony is set to take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Midwest Journalism Conference on April 11.

Caleb Van De Griend, Minot State junior forward, for the second time this week has been named an All-American. One day after the NABC coaches named the 6-foot-8 Beaver forward from Bridgetown, Australia an All-American, the sports information directors across the nation named Van De Griend a 1st Team D2CCA All-America. The Beavers junior forward set single-season school records for points with 752 this season, and rebounds with 470 this season, and helped lead Minot State to a program-record 26 wins and to the Beavers' first-ever NCAA National Tournament berth. Also, Caleb Van De Griend, junior forward, was named to the D2CCA Central Region All-Region First Team Friday for the first time in his collegiate career. Van De Griend now becomes eligible for D2CCA All-American honors. Van De Griend set single-season school records for points with 724, rebounds with 458, helped lead Minot State to a program-record 26 wins, and helped lead the Beavers to a first-ever NCAA National Tournament berth. He is a four-time NSIC Player of the Week.

Addyson Hughes was selected as the ASC Student of the Month for February. She has contributed to the Academic Support Center’s programs as a Peer Review Session Leader. The ASC Student of the Month recognizes the outstanding contributions of the many student leaders working with ASC's programs.

Jake Swirple's season came to an end with All-American honors and a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships on March 15. After back-to-back victories on March 14 to advance to the national semifinals in the 285-pound weight class – becoming the first-ever Minot State wrestler to reach the NCAA national semifinals – Swirple finished his time at nationals with three straight setbacks. Swirple also was an NCAA All-American following the 2022-23 season when he finished eighth at nationals. His sixth-place finish matches the all-time best NCAA National Tournament finish in Minot State history, equaling a sixth-place finish by Mitchell Eull at the 2017-18 NCAA National Tournament.

Summer Krebsbach, Minot State junior sprinter, opened her outdoor season in record fashion, while Beaver senior Jake Swirple finished his collegiate career also writing his name in the record books. Both have been honored for their record-setting efforts, as Kresbach is the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Female Athlete of the Month for March, and Swirple is the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Male Athlete of the Month for March. Pinnacle Employee Benefits became the title sponsor for Minot State’s Athlete of the Month award during the 2021-22 academic year. The award recognizes the outstanding athletic achievements each month of one male and one female Beaver student-athlete.

Four Minot State women’s wrestlers earned special honors from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) as Pua Beebe, Haleigh Lematta, Emily Light, and Skye Shelmerdine each received the 2025 NCAA Women’s Scholar All-American Award. To be eligible for the honor, a wrestler must have competed in at least 15 varsity matches and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, be a national qualifier with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, or place in the top eight at nationals and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Beebe, Lematta, Light, and Shelmerdine become the first four Minot State women’s wrestlers named NCAA Women’s Scholar All-American Award winners in the program’s three-year history. 

The weekend of March 16, a team of four Minot State computer information systems and computer science students participated in an NCAE Cyber Games event on campus. Over the course of six hours, the students defended a simulated networked server environment from ongoing cyber threats while also tackling various bonus challenges to boost their scores. The competition tested their ability to work as a team and efficiently allocate resources within a realistic scenario. This marked MSU’s first time competing in the Cyber Games since receiving the esteemed National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation in 2022.

Each year, Minot State University selects 10-20 students to receive the Student Leadership & Engagement Award based on their academic achievement, service to Minot State University and to the greater Minot community, and participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities. 

• Shawn Bennett
• Kendal Braun
• Brooklyn Brugger
• Krysten Glab
• Brooklyn Hanelt
• Kaylee Hofmann
• MiKayla Kippen
• Cody Leonard
• Conner Meldrim
• Hannah Murray
• Emerald Okotie
• Colby Opp
• Maelyn Sanders
• Jadyn Sandy
• Brek Thompson
• Hayden Tinker
• Sadie Weninger

Students will be recognized at an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7.