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.

Business Law and Human Resource Management students toured Giant Snacks last Wednesday, November 8th. Rober Schuler, Vice President of Marketing, told students about how the company got its start and how it continues to be innovative in creating new snacks and seasonings of those snacks from sunflower seeds to pistachios. Marketing, supply chains, networking, technology/equipment advancements and branding were also addressed.

Human Resource Management students then went separately to ComDel Innovation and toured. Tiana Bohn, Business Management Advisory Board member and former student who is now the Learning Coordinator, conducted the tour. Specific questions regarding product development, prototyping, work flow process, day-to-day operations, recruitment, selection, and branding were addressed.

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.