Minot State University is pleased to announce Discoveries Set in Stone, a three-day archaeology conference featuring world-renowned Egyptologist and Minot native Mark Lehner, on May 1-3.

Discoveries Set in Stone is presented by the MSU Geology Club A.U.G.I.T.E. (Association of Undergraduate Geologists in Industry, Technology, and Education) as part of the Midcontinent Institute Geology and Geography Lecture Program. All sessions are free and open to the public.

“The Geology club began hosting professional speakers last year to share with students what kind of work is done off campus in town and abroad,” said Nikita Neyshtadt, president of MSU A.U.G.I.T.E. “We are excited to now open these lectures up to the general public to foster an interest in what is happening at the forefront of science. These lecture events are targeted for all ages."

Lehner will be the final presentation of the three-day Discoveries Set in Stone, with the lecture titled “Prairie to the Pyramids: Lost City of the Giza Pyramids,” scheduled for Friday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. in Minot State’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. His talk will be preceded by a meet and greet in the lobby of Ann Nicole Nelson Hall in Old Main from 5-6 p.m. Lehner and the groundbreaking work his team at Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA) is doing will be featured in a National Geographic film “Lost Treasures of Egypt” that is scheduled to air from May 2 until July 2.

The event kicks off on Wednesday, May 1, with Minot State professor Amanda Watts's talk, “War Zone Archaeology in Afghanistan: Saving Buddhas from the Taliban,” in Hartnett Hall’s newly renovated Recital Hall, room 106, at 6 p.m. On Thursday, May 2, Roberta Marzianni will give a lecture, “New Frontiers in Heritage recording: Bath Abbey and Fairey Barracuda — from photogrammetry to Virtual Reality," starting at 6 p.m. in Hartnett 106.

The 40th annual Minot State University Alumni Association Gala Dinner and Auction will be held on Friday, May 17, at the Clarion Hotel.

The Gala and Auction commemorates the University’s history, alumni, and students with a social, dinner, silent auction, and live auction. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the social, and dinner is served at 7 p.m., with a live auction to follow. The silent auction will be held solely via mobile bidding. Mobile bidding will open on Monday, May 13, at 3 p.m. and close on the evening of the Gala at 8 p.m. Sign up for mobile bidding HERE.

The fundraiser supports student scholarships and Alumni Association-sponsored activities. Individual tickets for the Gala are $75, and tables for eight are still available and priced at $600. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

The fundraiser is semi-formal. For more information, contact Brekhus by EMAIL or by phone at 701-858-3373.

Minot State University announced Thursday its new data science program has been approved by the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC).

This program, tailored to the unique needs of the military community at the Minot Air Force Base, on campus, and throughout the world, offers two certificates, a major and a minor, ultimately leading to a Bachelor of Science in Data Science.

According to Minot State Assistant Professor of Computer Science Daren Erisman, this newest approval for an MSU program in the AU-ABC aligns with the University’s commitment to serving personnel in the armed forces.

Minot State’s data science program combines courses from three programs incorporating math, computer programming, and business skills. This multi-discipline approach enables a well-rounded data science student to readily adapt to today's workplace or seek an advanced degree.

The AU-ABC is a program between the United States Air Force and civilian institutions to provide Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) graduates with advanced education opportunities. Minot State offers multiple programs within the AU-ABC. For more information on offerings or to apply, see MSU’s online degree program’s WEBSITE.

The Minot State University Future Business Leaders of America — Collegiate (FBLA) received the Dorothy L. Travis Outstanding Chapter Sweepstakes Award for the third consecutive year at the State Leadership Conference held in Mandan, April 7-8. This award is given to the chapter with the largest culmination of total points for competitive events, state officers, and team and individual participation points. Eight of the 11 Minot State members attended the conference. Over the two days, Minot State students competed in objective testing and presentation events while they networked with business leaders, attended workshops, and completed their Community Service project at the Bismarck Ronald McDonald House. Minot State chapter members completed their term as state officers for the 2023-2024 academic year: Mason Lemer, president; Alec Wolf, vice president; and Hailey Graner, vice president. All members qualified in their competitive events for the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida set to take place June 24-27. Chapter and Individual event winners include:

• Emma Taylor: Community Service, team, first place; Job Interview, third place; Parliamentary Procedure, third place; Public Speaking, first place
• Hailey Graner: Business Ethics, team second place; Community Service, team, first place; State of Chapter Presentation, team, first place
• Melanie Segura: Business Ethics, team, second place; Foundations of Accounting, first place; State of Chapter Presentation, team, first place
• Mason Lemer: North Dakota Who’s Who in ND FBLA--Collegiate; Emerging Business Issues, team, first place; Foundations of Communications, first place; Parliamentary Procedure, first place
• Alec Wolf: Business Presentation, team, first place; Foundations of Hospitality Management, first place; Job Interview, fourth place
• Kyle Sandy: Business Presentation, team, first place; Emerging Business Issues, team, first place; Foundations of Management, third place
• Noah Schmidt: Entrepreneurship Pitch, first place; Foundations of Entrepreneurship, third place
• Brendan Barnes: Business Ethics, team, second place; Foundations of Economics, third place; Future Business Educator, first place

The Minot State Chapter was recognized as the Largest Chapter in ND and for the Highest Percentage of Retention in Chapter Membership from last year.  Sarah Yeater, Lemer, Graner, and Wolf were named as Minot State Who’s Who recipients. Minot State Chapter Adviser Jan Repnow was named the North Dakota Outstanding FBLA-Collegiate Chapter Adviser and received a 5-year Chapter Adviser Recognition. North State Officers were elected for 2024-25. Wolf and Taylor will serve as vice presidents on the executive board, and Repnow will continue to serve as the North Dakota State Adviser.

Minot State University is ranked as the fifth most affordable college online college for 2024 by College Consensus, an online resource with over four million visitors in 2023.

MSU was the highest-rated college or university in North Dakota and was ranked No. 34 overall in the 2024 list of most affordable colleges and universities. Minot State was the only North Dakota University System school in the top 10 in the affordable online college category and the only NDUS institution in the top 50 in the affordable colleges and universities category.

College Consensus uses a unique methodology of averaging a school's publisher consensus, its average rating score from the most respected college rankings, and its student consensus score, an average student review from around the web. The University finished with an overall student review score of 75.4 and a publisher score of 53.5.

On Sunday, May 5, MSU Concert Choir and Minot Chamber Chorale will host choral conductor and composer, Z. Randall Stroope in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at 3 p.m. Concert. Z. Randall Stroope, one of today’s most beloved choral composers and conductors, will be coming to Minot to guest conduct the Minot Chamber Chorale in their spring concert this weekend and will give the world premiere of his new choral work, "We Belong," commissioned by Todd & Janet Mathistad. The Minot Chamber Chorale and the Minot State University Concert Choir will have the honor of giving the world premiere of this new work for choir and brass under the direction of maestro Stroope. This two-day finale of the Magic City Choral Festival, which began with the Oslo Chamber Choir coming in September 2023, as Minot State’s Artists in Residence, will conclude with the opportunity for all the region’s choral organizations to work with Maestro Stroope in rehearsal and masterclass on May 4, and then a concert on May 5 at 3 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. The Nu Notes, Voices of Note, Heritage Singers, MSU Concert Choir, MHS Symphonic Choir, and the Minot Chamber Chorale, will all gather to work with maestro Stroope. For more information visit  Stroope's WEBSITE and the Magic City Choral Festival's WEBSITE.

Minot State's annual Employee Retirement & Recognition event is set for Monday, May 6 in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. There will be a 2 p.m. social with the program set for 2:30 p.m. MSU is seeking information from individuals who have or will be earning degrees or certificates since last year's program. Contact Deb Wentz, executive assistant, President's Office by EMAIL. For more information on the Employee Retirement & Recognition event, see attached FLIER.

Minot State nursing students will present their scholarship activities at "Scholarship Day." The event will be held on May 3 at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, see POSTER.

Eight Minot State University art students are exhibiting in the annual senior art exhibition Coalescence: Eva Bloom, Dyana DeCoteau, AJ Gorthy, Carly Johnson, Allie Nelson, Peter Pañales, Maia Robertson, Timmothy Timm. Defined as, “the merging of different elements to form a whole,” Coalescence will open with a reception at the Northwest Arts Center on Friday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. and be on display until June 7.  A reception will be held at the Northwest Arts Center in the Walter Piehl Gallery on Friday, May 3 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There will be a gallery talk with the artists at 7 p.m. Both exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. The exhibition and related events are free and open to the public. This exhibition is funded 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.

As summer approaches, we're excited to invite you to join our Student Affairs & Athletics Summer Book Study & Discussion Group centered around the insightful work, "Culture by Design" by David Friedman. This book explores the interplay between organizational culture and design, offering insights for professionals across various disciplines. In "Culture by Design," Friedman explores how organizational culture is not merely a byproduct but a deliberate creation. Drawing from extensive research and real-world examples, Friedman discusses the intricate mechanisms through which culture shapes the identity, performance, and sustainability of organizations. From the boardroom to the frontline, "Culture by Design" offers practical strategies for crafting and cultivating a culture that fosters innovation, resilience, and growth. 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 themes through collective analysis
• Reflect on how the principles discussed in the book resonate with your own experiences and professional endeavors

Logistics:

• Duration: May to July
• Format: Three monthly one-hour virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams and in person to discuss assigned chapters.

If you're interested in joining our Summer Book Study & Discussion Group, contact Kevin Harmon, vice president for student affairs and intercollegiate athletics, by EMAIL by May 15.  Upon confirmation, you'll receive further details regarding the schedule, meeting links, and assigned reading.

Over the next few weeks, Microsoft is offering a number of Copilot for Microsoft 365 training sessions.  This is the Copilot that works with Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Sessions include:

• Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for Executives
• Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for Sales
• Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for IT Professionals
• Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for Marketing Professionals
• Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for HR Professionals
• Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for Finance Professionals
• Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for Operations
  For more information and to sign up, please see: Microsoft Events Catalog

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.

• Coalescence: Art Capstone Exhibition: Eight Minot State University art students are exhibiting in the annual senior art exhibition Coalescence: Eva Bloom, Dyana DeCoteau, AJ Gorthy, Carly Johnson, Allie Nelson, Peter Pañales, Maia Robertson, Timmothy Timm. Defined as, “the merging of different elements to form a whole,” Coalescence will open with a reception at the Northwest Arts Center on Friday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. and be on display until June 7.
• Coalescence: Art Capstone Exhibition Reception: Coalescence will open with a reception at the Northwest Arts Center on Friday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. and be on display until June 7.
• Selections of lithograph prints by Fritz Scholder: This exhibition from the Minot State University Permanent Collection is available for viewing Tuesday through Friday.

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.

• Blue Remembered Hills: Taryn McMahon on view Jan. 11 to May 15.

David Frantsvog, Minot State College of Business, assistant professor, was a part of Moneygeek.com's Expert Advice section of their website. Frantsvog added his insights on finding the right card. Read Frantsvog's advice HERE.

Robert Kibler, professor of humanities and literature, has been elected Vice-Chair of the Ward County Planning Commission. The Commission promotes sound growth and planning policies by preparing, implementing, and administering land use plans, policies, rules, and regulations. The offices works closely with the Highway Department and the County Planning Commission to enforce county planning and enforcement issues and related ordinances, land use, and environmental plans and regulations and enforce floodplain regulations. Bridging the Town/Gown Divide. 

Daniel Ringrose, Alaric Williams, and Nathan Anderson presented at the Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference, which was held April 13-16 in Chicago, Illinois. Ringrose represented Minot State University at the Accreditation Share Fair and was one of four panelists in a session titled, “The Year 4 Comprehensive Evaluation Experience: A Panel Presentation.” Anderson, Williams, and Ringrose presented, “Evaluating Solutions for Improving Program Assessment.” Their session provided an overview of how MSU assessed needs related to program assessment as well as the theory and efficiency of potential solutions to meet identified needs.  

Wyatt Waselenchuk, Minot State men’s hockey head coach, has been named the 2024 Men’s Division I Coach of the Year as selected by ACHA Men’s Division I head coaches. He is the second Minot State coach to win the award, joining two-time recipient and former Beaver head coach Wade Regier (2013 and 2017). The honor is the first for the current Beavers head coach who becomes the ninth former ACHA player to win the award. Waselenchuk also was named ACHA Division I Player of the Year after leading Minot State to the national title in 2012-13 as the Beavers starting goalie.

Christina Larsen, Minot State University student and soprano, has been selected as the first Minot State University and Oslo Chamber Choir apprentice. As part of the apprenticeship opportunity, she will travel to Oslo, Norway and work with the Oslo Chamber Choir in May of this year. This opportunity was negotiated with Håkon Daniel Nystedt, the Oslo Chamber Choir Director, and Minot State University’s Director of Choral Activities, Emerson Eads, and made possible by generous donations from alumni of the Minot State University Choir. This is the first year of this apprenticeship opportunity that is open to choristers in the Minot State University Concert Choir and is the first of its kind in the state of North Dakota.

Michael Rayel was selected as the ASC Student of the Month for April. He has contributed to the Academic Support Center’s programs as a Peer Review Session Leader.

Anya Sachs and Cortney Savo, graduate students, have published a graduate manuscript in the Journal of Business, Management, Commerce, & Research titled, "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within Human Services Organizations." The full-text article is available HERE. 

De’Andre Cornwall broke her own all-time school record in the women’s 100-meter hurdles and hit an NCAA provisional qualifying mark as she finished second at the Blue Hawks Games track and field meet hosted by Dickinson State on Friday.

Jasiah Hambria broke Minot State's all-time record and hit an NCAA provisional qualifying mark as he cleared a career-best 6-feet, 11 3/4-inches that broke his own NCAA D-II era outdoor record by 5 inches and bested the Minot State all-time best of 6-11 cleared by Zach Ryan in 2011.  Hambria is now tied for 29th in the nation.

Ben Bohl, Jaxon Gunville, and Caleb Van De Griend from the Beaver men’s basketball team and Vilborg Jonsdottir and Jaime Skeggs from the Minot State women’s basketball team earned honors from the College Sports Communicators for their outstanding performance on the hardwood and in the classroom as they were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for men’s and women’s basketball. To be named to the Academic All-District Team a player must be at least a sophomore who is in their second season with their team, must have started 66 percent of the team’s games or played in 90 percent of the team’s games during the current season, and must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA.

Lafayette Bade, Isaiah Bigby, Philip Green, Sean Hoover, Jonathan Leon, Erik Palmquist, and Aden Scott each were named the 2024 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. To be honored, a player must maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA throughout their collegiate career, be a senior who will graduate this spring and has completed his final year of eligibility in 2023, or a graduated player who has been out of high school at least three years, and who was a starter or major contributor for his team during the 2023 season.

Logen Fischer, Kelby Armstrong, Cayden White, Wayne Joint, Brendan Barnes, Tristan Pekas, and Marcus Allen were named as National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II Scholar All-Americans. The Minot State University men’s wrestling team was named the No. 7 team in the nation in the Top 25 Team Scholar All-America team rankings. Minot State earned the No. 7 spot with a cumulative team GPA of 3.415. To be nominated, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and must have competed in four dates of competition.

Brooklyn Morrison, Gabi Dawyduk, Anna LaCount all were all named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Conference and All-Defensive Softball Teams. Morrison was a First Team All-NSIC selection as voted on by the league’s coaches, while Dawyduk and LaCount both were voted Second Team All-NSIC players. The honor is the first time each has been named to the All-NSIC Team.

Minot State University had two teams place, including the overall champion at the robotics competition at the Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium (MICS) held at Augsburg University on April 5-6. MICS is a regional conference dedicated to providing an educational experience to students and instructors at higher education institutions. Participants come from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The championship team, called bit_by_bit, featured students Saif Khan, Kaif Khan, and Cayden White. MSU's third place team, Beavers, included students Travis Smith, Kid Demeke, and Albert Demotte. Dalton Harvey won a video game contest sponsored by Digi-Key, the main sponsor of the conference. Students also presented research and participated in a programming competition. For more information on the MICS, see the event's WEBSITE.

With the 2023-24 academic and athletic years both winding down, the Minot State Athletic Department spent Monday evening honoring its top student-athletes and teams for their efforts on the field and courts, as well as in the classroom and community at the annual BESPY Awards. Recognizing the top plays of the year, outstanding team efforts, academic achievements, and efforts in the community, the BESPYs celebrate everything it means to be a Minot State Beaver student-athlete. The Minot State Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) nominates, votes on, and presents the awards each year at the BESPYs. Here are this year's BESPY Award Winners:

• Face In The Crowd (Special Sean Arbaut photo award): Seungjun Song, baseball
• Newcomer of the Year: Wayne Joint, men's wrestling
• Most Improved: Noah Madas, baseball
• Comeback Player of the Year: Sierra Haren, soccer
• Individual Sports Performance of the Year: Haylie Biever, women's hockey
• Faculty of the Year: Terry Eckmann, Teacher Education and Kinesiology
• Top Game/Moment of the Year: Men's basketball upset of No. 1-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato
• Supporter of the Year: Dave Schlecht
• Team Spirit Award: Softball
• Mr. Beaver: Jacob Jensen, men's cross country and track & field
• Ms. Beaver: Izzy Penner, softball
• Team Community Service Award: Football
• Dam Builder: Taryn Bennett, softball
• Coach of the Year: Matt Murken, men's basketball
• Team of the Year: Men's Basketball
• Female Athlete of the Year: Haleigh Lematta, women's wrestling and softball
• Male Athlete of the Year: Jasiah Hambira, men's track & field
• Beaver Cup: Football