On Friday, May 10, North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) will host its annual Commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. in the Ed Werre Arena, located in the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center. This year's ceremony honors approximately 657 students from the Wahpeton campus, NDSCS-Fargo location and online who are eligible to graduate.

Faculty Council President Brian Hagelstrom will lead the processional as the Stage Marshal, and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Lisa Karch, will preside over the event as the Master of Ceremonies.

The ceremony will include remarks from NDSCS President Dr. Rod Flanigan, who will also oversee the presentation of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Additional remarks will be delivered by Kevin Black, representing the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, and Katie Willprecht, the Student Senate President. In a display of the College's rich tradition and community spirit, the NDSCS Wildcat Singers will perform a musical piece during the event.

Tickets are not required to attend NDSCS Commencement. The South doors of the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center will open for guests at 1:45 p.m., closing promptly at 2:50 p.m. to ensure a timely start to the ceremony. Guests are encouraged to arrive with their entire party to secure seating, as seating is first-come, first-served – reserving seats will not be permitted.

For those who cannot attend in person, NDSCS extends our invitation to join the celebration virtually. The live stream link will be accessible on the day of the event at NDSCS.edu/Graduation. We welcome community members to join the broadcast to help celebrate the graduates’ success.

NDSCS is proud to uphold the tradition of recognizing the accomplishments of its students, and this year's graduation is set to be a memorable event for graduates, their families, and the college community alike.

Aiden Hoff, a 1st-year Construction Management Technology student at NDSCS is preparing to leave the state for an exclusive internship opportunity this summer — with Syncom Space Services (contractor for NASA)!

Aiden is a Fargo, ND native, graduating from high school in May, 2023. He has been involved with construction and construction management for 5+ years, where his hands-on experience and networking efforts in the Fargo region have not only honed his skills but have also affirmed his passion for leading in the construction industry.

Aiden chose to attend NDSCS because he liked the idea of a two-year college where he could learn things that were focused on helping him in his future career. He was happy that NDSCS in Wahpeton isn't too far from his family's home in Fargo, but is far enough that he can gain independence. After checking out some other colleges, Aiden felt that NDSCS had the best program for Construction Management, and was excited about the full college experience available to him at a smaller institution.

Aiden came to NDSCS in the Fall of 2023, and so far has had an exceptional experience as a student on the Wahpeton campus. During this academic year, Aiden has been involved on campus, participating in free student events and being part of leadership organizations like Student Senate and Construction and Design Technology (CDT) Club. Aiden also competed in the International Builders’ Show in Last Vegas this Spring, where he presented a project with his team at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, and placed 5th in the nation. Read more here.

As the academic year comes to a close on May 10th, Aiden's sights are set on a new adventure. Come May 20th, he will embark on his journey to the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Summer internships are required in the Construction Management program at NDSCS, and Aiden’s experience is sure to be unique. This prestigious summer internship is a testament to NDSCS's quality education and Aiden's exceptional skills.

At Stennis, a hub for NASA's most critical projects, Aiden’s role will extend beyond the average intern’s, taking charge as a Construction Manager on a Naval base, overseeing subcontractors on projects essential to both the Navy and NASA.

The competition for this internship was intense. Aiden stood out among applicants with four-year degrees and even higher education, including international applicants. It was his strong work ethic, drive for knowledge, and evident leadership skills that set him apart.

This opportunity is proof that a two-year degree can open as many doors as a four-year degree – and with less financial burden. Aiden credits the Construction faculty at NDSCS for giving him the education and confidence to pursue this opportunity, noting that the small class sizes and personalized attention at NDSCS have prepared him well.

When his internship ends in August of this year, Aiden will return to NDSCS for his 2nd year as a Construction Management student. He is on course to graduate in May, 2025. After graduation, Aiden is open to what his next career move will be. He has always dreamed of owning his own Construction Management business, but is open to more opportunities and wants to see where this S3 (NASA) internship will lead.

Aiden Hoff is not just a student; he is a leader in the making. With his commitment to excellence, his value of education, and his motivation for achievement, it’s clear that he will be extremely successful — wherever life takes him after NDSCS.

The NDSCS Performing Arts Department will present its final concert on Tuesday April 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Jazz Band and Wildcat Singers will be returning from their North Dakota tour and will be performing music from the trip. There will be rock, pop, jazz and country music at this very family-friendly event, which will also include a special appearance by Wildcat Willie.

The event will include free admission, a family-friendly, upbeat musical program, and an opportunity to support the arts through a free will donation. Come and enjoy the talent of our NDSCS musicians for the final time until Fall!

SkillsUSA has selected NDSCS graduate Cale Mouser as the official competitor for Heavy Vehicle Technology at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition. Mouser will represent the United States at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition, which will be held September 10-15, 2024 in Lyon, France.

During his time as a student at NDSCS, Mouser, originally from Tenstrike, Minn., represented the state of North Dakota at the SkillsUSA Championships in 2022 and 2023 and won a national bronze medal in 2022 and a national gold medal in 2023 in Diesel Equipment Technology.

Mouser credits his success in learning Diesel Equipment Technology to having a mentality that is driven and a mind that is open to learning. “Without my instructors and my employers not only teaching me but allowing me to work at my own pace to understand the systems, I wouldn’t have been successful.”

Mouser says what he likes best about working in the trades is the variety, complexity, and the troubleshooting that each day brings. “There is no one day that is exactly like another.”

“The 2024 WorldSkills USA team will have an amazing opportunity to represent SkillsUSA and our nation while undergoing incredibly rigorous training in their craft,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “These team members are making a serious commitment to both their skill development and personal growth that will foster their drive, passion and life’s purpose.”

The 2024 WorldSkills Competition, the 47th annual worldwide event, will showcase dozens of trade skills from construction and building technology, manufacturing and engineering, transportation, and more. Over 1500 competitors from over 65 countries and regions will demonstrate their abilities in 62 skill competitions.

About being selected as part of the WorldSkills USA team, Mouser says, “It is impossible to put into words what an honor it is to represent the United States on a global level.”

Follow Cale Mouser and the rest of the 2024 WorldSkills USA team online at www.worldskillsusa.org.

The NDSCS Concert Band and Choir will present their final concert of the season on Tuesday, April 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. The concert is free and open to the public.

The choir will present a diverse selection of music including the traditional spiritual “Swing Down Chariot” arranged by Andre J. Thomas, and two pieces by modern composers; “Give us Hope” by Jim Papoulis and “Omnia Sol” by Z. Randall Stroope.

The Concert Band will be playing Elements, by the current composer Brian Balmages, a couple of sea shanties set by Zack Wilson, music from the Pirates of the Caribbean, the New Orleans classic Just a Closer Walk with Thee, and a special feature by a low brass ensemble called Down in the River.

Free admission, a diverse musical program, and an opportunity to support the arts through free will donations — this concert is set to be an evening well spent. Come and enjoy the talent of our NDSCS musicians!

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) proudly announces the receipt of a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), totaling $307,608. This grant earmarks NDSCS as a critical player in expanding the aviation maintenance technology field through a new and robust educational program known as the North Dakota Fly High Career Pathway Program.

With a deep commitment to innovation and education, NDSCS will leverage this grant to develop a comprehensive Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. This initiative not only elevates NDSCS's educational offerings but also forges vital collaborations with local and regional aviation organizations. The program is poised to bolster the workforce with skilled aviation maintenance technicians who are well-versed in the latest industry standards and technologies.

The allocated funds will serve as a cornerstone in facilitating FAA Part 147 Certifications and creating a dynamic learning environment through the establishment of dedicated lab and classroom spaces. With a satellite campus near Hector International Airport in Fargo, NDSCS is positioning itself to become a hub for aviation excellence, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.

The North Dakota Fly High Career Pathway Program sets its sights beyond education, offering students a seamless transition into the workforce. By introducing students to the corporate culture of airlines and providing ample networking opportunities, NDSCS ensures its graduates are not only skilled but also highly employable in a competitive market.

This grant is part of a larger FAA initiative distributing $13.5 million across thirty-two schools nationwide, aiming to revitalize the aviation professional pipeline, particularly in the wake of the pandemic's impact on the sector. As one of the twenty schools part of the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development program, NDSCS is at the forefront of addressing the critical shortage of maintenance professionals, signaling a resurgence of growth and opportunity in the industry.

"Receiving this grant is a testament to NDSCS's dedication to advancing aviation technology education," said Dr. Rod Flanigan, NDSCS President. "Developing this program will not only benefit our students but also contribute significantly to the local and regional economy by fulfilling the demand for highly qualified aviation maintenance technicians."

Enrollment for the first cohort of aviation maintenance technicians is slated to begin by the end of this project, marking a new chapter for both NDSCS and the aviation industry at large.

For more information about NDSCS’s aviation programs and other educational offerings, visit NDSCS.edu/Academics.