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Community Block Party invitation

NDSCS to Begin Academic Year August 26th

08-15-2024
Welcome Week events include outdoor evening events for students and annual Community Block Party.

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North Dakota State College of Science Names Gach Gach as Interim Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Gach Gach headshot
06-24-2024

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is proud to announce the appointment of Gach Gach as the Interim Head Men’s Basketball Coach, following the departure of Stu Engen, who has taken a position joining the coaching staff at Idaho State University. 

A 2017 graduate of NDSCS, Gach Gach (pronounced GOTCH GOTCH) brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. During his time as a player for the Wildcats, Gach was instrumental in leading the team to a remarkable 59-9 overall record, securing two Mon-Dak Conference Championships, two Region XIII Championships, a District Championship, and a National Tournament appearance. Gach’s individual contributions were recognized with numerous Conference and Regional honors. 

Following his tenure at NDSCS, Gach transferred to West Texas A&M where he continued to excel, helping his team to a 66-8 record and leading them to back-to-back Elite Eight and Final Four appearances. His stellar performance earned him Lone Star Conference honors. Over his four-year college career, Gach amassed an outstanding overall record of 125-17. 

An Austin, Minnesota native, Gach earned his bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University, and returned to NDSCS in 2022 as an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach. 

Gach Gach shared his excitement about this new chapter: “As an NDSCS alum, I’m really excited at this opportunity to lead the Men’s Basketball program along with my fellow coaches. We are eager for the fall to get our team together to start the new season. I’m honored to have been given this responsibility.” 

The Head Men’s Basketball Coach position will remain interim until a new Athletic Director is hired, and the ultimate decision regarding the permanent head coach will be made by them. 

NDSCS President Rod Flanigan expressed his confidence in Gach’s leadership during this transitional period: “During this transition time, we are steadied by having the entire coaching staff’s expertise and guidance to keep our successful program on track and continue our quest for a National Championship. Although the final head coaching decision will be made by the new Athletic Director, we are confident in the leadership of Gach and his staff.” 

Stu Engen's departure marks the end of an era for NDSCS Athletics. Engen, who was named the Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics on May 30, 2012, transformed the Wildcats into a basketball powerhouse. Under his leadership, the team achieved a record of 323-60, won seven Region XIII titles, and secured seven Mon-Dak Conference championships, among numerous other accolades. Engen's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Wildcats. 

The search is currently underway for a new Athletic Director. 

More information about the NDSCS Basketball Program can be found here: NDSCSWildcats.com/Sports/MBKB 

For More Information or to Schedule Interviews: 
Lee Schwartz, Director of Marketing | 701-306-4497 | Lee.Schwartz@ndscs.edu 
Gach Gach, Interim Head Men’s Basketball Coach | 507-279-7025 | Gach.Gach@ndscs.edu 

First responders and their families day at F-M RedHawks July 21

NDSCS Welcomes Area First Responders to First Responders & Their Families Appreciation Day at Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Game

06-18-2024
North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), area leader in First Responder Education, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks' First Responders & Their Families Appreciation Day, taking place on Sunday, July 21st at 1:00 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, ND.

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North Dakota State College of Science Announces Departure of Athletic Director/Head Men’s Basketball Coach Stu Engen

Stu Engen headshot
06-16-2024

After over a decade of exemplary leadership and dedication, Stu Engen, the Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), is set to embark on a new journey. Engen will be joining Idaho State University as an Assistant Coach, where he will work under Head Coach Ryan Looney in the NCAA Division I Big Sky Conference. Looney and Engen share a rich history, with Looney having previously served as Engen’s assistant at both the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Minnesota State University Moorhead. 

Engen was named the Head Men’s Basketball Coach and the Director of Athletics at North Dakota State College of Science on May 30, 2012. The Wildcats have won at least 25 games in all of Engen's seasons, including a school-record 31 wins in 2016-17 & 2023-2024. 

During his tenure at NDSCS, Engen transformed the Wildcats into a basketball powerhouse, amassing a remarkable record of 323-60. Under his leadership, the Wildcats clinched seven Region XIII titles and seven Mon-Dak Conference championships. In 2016, the team made a memorable run to the NJCAA National Tournament. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Coach of the Year honors across various conferences and regions. 

NDSCS Career Highlights:

  • 2024 Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year
  • 2024 Region XIII Coach of the Year
  • 2023 Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year
  • 2023 Region XIII Coach of the Year
  • 2022 Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year
  • 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee, Upper Iowa University
  • 2018 Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year
  • 2018 Region XIII Coach of the Year
  • 2017 Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year
  • 2017 Region XIII Coach of the Year
  • 2016 District 11 Coach of the Year
  • 2016 Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year
  • 2016 Region XIII Coach of the Year
  • 2015 Region XIII Coach of the Year
  • 2014 Region XIII Coach of the Year
  • 2013 Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year 

NDSCS President Rod Flanigan is appreciative of the impact Engen made on the entire NDSCS Athletics program, “Stu Engen's departure marks the end of a significant era for NDSCS athletics. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the college, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Wildcats. We wish Stu and his family all the best.” 

Throughout his career, Engen has not only focused on team success but also on the development of individual players. Under his mentorship, eight players earned Region XIII Player of the Year honors, 10 became NJCAA All-Americans, and 10 signed with NCAA Division I programs. Engen's influence extends beyond NDSCS, with former assistants now leading collegiate programs and former players pursuing professional careers. 

The search to replace Engen’s dual roles will begin immediately. We will release more information about the search details when they become available.

Central Cass High School and Essentia Health Launch Innovative Pharmacy Technician Program

group of students with white coats on standing together
06-05-2024

Central Cass High School, in collaboration with Essentia Health and multiple esteemed partners, is excited to announce the launch of an innovative Pharmacy Technician Program. This pioneering initiative aims to address the significant pharmacy technician shortage in North Dakota while providing students with valuable career opportunities. Key contributors to the program include the State of ND technical skill match programs, North Dakota State University – School of Pharmacy, North Dakota Board of Pharmacy, North Dakota Society of Health-System Pharmacists, North Dakota State University Collaboration for Advancement in Pharmacy (CAP) Center, Essentia Health, and community pharmacists.

 

The program's genesis traces back to a networking session at the Casselton Connect Meeting in April 2022, where the idea was first brainstormed by the superintendent of Central Cass School and the Essentia pharmacy leader. Recognizing the workforce challenges in the pharmacy profession and the growing interest in health science among high school students, the concept quickly garnered support from various stakeholders across North Dakota. Central Cass High School was selected as the initial pilot site due to its strong community relationships, medium class sizes, rural setting ideal for statewide replication, and proximity to Essentia Health Fargo.

 

Since Spring 2022, Essentia Health, North Dakota State College of Science, and Central Cass have been meeting regularly to discuss the project's implementation. The program, based on an accredited Pharmacy Tech-in-Training (PATSIM) curriculum, is structured to provide dual credit opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and hands-on internship experiences at Essentia Health. This initiative not only aims to mitigate workforce shortages but also offers students a unique pathway to explore careers in healthcare, ultimately benefiting the broader community. As the program advances, we look forward to expanding within Cass County and beyond, ensuring that dreams of collaboration and service to patients in North Dakota continue to thrive.

 

All of the students in this year’s program will be working as Pharmacy Technicians this Summer at Essentia Health locations. 

 

Melissa Krava, Associate Professor and Pharmacy Technician Program Director for NDSCS, was thrilled at the results of this pilot program. “We could not be prouder of the newest Pharmacy Technicians in the state of North Dakota! We had tremendous support for this program from C3TEC, Essentia Health and from Central Cass High School. This program proves that career dreams can come true—even while still in high school—and will continue to be a great service to North Dakota, helping to fill what is currently a large employment gap.