The North Dakota State College of Science announced today that its Division for Workforce Affairs, in conjunction with TrainND Southeast, expanded the capacity for its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) / Truck Driving training and is now offering additional start dates for individuals interested in the class. The training is offered at the College’s NDSCS-Fargo location at 1305 19^th Avenue North.

The NDSCS CDL training class is designed to give individuals a good understanding of the trucking industry and prepare them to obtain their Class A CDL through classroom and behind-the-wheel training. Additional information about CDL training at NDSCS, including training cost, start dates and class registration information, can be found online at ndscs.edu/CDLtraining, or by calling 701-231-6922.

The training expansion was made possible through the North Dakota Department of Commerce ND Smart Restart Technical Skills Training Grant. The $30,000 grant was matched by support from area businesses and organizations, including Magnum Logistics, Fargo Freightliner, Dixson Insurance, General Equipment, Mid-America Steel, Baranko Brothers Inc., ND Motor Carriers, Mohr Family – Dacotah Paper Fund of the FM Area Foundation, Pro Transport, FM Area Foundation, RDO Truck Center, Reiles Transfer, TrueNorth Steel, FTC Transport, Insure Forward, E.W. Wylie, Transport Club of FM, Direct Transport, and Custom Graphics.

“We are thankful for this financial support, which allowed us to expand our equipment and staffing to provide additional sessions for our CDL training,” said NDSCS TrainND CDL Program Trainer Brian Ware. “This will expand our ability to support area business and industry by providing training for even more individuals as they prepare to take their CDL road test and begin a career in this high-demand field.”

North Dakota State College of Science fall semester classes will begin Monday, August 24 at 4 p.m. for all students in Wahpeton, Fargo and online. Students who are not yet enrolled for fall semester can still do so by contacting the Enrollment Services office at 701-671-2521. Opening weekend events in Wahpeton will kick off on Saturday, August 22 when residence halls open.

NDSCS began holding limited in-person classes for the College’s second summer session, which began on June 29. Additional students and faculty returned for the in-person Technical Skills Session, which began August 3 to provide an opportunity for hands-on instruction that was missed during the Spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19.

NDSCS has implemented steps and actions throughout a four-phase re-entry plan that was created in response to COVID-19. Protocols that have been implemented include a requirement for all members of the NDSCS community, as well as visitors, to wear face coverings when indoors and physical distancing is not possible.

“We are excited for the fall 2020 semester,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “We look forward to the energy our students bring to our college community, and we are prepared to provide academic experiences in a manner that is consistent with guidelines that can minimize the risk and spread of COVID-19.”

North Dakota State College of Science will hold its Commencement ceremony on Friday, August 21 at 4 p.m. outdoors at the Earl “Skip” Bute Alumni Stadium in Wahpeton, N.D. Approximately 600 students from the Wahpeton campus, NDSCS-Fargo location and online are scheduled to graduate, and approximately 160 graduates plan to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Faculty Senate President Dr. William Shay will serve as the Stage Marshal, Vice President for Academic Affairs Harvey Link will preside as the Master of Ceremonies and NDSCS President John Richman will make remarks and recognitions as well as the presentation of degrees, diplomas and certificates. Student Senate President Marquisia Bashir will also share remarks, and a trio of NDSCS Performing Arts musicians will perform a musical selection.

The NDSCS Commencement ceremony was rescheduled from May 15 in response to COVID-19. The event was moved outdoors and a number of guidelines will be in place throughout the event to help minimize the risk and exposure to COVID-19. These guidelines include a requirement for all graduates and guests to wear a face covering at all times and to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet when possible. Guests will be limited to three individuals per graduate and will be issued a free ticket that will be required for entry. Those guests will be asked to remain seated throughout the event and will remain in a separate area than the graduates.

The North Dakota State College of Science 2020 football season has been cancelled, as the College’s football conference, the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC), announced today that it will limit its fall sports to those that have been identified as low-risk as it relates to COVID-19.

The decision to cancel the season only impacts NDSCS’s football program. The NDSCS Clay Target team also competes under the MCAC; however, that sport has been identified by the conference as low-risk and will continue this fall. The NDSCS volleyball team is a member of the Mon-Dak Conference, and is not directly impacted by today’s MCAC announcement.

“We are disappointed that our 2020 football season has been cancelled; however, we recognize this was a difficult decision for the MCAC,” said NDSCS Athletics Director Stu Engen. “We are committed to supporting our student athletes as they navigate the impacts this will have, and we look forward to the return of Wildcat football in 2021.”

The North Dakota State College of Science Athletics Department has cancelled its youth athletic camps that were scheduled to be held in the summer of 2020. These camps include the boys’ and girls’ basketball camps, volleyball camp, and “Kiddy ‘Cat” basketball and volleyball camps.

“We enjoy welcoming area youth for our athletic camps each summer,” said NDSCS Athletics Director Stu Engen. “Our priority must be on the health of our community and reducing the spread of COVID-19. With that in mind, we feel we are unable to provide a full camp experience in a way that aligns with current guidelines. We look forward holding our NDSCS athletic camps in the summer of 2021.”

Those who have registered for one of the cancelled NDSCS Athletics camps will receive information regarding registration fee refunds. Individuals with questions can contact the NDSCS Athletics department at 701.671.2281.

The North Dakota State College of Science Athletics Department has hired Adam Jacobson as its new Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Jacobson will also lead the Athletics Department’s fundraising, marketing and promotions initiatives.

“Coach Jacobson brings diverse experience, and those experiences are from within our recruiting region. This is a perfect combination,” said NDSCS Athletics Director Stu Engen. “He has earned a high level of respect from those in the profession, and I know he will represent NDSCS in an outstanding manner.”

Jacobson has 12 years of collegiate coaching and recruiting experience, most recently at the University of Mary, where he was an associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to his position at the University of Mary, he spent four years at the University of North Dakota as an assistant basketball coach, recruiting coordinator and game scheduler.