In May, nearly 600 students celebrated the completion of their undergraduate or graduate degrees as part of Minot State University’s Class of 2025. During this celebratory season, it is an appropriate time to reflect on some of the past year’s happenings at MSU. 

The academic year began with a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the $26.6 million renovation of Hartnett Hall, one of the largest academic buildings on campus. Many of MSU’s general education and humanities courses are delivered in Hartnett, and it is also home to Aleshire Theatre, KMSU-TV, a new recital hall, MSU Esports, many classrooms and faculty offices, and a beautiful new collaborative space for campus and community gatherings. Other facility upgrades this past winter included the replacement of our decades-old campus greenhouse with a larger and more modern facility, and a significant renovation to the spaces used by our Severson Entrepreneurship Academy in Old Main. A new weight room and strength & conditioning facility was also completed for Beaver Athletics in the MSU Dome’s lower level. 

New academic programs have been added to help address key workforce shortage areas and further ensure graduating students will have ample career opportunities. New programs added this year include: a Bachelor of Science (BS) in biomedical science with three specific track options in healthcare, research, and allied health; a BS in environmental science with tracks in conservation, earth systems, and environmental health; two-year associate degrees within the criminal justice program in policing as well as a two-year degree in early childhood education; a new certificate and minor in applied artificial intelligence (AI); the implementation of an entirely online option for MSU’s Bachelor of Social Work program (in addition to the already in-person options on the MSU, NDSU, and Bismarck State College campuses); and a complete revision and modernization of MSU’s general education curriculum. 

This past year, MSU also hosted comprehensive accreditation visits for several important academic programs: nursing, teacher education, and school psychology. These external accreditation visits typically only occur every 5-7 years, and serve as an exhaustive review of the program’s quality and outcomes. All three visits resulted in very strong reviews and affirmed the academic excellence of nursing, teacher education, and school psychology at MSU. 

It was a busy year for our students, faculty, and community members in the performing arts. Two terrific operas (La Boheme and Oliver!) were staged this year in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall by Western Plains Opera; the 99th season of the Minot Symphony Orchestra had terrific audiences for all six performances; members of the MSU choir traveled to Norway in May with the Minot Chamber Chorale to perform in conjunction with Syttende Mai celebrations; the MSU Concert and Jazz bands held multiple performances during the year; the 17th annual NOTSTOCK Arts festival was held last fall; two mainstage theatre productions were performed; and we are nearing the start of the 60th season of MSU Summer Theatre with five productions to be staged. 

In Beaver Athletics, notable highlights included: the men’s basketball team winning the most games (26) in program history as well as advancing for the first time to the NCAA Division II national playoffs; Beaver football winning the most games in the Division II era; both men’s and women’s hockey teams advancing to the ACHA national playoffs with outstanding regular seasons; the women’s soccer team advancing to the NSIC championship game; and our men’s club soccer team winning its conference championship for the second consecutive year. There were also a couple of outstanding individual achievements with Caleb Van De Griend earning All-American status and setting the single-season MSU men’s basketball scoring and rebounding records. Wrestler Jake Swirple finished sixth in the nation in the heavyweight division and earned All-American status for the second time in his career. 

MSU continues a very strong relationship with the Minot Air Force Base through numerous initiatives and events. In March, MSU was recognized for “Outstanding Military Support” during the annual Minot Area Chamber EDC meeting for being the most supportive community organization of the MAFB. We are humbled by this recognition and so proud of our longstanding association with the US Air Force. 

We recently concluded the largest capital campaign in MSU’s history, and at our annual gala in May announced that $54.8 million had been raised. The majority of funds raised in this “EMPOWER” campaign will support scholarships, academic programs, campus facilities, and athletics for decades. THANK YOU to all who help MSU and our students with your generosity through support of the MSU Development Foundation.  

The university-community relationship between MSU and the city of Minot has been rock solid for over a century, and we look forward to more positive initiatives in the year ahead! 

Minot State University art professors Ryan Stander and Micah Bloom both had works published in the New Christian Makers (NCM) journal, highlighting their work across styles, genres, media, and the spectrum of Christian churches.

Stander submitted a body of work titled “Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid.” It is a collection of prints — lithographs and image transfers — on wood and plexiglass that wrestle with a variety of ecclesial and social concerns from political divisions, hypocrisy, isolationism, and the search for God.

Bloom submitted work from his “Radiosity” project, which explores the wonder of light and reflected color. His work is influenced by the Light and Space art movement from the 1960s and 1970s. The visible surfaces of his pieces are white on white, yet they emit glowing color from surfaces unseen by the viewer. This prevention of sight is intentional and generates viewer curiosity. Certain viewing angles of the work are intentionally prevented, generating viewer curiosity.

For more information on New Christian Makers, see the journal’s WEBSITE. To order copies of the journal, see their order PAGE.

Minot State University's criminal justice program has partnered with the Minot Police Department (MPD) to launch a career-shaping apprenticeship program aimed at preparing the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Through the new MPD Apprenticeship Program, eligible students pursuing a degree in criminal justice or law enforcement will have their tuition covered for up to two years while gaining hands-on experience as part-time community service officers with the Minot Police Department. In return, participants agree to serve as full-time police officers with the department for a minimum of three years upon program completion.

Community service officers will receive departmental uniforms and operate repurposed patrol vehicles designated specifically for the program. Training will equip them to:

• Assist in investigating traffic accidents
• Collect and process evidence, including video footage and crime scenes
• Respond to non-emergency complaints
• Support funeral processions and tow tagging
• Engage in community outreach and recruitment events
• Assist the department’s in-house training sergeant

The program aims to free up sworn officers to focus on high-priority duties and support a more proactive approach to policing, ultimately improving public safety and departmental efficiency. Eligible candidates include individuals who meet police officer requirements but lack the necessary educational background. For more information about the MPD Apprenticeship Program, contact Rabe by EMAIL or Captain Sundbakken by phone at 701-857-4716 or EMAIL.

Minot State University was awarded the CLEP® Honors Military Achievement award for being a top 20 CLEP Military Test Center. The Minot State testing center was recognized at a CLEP Honors reception held in Austin, Texas, on June 11 for administering the highest CLEP exam volumes in 2024.

The CLEP Honors Award is an annual College Board program recognizing CLEP test centers that administer high volumes of CLEP exams, providing students of all ages the opportunity to earn college credits, saving them time and money toward achieving college degrees. CLEP is the most widely trusted credit-by-examination program, accepted at over 3,000 colleges. Students can select from 34 CLEP subjects and use free online resources to practice and prepare for CLEP exams.

Minot State University Communications Presents has rebranded its multimedia hub as 1913 MEDIA. 1913 MEDIA reinforces University Communications’ mission to tell impactful stories and to further enhance storytelling and visual outreach. Through the use of the State Normal School at Minot's foundation date as its symbol, it celebrates past tradition and MSU's current mission of serving Northwest North Dakota. 1913 MEDIA’s first official production features the opening night of “Nunsense” by MSU Summer Theatre. View this and other upcoming videos — along with current and past productions from University Communications and Minot State Marketing — on MSU’s YouTube CHANNEL.

The Office of Facilities Management, in coordination with the NDDOT, will provide a National Safety Council defensive driving course on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The class will be held in Hartnett 106. There are faculty and staff who will need to renew their certificate this year along with new employees so please take advantage of the classes before your certificate expires. The certificates expire every four years. If you are unsure if you need the class yet, please contact Sue Lommen, administrative assistant in Facilities Management by EMAIL.

Facilities Management has established a database of employees who completed the defensive driving course, which is required to check out a North Dakota state fleet car. Everyone who drives a state fleet car will be required to take the defensive driving course before they can drive a state fleet car. It is also worth noting that many insurance companies discount personal car insurance for those who have taken the course.

Individuals will be required to attend the entire class to obtain certification. It will also be necessary to check in with a facilities management employee and bring your driver’s license and a pen to the class. Preregister by contacting Lommen by EMAIL. I will need everybody to register by Friday, Aug. 1.

Northwest Arts Center

The Northwest Arts Center (NAC) invites MSU faculty and staff to submit artwork for the "ALL MSU: Faculty & Staff Exhibition," on view this summer from July 17 to Aug. 22 in the Walter Piehl Gallery. There will be a closing reception on Friday Aug. 22 from 6:30-8 p.m. Celebrating artwork by Minot State University faculty and staff from all departments, it is an opportunity for artists across our campus to show their creativity and passion for art. Do you paint or draw? Maybe you are a photographer, or a woodworker? All are welcome! Entry forms are available at the Northwest Arts Center or on the WEBSITE.

• All MSU current and former faculty and staff are eligible and encouraged to enter!
• Two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and craft in any medium qualify.
• Entries will be accepted May 15 through JULY 3 at 5 p.m. at the Northwest Arts Center located on the lower level of the Gordon B. Olson Library.

For more information or questions, visit the website, contact the NAC by EMAIL.

Nathan Anderson, institutional assessment director, Daniel Conn, chair and associate professor of education and inclusive services, and master of education alumnae Kaydra Weigel published a manuscript in "Assessment Update: Progress, Trends, and Practices in Higher Education." Their article, "Cultivating Graduate-Level Assessment Skills Through an A+ Inquiry Thesis Alternative," introduces MSU’s A+ Inquiry capstone project — an alternative to the traditional thesis for master of education students — and begins to explore how developing transferable inquiry skills through this course may help prepare graduate students to support assessment initiatives at postsecondary institutions. A link to the full article can be found HERE.

Tara Hiatt, administrative assistant in the School of Business, Math, and Technology, was named April’s High Five Award winner. She is pictured HERE with Minot State President Steven Shirley, Staff Senate President Karla Bredahl, and the team in the MSU School of Business, Math, and Technology. Hiatt has been in her role at MSU for two years. She supports both the Department of Business and the Department of Math, Data, and Technology. Hiatt and her husband, Eric, have two daughters, Olivia and Oriana. An avid bow and rifle hunter, she also enjoys raising chickens and turkeys on the family’s hobby farm. “I’m fortunate to work for two of the best departments on campus and have some of the most supportive faculty on my roster,” she said. “I am eternally grateful for all of the opportunities my time with MSU has given me.”

Cassandra (Cassie) Reid started in Minot State Human Resources as the HR coordinator and will be a valuable addition to the team. Stop by and welcome her!

Eleven members of the Minot State University chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) — Collegiate attended the 2025 National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Dallas, Texas from May 31 to June 2.

• Cambry Ankenbauer and Connor Radtke, fourth place, Accounting Case Presentation
• Connor Radtke, sixth place, Foundations of Accounting
• Kyle Sandy, Alec Wolf, and Jersey Johnson, sixth place, Business Presentation
• Nate Olson, eighth place, Foundations of Finance
• Cambry Ankenbauer, eighth place, Impromptu Speaking
• Luke Curren, 10th place, Foundations of Technology

See the attached PHOTO of the MSU FBLA chapter and winners. Front row, from left: Kyleigh Wiltse, Shaylie Holen, Tessa Galvin. Middle row left: Cambry Ankenbauer and Jersey Johnson. Back row left: Connor Radtke, Nate Olson, Jack Johnson, Kyle Sandy, Alec Wolf, and Luke Curren.