North Dakota State College of Science has received The College of Tomorrow award from the John Deere Company. The award, which was presented during the College’s John Deere Tech Advisory Committee Meeting, serves as a ranking system for the 16 colleges in the United States that offer a John Deere Tech program. 

NDSCS received the highest ranking of Platinum for the second consecutive year. In 2014, the College received the second highest ranking of Gold. The ranking system consists of four levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

“To achieve the Platinum level College of Tomorrow Award it takes a commitment to excellence from everyone involved,” said Joe Plymale, John Deere Manager of College Partnerships. “The entire NDSCS John Deere Tech department and administration have continually shown a commitment to the success of the program and the graduates.”

Among other criteria, rankings are based upon a college’s program image and professionalism, students, instructor development, facility, safety and most importantly, student learning.

“It truly is an honor for the John Deere Tech program to be recognized in this way,” said Larry Ascheman, NDSCS John Deere Tech Program Coordinator. “We are very pleased to have received a Platinum ranking from John Deere, and we continue to strive to produce some of today’s best graduates – fully equipped to meet the workforce needs of the region and state of North Dakota.”

The NDSCS John Deere Tech program is designed to develop technically competent, professional ag equipment service technicians. The John Deere Company sponsors the program and NDSCS administers and operates the program.

“The success of the John Deere Tech program continues to grow,” said Dr. John Richman, NDSCS President. “This growth is due to our dedicated and focused faculty and staff, students, and business and industry partners making it one of the most well-known and high demand programs in the country. We are honored to receive such a rare designation."

This unique and innovative program combines state-of-the-art, on-campus learning experiences with supervised occupational experiences at sponsoring John Deere dealerships. Students receive technical training on John Deere equipment and related products through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experiences. Classroom and laboratory instruction at NDSCS covers the basics of each subject plus the latest developments in John Deere’s agricultural equipment. Work experience at the dealership reinforces on-campus training and exposes the student to real life failures and repairs as they occur on the equipment.

The John Deere Tech program is taught in the John Deere Tech Center and Bisek Hall located in Wahpeton, N.D. Graduates of the program earn an Associate in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.). Prospective students can learn more about the John Deere Tech program by visiting www.ndscs.edu/johndeere or by contacting the John Deere Tech department (701-671-2213), Diesel Technology department (701-671-2330) or Enrollment Services in Wahpeton (1-800-342-4325).

The North Dakota State College of Science Band and Choir Festival will be held on Monday, February 29, 2016 at the Bremer Bank Theatre in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center on the Wahpeton campus at 7:30 p.m.

The festival will feature band and choir ensembles from NDSCS, Wahpeton High School and Breckenridge High School.

Under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Kyle Mack, the combined bands will perform a total of four pieces. Mack has been a member of the North Dakota State University faculty since 1993 and currently teaches applied trombone/euphonium, conducting and music education classes in addition to directing the Jazz Studies program.

The combined choirs are also set to perform four pieces under the direction of guest conductor Matthew Endreson. Endreson currently serves as the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School Choral Director and is in his fourteenth year in music education.

The festival is free and open to the public. Free-will donations will be accepted following the performance in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center lobby.