April 26, 2011

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Around Campus
University of Minnesota System
Campus & Community
Accolades

From the Chancellor

I want to extend my congratulations to the faculty and staff who were recognized by the Crookston Student Association (CSA) and to all students recognized at the annual Student Awards Program on April 14.  This recognition by students is very meaningful.  For student award winners it is special to be recognized by your peers for your contributions.  I want to thank CSA President Shawn Friedland and Vice President Anna Wagner and all CSA members for their contributions to the campus over the past years.  Congratulations to new CSA President Alisha Aasness and Vice President Jackie Dullinger.  I look forward to working with them.

Congratulations are also due to the many people who made the Fiesta in the Spirit of Cinco de Mayo on April 15 so successful.  It was a great opportunity to bring hundreds of people to the campus.  The cooperation among faculty, staff, and students was outstanding and resulted in a great experience for campus visitors.

On Monday, April 25, Patrick Baynes began an appointment as Interim Director of Facilities and Operations.  This will be a 60% appointment and will continue until a search is completed for a new director.  Pat has a broad range of experience in both the private and public sector including an appointment on the Twin Cities campus from 1997-2006. 

We will conduct interviews with facilities staff members on May 10, 11, and 12 along with interviews of a number of customer groups on campus.  These interviews will be led by University Services managers.  The results of the interviews will be used to assist in the development of a position description and roles and responsibilities of a director for Facilities and Operations.

Last week’s announcement of the results of the Otter Tail Power Company’s Campus Energy Challenge was good news for the campus.  However, we must continue to reduce our electric use over the next 5 months to achieve the estimated goal of a 17% reduction.  UMC students have provided the leadership along with facilities staff to reach this goal.  Over the summer months faculty and staff will need to make these same kinds of commitments.  I encourage all employees to redouble your efforts to shut off lights when out of rooms, shut down computers over nights and on weekends, and participate in other energy savings strategies.

Preparations for commencement are moving along well.  President Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum will be here along with Board of Regents Chair Clyde Allen and Senior Vice President Robert Jones.  There will be over 190 students, the largest number in the history of the campus, participating in commencement.

The next two weeks will be filled with end of semester classes, finals, and a number of recognition events.  While a busy time, these are also some of the best days of the year.  Best wishes to students, staff, and faculty for a great finish to the academic year.


– Chuck

Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

What's On Wednesday (W.O.W.) Concert Featuring 32 Below, Wednesday, April 27 – 9 p.m. to Midnight, Crookston Sports Center, East Fisher Ave., Crookston, admission is free for UMC students, $5 for other students with ID, $8 for all others

Teambacker Fun Nite, Friday, April 29 – 6 p.m. Social, 6:30 p.m. Dinner, 7:30 p.m. Games Begin, Eagles Club, downtown Crookston - tickets $50 per person

Last Day of Instruction for Spring Semester 2011, Monday, May 1

Final Examinations, Tuesday, May 2, through Friday, May 6

Commencement Ceremonies for the Class of 2011, Saturday, May 7 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-Ceremony Reception, Sargeant Student Center; 2 p.m. Commencement Ceremonies, Lysaker Gymnasium, UMC Sports Center

May Term Classes Begin, Monday, May 9

Faculty and Staff Day Celebration, Tuesday, May 10 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center


For details on these and a comprehensive listing of other events or to discover what’s happening this week, visit UMC Today at www.umcrookston.edu/today or review our news page at blog.lib.umn.edu/umcweb/news.

Around Campus

Commencement Ceremonies for the Class of 2011 will take place on Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m. in Lysaker Gymnasium.  More than 190 candidates for graduation are expected to take part, including 19 students who completed their degrees online.  U of M President Robert Bruininks will provide the commencement address, and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration Robert Jones also plans to attend.  Degrees will be conferred by the Honorable Clyde Allen, Jr., chair of the U of M Board of Regents.  Events begin earlier in the day with a reception in the Sargeant Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to attend the reception and the graduation ceremonies that follow.  Learn more.

All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the annual Faculty and Staff Day Celebrationon Tuesday, May 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  The theme will be "Hats Off to Summer," and everyone is encouraged to wear a silly or fun hat.  Catered by Minakwa Golf Club, lunch will consist of pulled pork or chicken salad sandwiches, potato and pasta salads, assorted fruit, bars, and soda.  Faculty and staff awards to be presented include Years of Service Awards, Distinguished Teaching Award, Distinguished Civil Service/Bargaining Unit Award, Distinguished Professional and Administrative (P&A) Award, Outstanding Service Learning Faculty Award, Outstanding Community Service Award, Students with Disabilities Support Award, and Builders of Diversity Award.

Academic Affairs –

The Center for Adult Learning (CAL) will continue to serve as the University of Minnesota Digital Campus Calling Center.   The University of Minnesota Digital Campus brings together both the University's online educational opportunities and classroom-based non-credit classes offered throughout the state.  The calling center serves all five coordinate campuses.  CAL staff members will continue to serve as both information resources and advocates for online and non-traditional students, ensuring those students receive accurate information in response to their questions in a timely manner.  CAL has served as home to the Digital Campus Calling Center since the summer of 2009, and the recent renewal will continue that service for a third year through June 30, 2012.

Student Affairs –

What's On Wednesday (W.O.W.) presents a spring concert by the popular regional band 32 Below on Wednesday, April 27, from 9 p.m. to Midnight at the Crookston Sports Center, east Fisher Ave., Crookston.  This event is open to the public. Admission is free for UMC students, $5 for other students with I.D., and $8 for others.  The event is sponsored by Student Programming and Activities for Campus Entertainment (SPACE).

U of M, Crookston students will be initiated into Alpha Lambda Delta, the first-year scholastic honor society, on Thursday, April 28, at 6 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium.  Faculty and staff are welcome to attend.  Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

The U.S. Green Building Council has officially granted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification at the Silver Level to Evergreen Hall.  Evergreen Hall was built to LEED specifications, and the official process for certification review often takes some time after a building has been constructed.  LEED is a voluntary certification program that promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in key areas such as sustainable sites, energy and atmosphere, awareness and education, and materials and resources.  Evergreen Hall, for example, used Bolyu carpeting containing 60% fiber from recycled plastic bottles and, thus, reclaimed more than 99,000 plastic drink bottles.  Learn more at www.usgbc.org.



Facilities and Operations –

Patrick Baynes will serve as interim director for Facilities and Operations, starting April 25.  Baynes worked as a project manager for the Facilities Management Department on the Twin Cities campus from 1997 to 2006.  He has also worked for Swift Oil Company and Bovis Land Lease, and he is an OSHA certified safety instructor.  He will serve in part-time appointment, approximately twelve days per month, until a new director is hired.

Interviews of current facilities and operations staff members and of campus constituencies served by that unit will be held May 10 through 12.  The purpose of the interviews will be to assess alignment of goals and services within the U of M, Crookston’s Facilities and Operations unit, to gather feedback from campus customers served by that unit, and to elicit feedback and ideas from current staff members of that unit.  Two staff members from University Services on the Twin Cities campus will conduct these interviews and will work with Stormy Friday, founder and president of the Friday Group, a management, marketing, and facilities consulting firm, to produce a final report.  This process will help inform the administrative team regarding decisions it makes in the hiring and responsibilities of a new director of Facilities and Operations.


Technology Support Services –

A few years ago Technology Mini-Grants were offered to support instructional technology innovation across campus.   A return to this type of grant program was recommended by the Technology Work Group in its campus-wide strategic positioning work.   A new, similar program called the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) has been launched with the intent to specifically support UMC’s teaching and learning mission, to invigorate technology innovation to enhance the student academic experience, to develop projects/activities which enhance student learning or instructional efficiency through the application of technology, and to support faculty in their study, design, and development of course materials.  Information about the new TIP program has been sent to the campus community, and an application is available online.

International Programs –

The Office of International Programs will host a reception for this year’s  international student graduates on Saturday, May 7, immediately following commencement ceremonies.  The reception will be held in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, and is open to all family, friends, faculty, and staff.

Development and Alumni Relations –

The 16th Annual Teambackers Fun Nite will be held Friday, April 29, at the Crookston Eagles Club.  Tickets are $50 per person, and all proceeds go to support Golden Eagle student-athlete scholarships.  Last year’s event raised more than $20,000.  For more information contact Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8439.

Kari Torkelson, O.D., originally from the Thief River Falls area, is among this year's recipients of the University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award, one of the most prestigious awards bestowed upon alumni of the U of M system.   The award will be presented by President Bruininks during Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 7, with a reception to be held prior to the ceremonies from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.   Torkelson attended the U of M, Crookston from 1989 to 1991 while the campus was still a two-year technical college.  She went on to complete her doctorate of optometry at Indiana University, Bloomington. She is currently an optometrist at Lifetime Vision Center in Grand Forks, N.D.   Learn more.

Congratulations to the 2011 Top Aggies: David Eblen, Allen and Lorraine Love, Adrian Van Dellen, and Dell Christianson.  These individuals will be acknowledged on Saturday, June 25, during the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) Reunion.

University Relations –

With the end of the academic year nearing, faculty and staff are reminded that the availability of printing and design services will be reduced over the summer months.  Graphic designer Patti Tiedemann will be available for design work through Friday, May 6.  Copy center operator Linda Wilkens will be available to help with printing and copying needs through Thursday, June 9.  Photographer and editor John Zak will be available to take photos through Friday, June 10 (as well as for most scheduled registration days over the summer).  If you have questions or need referrals during the summer months when staff member are away, please contact Andrew Svec at 218-281-8438.

Athletics –

The annual Student Athletic Awards Program was held Monday evening, April 25.  Student-Athlete of the Year honors were presented to Cody Brekken, a senior football player from Crookston, and Katie Bowar, a senior soccer and softball player from Moorhead, Minn.  Eric Dearden, a senior men’s basketball player from Riverton, Utah, and Jamie Zelinsky, a senior women’s basketball player from Brooklyn Park, Minn., were named Athletes of the Year.

Men's Golfers Jake Sanders, a senior from Crookston, and Jon Blazek, a junior from Owatonna, Minn., have been named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Conference Team.  Sanders was selected to the first team and Blazek was named to the second team.   The Golden Eagles will also have a golfer in the NCAA Super Regional Tournament May 1-4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.   Jake Sanders was one of four golfers from the region to be selected to golf in the tournament.

Accolades

Soo-Yin Lim-Thompson, Ph.D., associate professor, early childhood education, has been honored as one of seven receiving the Horace T. Morse U of M Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education for the 2010-11 academic year.  She received the award at the Distinguished Teaching Awards Ceremony, held on April 25 in the McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities campus.  Recipients of the award are chosen by student and faculty members of the Senate Committee on Educational Policy, previous award recipients, and a representative of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.  The award is named for the late Horace T. Morse, who served as the first dean of the University’s General College from 1946–66 and who was a national leader in the field of undergraduate education.  Learn more.

The annual Student Awards Program was held Thursday, April 14, in Kiehle Auditorium. The ceremony is held each spring to honor those who have made outstanding leadership and service contributions or who have achieved high academic standing. Numerous students earned awards.  Among the awards presented were the year's top academic, service and leadership awards:  Man of the Year to Austin Czichotzki, a junior from Barnesville, Minn., majoring in communication, and Woman of the Year to Tammy Wroblewski, a senior from  Milwaukee, Wis., triple majoring in communication, golf and turf management, and horticulture.  View the online photo gallery of the event.

Three faculty and staff were recognized during the annual Student Awards Program with awards that are significant because the entire student body votes to select the recipients.  The award for Most Creative Use of Technology went to Brian Dingmann, Ph.D., associate professor, biology.  Two awards, Outstanding Educator and Most Supportive of Students, were presented to Kevin Thompson, Ph.D., assistant professor, communication.  The award for Outstanding Service to Students went to Pam Sullivan, who oversees operations in the Eagles Nest, the campus convenience store.

John Loegering, Ph.D., associate professor, wildlife ecology, has been elected to the position of president-elect of the North Central Section of The Wildlife Society (TWS). The three-year commitment includes serving as the section's president and past-president as well.  The North Central Section of TWS includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Serving as the regional networks of the organization in North America, sections bring a regional perspective to wildlife conservation issues and enable members to be active in professional affairs in a regional context. They promote cooperative efforts and the exchange of information among wildlife professionals and TWS chapters in a broader geographic area.

Publication notes:  The E-Update is published twice each month August through April and once each month May through July.
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If you have any questions regarding the information in this news update, please send them to urumc@umn.edu.

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