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The last week of February is a busy week for North Dakota State College of Science students, as it's the last week of classes before spring break. 

For 12 students in the construction management and architectural modeling and design technology programs, it was even busier than usual. Along with their instructor, Lara Lekang, the students traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the International Builders' Show (IBS). 

The students presented projects at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition while at the IBS.

NDSCS students go through an application process for this project, starting at the beginning of the school year. Their work must be submitted prior to Christmas break at the end of first semester. Once classes resume in the second semester, the students put it all together and start the presentation portion of the project. 

"These projects are a commitment for the students,” Lekang said. “They learn to understand and work through it. It really brings together all the ‘whys’ behind what they are learning in their classes.”

Lekang, a Wahpeton native, graduated from the very program she now teaches at NDSCS. For the past seven years she has been the associate professor/program coordinator in the architectural modeling and design program.

Lekang has brought with her experience from the commercial and residential industry. In the past few years, NDSCS has restructured the architectural program from drafting into 3D modeling. This was driven by the need to keep up with current industry standards. Now, having become a multi-disciplinary program, it allows students to be aware of the different avenues their careers can take.

“Giving students various construction experience builds confidence for when they enter the workforce,” Lekang said.

Students who are selected to compete get a pre-assigned project, often one that has already been fully constructed in the real world. The project expectations are quite involved. It focuses on the construction schedule, estimates, a management plan and detailed drawings. Once it is put together on paper, it is a very thick packet.

“The judges are looking for completeness,” Lekang said. “Accuracy in the students' approach to the problem, the sequence of the schedule and this leads to problem-solving and troubleshooting when things don’t go as planned.” 

Lekang had two teams compete this year and both teams placed. One team took home third place and the other fifth place.

“I am proud of the students' teamwork, efficiency, communication and all the time they put in,” Lekang said. “NDSCS students rose to the occasion.”

When not competing, the students had a chance to see all the IBS had to offer. According to the NAHB, more than 76,000 builders, remodelers, developers and other building professionals filled the Las Vegas Convention Center for the event.

Lekang also uses this event to network with industry professionals who collaborate with NDSCS. Building relationships helps the programs grow and succeed.

“It is eye-opening for students to see how it is all tied together,” Lekang said.

Article published by Bobbi Steffens at Wahpeton Daily News on March 9, 2024. 

Three North Dakota State College of Science students are among the 124 recipients of $675,000 in 2024 Work Ethic Scholarships from the Mike Rowe Works Foundation.

Jacob Berndt, Hannah Myers and Brayden Schmeichel follow in the footsteps of five NDSCS students who received scholarships in fall 2023. The previous honorees were Stockton Buck, Walter Guse, Trever Severinsen, Koby Valentin and Mark Weimer.

The Mike Rowe Works Foundation, which is launching its next scholarship cycle in 2024, expects much from applicants. This includes enrolling in an approved program, signing the “S.W.E.A.T. Pledge,” answering four questions about the pledge, making a video, having two solid references from a teacher or boss, verifying school costs, providing high school or college transcripts and sending the most 1040 tax form.

“We’re on a mission to help close the skills gap by challenging the stigmas and stereotypes that discourage people from pursuing the millions of available jobs,” the foundation stated. “We’re redefining the definition of a good education and a good job, because we don’t think a four-year degree is the best path for the most people. We want people to understand the impact of skilled labor on their lives, and we’re convinced that the solution has to start with a new appreciation for hard work.”

These are Berndt, Myers and Schmeichel’s stories.

Jacob Berndt

• “My dad has his own machine shop out in Mooreton,” said Berndt, 19, a first year precision machining major from Wahpeton. “I like precision machining. I think it’s pretty cool. My dad went here and went through the same program as I am going through now.”

• Berndt hopes to one day succeed his dad Chris in the family business. “It’s pretty cool to do what he did,” Jacob Berndt said.

• “I heard about the scholarship from my dad,” Berndt said. “He pushed me to complete that application. It did take forever to do the work — I didn’t want to do the video, but I did.” This made Berndt learning that he received the scholarship much more exciting.

• Freshman year has been fun for Berndt. “I feel like I’m always learning something that I’m going to use later in my life,” he said. When he’s not in class, Berndt enjoys hunting and fishing.

• Berndt is looking back with some respect for the long hours needed to get his $3,500 scholarship. “It’s definitely worth it,” he said.

Hannah Myers

• “I graduated early from high school,” said Myers, 17, a first year electrical technology major from Garrison, North Dakota. “I mentioned electrical technology to my grandma, because my coworkers were talking about it, and she had me tour here.”

• After graduation, Myers hopes to work until she becomes journeyman. “That’s all I have for now,” she said.

• Myers heard about the Rowe Scholarship through her grandmother, Elaine Myers. Hannah Myers admitted that she almost gave up on her application because of how much was required. “But, I pushed through,” she said.

• School has been going well for Myers, she said. She enjoys hanging out with friends and participating in campus activities, whether it’s playing games together or going to all-school events.

• The recipient of a $5,000 scholarship, Myers advises curious students to “just push through and submit your application.”

Brayden Schmeichel

• “Reviews of NDSCS that I had read said how teachers and students treated one another like family,” said Schmeichel, 20, a second year construction management major from Jamestown, North Dakota. “I wanted to go to school where I could make some new friends.”

• Schmeichel plans to spend the winter semester lining up work for after graduation. “I want to work my way up the ladder,” he said.

• The 2024 Work Ethic Scholarship appealed to Schmeichel because of the importance it places on one’s work ethic, which he likes.

• Schmeichel is enjoying his major and learning more about the construction industry. Construction is something he has enjoyed since boyhood and also a good fit for his interest in leadership.

• The recipient of a $1,500 scholarship, Schmeichel said he applied early and worked in portions. “I was excited to win this,” he said.

• “If you are a person who will wake up early in the morning, go to your job, have a goal for the day and are willing to put in some extra hours for that goal, I think this scholarship is perfect for you. Take your time when applying for it,” Schmeichel said.

• When he’s not in class, Schmeichel enjoys hanging out with “some really great lifetime friends that I’ve met here.”

Daily News shares Jacob Berndt, Hannah Myers and Brayden Schmeichel’s thanks for receiving the Mike Rowe Works Foundation’s 2024 Work Ethic Scholarship. We also congratulate the three youth and the quintet of 2023 Work Ethic Scholarship winners, wishing all much continued success, especially in the Southern Red River Valley.

Article published by Frank Stanko at Wahpeton Daily News on January 15, 2024. 

Brayden Schmeichel, a Construction Management Technology student at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), has been named a 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

This scholarship program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, and supports students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale. Students nominated for the Workforce Pathway should be planning to enter the workforce after completing a certificate or associate degree.

New Century Workforce Pathway Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 applications were received from students in more than 1,300 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

Brayden’s selection was based on the score he earned in the All-USA Academic Team Competition, where he was the top-scoring student from North Dakota. Brayden has also served as the Vice President of Service for the NDSCS PTK chapter and helps organize their service learning projects. As a Construction Management Technology student, Brayden recently represented NDSCS at the International Builders Show ® (IBS) in Las Vegas, NV with his classmates.

“Brayden is very deserving of this recognition” said Erin Johnson, the NDSCS Phi Theta Kappa advisor, “I have watched Brayden embrace new leadership roles within our academic honor society and in other campus activities. He is a great representative of our NDSCS student body and demonstrates how students becoming active on campus builds skills and opportunities for their future.”

NDSCS has a long-standing tradition of New Century Scholars, and is proud to count Brayden among the list of high-achieving students that come out of our institution.

Brayden and the other New Century Scholars from around the United States will be recognized in the fall.