The NDSCS Alumni Foundation is thrilled to announce a significant donation of $500,000 from Linda Kosel Patterson, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the advancement of agricultural education in the region. This substantial contribution is set to revolutionize the NDSCS agriculture program, establishing a state-of-the-art ag technology experience for current and future students.

Kim Nelson, Executive Director of the NDSCS Alumni Foundation, expressed profound gratitude, stating, “Linda’s gift towards the Kosel Family Agriculture Lab will have a positive, significant impact on farming families across the tri-state area for generations. Her generosity is a testament to her dedication to NDSCS and our students, equipping them with advanced tools, equipment, and technologies essential for innovative and comprehensive agricultural education.”

This donation follows a significant contribution from the Yaggie family in December, which enabled major enhancements to the NDSCS agricultural center, now known as the “Yaggie Family Agriculture Center.” The new “Kosel Family Agriculture Lab” will be a fundamental pillar of the remodeled and updated facility.

Linda Kosel’s history of support for NDSCS is longstanding and substantial. In May 2017, along with Mary Kosel, Linda’s mother, they facilitated the use of nearly 95 acres of farmland for the NDSCS Alumni Foundation. This gift created the Kosel Family Agriculture Land Lab used by all NDSCS Agriculture Programs. The land lab has been pivotal in doubling the NDSCS Ag Program’s student enrollment and has enabled the introduction of new associate degrees in Precision Agronomy and Precision Agriculture Technology.

Craig Zimprich, NDSCS Ag Program Director, reflected on the Kosel family’s enduring support: “The Kosel Family's contributions--including this latest donation and the establishment of our Agriculture Land Lab--are invaluable. They provide our students with the opportunity to translate classroom & lab learning into practical skills, using the latest equipment and tools.”

The Kosel Family Legacy

The Kosel family’s legacy in agriculture and education began with Richard and Mary Kosel, who started their farming journey north of Wahpeton in 1947. Their lifelong commitment to agriculture and education, along with their daughter Linda, has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of agricultural education at NDSCS.

The NDSCS community is profoundly grateful for the Kosel family’s continued support and partnership, which significantly enhances the educational experience and opportunities for our students in agriculture.

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is proud to announce its recent recognition as the Best Community College in North Dakota for 2024 by Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for program rankings and higher education planning.

Intelligent.com, known for its comprehensive institutional rankings, employs a unique methodology that distinguishes it from traditional rating systems. These rankings serve as the gold standard for academic evaluations, particularly for online and hybrid programs. Institutions are meticulously evaluated across six categories and scored on a scale from 0 to 100. The assessment criteria include academic quality, graduation rates, cost-effectiveness, return on investment (ROI), and the availability of student resources. The final rankings highlight institutions that are highly-regarded, affordable, and equipped with the tools and resources needed for students to excel in their chosen fields.

NDSCS's top ranking as the Best Community College in North Dakota reflects its commitment to providing high-quality education and support to its students. Community colleges are recognized for their pivotal role in higher education, offering cost-effective pathways to valuable associate degrees and other qualifications that can lead to lifelong benefits.

The recognition by Intelligent.com underscores NDSCS's dedication to delivering a valuable educational experience to its students and further solidifies its reputation as a leading institution in North Dakota.

For more information about North Dakota State College of Science and its programs, please visit NDSCS.edu.

In a grand gesture that underscores a legacy of commitment and generosity, the Yaggie family has contributed a $1 million donation to the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) Foundation. This significant contribution will fund the renovation of the NDSCS Agriculture Center, which will be renamed the “Yaggie Family Agriculture Center” in honor of the family’s longstanding involvement in agriculture and the community.

Robert (Bob), Donald (Don) and Richard Yaggie, along with Jeri Yaggie (in memory and honor of her late husband, David) have made this generous contribution to NDSCS that will benefit our entire region.

This transformative donation comes as a tribute to the family’s deep roots in agriculture and education, with multiple generations of Yaggies having attended NDSCS. “The Yaggie family's gift is a testament to their belief in the future of agriculture and the importance of education in our community,” said Dr. Rod Flanigan, President of NDSCS.

The renovated Yaggie Family Agriculture Center will not only serve as a tribute to the family’s contributions but will also be a cornerstone for future agricultural education and innovation at NDSCS.

NDSCS Director of Facilities, David Cooper, shares details of the renovations made possible by this gift, “These are exciting times for NDSCS, as the Tech Center remodel is in the Architectural design and engineering phases. This will not only create a visible presence for the NDSCS Precision Agriculture program, it will also help the different programs within Precision Ag to grow, providing the latest in today’s student environment and combining hands-on learning with today’s technology. This remodel includes the renovation of all classrooms, shops, and offices to include the relocation of the John Deere Diesel program to make room for Precision Ag equipment training programs. We are working closely with our technology partners to insure all of the spaces provide the best learning environment possible for our students.”

From Otto Yaggie's homestead beginnings to Leo’s visionary expansion into the Red River Valley and the establishment of the Minn-Dak Beet Growers, the Yaggie family has been pivotal in fostering agricultural innovation. Today, the Yaggie farms continue to thrive with a collaborative spirit across four generations. Donald--along with his sons Kevin, Mike, and Jeff—farm in the Breckenridge area, as well as, Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Also, part of the family legacy are Robert (1960 NDSCS alum) and his son, Bruce, Richard and his son, Allen, David (a 1965 NDSCS Alum) who passed away in 2019 and his son, Mark, who passed in 2017. All farm near Breckenridge.

The Yaggie family's involvement extends beyond their farms. They have been active in various community and agricultural organizations, including: the International Flying Farmers; St. Mary’s School and Church; and CHI Hospital--showcasing their commitment to enriching the community and supporting future generations.

“We are deeply grateful for the Yaggie family’s generosity,” said Kim Nelson, Executive Director of the NDSCS Foundation. “This donation will allow us to advance our agricultural programs and continue to serve as a leader in educating the next generation of agricultural professionals.”

In addition to their support of the Yaggie Family Agriculture Center, the family also supports NDSCS through their involvement on the NDSCS Foundation Board, NDSCS Catbackers, the NDSCS Ag Advisory Committee and promoting NDSCS to the entire surrounding community.

(photo caption: left to right — Jeri, Donald, Richard and Robert Yaggie)

NDSCS Performing Arts will present their Holiday Concert on Tuesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bremer Bank Theatre in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton.

All performance groups will be participating in this celebration of the season. In addition to some traditional pieces, there will be music from holiday classic movies, including White Christmas, The Polar Express, and Home Alone. The Holiday Concert is free and open to the public. Free-will donations will be accepted and help support the Performing Arts department.

Fargo audiences can enjoy a preview on Monday, December 4 at 10 a.m., when the NDSCS Concert Band and Concert Choir groups will be at West Acres Mall.

The holiday concert on December 5^th marks the beginning of a wonderful holiday season at NDSCS.  The Community Choir Cantata follows, with performances on December 9 at 7 p.m. and December 10 at 2 p.m., and the Magical Medora Christmas Tour will be at NDSCS on December 11 at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be held at the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center.

Learn more about NDSCS Performing Arts at NDSCS.edu/Performing-Arts.

Go Wildcats! NDSCS Volleyball will be participating in the NJCAA National Tournament at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from November 15 – 18, 2023. The team finished off the season with an overall 25-8 record, and is the Region 13 Champion and the Northwest Plains District Champion.

Head Coach, Jane Passa, was named Region 13 Coach of the Year and District Coach of the Year by the NJCAA. About this season, Coach Passa remarked, “I am so proud of our team for setting and reaching such high goals. We are thrilled to be competing in the National Tournament and look forward to making some noise at the BIG DANCE!”

NDSCS Athletics is organizing a send-off for the team on Monday, November 13^th at 4:45 p.m. in the Clair T. Blikre Activity Center, Wahpeton, N.D. The entire community is invited to join NDSCS in celebrating the team’s accomplishments and hearing from some of the coaches and players. The team bus will leave shortly after the send-off, at 5:15 p.m.

Tune in to their National Tournament run. A watch party is being planned and more information is to come. Follow NDSCS on Facebook and Instagram for details.

The North Dakota State College of Science Occupational Therapy Assistant Program hosted a CarFit event on the NDSCS Campus in Wahpeton, ND, on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 from 1-3 p.m.

CarFit is a national program developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, and is designed to give a quick, yet comprehensive check on how well an older driver and their vehicle work together. At a CarFit event, trained volunteers complete a 12-point checklist with each driver. Among the items checked are: correct position of the driver's seat, driver's ability to easily reach pedals, and proper adjustment of mirrors.

As part of their coursework, NDSCS OTA students are trained in the CarFit program by a Certified CarFit Technician. At this year's event, second-year OTA students worked with participants to ensure they "fit" their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety. A CarFit check takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and is completely free.