North Dakota State College of Science honored two groups with the College’s annual LIFE and Steeple awards on October 26, 2016. This year’s LIFE award was presented to the NDSCS Diversity and Equity Council, while the Steeple award was presented to the Faculty Qualifications Task Force.

This year’s LIFE award recognized Diversity and Equity Council Strategic Initiatives. The recipients included Dana Anderson, Mindi Bessler, Cheryl Brown, Sheila Goettle, Michelle Griffin, Jim Johnson, Melissa Johnson, Kerri Kava, Ronda Marman, Jackie Marquardt, Jane Passa, Elizabeth Phares-Oren, Chad Pitts, Sybil Priebe and Mason Rademacher. The LIFE Award stands for “Bringing LIFE to NDSCS” and recognizes collaborative efforts that support the LIFE values of the College. The award is presented to an individual, employee group or committee for developing and implementing an action plan for Strategic Planning or Academic Quality Improvement Project goals.

The Diversity and Equity Council worked collaboratively and administered the first NDSCS Climate Survey. The results of this employee and student survey established the direction and framework for the council to develop a strategic plan, which created a measurable, lasting impact on the NDSCS community over the past year. Specifically, the Diversity and Equity Council implemented a Safe Zone program and training for students and employees, developed Upstander training, enhanced policies and procedures to establish an inclusive college experience, planned and implemented events and materials to focus on awareness and action, encouraged the LGBTQ roommate matching system, and developed a one-stop reporting system to allow an easy way for students and employees to report concerns or issues.

This year’s Steeple award was presented to the Faculty Qualifications Task Force. The recipients included Greg Anderson, Clint Gilbertson, Sandi Gilbertson, Shannon King, Wade King, Ken Kompelien and Jane Krump. The Steeple award stands for “Climbing New Heights” and is presented to an individual, employee group or committee for new and innovative methods to accomplish their role on campus. Criteria for the award include taking a risk, thinking outside the box, just-in-time delivery and how that addresses immediate needs, shared innovation, impact on student learning and development, and documented results.

The Faculty Qualifications Task Force was established to draft policies and procedures for determining NDSCS faculty qualifications. This was in response to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) publishing a clarification of faculty qualifications which had substantial implications for many faculty, especially faculty for Early Entry courses. The task force had a very tight timeline as the College wanted the policy in place prior to the HLC Comprehensive Quality Review visit last spring. Developing the policy and procedures required significant research, review, innovation and collaboration. The task force worked very quickly and had no template. The NDSCS policy was approved on April 14, 2016, and other North Dakota University System institutions are now using this policy as a model when developing their own faculty qualifications policies. The policy and procedures the task force developed will ensure that NDSCS faculty will continue to be world-class and meet the educational needs of NDSCS students.

The North Dakota State College of Science Concert Choir, Concert Band, Wildcat Singers and Wildcat Jazz Band will hold their annual fall concert on Monday, October 17, 2016 at the Bremer Bank Theatre in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will be the first for incoming instrumental director Adam Hollingsworth. Dr. Hollingsworth comes to NDSCS from his recent adjunct position teaching brass and assisting the Gold Star Marching Band at North Dakota State University.

The Concert Band will perform four selections under the direction of Hollingsworth. The Concert Choir is set to perform four numbers under the direction of Choral Director Bryan Poyzer.

The Fall Concert will feature a piano solo performed by Wayne Doe of Coon Rapids, Minn. The Wildcat Jazz Band and Wildcat Singers will conclude the concert by performing a variety of popular pieces.

The concert is free and open to the public.

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) will soon begin demolishing a coal boiler structure that was taken out of service earlier this year on its Wahpeton campus after a small explosion and fire rendered it unusable. The 40-year-old coal boiler will be permanently retired and campus energy needs will be met by the three remaining natural gas boilers.

Installed in the mid-1970s, the coal boiler has had minimal use over the past five years and was fired up during the coldest winter months for only 60-70 days annually. Its size is massive, similar to coal boilers on the campuses of the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University, and required retrofitting for the College to use efficiently.

Demolition of the structure will begin in early 2017 and while the majority of the boiler is housed inside the Central Heating Plant, located east of 7th Street; the most noticeable remnant to be removed will be the large, 120-ft. tall steel chimney.  Following demolition, the space formerly occupied by the coal boiler will be repurposed for a yet-to-be-determined campus need.

Energy conservation measures on the Wahpeton Campus have been a priority in recent years and those efforts, including the $8.4 million renovation of Old Main and the installation of energy efficient windows in several residence halls and buildings, have reduced energy demands.
 
“The three natural gas boilers have more than enough capacity to heat the Campus,” said Dallas Fossum, Executive Director of Facilities Management and the campus lead who will oversee coal boiler demolition.

North Dakota State College of Science crowned the 2016 Homecoming King and Queen on Wednesday, September 21. Queen Katrina Dahlgren is from Breckenridge, Minn., and is pursuing a Dental Hygiene degree. She was sponsored by the Dental Club and Diesel Club. King Kyle Adam is from Oakes, N.D., and is pursuing a Diesel Technology degree. He was sponsored by the Dental Club as well as the Diesel Club. Dahlgren and Adam will preside over NDSCS Homecoming activities for the duration of the week.

The 2016 Homecoming Court also included:
• Baylee Pauling of Montevideo, Minn.; Business Management; sponsored by Collegiate DECA and the Campus Activities Board
• Lindsay Schneibel of Glenburn, N.D.; Occupational Therapy Assistant; sponsored by the Occupational Therapy Assistant Club and Electrical Club
• Carl Leinen of Fairmount, N.D.; Practical Nursing; sponsored by Student Practical Nursing Club and Concert Choir
• Colby Youngquist of Wahpeton, N.D.; Electrical Technology; sponsored by the NDSCS Ambassadors and the Wildcat Welcome Team

Fall enrollment at North Dakota State College of Science has surpassed 3,000 students for the sixth consecutive year, with enrollment at the College’s Wahpeton campus showing a 2.6% increase over 2015. This year’s enrollment data shows 1,349 students in Wahpeton, up from 1,315 one year ago. Overall, fall enrollment for Wahpeton, Fargo, online and early entry students totals 3,003, a negligible decrease from fall 2015 when enrollment was 3,123.

“Our strategic approach to growing enrollment at the Wahpeton campus remains a priority for the College,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “Thanks to the planning and efforts of our faculty, staff, and business partners, NDSCS is becoming part of the personal success story for many more students.”

At NDSCS-Wahpeton, the number of students living on campus increased by 4% over one year ago. There are 1,027 students living in campus residence halls, family housing or apartments.

The 2016 student body is comprised of 1,982 freshmen and 1,021 sophomores. The number of students enrolled full time at NDSCS has grown by 3.5% from 1,694 in 2015 to 1,753 in 2016.
There are 2,056 students from North Dakota, with 48 of the state’s 53 counties represented.

There are 431 students taking at least one class at the NDSCS-Fargo location, a 2% increase over 2015. A breakdown of the total enrollment shows 280 students taking classes only at NDSCS-Fargo and 207 taking classes exclusively online. There are 483 students taking classes at multiple NDSCS locations, or through a combination of in-person and online instruction. The number of high school students taking Early Entry classes through NDSCS has decreased to 684 from 825 in 2015.

“While we are seeing fewer high school students enrolled in our Early Entry classes this fall, traditional students are recognizing the value of a two-year education—including the 99 percent placement rate of our graduates,” said Richman.

North Dakota State College of Science has been notified that its accredited status by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has been continued. The Institutional Actions Council of the HLC notified the College of this action, which is the result of an ongoing accreditation process. This process included a comprehensive quality review campus visit that was conducted by five peer evaluators from different institutions in April 2016.

“This reaffirmation indicates the College’s continued commitment to quality and success, both inside and outside the classroom,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “I want to thank all NDSCS employees for their efforts leading up to and during the comprehensive quality review. Our accreditation is vital for NDSCS to continue to achieve our mission to train and educate the workforce of North Dakota and the region."

Accreditation is the process of ensuring and reviewing the quality of higher education institutions. NDSCS maintains its accreditation with the HLC through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Pathway, which is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement, with an added emphasis on helping institutions achieve continuous quality improvement. This pathway follows an eight-year cycle with institutional review including regular monitoring, annual action projects, strategy forums, systems portfolios and appraisals, and a comprehensive quality review.

The next reaffirmation of accreditation for NDSCS is scheduled to take place in or before 2025-26.

The North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D., awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates to 67 Wahpeton, Fargo, N.D., and online graduates.

The graduates include:

Colorado:
Aurora: Meghan Meyer, A.A.S., Dental Assisting

Louisiana:
Fort Polk: Gorvill Tirao, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician

Maryland:
Baltimore: Darren Kelley, A.A., Liberal Arts

Minnesota:
Anoka: Chelsea Russell, A.A., Liberal Arts
Brainerd: Benjamin Nelson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Breckenridge: Jiawei Deng, A.A.S., Precision Machining Technology; Tierza Engen, A.S., Liberal Arts; Alicia Holzbauer, A.S., Liberal Arts
Breezy Point: Benjamin Tiedemann, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Buffalo: Breanda Bursheim, A.A., Liberal Arts
Coon Rapids: Yei Browne, A.A., Liberal Arts
East Grand Forks: KateLynn Kowalski, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Glyndon: Jesse Ingebretson, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Grand Rapids: Mitchel Johnson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Granite Falls: Nissa Washburn, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Long Prairie: James Ruby, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Parkers Prairie: Shelby Westad, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Pelican Rapids: Dee Haiby, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Roseau: Jacob Hasson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Sebeka: Renee Miller, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
St. Cloud: Allen Skochenski, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Underwood: Michael Kugler, A.S., Liberal Arts
Vergas: Abe Johannes, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Wadena: Jennifer Shreves, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Wheaton: Megan Wilt, Certificate, Dental Assisting

North Dakota:
Almont: Brittany Heid, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Belfield: Ashlee Wolf, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Bismarck: Samantha Baumgartner, A.A., Liberal Arts; Keith Hapip, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Mikaela Lynch, A.A.S., Dental Assisting; Sara Olufson, A.A.S., Dental Assisting
Casselton: LaCrisha Meyer, A.A., Liberal Arts
Christine: Ellie Krupich, A.A., Liberal Arts
Cooperstown: Annie Dewald, A.A.S., Health Information
Des Lacs: Chase Johnson, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Dickinson: Brooklyn Decker, A.A.S., Dental Assisting; Stephanie Scherr, A.A.S., Dental Assisting
Dwight: Kaitlyn Woytassek, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Fargo: Kyle Anderson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Kayla Carlson, A.A.S., Business Management; Ashley Christlieb, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Kailey Christlieb, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Jessyca Macklin, A.A., Liberal Arts; Kalisa Ndikubwimana, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician; April Shone, A.A.S., Occupational Therapy Assistant; Joshua Zetocha, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Fessenden: Kylie Ravnaas, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Fingal: MacKensie Pfaff, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Finley: Sarah Braaten, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Glenburn: Payton Schumann, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Grand Forks: Brittney Moe, A.A.S., Occupational Therapy Assistant
Gwinner: Chelci Shirrell, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician
Jamestown: Corey Gilge, A.A.S., Information and Communications Technology
Minot: Brianna Feehan, Certificate, Dental Assisting; Brittany Heidrich, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Mooreton: Carly Eback, A.A., Liberal Arts; Adam Marohl, A.A., Liberal Arts
Napoleon: Arron Marquart, A.A.S., John Deere Tech
Steele: Sadie Rohrich, A.A.S., Dental Assisting
Wahpeton: Joshua Deike, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
West Fargo: James Seefeldt, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
York: McKenzie Silliman, A.S., Liberal Arts

Ohio:
Willowick: Kirk Hartung, A.A.S., Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology

Rhode Island:
Providence: Joseph Putu, A.A., Liberal Arts

South Dakota:
Redfield: Autumn Jungwirth, A.A., Liberal Arts
Wilmot: Macey Ebben, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician

Wisconsin:
Madison: Matthew Schell, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology

The North Dakota State College of Science has named six students from its Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician program to its summer semester 2016 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 credit hours.

The honorees include:
• Cody Carter; Warwick, N.D.
• Jared Hirning; Dickinson, N.D.
• Cort Johnson; Wilton, N.D.
• Tanner Larson; Bismarck, N.D.
• Collin Lawler; Menoken, N.D.
• Nicholas Tieszen; New England, N.D.