June 1, 2009

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Accolades

From the Chancellor

As we make the transition from the end of spring semester into the summer months, the campus changes character very quickly.  With most of our students either graduated and off to the real world or heading home for summer work or completing internships, it tends to be rather quiet around campus.  Still, there is much work to be done. 

A number of staff and faculty will take part in our upcoming Executive Retreat this week.  This is an important time for us to do some reflection, planning, and strategic thinking about what we want this campus to be.  We will share the information and work plans that emerge from this retreat with the rest of the campus over the summer and during the opening week in August when all faculty and staff return to prepare for fall semester.  Working together we can achieve good things.

It’s strange to be thinking about fall already, when it seems we just held commencement a few weeks ago.  It was a wonderful day for our graduating seniors, their families and friends, and our faculty and staff.  Personally, it’s one of my favorite days of the year, as it is the culmination of our students’ undergraduate careers and a reflection of what each and every one of them have accomplished.  Thanks to all those who were involved with this special day.
Speaking of graduation, a number of our staff members have been working on degrees of their own.  We recently held a reception to recognize their efforts.  I want to personally recognize the work done by each one of these individuals.  It demonstrates their commitment to the campus to work full time and still find the time required to complete their degree.  Some have not quite wrapped up all the final details, but they should have everything completed by the end of this summer.  They are truly exception staff. 

Staff members completing degrees within the past year include:

• Anders Berggren, M.S. in Information Systems from Dakota State University, Madison, SD
• Lloyd Brokaw, B.S. in Applied Studies from the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)
• Melissa Dingmann, M. Ed. from the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)
• Mary Feller, M. Ed. from UMD
• Rae French, M. Ed. from UMD
• Stephanie Helgeson, M.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, ND
• Sara Kaiser, M.S. in Educational Leadership from UND
• Lisa Loegering, M. Ed. from UMD
• Tu Lynn Sommerfeld, B.S. in Early Childhood Education from UMC
• Erica White, M.Ed. from UMD

I encourage everyone to congratulate these individuals.  Their academic work not only strengthens the University, it also helps each of them develop professionally.  Many of these staff members incorporated experiences at UMC into their academic work, either through insights gained through their work on campus or, more formally, through case studies referencing or examining some aspect of the campus.   

Finally, I wish I could say the state budget situation for higher education was rosy.  The reality is that higher education across the state will face some very real challenges.  As we continue to learn more about how it will affect our campus, we will do our best to relay that information.  What we can do is focus our energy on recruiting new students and retaining as many continuing students as possible.  Let’s all work together in offering the best experience for students and try to do the best with what we have.  That will help us most in this time of uncertainty.

Enjoy summer!

– Chuck

Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

New Student Registration for Fall Semester 2009, June 1, 12, 22; July 10, 20
Residential Life Auction, Wednesday, June 3 – 5 p.m., Parking Lot E

Women’s Basketball Shooting and Scoring Camp, June 9-11

Teambackers Highway 2 Golf Classic, Friday, June 12 – 10 a.m. tee off for nine holes at Fosston Golf Course, Fosston, Minn.;  2 p.m. tee off for nine holes at Oak Lake Golf Course, Erskine, Minn.; five-person teams, scramble, $40 per person covers all fees

Game Design Camp, June 21-27

Equestrian Camp, June 21-27

Mark Olsonawski Scholarship Golf Tournament, Thursday, June 25 – 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. shotgun start for 18 holes at Two River Golf Club, Hallock, Minn.; four-person teams, scramble, $40 per person covers all fees

Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) Reunion, Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27

Heart of the Valley Golf Tournament, Thursday, July 9 – 11 a.m. brats and beverages, 1 p.m. tee off for nine holes at Heart of the Valley Golf Course, Ada, Minn.; five-person teams, scramble, $40 per person covers all fees

Teambackers  Golf Classic, Saturday, July 18 – 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. shotgun start for 18 holes at Minakwa Golf Club, Crookston, Minn.; five-person teams, $85 per person covers all fees, scholarship contribution, and games

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/umcnews or review our news page at www.UMCrookston.edu/umcnews/stories.

Around Campus

Administrative Affairs –

Christopher Winjum has been hired as assistant to the chancellor.  He will begin full time on June 8, replacing Barbara Ricord, who is retiring.  Chris most recently served as an equal opportunity specialist at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo.  His other experience includes serving as an information specialist in the TRIO programs at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and as an administrative assistant at Hopkins North Junior High School.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from NDSU as well as a bachelor’s degree in information network management from the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  

Members of the U of M, Crookston Executive Committee and designated members of the Faculty Consultative Committee will take part in the annual Executive Retreat Tuesday, June 2, and Wednesday, June 3, in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  Discussion topics include the financial future of the campus and the University, recruitment, retention, advising, and principles of assessment of program viability and new program development.

Academic Affairs –

A group of students enrolled in a global studies seminar on China led by Soo-Yin Lim-Thompson, associate professor of early childhood education, recently completed a visit to Zhejiang Forestry University (ZFU) located in Lin'an, China.  They also visited both Beijing and Hangzhou and will travel to Shanghai.  Members of the group regularly post entries and photos online at blog.lib.umn.edu/slimthom/culturaljourneychina.

Two summer camps for high school students will be held on campus June 21-27.  Game Design Camp will teach students about the math and physics behind simulating the natural world, the fundamentals of how games work, and how to program simple games.  This camp will also feature tournaments, LAN parties, and hands-on training with commercial game editors.  Equestrian Camp will teach students about the basics of riding and caring for horses.  Each participant will be assigned a University horse to care for during the week, and campers will be exposed to many different breeds of horses and aspects of the equestrian industry.  For more information visit www.umcrookston.edu/camps.

Student Affairs –

Residential Life will hold an auction Wednesday, June 3, starting at 5 p.m. in Parking Lot E (north of Ed Widseth Field).  Items for sale include refrigerators, electric stoves, televisions, beds, desks, wardrobes, and miscellaneous furniture.  Payment by cash or check only; no early sales.  For more information call 218-281-8531.

Finance & University Services –

Work will begin soon on the installation of a sprinkler systemin Dowell Hall covering all of first floor and part of second floor.  The permit has been received, and plans have been approved with minor changes.  A closet to house equipment will be built in Dowell 112.

The campus vehicle fleet recently traded out vehicle #8 (an Impala) for a new Ford Escape hybrid.  Plans to replace mini-van #6 with a new mini-van are in the works and will be completed in the next fiscal year.

A bid by Community Contractors, Inc. has been accepted for replacement of the McCall Hall bay window.  Work will take place in July and should be completed by the end of that month.

Development & Alumni Relations –

The 2009 Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) Reunion will be held Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27.  A large group of alumni attendees and friends is expected for two days of fun and memories with the theme “Rock ‘n Roll Goes Hawaiian.”  Learn more (including general schedule).

The Office of Development & Alumni Relations has several golf tournaments scheduled for the summer.  These tournaments serve as fundraisers supporting scholarships for student-athletes. For a detailed listing and information about taking part in any of them visit www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story1694.html.

University Relations -

Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2009, the 101st graduating class on the Crookston campus, were held Saturday, May 9, with 160 graduates participating.  Photos, programs, and a video stream are all posted online at www.umcrookston.edu/events/commencement/2009.

University Relations will sponsor a booth at the Polk County Fair July 1-5 in Fertile, Minnesota.  Staff from University Relations, Development & Alumni Relations, and Admissions will assist with the booth.  Additional faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers are welcome to help staff this booth over the five days of the fair.  Interested individuals should contact Stephanie Onken, student communications assistant, at onken015@umn.edu, 218-281-8446.

Athletics –

The Second Annual Women’s Basketball Shooting and Scoring Camp will be held June 9-11. The camp will run daily from 10 a.m. to noon for grades 7-12 and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for grades 3-6 in Lysaker Gymnasium.  For more information visit www.umcrookston.umn.edu/camps.

Seven Golden Eagle student-athletes were recognized for their academic performance and were named to the NSIC All-Academic Teams for the 2009 spring athletic season.  Baseball: Jeff Carr of Eagle River, Wis.; Lincoln Messner of Winthrop, Minn.; Max Saarinen of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Softball: Katie Bowar of Moorhead, Minn.; Kayla Bowar of Moorhead, Minn.; Sarena Diederichs of St. Cloud, Minn.; Women’s Golf: Tammy Wroblewski of Milwaukee, Wis.

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

Campus, Community, & Region –

Representatives from the Red Lake Nation Indian Reservation visited the Crookston campus May 22 to participate in a video conference with Lowell Rasmussen, vice chancellor for finance and facilities at the University of Minnesota's Morris campus.  Organized by the U of M, Crookston chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), the meeting included Eric Burgess, U of M, Crookston faculty member and SIFE advisor; Marshall Johnson, U of M, Crookston graduate and SIFE member; Art Nash, Extension educator; and Sam Strong, economic development director for the Red Lake Nation, among others.  The focus of the conference was to explore the feasibility for a wind energy project with the Red Lake Reservation.

Accolades

Nearly 200 faculty and staff from the University of Minnesota, Crookston as well as the Northwest Research and Outreach Center and Regional Extension attended the annual Faculty and Staff Celebration and Awards Program Monday, May 11, in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  Among the award recipients were Rhett Johnson, M.S., Distinguished Teaching Award; Jim Carlson, M.L.S., J.D., Distinguished Service, P&A; Theresa Helgeson, Distinguished Service, Civil Service/Bargaining Unit; Dan Svedarsky, Ph.D., Outstanding Community Service; Eric Castle, M.L.A., Outstanding Service-Learning Faculty; Buffy Butson, M.A., Outstanding Service to Students with Disabilities; and George French, M.M., Community Building Through the Performing Arts.  Several faculty and staff were also recognized for their years of service.  For photos from the event visit: www.umcrookston.edu/photogallery/facstaffawards/2009. 

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.