Message from the President
Heading into 2024, a word of gratitude and thanks
By Dr. Steven W. Shirley
President, Minot State University
As we close the books on another year during this season of gratitude and thanks, now is an opportune time to reflect on several important milestones that occurred in 2023 at Minot State University.
Significant work has been made this past year on the renovation of Hartnett Hall. After being off-limits during the renovation, Hartnett, one of MSU’s largest and busiest academic buildings, will reopen to students, employees, and visitors this spring. This nearly $27 million renovation brings tremendous modernization to a large academic space that has served MSU and thousands of students for a half-century and will ensure its functionality for the next 50 years. Final touches were also completed during 2023 to the MSU Amphitheater and this included dedication of the backstage greenroom in honor of long-time former director and professor Kevin Neuharth. Please watch for announcements as we prepare to launch the 59th season of Summer Theatre in 2024.
This fall, MSU began offering new bachelor’s degrees in data science as well as museum studies. The BS in data science aligns well with MSU’s historically strong computer science area and also builds on recent new offerings in cybersecurity along with our national recognition as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The new museum studies degree connects art, history, science, communication, business, and other areas, and is one of the only such degrees available in the Upper Midwest. In addition to these two baccalaureate degrees, new undergraduate and graduate certificates in a variety of academic disciplines have also been developed.
We launched the ASPIRE Scholars program in 2023 working in conjunction with area K-12 school districts to identify current high school students who may want to eventually enter the teaching profession. With the ongoing teacher shortage, this program is designed to help create a “grow your own” pipeline of future teachers linking them with professors and students at MSU so they can learn more about the teaching profession and future academic opportunities while still in high school.
As we turn the corner to 2024, MSU and the MSU Development Foundation are entering the homestretch of the $50 million Empower capital campaign. The campaign will shape the future of MSU and positively benefit thousands of future students as it is focused on the five pillars of scholarships, academic programs, facilities, the Vision Fund, and athletics. Thanks to the generosity of so many, we are nearly 90% to our goal with over $44.6 million raised.
This fall the MSU campus hosted several major events including Recovery Reinvented hosted by Governor Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum; a panel featuring president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Neel Kashkari; the Western Plains Opera’s magnificent production of “Carmen;” several performances by the outstanding Minot Symphony Orchestra; Energy Day and Prairie Warrior Day during MSU football games to acknowledge the energy and gas industry and military members, respectively; the 16th annual NOTSTOCK arts festival; Futurepalooza for area high school students; the NoDAKoN cybersecurity conference; an incredible performance by the Oslo Chamber Choir from Norway; and a full week of Homecoming activities. This is just a sampling of the many events occurring regularly across campus that enhance the vibrancy and quality of life in the Magic City.
Members of the MSU community have been working closely with Minot Public Schools and Audubon Great Plains to enhance the former Erik Ramstad Middle School property as an urban prairie restoration site. When completed, the 14-acre site — named Plum River Native Prairie — will transform from a vacant area into an ecological restoration that will bring environmental and aesthetic benefits to the area while creating an experiential educational setting for the greater Minot community.
MSU’s new men’s club soccer team completed its first season this fall going undefeated in the regular season and winning the Great Plains Soccer Conference championship. The team advanced to the regional tournament in Colorado and ultimately lost to the defending national champion from the University of Minnesota. It was a terrific first season and a special word of thanks to Bravera Bank for its significant financial support of the team. MSU also recently added a new club sport and now fields a team competing in the USA College Clay Target League. Seven students competed on the new team this fall representing MSU. Additionally, MSU’s No. 1 nationally-ranked ACHA men’s hockey team has a unique opportunity this week with two games against traditional NCAA Division I powers the University of Denver and Colorado College. We are excited for this great opportunity of competition for these student-athletes.
Construction of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center is nearing completion in downtown Minot, and when finished it will be occupied by Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB). MSU will continue working closely with DCB as this new venture grows to begin offering programs in both dental assisting and dental hygiene, along with other future CTE options.
MSU has so many terrific partners including the City of Minot, Minot Area Chamber-EDC, Minot Air Force Base, area K-12 schools, Trinity Health, Dakota College at Bottineau, the North Dakota Legislature and Governor’s Office, and the North Dakota University System and State Board of Higher Education, just to name a few. We are grateful for these and many other partnerships and know we are all better when working together toward common goals.
Additionally, MSU has thousands of incredibly generous friends, alumni, and supporters, without whom many of the highlights noted in this column simply would not be possible. We have a terrific team of employees who keep this great campus moving forward every day, and the end result is a very bright future for MSU and our students. Thanks to all of you reading this, enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and as always…
Go Beavers!
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 12/25/23
