The North Dakota State College of Science has named 467 students to its spring semester 2023 President’s Honor List. The Honor List recognizes students who have achieved grade point averages of 3.5 or higher while taking at least 12 credits with letter grades. The honorees include:

ARIZONA
Gilbert: Elli Kracht, Business Management
Scottsdale: Drew Boxwell, Liberal Arts Transfer

COLORADO
Fleming: Nathan Brekel, Diesel Technology; Bodey Macisaac, Diesel Technology

IOWA
Sibley: Jochum Wollmuth, John Deere Tech

INDIANA
Salem: Porter Howey, Liberal Arts Transfer

MINNESOTA
Alexandria: Autumn Blahosky, Dental Assisting; Joseph Brezina, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology; Garret Honkomp, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Preston Peterson, Building Construction Technology
Andover: Brendan Beggin, Diesel Technology; Grace Massaquoi, Liberal Arts Transfer
Apple Valley: Tristin Wiggins, Liberal Arts Transfer
Avon: David Hartung, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology
Barnesville: Cole Loeks, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology; Jacob Reep, Practical Nursing; Emmy Stanton, Liberal Arts Transfer
Battle Lake: Annah Evavold, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology; Tomothy Underhill, Agriculture
Baxter: Forrest Gibson, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology
Beardsley: Ryan Geray, Building Construction Technology; Wyatt Krueger, Auto Body Repair & Refinishing Technology
Belgrade: Emma Buysse, Liberal Arts Transfer
Benson: Abbie Mitteness, Dental Hygiene; Samuel Thompson, Diesel Technology
Bluffton: Ellie Benson, Culinary Arts
Borup: Katrina Quick, Agriculture
Breckenridge: Riley Finkral, Practical Nursing; Ian Foley, Liberal Arts Transfer; Ashtyn Kaehler, Practical Nursing; Camryn Kaehler, Dental Hygiene; Sophie Larson, Occupational Therapy Assistant; Logan Mammenga, Business Management; Tristan Reff, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology; Victoria Undem, Dental Hygiene; Tanner Werner, Liberal Arts Transfer; Ryler Wiertzema, Diesel Technology
Brewster: Ethan Haberman, John Deere Tech
Brooten: Kristy Kollman, Agriculture
Burnsville: Roosevelt Cage, Liberal Arts Transfer
Campbell: Tate Freeberg, Electrical Technology; Elise Klindt, Dental Assisting
Chanhassen: Josiah Schmidt, Building Construction Technology
Chisago City: Reilly Sullivan, Liberal Arts Transfer
Circle Pines: Brayden Berg, Diesel Technology
Clarkfield: Travis Vold, John Deere Tech
Clear Lake: Megan Kardell, Registered Nursing
Clearwater: Taylor Reid, Culinary Arts
Cloquet: Nathan Blatchford, Automotive Technology
Cohasset: Mackenzie Hebeisen, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology
Corcoran: Andrew Palan, Automotive Technology
Dalton: Alexis Olson, Electrical Technology
Danvers: Torie Andrews, Liberal Arts Transfer
De Graff: Ali Gunderson, Dental Assisting
Deer Creek: Jessica Maloney, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Detroit Lakes: Jacob Trout, Welding Technology
East Bethel: Reed Kohler, Diesel Technology
East Grand Forks: Kaleb Bolonchuk, Welding Technology; Zachary Stocker, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Elbow Lake: Alana Denoma-Olson, Liberal Arts Transfer
Elk River: Eric Ullrich, Diesel Technology
Elko New Market: Ethan Beneke, John Deere Tech
Embarrass: Shelby Nelson, Business Management
Fergus Falls: Ronald Becker, Business Management; Nathan Crellin, Electrical Technology; Thea Eklund, Liberal Arts Transfer; Eric Formo, Precision Machining Technology; Thomas Hagge, Electrical Technology; Dylan Hanstad, Automotive Technology; Ethan Hemmila, Diesel Technology; Layton Hemmila, Diesel Technology; Brandon Hinsverk, Liberal Arts Transfer; Lianna Jepson, Electrical Technology; Penny Kantrud, Liberal Arts Technology; Elias Kolle, Electrical Technology; Lucas Nelson, Welding Technology; Wesley Peyerl, Electrical Technology; Jose Rodriguez, Jr., Dental Hygiene; Eli Sorum, Agriculture; Trent Stach, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Fertile: Matthew Sykes, Information & Communications Technology
Fisher: Ellie Schmitz, Business Management
Glenwood: Parker Holtberg, Business Management; Mark Jenniges, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology; Heidi Laumeyer, Occupational Therapy Assistant; Mason McGinty, Plumbing; Ty Walsh, Electrical Technology
Glyndon: Logan Johnson, Welding Technology; Alexander Wallin, Information & Communications Technology
Graceville: Isaac Ebnet, Sr., Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Nickolas McDonnell, John Deere Tech
Grand Rapids: Tanner Glasrud, Building Construction Technology
Green Isle: Micah Scherer, Electrical Technology
Hallock: Grace Lamberson, Agriculture
Hampton: Kane Hanson, Electrical Technology
Hancock: Zachary Koehl, Agriculture
Hawley: Wyatt Dunham, John Deere Tech; Turner Harrison, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology; Caidin Larson, Building Construction Technology
Henning: Makena Kenyon, Agriculture
Herman: Ryan Miller, Agriculture
Hoffman: Ashton Danner, Plumbing
Holdingford: Jayden Mareck, Plumbing
Inver Grove Heights: Matthew Brummund, John Deere Tech
Kennedy: Adam Gustafson, Agriculture
Kensington: Morgan Woodle, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kent: Jude Held, Liberal Arts Transfer
Kerkhoven: Lauren Krieger, Dental Assisting
Lake Park: Logan Ladwig, Powersports Technology; Gage Matson, Building Construction Technology
Lancaster: Courtney Fredrickson, Business Management; Cora Vagle, Liberal Arts Transfer; Gracie Whitlock, Business Management
Lindstrom: Joel Kavaloski, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Lowry: Jakob Swalla, Plumbing
Mayer: Ashton Congdon, John Deere Tech
Menahga: Shailyn Pachel, Business Management
Montevideo: Hayley Voller, Registered Nursing
Moorhead: Josiah Bjertness, Information & Communications Technology; Michael Borth, Construction Management Technology; Samuel Case, John Deere Tech; Cynthia Grothe, Health Information; Morgan Lewis, Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Riane Mohagen, Liberal Arts Transfer; Keri Reynolds, Information & Communications Technology; Zachery Taft, Electrical Technology; Rylee Walther, Business Management
Mora: Thomas Mulford, John Deere Tech
Morris: Jacob Boots, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Garner Swenson, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Katelyn Wehking, Dental Hygiene
Nerstrand: Mason Pagel, Diesel Technology
Nevis: Tanner Kalla, Welding Technology; Ethan Lewis, Electrical Technology
New Ulm: Adam Schnobrich, John Deere Tech
New York Mills: Abram Carlson, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology
Newfolden: Gage Hockstedler, John Deere Tech
Pennock: Katie Krieger, Dental Hygiene
Plummer: Tristyn Ferguson, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Plymouth: Cameron Felt, Diesel Technology
Puposky: Theresa Gustafson, Agriculture
Red Lake Falls: Logan Dahle, Welding Technology
Rothsay: Connor Nosal, Welding Technology; Karsyn Zilmer, Diesel Technology
Sabin: Hunter Albert, Agriculture
Saint Cloud: Charita Lewis, Liberal Arts Transfer
Saint Michael: Kaitlin Post, Registered Nursing
Saint Paul: Eva Larson, Dental Hygiene; Ian McManus, Electrical Technology
Sandstone: Jordan Kester, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Sauk Rapids: David Stamm, John Deere Technology
Savage: Jayson Berg, Electrical Technology
Slayton: Keigan Behnke, John Deere Tech
Staples: Libby O'Neil, Dental Hygiene
Sunburg: Hayden Larson, Agriculture
Two Harbors: Clark Nelson, Plumbing
Warren: Matthew Hanel, John Deere Technology
Warroad: Mackenzie Bergstrom, Occupational Therapy Assistant; Grace Foster, Liberal Arts Transfer
Waseca: Michael Evans, Welding Technology; Nathan Hartfiel, Welding Technology
White Bear Lake: Nicholas Distad, John Deere Tech
Willmar: Lily Reed, Welding Technology
Wolverton: Anna Betz, Business Management
Zumbro Falls: Phebe Nelson, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Zumbrota: Michael Lyon, John Deere Tech

MONTANA
Culbertson: Cody Larsen, Dental Assisting
Deer Lodge: Brodey Freeman, Electrical Technology
Kalispell: Karissa Comer, Liberal Arts Transfer
Medicine Lake: Isaac Johnson, Liberal Arts Transfer
Miles City: Garen Hendrickson, John Deere Tech
Nashua: Walker Laumeyer, Automotive Technology
Plentywood: Nicholas Soderquist, Electrical Technology
Savage: Logan Nelson, Electrical Technology
Scobey: Taylor Crohn, Powersports Technology; Colter Oie, Diesel Technology

NORTH DAKOTA
Balfour: Shayden Schiele, Agriculture
Belcourt: Amber Gagnon, Culinary Arts
Beulah: Andrea Seiler, Health Information
Bismarck: Zachary Aichele, Electrical Technology; Paris Batke, Dental Hygiene; Joseph Best, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Hunter Edwards, Diesel Technology; Joshua Entzel, Electrical Technology; Josiah Frei, Automotive Technology; Alexis Harstad    , Culinary Arts; Matthew Heupel, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Jordan Kellington, Diesel Technology; Michael Kent, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Lucas Kivisto, Diesel Technology; Gavin Maher, Welding Technology; Gannon McGregor, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Ellie Miller, Dental Hygiene; Brooke Neideffer, Dental Assisting; Dexter Seese, Welding Technology
Bottineau: Emma Aberle, Dental Hygiene
Bowman: Rhyann Heyen, Dental Hygiene
Burlington: Krysta Berard, Dental Hygiene
Butte: Carson Kostenko, Diesel Technology
Calvin: Jacob Henderson, John Deere Tech
Cando: Kole Graber, Agriculture
Carpio: Benjamin Haaland, Diesel Technology
Carrington: Alexander Hurlbut, Electrical Technology; Tate Larsen, Electrical Technology; Cole Seaburg, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Casselton: Matthew Bergh, Powersports Technology; Andrew Buchholz, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Brittany Hiltner, Occupational Therapy Assistant; Kobey Johnson, Dental Hygiene; Barbara Prante, Business Management; Logan Prochnow, Building Construction Technology
Cavalier: Hunter Denault, John Deere Tech
Center: Tyson Fricke, Electrical Technology
Christine: Dain Anderson, Welding Technology
Colfax: Noah Pfeiff, Welding Technology
Cooperstown: Medora Brandner, Dental Assisting; Hunter Gronneberg, Agriculture; Dylan Johnson, Building Construction Technology
Davenport: Sean Maddock, Culinary Arts
Dazey: Peter Bryn, Agriculture
Des Lacs: Julianna Amsden, Pharmacy Technician; Mikael Dickens, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Devils Lake: Breydin Ehnert, Welding Technology; Bradyn Hewson, Liberal Arts Transfer
Dickinson: Jersey Binstock, Liberal Arts Transfer; Andrew Ficek, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology; Shayne Hoffman, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology; Grace Madler, Culinary Arts; Brett Massie, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; James Rehbein, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Meghan Roller, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology; Cherokee Warnecke, Liberal Arts Transfer
Douglas: Benjamin Lindbo, John Deere Tech
Drake: Riley Hauff, Liberal Arts Transfer
Dunn Center: Jayden Hicks, Welding Technology
Elgin: Connor Ottmar, John Deere Tech
Enderlin: Melanie Brown, Registered Nursing
Esmond: Zach Jaeger, John Deere Tech
Fairmount: Caiden Bernard, Welding Technology; Jacob Seelye, Diesel Technology; Kristy Wangler, Business Management
Fargo: Brita Anderson   , Registered Nursing; Christopher Church, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology; Kelsey Cook, Associate in Science in Nursing; Nicholas Crommett, John Deere Tech; Brooklyn Erickson, Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Carissa Gozdal, Diesel Technolog; Laura Green, Liberal Arts Transfer; Emma Hagemeister, Liberal Arts Transfer; Kordell Harris, Practical Nursing; Jacob Harvey, Liberal Arts Transfer; Amanda Hiner, Liberal Arts Transfer; Tyler Hook, Welding Technology; Ava Huynh, Information & Communications Technology; Rachel Juve, Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Apelete Messan, Sr, Information & Communications Technology; Alicia Milbrandt, Practical Nursing; Robert Nies, Welding Technology; Madison Puttbrese, Information & Communications Technology;  Mason Reinhiller, Information & Communications Technology; Samuel Roehl, Electrical Technology; Justin Roggenkamp, Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Kenneth Schafer, Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Paige Schroeder, Liberal Arts Transfer; Tobias Sheets, Information & Communications Technology; Zachary Shelley, Welding Technology; Benjamin Shook, Building Construction Technology; Jason Snaza, Diesel Technology; Kaitlyn Stoppler, Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Aracely Tovar-Ruiz, Welding Technology; Abdisalan Weli, Liberal Arts Transfer; Ryan Werness, Information & Communications Technology; Regan Wiesneski, Liberal Arts Transfer; Anna Zamarripa, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Finley: Tucker Renfrow, Precision Machining Technology
Flasher: Landon Frederick, Electrical Technology
Geneseo: Levi Witt, Business Management
Gladstone: Emily Schmidt, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology
Glenburn: Nadia Post, Liberal Arts Transfer
Grafton: William Jiskra, Business Management; Casey Jones, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Tyler Moe, Business Management
Grand Forks: Ruari Devlin, Precision Machining Technology; Hunter Moreland, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Granville: Aidan McMahon, John Deere Tech
Gwinner: Alannah Beck, Liberal Arts Transfer
Hague: Logan Hulm, Agriculture
Hankinson: Savannah Falk, Pharmacy Technician; Madelyn Foertsch, Agriculture; Aaron Medenwaldt, Business Management; Jace Steffens, Electrical Technology
Hannaford: Lane Kautzman, Agriculture
Hannah: Benjamin Girodat, Automotive Technology
Hatton: Grant Mundahl, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology
Hazen: Jayden Kaelberer, Diesel Technology; Austin Martell, Diesel Technology; Austin Roth, Electrical Technology; Jarvis Welch, Electrical Technology
Hensel: Samuel Steele, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Hettinger: Wendy Schaefer, Health Information
Hillsboro: Kaitlin Anderson, Dental Hygiene; Destiny Vadnie, Dental Assisting
Jamestown: Johnathon Elmer Browning, Agriculture; Shaun Easton Kurtz, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology; Colin Pete Lemieux, Welding Technology; Jacob Aaron Roberts, Precision Machining Technology; Brayden Dean Schmeichel, Construction Management Technology; Nathan B Schulte, Liberal Arts Transfer; Cameron Andrew Winstead, Building Construction Technology; Alyssa Marie Zachrison, Associate in Science in Nursing
Kindred: Edisen J Score, Precision Machining Technology
Lakota: Kalli A Wittenhagen, Business Management
LaMoure: Josiah Ronald Loegering, Diesel Technology; Monte Rinn, Electrical Technology; Rose Wendel, Liberal Arts Transfer
Larimore: Tysen Landeis, Diesel Technology
Lehr: Jacy Entzi, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Leonard: Emily Roehrich, Business Management
Lidgerwood: Dylan Frankki, Automotive Technology; Alexander Woytassek, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology
Linton: Kaden Percel-Klein, Diesel Technology
Lisbon: Emma Eskildsen, Pharmacy Technician; Troy Jorgenson, Agriculture; Angela Padayao, Dental Hygiene; Silas Reinke, Building Construction Technology; Caeden Sweet, Agriculture; Mackenna Toyne, Agriculture; Shirley Vogelsang, Dental Assisting
Maddock: Quinn Neppl, Dental Hygiene
Mandan: Kaden Alvstad, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Natalie Haroldson, Dental Hygiene; Hannah Nehl, Dental Hygiene; Jordan Toman, Dental Hygiene
Manning: Shadera Burian, Welding Technology
Marion: Zachary Lahlum, Powersports Technology
Mayville: Zachary Kville, John Deere Tech
Menoken: James Agnew, Diesel Technology
Mercer: Deven Ketterling, Diesel Technology
Michigan: Emily Bina, Dental Hygiene
Milnor: Gage Sundquist, John Deere Tech
Minot: Hunter Boyd, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Noah Cunningham, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology; Trevor Emke, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Taylor Garaas, Dental Hygiene; Layton Ludwig, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician; Griffen New, John Deere Tech; Abigail Schaefer, Culinary Arts; Brianna Switzler, Liberal Arts Transfer; Tate Zablotney, Diesel Technology
Mooreton: Keagan Neppl, Business Management
Munich: Drew McArthur, Diesel Technology; Ashley Perry, Dental Hygiene
New England: Grace Dinius, Agriculture; Wyatt Dorner, Agriculture
New Rockford: Brooke Longnecker, Dental Hygiene; Darica Ziebart, Dental Hygiene
New Salem: Aaron Guenther, Powersports Technology; Joshua Olin, Diesel Technology; Spencer Rebel, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Newburg: Lance Hunskor, Automotive Technology
Oakes: Jacob Bredeson, Precision Machining Technology; Jordan Cunningham, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology; Barret Gelinske, Business Management; Marc Seyer, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Parshall: Cosette Quillin, Culinary Arts
Petersburg: Nora Johnson, Dental Hygiene
Rolla: Alaina Demers, Health Information; Cade McCloud, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Rugby: Sawyer Harmel, John Deere Tech; Carson Mattern, Electrical Technology
Sentinel Butte: Trin Schumacher, Diesel Technology
Sheldon: Jaycob Froehlich, Welding Technology
Solen: Clayton Marohl, Diesel Technology
Stanley: Justin Germundson, John Deere Tech; Kimberly Mulder, Health Information
Stirum: Calvin Bopp, Agriculture
Surrey: Steven Fred, Diesel Technology
Sykeston: Ian Lacina, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician
Thompson: Zachary Peterson, Diesel Technology; Nicholas Schlief, Diesel Technology; Grace Stumpf, Culinary Arts
Tolley: Kristopher Vandemark, Diesel Technology
Tolna: Jada Eveland, Dental Hygiene; Nathan Gronaas, Electrical Technology
Towner: Lita Prellwitz, Diesel Technology
Underwood: Kayden Hornberger, Electrical Technology
Valley City: Alliya Anderson, Dental Hygiene
Velva: Triton Kaercher, Electrical Technology
Wahpeton: Tanner Barth, Business Management; Caleb Beto, Plumbing; Gabriella Birchem, Culinary Arts; Abby Boelke, Dental Hygiene; Takudzwa Bosha, Construction Management Technology; Eric Dehler, Welding Technology; Logan Dimmer, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology; Thomas Dion, Electrical Technology; Wyatt Dunlop, Diesel Technology; Andrew Ficek, Liberal Arts Transfer; Colton Frankl, Business Management; Gabrielle Gebro, Practical Nursing; Christa Habiger, Health Information; Carston Hamre, Sr, Agriculture; Robert Heinrich, Jr, Powersports Technology; Mark Homes, Welding Technology; Lea Kling, Liberal Arts Transfer; Gary Miller, Automotive Technology; Natalie Nett, Dental Hygiene; Jake Pfaff, Auto & Diesel Master Technician; Jacob Pollestad, Agriculture; Christian Sallade, Electrical Technology; Nathan Snell, Electrical Technology; Jessica St. Martin, Agriculture; Levi Steckler, Liberal Arts Transfer; Parker Steeves, Liberal Arts Transfer; Kylie Storo, Dental Assisting; Mason Thom, Business Management; Shea Truesdell, Diesel Technology; Kyle Weight, Architectural Modeling & Design Technology; April Wilmes, Health Information; Cassie Witte, Registered Nursing; Nathan Worrel, Liberal Arts Transfer
Walcott: Drew Gunness, Agriculture; Logan Myers, Liberal Arts Transfer
West Fargo: Platin Akoto, Practical Nursing; Bradley Bertsch, Diesel Technology; Katilyn Carlson, Liberal Arts Transfer; Jack Gorden, Liberal Arts Transfer; Heather Haarstad, Practical Nursing; Karter Hilde, Business Management; Andrew Jourdan, Culinary Arts; Samuel Martinez, Welding Technology; Kwabena Oppong, Electrical Technology; Alanna Pritchard, Liberal Arts Transfer; Gabriel Reyes, Welding Technology; Tyler Schroeder, Welding Technology; Ethan Scott, Liberal Arts Transfer; Madelyn Shell, Business Management         
Wheatland: Brendan Maasjo, Construction Management Technology
Williston: Jared Burg, Electrical Technology
Wishek: Lucien Peterson, Diesel Technology; Adam Wolff, Building Construction Technology
Wyndmere: Paige Bernard, Dental Hygiene; Erica Pajari, Agriculture; Alec Petermann, John Deere Tech; Ethan Witt, Automotive Technology
Ypsilanti: Allison Roorda, Liberal Arts Transfer

SOUTH DAKOTA
Aberdeen: Sierra Kokales, Dental Hygiene; Marlee Schweitzer, Dental Hygiene
Hartford: Loren Jacobson, Liberal Arts Transfer
Humboldt: Braden Herr, Liberal Arts Transfer
Lake City: Casie Johnson, Practical Nursing
Leola: Anna Lapka, Dental Hygiene
Madison: Colby Briggs, John Deere Tech
McLaughlin: Matthew Schaeffer, Automotive Technology
Pierre: Carson Murphy, Auto Body Repair & Refinishing Technology
Pollock: Sterling Larson, Diesel Technology
Roscoe: Holly Anderson, Dental Hygiene
Rosholt: Jesse Johnson, Practical Nursing
Strandburg: Jace Rufer, Construction Management Technology
Timber Lake: Tristen Goldade, John Deere Tech

TEXAS
League City: Avery Martin, Liberal Arts Transfer

WASHINGTON
Spokane Valley: Katelyn Strauss, Building Construction Technology

WISCONSIN
Dodgeville: Dylan Wasley, Building Construction Technology
Galesville: Collin Anderson, Plumbing; Ethan Stoner, Plumbing
Hammond: Jared Tritz, Auto & Diesel Master Technician

INTERNATIONAL
United Kingdom: Conal Parnell, Liberal Arts Transfer

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) partnered with the American Welding Society (AWS) to host the annual Behind The Mask competition for high school and college students. The competition, which took place at the NDSCS Wahpeton campus on April 20th, saw ninety high school and college students from North Dakota and Minnesota compete for the top prize.

The competition is designed to challenge each student’s welding skills and to provide them with a platform to present their skills to the welding industry. Behind The Mask is judged by industry professionals who evaluate participants on safety, quality of welds, and the ability to follow AWS welding standards. Students from high schools in Wahpeton, Mandan, Minot, Grafton, Valley City and Fargo, as well as college students from NDSCS, Alexandria Technical College, and Lynnes Welding Training, Inc. all competed in the event.

The competition’s generous sponsors donated all the prizes for the event, which consisted of awards for the top welders in the separate high school and college divisions. All the proceeds from this event go back into AWS scholarships ranging from $500-$2,500 that are available to high school and college students pursuing a welding career. These scholarships help up-and-coming welders pursue their craft and continue to build upon the skills they already have.

The results of the top welders in the high school division include:

• GMAW (wire)
  • 1st – Ben Klemen (NDSCS-Fargo)
  • 2nd – Colton Prellwitz (Minot)
  • 3rd – Daniel Kryvenia (Minot)
• SMAW (stick)
  • 1st – Chantz Delzer (Mandan)
  • 2nd – Caeiton Eslinger (Minot)
  • 3rd – Braeden Olavson (Sheyenne Valley Area CTE)

The results of the top welders in the college division include:

• GMAW (wire)
  • 1st – Jarred Maleska (Alexandria Technical & Community College)
  • 2nd – Shadera Burian (NDSCS)
  • 3rd – Tyler Heida (Alexandria Technical & Community College)
• SMAW (stick)
  • 1st – Dexter Seese (NDSCS)
  • 2nd – Parker Meyer (Alexandria Technical & Community College)
  • 3rd – Colin Lenieux (NDSCS)

“We are excited to have partnered with AWS to provide this unique opportunity for welding students,” said Lee Larson, Associate Professor of NDSCS Welding and AWS Northwest Chairman. “The competition was a great opportunity for students to get feedback from industry experts and gain valuable welding experience.”

The AWS Behind The Mask Competition is a great way to showcase the talents of welders, while also providing an opportunity for students to gain recognition and financial assistance. NDSCS is proud to be a part of this exciting competition and looks forward to hosting an amazing competition at NDSCS-Fargo next year.

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) recently collaborated with the National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) and the Colorado School of Mines to provide a group of seven students from NDSCS’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems certificate program with a unique 16-day fieldwork experience. The students traveled to Arizona and Nevada in March, where they used drones to collect data from mining sites using hyperspectral imaging, a technology that captures data from across the electromagnetic spectrum beyond the visible light our eyes can see.

The trip was funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant secured by NCAT, whose mission is to educate technicians for careers in autonomous technology fields. The grant covered all travel expenses for the students and provided them with a stipend for their work.

NDSCS students were responsible for planning missions, flying drones, and collecting data. Seth Simonson, NDSCS associate professor, accompanied the students and led curriculum development for the UAS component of the project. Graduate students from the Colorado School of Mines evaluated the data collected to identify and quantify material in the mines. The group from NDSCS spent eight days outside of Phoenix, Ariz., and eight days in Henderson, Nev. traveling approximately 60 miles southwest from there into California, to complete their fieldwork. The primary drone used for the project was a $70,000 quad drone equipped with a $300,000 camera that collects 490 wavelength bands. This was the NDSCS students’ first time using a camera with this level of spectral range. “Getting flight time with this high-performance camera was an incredible learning experience for the students,” said Simonson. “It sparked a lot of interest in the future of the industry.”

The NDSCS students who participated in the study included:

• Tyler Cunningham, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Thompson, N.D.
• Annah Evavold, Architectural Modeling and Design Technology, Battle Lake, Minn.
• Bailey Goschke, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Oslo, Minn.
• Mark Jenniges, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Brooten, Minn.
• Joel Kavaloski, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Lindstrom, Minn.
• Noah Cunningham, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Minot, N.D.
• Trenton Thomasson, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Fargo, N.D.

In addition to working with advanced technology, the students valued working in different terrain. “Around here, it’s all flat land. Out there, it’s desert and mountains,” said Mark Jenniges. “You had to pick out your vantage points. You had to figure out how you were going to plan your missions so that you didn’t wreck or lose sight of your drone because you always have to have a visual line of sight. You had to pick out take-off and landing spots–it was all very valuable experience.”

The trip also allowed students to collaborate with other professionals. “We were in the field doing a job,” said Annah Evavold. “It was our job to collect the data so the researchers could do their part in the project. We had to know what we were doing and we took it seriously.”

Joel Kavaloski said he enjoyed working with the graduate students. “The geologists explained the science behind why we were capturing the data. We knew where the drones could fly, but we didn’t necessarily know their points of interest. They helped us understand the bigger picture.”

“Overall, it was just a great work experience for us,” said Tyler Cunningham. “If future employers see that on a resume, I think they’ll take into consideration the time we spent planning missions and developing flying skills.”

This collaboration between NDSCS, the Colorado School of Mines, and NCAT demonstrates the importance of partnerships and the potential for groundbreaking research when institutions come together. Simonson looks forward to future runs of the study where he will continue to lead the UAS curriculum.

The success of this project also demonstrates how UAS is one of the fastest-growing industries with new applications constantly being identified. In response to emerging careers in unmanned aerial technologies, NDSCS is expanding its UAS certificate program into a standalone associate degree. Starting in the fall of 2023, NDSCS will offer an Associate in Applied Science degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems with six emphasis areas including Land Surveying, Civil Engineering Technology, Architectural Modeling, Construction Inspection, Business & Marketing, and Transfer. Through a hands-on curriculum, students will learn about unmanned aircraft types, legal operational guidelines, preflight planning, piloting UAS, and collecting and processing data through photogrammetry, thermography, multispectral imaging, LiDAR, photography, and videography. Students also earn a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot Certificate preparing them to become remote pilots in different commercial environments and industries. Simonson said the FAA supports NDSCS’s expanded curriculum because of its industry focus and hands-on approach. “Students use UAS to collect and process data just as they would in industry, which distinguishes our program.”

Additional information about the NDSCS Unmanned Aircraft Systems program can be found online at NDSCS.edu/UAS.