Minot State University announced a total of 474 students were named to the Spring 2024 President’s List, according to MSU President Dr. Steven Shirley, 258 students have been named to the Vice President for Academic Affairs’ Honor Roll, and six students earned a spot on the Engagement Honor Roll.

Students who earned a term grade point average of 3.8 or higher while enrolled for 12 or more credits during the Spring 2024 semester were named to the list. The honor will show on the student’s transcript for the semester it was earned.

Students who earned a term grade point average of 3.5-3.79 while enrolled for 12 or more credits during the Spring 2024 semester were named to the VPAA list. The honor will show on the student’s transcript for the semester it was earned.

The Engagement Honor Roll is an opportunity for Minot State University undergraduate students to receive recognition for the engagement activities they participate in while a student at MSU. This distinction is included in their transcripts. Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours, verified by supervisors, in any combination of engagement activities in order to be recognized during any given term.

SPRING 2024 PRESIDENT'S LIST

SPRING 2024 VPAA & ENGAGEMENT HONOR ROLL

With summer now upon us and the planning mode in high gear for the 2024-25 academic year, I write this message reflecting upon and celebrating the many happenings at MSU during the first half of 2024.

In March, we officially reopened Hartnett Hall following its nearly two-year closure for a $26.6 million renovation. Two significant meetings in March and April with attendees from across the state were held in Hartnett as we hosted the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education as well as the North Dakota Legislature’s Higher Education committee. While some classes were held this spring during the final two months of the semester, Hartnett will be an even busier epicenter of activity when it is available for a full semester beginning in the fall. Please mark your calendars as we host a Business After Hours and ribbon-cutting on Thursday, Sept. 5 with the Minot Area Chamber-EDC.

This spring MSU hosted a number of other events including the Western Plains Opera’s tremendous performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame;” multiple performances by the outstanding Minot Symphony Orchestra — if you have never attended a performance in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, you are missing out; Minot Mayor Tom Ross with his State of the City event in the MSU Dome; our first-ever Geology Week featuring multiple guest speakers including Minot native and world-renowned Egyptologist Mark Lehner; the 31:8 Project’s 4th annual Bakken Human Trafficking Summit attracting law enforcement, medical, and other human services professionals from across the state; two separate artificial intelligence conferences focused on topics including new technologies, digital tools, and data science; a high school open house day for prospective students and their families; MSU Esports’ first ever Great Plains Gauntlet that attracted students from high schools and colleges across the state; and the MSU Dome was again a very busy facility hosting many events including the state dance championships and multiple high school basketball tournaments, all of which bring thousands of statewide visitors to the Magic City.

MSU and the MSU Development Foundation have been focused on the final stages of the $50 million EMPOWER capital campaign. This multi-year campaign has five pillars important to the future and long-term success of MSU: student scholarships, academic programs, facilities, the Vision Fund, and athletics. We look forward to the final stages during the remainder of the year to complete this historic campaign on December 31. This spring also featured MSU’s 6th annual Giving Day with a record-setting $427,558 raised in just 24 hours thanks to the incredible generosity of so many MSU alumni and friends.

Nearly 550 students graduated as part of MSU’s class of 2024. The 109th Commencement Exercises were held in the Minot State Dome in early May, and earlier that same day a separate Hooding Ceremony was held recognizing 103 individuals earning their graduate degree.

In Beaver Athletics, highlights included our women’s hockey team finishing as the national champion runners-up for the second consecutive year (including knocking off the five-time defending champion from Liberty University in the semifinals); men’s hockey advancing to the national playoff quarterfinals with coach Wyatt Waselenchuk being named the 2024 Division 1 national coach of the year; the men’s basketball team being ranked as high as No. 15 nationally and handily beating the No. 1 team in the nation from Minnesota State Mankato during Alumni Appreciation Night at the Dome; three new head coaching hires with Ryan Clark for women’s basketball, Alex Courtney for volleyball, and Jordan Aus for track & field; MSU high-jumper freshman Jasiah Hambira becoming MSU’s fifth-ever NCAA All-American finishing 14th in the nation; and in March MSU for the first time hosted an NCAA Division II Super Regional Wrestling tournament.

In April a dedication ceremony was held for the Plum River Native Prairie project, an urban prairie restoration area located on the 14-acre site of the former Erik Ramstad Middle School a block south of campus. MSU worked closely with Minot Public Schools and Audubon Great Plains to transform the vacant area into an ecological restoration that will bring environmental benefits while also creating an experiential educational setting for the region. This event was held in conjunction with our 34th annual Powwow and Spring Honor Dance hosted by the MSU Native American Cultural Center, which brought thousands of participants and spectators to the Dome.

MSU is abuzz this summer with a flurry of activities including Beaver Athletics camps in the Dome and on Herb Parker Field, a variety of College for Kids activities across campus, summer session classes, four MSU Summer Theatre productions spread over nearly 30 nights, the Dakota Chamber Music workshop, shows and exhibits at the Northwest Arts Center, and many other activities.

We remain grateful for the thousands of generous friends, alumni, and supporters, all of whom support and make possible many of the highlights noted in this column. MSU’s dedicated team of employees keep our campus moving forward every day, and we remain focused on ensuring a very bright future for MSU and our students. Thanks to all, enjoy a terrific summer, and as always…..Go Beavers!

Minot State University’s Alaric Williams was selected for the 2024-25 Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) cohort by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).

The ELA is a yearlong program to develop the next generation of college and university presidents. The program is jointly sponsored by CIC, AASCU, and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI). 

Williams began serving as assistant vice president for academic affairs at Minot State in February 2023. He has 20-plus years of experience in higher education.

Williams joins 37 higher education leaders who will participate in the selective program that prepares experienced provosts and vice presidents to take on positions of greater responsibility — including college presidencies. From a competitive pool of applicants, CIC selected 18 ELA participants from its membership and AASCU selected 19 participants.

The first of two seminars kicked off June 13-15, in Washington, D.C., led by current and former college presidents and specialists in key areas related to higher education. 

Since 2009, more than 100 of the participants who completed the ELA program have been appointed as presidents or chancellors, and many more have advanced to other senior administrative positions. The ELA program develops the wide-ranging skills that new presidents and senior executives need to meet the challenges of today’s educational environment.

Some highlights of the ELA program include an individualized professional experience plan designed to fill gaps in each participant’s skills and experience; mentorship by the participant’s current president and the ELA program director; individualized executive coaching; and peer-to-peer participant-led webinars, regional gatherings, and activities. ELA participants will return to Washington, DC, in June 2025 for a second seminar.

Higher education organizations CIC, AASCU, and AALI recognize it is more essential than ever that the pipeline of senior leaders prepares a diverse range of candidates from all backgrounds to succeed. With generous support from AALI, CIC offers fellowships to encourage broad and representative participation in ELA. Preference is given to nominees from under-resourced institutions that otherwise might be unable to support their participation. 

Individuals currently serving in cabinet-level positions in any division of their institution are eligible to participate in ELA. Approximately 35 participants — half from CIC member institutions and half from AASCU institutions — are selected annually to allow for participants from both independent and state-supported colleges and universities.

The Minot State University chapter of Future Business Leaders of America — Collegiate attended the 2024 National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, from June 24 to 27. Nearly 1,000 collegiate students from across the country attended. 

The opening session on June 24 recognized Minot State’s Mason Lemer as a North Dakota Who’s Who recipient and Minot State Assistant Professor in Business Information Technology Jan Repnow as the North Dakota Outstanding Collegiate Advisor. Lemer was unable to attend the conference.

Throughout the conference, students networked with business professionals, engaged in workshops, and competed in objective and presentation events.

The Awards of Excellence Ceremony was held on June 27 and showcased the exemplary abilities of four Minot State students:

• Kyle Sandy: Sixth place in Emerging Business Issues
• Kyle Sandy and Alec Wolf (team): Eighth place in Business Presentation
• Emma Taylor: Ninth place in Community Service and eighth place in Public Speaking

Higher education health and wellbeing professionals from across our region (IA, MN, ND, SD, and WI) will come together to learn and network at this multi-day, in-person NCCHA Annual Meeting on Oct. 23-25 in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Attendees at this meeting represent most areas of higher education health and wellbeing, including medical providers, nurses, health promotion staff, registered dietitians, social workers, directors, administrative staff, and more. We believe there is no better conference in the region for this type of networking!

• Proposal submission: Call for Proposals is now open; the proposal submission deadline is extended to July 15, 2024.  
• Submit a proposal: HERE

Of particular interest are proposal submissions that meet this year’s objectives:

• Foster discussions and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion within healthcare systems, ensuring all individuals, inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or ability, have equitable access to healthcare services.
• Identify and address the underlying causes of healthcare disparities among marginalized and underserved populations.
• Provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to effectively interact with diverse patient populations, understand unique cultural backgrounds and health beliefs, and deliver culturally competent care.  
• Advocate for policies and initiatives that promote health equity and social justice, address the social determinants of health, and create environments where everyone can achieve their full health potential. 
• Empower students to advocate for their own healthcare needs, navigate the healthcare system, and participate in decision-making processes to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are respected. 

A draft outline of the meeting is available on the website, with the full meeting program coming this summer.

• Meeting Website and Registration: https://z.umn.edu/NCCHA2024
• Professional Development: We value making continuing education financially accessible and offer continuing education credits for attendees.  More information is available on our website.

If you need assistance, please contact jessica.doty@und.edu 

The North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, a Center of Excellence on the Minot State University campus, received funding of $300,000 from the Jewish Federations of North America’s Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging and Trauma to fund the Trauma-Informed Approaches for Adults with Disabilities (TRIAD) Project. Funds will be used to support older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to heal from the trauma that they experienced from living in an institution. In addition, intensive training on Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) care will be given to family caregivers and professionals. The training provided will help older adults recognize symptoms of trauma, develop social networks, and create artifacts for sharing their trauma journeys. Family caregivers and professionals will also be supported to address their own secondary trauma and compassion fatigue.

We are excited to launch a fresh look and feel at Minot State University. These enhancements are the result of more than a year of planning, research, and hard work behind the scenes. Here is a summary of the improvements we’ve made: 

The Minot State University WEBSITE
Our new website is designed to both look and function better. We have updated many of our web pages to the new format, and those that haven’t are in the queue. These new versions are optimized for traditional desktop users and mobile users alike. The user experience is enhanced through faster load times and page paths that have been designed with the most likely user journey in mind. Please note that not all pages have been updated to the latest version. This process will be ongoing for the foreseeable future. Thank you to Anton Huether, webmaster, and Tiffany Pierson, web content specialist, for their hard work on our new site.

The Minot State University Graphic Identity
Our new look and feel is a result of the vast experience, vision, and understanding of the MSU brand from our design team. The improved look capitalizes first and foremost on the strength of our primary color – red. By reinforcing its position as our dominant color, we provide ourselves with a better opportunity to become known as the university in North Dakota that first comes to mind when affiliated with red. Another major enhancement is the addition of the new MSU wordmark. While this is an exciting new part of our design portfolio, it will not be available for general use. Minot State University departments should all use the primary logo and only the wordmark when deemed necessary by our designers. Plus, the addition of new graphic elements, including dots, arrows, and rounded corners will better complement our brand in becoming contemporary and authentic.  A huge thank you to Amanda Francis, director of design and print services, and Roxi Mathis, graphic designer, for their hard work in producing this exciting fresh look for Minot State.

New Tools and Templates
We have updated the following resources for our campus community to use going forward:

• The MSU BRAND GUIDE
• Updated TEMPLATES
  • PowerPoint
  • Email signature
  • Business card
  • Additional tools and templates

Guidance for MSU Employees
Beginning June 18, all new design requests and reorders must adhere to the new guidelines. While recommended, it is not required to replace existing materials that feature elements or designs discontinued by this process. Additionally, all MSU departments must cease using materials that include our former logo (retired in 2018).

Thank you to the rest of the committee members who were vital to this process including Rick Heit, Veronica Corey, Michelle Sayler, Amanda Duchsherer, and Doreen Wald. 

An event planning checklist has been developed to assist our departments with each step of the event planning process. The checklist can be accessed online by clicking HERE.

Digital screens across campus regularly feature department events, services, hours, and opportunities available to our campus community. If your department, club, or course has information to share, forward your poster to Aaron Hughes to be uploaded. Designs must appropriately reflect the MSU brand and be appropriately sized to fit the new dimensions (1920x1080 pixels). If you need assistance, visit with Veronica Corey in the MSU Marketing Office, or contact Print & Design Services prior to submitting.

The Minot Symphony Orchestra will host its 30th annual Secret Garden Tour on Tuesday, July 9 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The annual Secret Garden Tour offers a rare glimpse into hidden, private gardens, showcasing unique landscapes, plants, herbs, yard art, and more. The host garden addresses are printed on the ticket. Participants who purchase a ticket will travel throughout Minot in their own vehicle and explore seven different gardens. Each garden has its own unique theme and combination of flowers, plants, and vegetables on one-of-a-kind landscapes. Participants can spend as little or as much time at each garden during the 4:30-8:30pm time frame as they choose. This open house style event is an annual tradition for many gardeners, friends, and families who enjoy the outdoors.

Tickets can be purchased at Lowe’s Garden Center located at 1640 4th Avenue NE, Minot or Visit Minot located at 1020 South Broadway Minot, Lien’s Jewelry at 107 South Main Street Minot, or at the Prairie Bistro and Gardens in Mohall for $20 in advance or $25 at each garden. Children under the age of 10 are free. See attached PRESS RELEASE for details or call for more information. 

Parking permits go on sale Wednesday, July 10. A valid permit must be displayed by Monday, Aug. 26. Annual permits cost $65. Semester permits cost $40. Students and employees use the same Parking Portal for online purchases. A PRINTED EMAIL RECEIPT is required for permit pick up. Bring your MSU ID. For instructions and information, go HERE. For questions, please contact the parking office at 858-3318, or by EMAIL.

We are delighted to announce the “Being Human and Working in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” conference, a platform dedicated to examining the evolving relationship between humans and AI in the context of work, society, and personal development. This event will take place on the campus of Valley City State University on Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event is hosted by the University of Mary, Valley City State University, and the North Dakota University System Dakota Digital Academy. If you have questions, please contact dakota.digital.academy@ndus.edu. For more information, see the FLIER.

It's that time of year again where we hit the greens for our friendraising golf tour! Golf will be played in a four-person scramble format. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. with shotgun start at 5 p.m. for each location:

• Kenmare - Thursday, Aug. 1   Register for Kenmare

Optional meals/refreshments will be available at each course following the scramble. Each participant is responsible for their own green fees and carts. All payments will be handled at the course. Everyone will receive a free t-shirt with chances to win door prizes.

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.

• ALL • NULL: The Northwest Arts Center presents ‘ALL • NULL,’ an exhibition drawn from the Minot State University permanent collection alongside selected works by Walter Piehl, on view from June 27 to July 20. Featuring 30 works in a variety of media from the Minot State University permanent art collection, ‘ALL • NULL’ presents the contrast residing within the creations of mankind and Mother Nature. The exhibition highlights artworks acquired over almost 50 years, whether acquired from the Northwest Arts Center’s annual juried exhibitions, generous gifts and donations, or through Minot State University’s Flat Tail Press.

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.

• Stencil Workshop with Piotr Szyhalski: On view May 15 to Sept. 30.

David Frantsvog, Minot State College of Business assistant professor, was a part of Wallethub.com's Expert Opinions section of their website. Frantsvog added his advice on three questions concerning personal loans from online-only lenders. Read Frantsvog's advice HERE.

Ruth Chen, Minot State University Department of Science assistant professor, and students Conner Meldrim and Hayden Tinker proudly represented Minot State University at the prestigious North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) annual conference, held from June 5th to June 8th in New Orleans. This event brought together leading scholars, researchers, and practitioners in Motor Behavior and Sport and Exercise Psychology from across the world. Meldrim, the lead student researcher, was recognized with the Outstanding Student Paper Award. Congratulations to Chen’s research team for their outstanding achievements and for representing Minot State University with excellence. This incredible learning experience was made possible through the generous support of the MiSU Small Grant for Faculty Research, the (former) Department of Teacher Education and Kinesiology, and the student travel funds from the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) office. See attached PHOTO of the MSU students and Chen from the conference.

Holly Pedersen, professor, and Wenjing Zheng, associate professor, in the Department of Education and Inclusive Services, have been awarded a grant by the ND Department of Public Instruction. Project Resilience will develop and implement a framework for supporting in progress special education teacher candidates and new alumni to help address the teacher retention crisis. Molly Paszek, Jenna Arnold, both EIS faculty, and Jessie Allery, EIS adjunct faculty will help implement the project.

Jordan Aus takes over as the new head track and field coach at Minot State University. During his time at Sheyenne HS he twice was named the North Dakota State Coach of the Year in boys track and field (2021 and 2022) and assisted with the duties of the Activity Director at Sheyenne since 2018.

Roxi Mathis, design specialist, was selected as the Minot State Staff Senate May High Five Award winner. She is pictured HERE with Minot State President Steven Shirley, Staff Senate President Karla Bredahl, and team members of the Design and Print Services team. Mathis is nearing her ninth year at Minot State, starting in the Gordon B. Olson Library and worked part time for the MSU Development Foundation. She is married to "the indomitable, the relentless, Dan Mathis" and has "three horrible cats that I tolerate with all my heart." Outside of MSU, Mathis enjoys cooking, especially exotic food like tacos and tater tot hotdish. What's next on Mathis's horizon: "I'm working on new YouTube videos. Ask me how it's going."

Brent Riddle and Trevyn Badger earned honors from the College Sports Communicators for their outstanding performance on the diamond and in the classroom as they were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team that was announced Tuesday. 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 or if a pitcher must have pitched at least 25 innings, and must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA.

Minot State golfers Joshua Tu and Taylor Cormier, along with wrestlers Kelby Armstrong, Brendan Barnes, Logen Fischer, and Cayden White, were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team this week. To be named to the Academic All-District Team, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore who is in their second season with their team, must have competed in 70 percent of the team’s scoring competitions – 7 golf tournaments or 13 events for wrestling counting duals and the Super Region V Tournament – and must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA.

Jacob Jensen, Sidra Sadowsky, Emery Smith, and Nicole Reeves, along with throwers Samuel Kreins and Dallas Reese, were named Minot State's standout performers in cross country and track and field. They were honored by the College Sports Communicators for their outstanding competitive and academic performance this past year as each was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. To be named to the Academic All-District Team a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore who is in their second season with their team, must have finished in the Top 50 in the Central Region in cross country or be ranked in the Top 50 in an individual track and field event in the Central Region, and must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA.

Carly Boag proved to be a history-making player on the hardwood for Minot State and continues to make history for the Beavers. The star woman’s basketball player who currently plays professionally in Australia, has been selected as the first Minot State Beaver to be honored with induction into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Tuesday, July 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South as part of the annual NSIC Summer Kickoff event.