On Friday afternoon, UMC students enjoyed a day in the sun with friends, root beer floats, and Slip and Slide.  This event was hosted by Alpha Eta Rho (AHP) the aviation fraternity, one of the many clubs offered at the UMC campus.  Students came to cool off, socialize with friends and meet new people.  A good time was had by all.

AHP is a co-ed fraternity that is always open to more members. Another event that you can look forward to is their annual Pancake Breakfast at the Crookston Airport, on Sunday September 25, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thanks again to all that attended!

President Eric Kaler will be holding an open forum today from 2:30 - 3:30 pm in Kiehle Auditorium.  Wear your Maroon and Gold and come to the forum as it will be a good opportunity to show support for the University of Minnesota while also sharing issues that are important to UMC.

Light refreshments will be provided in Kiehle Rotunda after the forum.

Click for the President's full schedule

Photo: President Eric and Karen Kalor

The U of M, Crookston and Tri-Valley Heartland Express (T.H.E. Bus) have partnered to provide local transportation service between the Sargeant Student Center (SSC), Americas Best Value Inn (ABVI) and other locations in Crookston.  A bus will be dedicated to the UMC Campus Mon.-Fri. for fall and spring semesters.   ABVI pick-ups and drop-offs will be at the hotel's north entrance.   UMC drop-offs and pick-ups will be at north entrance Parking Lot A of the SSC.  Free local (within the city of Crookston) bus service will be provided for UMC students and employees with a valid UCard on this bus or any local Tri-Valley bus service. 

The tentative routes are as follows:

 Daily Schedule, Monday through Friday, beginning August 22, 2011  

* Indicates prior apartment complex pick-up (see below)

  ** Indicates last daily ABVI and apartment complex drop-off.

The above bus route will integrate pick-up and drop-off services to selected apartments, based upon need.  The Barrette/Green Tree/Grandview area (***) pick-ups and drop-offs will initially be in front of the Green Tree Apartments.  These apartment routes will run for at least the first two weeks of classes.  They are subject to change based on the number of and needs of students.

Contacts:  UMC, Debi Chandler (218-281-8572 or dbrule@umn.edu )

New students and University faculty and staff helped with several community service projects as part of the annual Meet Crookston through Service on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

Among the sites and projects were:
1.  Washington Elementary School--assisting teachers prepare classrooms
2.  Highland Elementary School--assisting teachers prepare classrooms
3.  Mt. St. Benedict Ski Trails--clear trails of fallen trees and branches
4.  Cemetery--Raise sunken markers by adding pea gravel below them
5.  Crookston Sports Center--set up Children's area for Ox Cart Days
6.  Summit Apartments/Villa St. Vincent
7.  Polk County Humane Society--clean kennels and walk dogs
8.  Central Park Bath House--paint outside of building
9.  Bridge near library--paint over graffiti below bridge
10. Rydell National Wildlife Refuge--remove protective tubes from trees

Photos l to r: Students working at Polk County Humane Society, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge and Highland Elementary School.

Link to the photo gallery from Facebook: http://z.umn.edu/4dn

Linkto the photo gallery for those without Facebook: http://z.umn.edu/4dc

Joseph Duhamel, a student from outside of Rouen in the region of Normandy, France, completed his agriculture internship by conducting research on soybean aphids at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC). He worked under the supervision of Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae, Ph.D. Duhamel is a fourth year student from Ecole d'Ingenieurs en Agriculture (Esitpa), the school of engineering in agriculture in Rouen.

Under the direction of MacRae, Duhamel designed an experiment to test the effectiveness of various insecticides on controlling soybean aphids. He was responsible for carrying out the experiment through sampling and coordinating the collection of data. The final process was analysis of results. MacRae explained that a chemical trial was a great project for Duhamel as it served as a relatively simple model on which to learn about research. MacRae also commented on how Duhamel's past experiences were evident during his time with NWROC, "Joe came with a lot of knowledge and was able to hit the ground running." MacRae was pleased with Duhamel's contributions this summer adding that he was a great addition to the crew.

Photo: Associate Professor Ian MacRae (left) and research assistant Joseph Duhamel search for aphids on a soybean plant in the research plot located west of the U of M, Crookston.

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On Thursday, August 18, the campus hosted its annual UMC Ice Cream Social. The event was enjoyed by some 250 people this year and included ice cream served by a great group of Student Orientation Leaders and guest author Susan Thurston on a spectacular late summer afternoon. The social was an unofficial kick-off for the Crookston community's annual Ox Cart Days celebration.

Enjoy the photos of the ice cream social in our Facebook photo gallery. You may need to log into your facebook account to view the photo gallery.

To see all the Ox Cart Days events, visit the Web page.

Extreme comedy, crazy juggling, wacky tricks, baffling stunts,  sword swallowing (while juggling saw blades!), and not just a chain saw, but a FLAMING CHAIN SAW!  You've never seen anything like this because no one else is doing this stuff.  Friday, August 19, 8:30 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium!

Associate Professor John Loegering, Ph.D., is among a group researching the nesting habits and habitat requirements of the golden-winged warbler.  This research is turning up some surprises about this little-known songbird, which has seen declines in its population along the eastern half of the U.S.   U of M, Crookston students are assisting with that research being conducted in the nearby Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, an important nesting site for the species.  Learn more.