July 1, 2008

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Around Campus

From the Chancellor

Summer is here and, like all good things, it seems to fly past a bit too quickly. It’s hard to believe nearly eight weeks have passed since commencement. I hope each of you is taking some time to enjoy this sunny season of growth.

Speaking of growth, I recently had the opportunity to present an update on the University of Minnesota, Crookston’s strategic positioning to President Bruininks and his executive staff. It was a pleasure to share our successes, opportunities and challenges with them as we make progress toward our strategic goals.

There are encouraging signs of enrollment growth. As of June 30, total registrations for degree-seeking students are at 980, up 12% compared to last year at this same time; registrations for incoming new students are at 249, up 18.6% from a year ago. Online credits delivered for summer term 2008 are also up 12% over summer term 2007. We believe this growth is the result of focusing our investments and developing more targeted marketing; adding new degree programs and options; increasing retention rates; and working to increase international and online student enrollment.

These growth trends are supported by the fact that our residence halls are currently at maximum capacity with regard to the number of students who have signed housing contracts. We are currently examining options for housing students off campus.

Growth also applies to those working with students on our campus. The experience and credentials of several newly-hired professionals will add much to our exceptional faculty and staff. We welcome some new faces to campus this fall, including:

• Eric Castle, MLA, assistant professor, horticulture
• Jack Geller, Ph.D., department head, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Department
• ADawn Melbye, M.S., instructor, equine science
• Venugopal Mukku, Ph.D., assistant professor, chemistry
• Margot Rudstrom, Ph.D., assistant professor, agricultural business/economics
• Katy Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology
• Thomas Williams, M.S., director, diversity programs
• Henry Wilson, M.S. (Ph.D. expected Dec. 2008), assistant professor, soil science

One other will join our campus community in January 2009:

• Adel Ali, Ph.D., department head, Math, Science and Technology Department

The U of M, Crookston leadership team, fresh from their retreat, will continue to focus on creating an exceptional educational experience. They have already begun further discussion on the implementation of plans that range from enhancing the welcome and orientation experience for new faculty and staff to encouraging greater individual involvement on campus and improving communication. The goal of these activities is to spur cultural change while continuing to improve our campus climate.

Taken together, there is much to be optimistic about. Still, we will all need to roll up our sleeves and continue to work together to achieve our goals. Here’s to a refreshing summer and an exceptional fall semester.

Chuck

– Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Please note: Chancellor Casey's presentation is available online at www.umcrookston.edu/planning/strategic/.

Featured Events & Activities

Independence Day, Friday, July 4 – Campus offices closed.

Teambacker Heart of the Valley Golf Tournament, Thursday, July 10 – Get out and golf with Teambackers and raise money for scholarships! Tournament begins at 1 p.m. at the Heart of the Valley Golf Club in Ada , Minn. For questions, contact Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8436 ( btyrrell@umn.edu ).

Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Camp, July 13-19 – Young leaders ages 16-18 will be on campus to learn leadership skills during a week-long camp sponsored by Rotary, an organization of business and professional leaders.

Soccer Camp, July 14-17 – An opportunity for youth from kindergarten to sixth grade to improve their soccer skills and learn more about the fundamentals of the game. More information .

Teambacker Golf Classic, Saturday, July 19 – Spend the day golfing for scholarships at Minakwa Golf Club in Crookston , Minn. Play begins at 11 a.m. For questions, c ontact Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8436 ( btyrrell@umn.edu ).

Vital Aging Network Forum, Tuesday, July 29 - The forum, beginning at 10 a.m. and running until noon, is designed to inspire older adults, "vital agers," and professionals within local communities to continue to make Minnesota a great place to age. This forum is free and open to the public. For questions, contact Judy Neppel, executive director of the MRHA at 218-281-8323 ( jneppel@umn.edu ).

For details on these and other events or to discover what's happening this week, visit UMC Today at www.UMCrookston.edu/umcnews or review our news page at www.UMCrookston.edu/umcnews/stories .

Around Campus

Academic Affairs

Tom Baldwin, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs; Bill Peterson, professor, math; and Amber Evans-Dailey, director of admissions and enrollment management, spent June 9-22 traveling in China and India . The U of M, Crookston delegation attended a dedication of the new English as a Second Language program developed with partner university Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic and further discussed student and faculty exchange programs. The delegation then visited Zhejiang Forestry University (ZFU), where they finalized plans for the first ZFU students to attend the Crookston campus this fall through a newly established exchange program. Next the group traveled to the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore, India for discussions on establishing collaborative programs there. While in India, the Crookston delegation also visited with officials from Infosys Technologies, a multinational information technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, to discuss future collaborations in research, student internships and faculty exchange programs.

Terrill Bradford, M.Ed., has been hired as an instructor of animal science; she previously worked as a teaching specialist for the Agriculture Department on the Crookston campus. Charles Lariviere, MBA, has been hired as an instructor of agricultural business; he previously worked as a teaching specialist for the Business Department on campus.

Jack Geller, Ph.D., department head for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Department, has been appointed to serve on Minnesota's High-Speed Broadband Task Force by Governor Tim Pawlenty.

The U of M, Crookston Library recently launched a Web site making all yearbooks from the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) and the U of M, Crookston available on the Internet. Online, searchable versions of the Northwest Monthly newsletter, commencement programs and Crookston campus bulletins are also available. They offer extensive biographical information on alumni, faculty and staff members as well as campus history. Find the yearbook project at http://yearbooks.umcrookston.edu and the newsletter project at http://www.umcrookston.edu/nwmonthly . For more information contact Owen Williams at 218-281-8395 ( willi099@umn.edu ).

Student Affairs and Enrollment

Enhancements to the Crookston campus dining service will begin July 1, when a contract and partnership with Sodexo, Inc., a world leader in food and facilities management services, begins. Meal plans and corresponding rates for students, faculty and staff are currently being finalized and will be announced soon.

Finance & University Services

The rollout of the University's new system-wide Enterprise Financial System (EFS) begins July 1. While members of the Business Office staff have been working diligently on the migration to the new system and have attended numerous training sessions, they ask for everyone's patience as the new system comes online. Information sessions on how to use the new system will be offered to faculty and staff prior to the opening week of classes.

Campus construction and renovation projects are on schedule and on budget. They include upgrading of the Dowell Hall science labs on third floor, renovation of and installation of a wireless network in Dowell Hall's 207 classroom, the development of a state-of-the-art conference room in Dowell Hall 116 for Business Department students and faculty, and other general repairs and maintenance across campus.

Development & Alumni Relations

Congratulations to alumni of the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) who received the Top Aggie Award at the NWSA Reunion, Saturday, June 28. The 2008 recipients include Charles Vind, '48; Wallace Sparby, ex. '53; Ray Anderson, '58; and Karen Good, '68. The Top Aggie Award recognizes those alumni who have displayed exemplary commitment and service to community, church, education, family or their occupational field. It is the highest honor given to alumni of the NWSA, a residential high school that operated on the Crookston campus from 1906-68.

Thanks also to all NWSA alumni, Development & Alumni Relations staff, University Relations, Facilities and Grounds, Dining Services and all others who assisted with and participated in the many festivities associated with the NWSA Reunion.

The Mark Olsonawski Scholarship Golf Tournament took place at Two River Golf Club in Hallock, Minn., on Thursday, June 26. More than 20 teams (80 golfers) played in the tournament, making it one of the most successful in recent memory. Special thanks to Bill Tyrrell, director of athletic fundraising, Mike Olsonawski, all participants and tournament sponsor Marshall Bank of Hallock.

Homecoming 2008 is set for Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27.

Thank you to all donors, alumni, friends and supporters for your continued financial support. Your support changes lives! For more information on giving opportunities, contact Director of Development & Alumni Relations Corby Kemmer at 218-281-8434 ( ckemmer@umn.edu ).

University Relations

The Crookston campus will again be a part of the University of Minnesota 's presence at the Minnesota State Fair in Saint Paul during its opening weekend Sat., Aug. 23 and Sun., Aug. 24. Our goal is to promote our campus to thousands of people attending the fair while connecting with alumni, current and future students and the general public. We are looking for students, faculty, staff and alumni who are willing to help us by giving two to four hours of their time during that weekend. If you are willing to help, contact us at 218-281-8438 ( urumc@umn.edu ).

The University of Minnesota Honors Committee has approved the official naming of the U of M, Crookston Student Center as the Sargeant Student Center , in honor of former Chancellor Don Sargeant. Don has humbly accepted this honor, and a special public ceremony and dedication will take place during Homecoming weekend.

Athletics

Melissa Dingmann, director of financial aid, Jason Tangquist, assistant athletic director for compliance, and Steph Helgeson, athletic director, will attend the NSIC Compliance/Financial Aid Seminar on July 10 in Minneapolis, Minn.

U of M, Crookston athletic coaches and administrative staff will attend NSIC meetings July 23-26 in St. Cloud, Minn. NSIC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Friday, July 25.

Visit www.goldeneaglesports.com for schedules and cheer on the Golden Eagles.

Publication notes: The E-Update is published twice each month August thru April and once each month in the summer, May thru July. Issues are posted online.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this news update, please send them to urumc@umn.edu.