September 21, 2009

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Accolades

From the Chancellor

At the September Board of Regents meetings, the campus received approval for two new degree programs.  Both are in the Business Department:  Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Marketing and a Bachelor of Manufacturing Management (B.M.M.) degree in Quality Management.  Both of these programs will be offered on campus as well as online.  These programs will not only meet traditional student needs, but will also offer access to a University of Minnesota degree for individuals who are working or who otherwise may be unable to attend classes on campus.

Workers, with the cooperation of the weather, are making great progress on the areas around Evergreen Hall.  Sidewalks, roadways, parking areas, and landscaping really make a big difference in the exterior appearance of the residence hall and surrounding area.  Thanks go to the students for their patience during the completion of these important areas.

The dedication of Evergreen Hall will take place on Friday, October 2, with President Bruininks and First Lady Susan Hagstrum attending.  Several other guests will also be attending and participating in the dedication that will begin at noon.  Tours will be available both before and after the dedication.  The public is invited and welcome to attend.

In addition to the dedication of Evergreen Hall there will be a public announcement about the Otter Tail Power Company Campus Energy Challenge Grant received by the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  Representatives from Otter Tail Power Company and the Crookston Campus have been meeting to develop plans to begin work on the grant.  This is a great opportunity to engage students, staff, and faculty to provide leadership in optimizing the use of energy on campus and in the community.

In support of the Otter Tail Power grant the campus has also been designated as one of 10 GreenCorp sites in the state.  With this designation an energy conservation specialist will also be assigned to the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  Sustainability Coordinator Dr. Dan Svedarsky is providing leadership for this initiative.

Efforts continue to inform the campus community on plans to respond to the potential for exposure to the H1N1 influenza virus.  Many individuals, especially Dr. Peter Phaiah, Stacey Grunewald, and Tom Feiro, are meeting regularly and providing updates with the campus community.  The most current information is available on the UMC website with links to many resources.

Fall semester is in full swing, and we are off to a great start.

– Chuck

Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

Campus Visit by U of M Regent Dallas Bohnsack, Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25

First Annual Golden Eagle/Beaver 100-inning Softball Game Fundraiser, Sunday, September 27 – 10 a.m., UMC Softball Field

Thursday Commons:  Fall Semester Convocation, Thursday, October 1 – 12 noon, Kiehle Auditorium

University Teaching and Outreach Center Open House, Thursday, October 1 – 4 to 7 p.m., UTOC

Homecoming Coronation, Thursday, October 1 – 8 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium, student dance in Bede Ballroom following ceremony

Campus Visit by U of M President Robert Bruininks and First Lady Susan Hagstrum, Friday, October 2

Dedication of Evergreen Hall and Announcement of Campus Energy Challenge, Friday, October 2 – 12 to 1 p.m., Evergreen Hall lobby

Athletic Hall of Fame and Outstanding Alumni Banquet and Awards Program,Friday, October 2 – social at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by program, Bede Ballroom, tickets $18 per person

Homecoming Parade, Saturday, October 3– 11 a.m., around the Campus Mall

Homecoming Football Game: UMC Golden Eagles vs. Northern State University Wolves, Saturday, October 3 – 1 p.m., Ed Widseth Field

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

Administrative Affairs –

U of M Regent Dallas Bohnsack will visit the Crookston campus Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25.  During his visit, he will meet with Chancellor Casey and tour the campus, including Evergreen Hall.  He will also meet with Larry Smith, head of the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC), and receive an update on the sugarbeet harvest.  Regent Bohnsack lives in New Prague, Minn., and represents Minnesota District 2 on the Board of Regents.

U of M President Robert Bruininks and First Lady Susan Hagstrum will visit the Crookston campus Friday, October 2.  While his schedule for the day has yet to be finalized, there are plans for President Bruininks to meet with students, faculty and staff, and department heads at various times that day.  He will also take part in the dedication of Evergreen Hall at noon.  The final schedule will be distributed soon.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to keep updated on the latest information regarding the H1N1 virus as it pertains to the U of M, Crookston.  Regular e-mail updates are being sent, and other relevant information is posted online at www.umcrookston.edu/Facilitiesmgmt/Prepared.

Academic Affairs –

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved two new bachelor’s degree programs and one minor for the U of M, Crookston campus at meetings held Friday, September 11, 2009.  The U of M, Crookston’s Business Department gained approval to offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marketing, a Bachelor of Manufacturing Management (B.M.M.) in Quality Management, and a Minor in Marketing.  The programs will begin in January 2010 with all programs offered entirely online as well as through traditional on-site coursework.  Course requirements and listings will be posted online soon.

Transfer students interested in pursuing baccalaureate degrees at the U of M, Crookston will benefit from new articulation agreements with Minnesota West Community & Technical College (NWCTC) and Hocking College, Nelsonville, Ohio.  The agreements were recently completed by the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.  NWCTC, located in southwestern Minnesota, is comprised of campuses in Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone, and Worthington as well as learning centers in Fairmont, Luverne, and Marshall.  Learn more.

Jamie Fagerholt has been hired as a program advisor for Student Support Services.  She holds an M.B.A. from  St. Cloud State University.  Most recently she served as a project manager for the Donaldson Company in Minneapolis.  Her major responsibilities entail support and advising of students in respect to the Student Support Services program on campus.  She replaces Amanda Neubauer who left to pursue a job opportunity at the University of North Dakota.

The EDA Center at the University of Minnesota, Crookston is entering its second year and will be engaged in a number of research projects.  A new project will involve conducting interviews and surveys with many, if not all, of the angel investment/venture capital funds currently operating throughout rural Minnesota.  The goal of the project is to better understand the structure and functions of these funds and to help local economic development agencies access capital from these funds when appropriate.  Another new project will survey rural businesses between 3-5 years old in order to understand why, after reaching a level of financial stability, some small businesses choose to seek a growth strategy and others do not.  Finally, during the summer of 2009, the EDA Center collected data from 689 businesses throughout rural Minnesota regarding their adoption and utilization of Internet technology.  To date, one summary report from that data set has been published, but there are several more specific articles that may emerge from the data.  Faculty interested in participating in any of these activities should contact Jack Geller, professor and head, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Department, at 281-281-8248.

Student Affairs –

The student body elected five new senators for the Crookston Student Association (CSA) during voting held September 15 and 16.  New senators include Duk Jin Ahn, a sophomore majoring in information technology management from Seoul, South Korea,; Bruce Felts, a senior majoring in biology and health sciences pre-professional from Bemidji; Eric Morgan, a sophomore majoring in business management from Crookston; Zach Hennings, a junior majoring in health sciences pre-professional from East Grand Forks; and Anna Wagner, a junior majoring in animal science from Brandon, Minn.

Fall Semester Convocation will be held Thursday, October 1, at 12 noon in Kiehle Auditorium.  Thomas Haarstick, Crookston Student Association president, will serve as master of ceremonies.  The featured speaker will be Kim Pederson, manager for market planning, at Otter Tail Power Company, who will speak about the Campus Energy Challenge and the Crookston campus.  The U of M, Crookston Choir will perform musical selections under the direction of George French, associate professor of music; Chancellor Charles Casey and Vice Chancellor Tom Baldwin will recognize student academic achievement; and fall season varsity coaches will recognize their respective teams and provide team updates.

The University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) will host an open house on Thursday, October 1, from 4 to 7 p.m.  The campus and community will have opportunities to meet the faculty and staff from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, tour the UTOC facilities, and see the animals. Guests can watch the equestrian teams practice at 4:30 p.m. with horse jumping and at 5:45 p.m. with reining.  Tours will be given every half hour by members of the Equestrian Team and Horseman's Association. Students involved in the Animal Science Club will provide tours of the beef and sheep facility.

A special ceremony for the dedication of Evergreen Hall and the announcement of the Otter Tail Power Company Campus Energy Challenge will be held at noon on Friday, October 2, in the lobby of Evergreen Hall.  Speakers will include Chancellor Chuck Casey, U of M Regent Clyde Allen, Otter Tail Power Company President and CEO Chuck MacFarlane, Director of the Minnesota Office of Energy Security Bill Glahn, and U of M President Robert Bruininks, among others.  Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has been invited to attend the ceremony.  Tours of the new residence hall will begin at 11 a.m. and will be repeated at 1 p.m.  The campus community and public are invited to attend.

Parents and siblings of current UMC students are invited to Family Day, Saturday, October 3.  The day features many activities including free tickets to athletic events held that day.  RSVP is not required, but in order to get free tickets to the events family members must check-in by 10:30 a.m. that morning in Evergreen Hall. Questions about Family Day should be directed to Sara Kaiser at 218-281-8527.

Finance & University Services –

The U of M’s Office of Internal Audit will soon conduct an audit of the Crookston Campus. This audit is routine in nature and is not prompted by any particular concern.  Tentatively set to begin September 28 and continue for a two week period, the audit will address financial, operational, and compliance issues.  The scope will include an assessment of activity during the period August 2008 through July 2009.  The review will include an examination of current operating controls and procedures, and it will be performed in three phases: the planning and survey phase; the detailed testing phase; and the reporting phase.  During the planning and survey phase, information and documenting controls will be gathered to assist in planning any detailed testing that may be completed.  The timing is based on risk assessment of auditable units and the amount of time that has elapsed since the last audit of the Crookston campus, dated February 2005. 

Development & Alumni Relations –

The annual Athletic Hall of Fame and Outstanding Alumni Banquet and Awards Program will be held on Friday, October 2, in Bede Ballroom.  The evening begins with a social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program.  The 2009 inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame include Christina (Nettum) Cyr, '97; Al Strandberg, ex. '79; and Frank Fee, president and general manager of KROX AM radio.  Those receiving outstanding alumni awards include Mary Jo (Melbye) Eastes, '79; David Genereux,'80; Troy Olson, '89; and Karissa (Dahl) Olson, '99.  Tickets are $18 per person. Contact Rose Ulseth in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 218-281-8439 or rulseth@umn.edu.

Homecoming Week, is September 28 through October 3.  A full schedule of the week’s events is available at www.umcrookston.edu/homecoming.  All students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and community members are invited on Saturday, October 3, when the fun starts at 10:30 a.m. with Teambacker tailgating featuring the live music of Four Wheel Drive.  The Homecoming parade around the campus mall begins at 11 a.m., and at 1 p.m. the Golden Eagles take on the Northern State Wolves in football at Widseth Field.  A post-game social will be held at Minakwa Country Club. 

UMC Teambackers now has more than 120 members with more than $85,500 in contributions in support of athletics.  For more information contact Bill Tyrrell, director of athletic fundraising, at 218-281-8436 or bytrrell@umn.edu.

University Relations –

A new, updated print edition of the campus faculty and staff directory, along with an insert listing campus offices and meeting rooms, has been published and distributed across campus. 

Athletics –

The Golden Eagle Women's Softball team will host Bemidji State University on Sunday, September 27, in the First Annual Golden Eagle/Beaver 100-inning Softball Game Fundraiser. The teams will square off at 10 a.m. at the UMC Softball Field. U of M, Crookston students, faculty, staff, and all softball fans are invited to attend. Other events being held throughout the day include a home run derby and fastest runner competitions. For more information, contact head coach Mitch Bakken at 218-281-8414.

Campus and Community –

Lynnette Mullins, assistant professor, communication, will play the title role in Crookston Community Theater’s production of “Helen’s Most Favorite Day.”  The production, directed by Joyce Johnson, will run from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, September 26, with shows at 7:30 p.m. nightly in Kiehle Auditorium.  Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.  The play is a romantic fantasy which finds the lead character discovering the truth in the old adage “be careful what you wish for.”   The cast also includes UMC student Keith Bakken, a junior majoring in business management from Crookston, Beth Carlson, Phyllis Hagen, Rob Lutz, and Sue Meyer.

Accolades

Katy Smith, assistant professor, biology, serves as co-author of “Dewatering of contaminated sediments: Greenhouse and field studies,” an article published in Ecological Engineering, the Journal of Ecosystem Restoration.  The article appears in Volume 35, Issue 10, October 2009 of that publication.  The study detailed by the article involved three species of wetland plants and their ability to dewater saturated sediments contaminated with PCBs and PAHs without negative impact on the plants.

Associate Professor Charla Hollingsworth of the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) recently accepted a position with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  She will work as a national science program leader for plant pathology and weeds at the Center for Plant Health, Science, and Technology in Raleigh, N.C.  Her work will be with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ).  A farewell for Hollingsworth will be held on Thursday, October 8, at 1 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  She will begin her new post with the USDA on November 8, 2009.

Publication notes:  The E-Update is published twice each month August through April and once each month May through July.
Issues are posted online.

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

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