On Thursday, March 29, Women's History Month will conclude with "Women Taking the Lead" featuring Prairie Rose Seminole as the keynote speaker. Sponsored by the Circle of Nations Indigenous Association (CNIA) at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, this special event will take place at 7 p.m. in the Prairie Room, Sargeant Student Center.

Prairie Rose Seminole is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota. She served as the immediate past chair of the Fargo Human Relations Commission. She is a speaker and trainer with the White House Project, a nonpartisan women's leadership initiative and trainer for the Native American Leadership Program with Wellstone Action. Currently, she is the director for the Native American Center Project in Fargo, N.D.

This event is part of Women's History Month, held annually in March.

The Academic Assistance Center (AAC) is having "Tutor Appreciation Day" this Thursday

When: Thursday, 29 March
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Academic Assistance Center, 270 Owen Hall

Tutees: Come to the Academic Assistance Center (AAC) and leave a thank you note for your tutor!

Tutors: Swing by the AAC and grab your cookie, in addition to notes left by your tutees.

Music and theater students at the University of Minnesota, Crookston will be performing the musical Oklahoma! under the direction of Associate Professor George French. The production is scheduled to take place in Kiehle Auditorium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 29-31, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. along with a special matinee performance on Sunday, April 1 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for the performances are $6 for adults and $3 for children. Students at the U of M, Crookston are free with their U-card.

Oklahoma!, the first musical written by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, is set in Oklahoma Territory in 1906 around the town of Claremore. It focuses on the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams along with another romance between cowboy Will Parker and his fiancée, Ado Annie. The performance of Oklahoma! at the U of M, Crookston features an all-student cast and crew.

Sign up to give blood. Stop by the registration table the week of March 26-30, in the Sargeant Student Center (SSC)  from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The table is staffed by Anatomy & Physiology students.

Or, you can sign up online at www.bloodhero.com, sponsor code umc.

The UMC Blood Drive is being held:
   When: Monday, April 2
   Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
   Where: Bede Ballroom

Registration information is available for May Session, Summer Session, Fall Semester 2012, and Preliminary Spring 2013 classes and Online Registration

Click link for U of M, Crookston Class Schedule Information

Registration Information and Resources include:
  >Registration, Policies and Procedures
  >Registration Queue
  >Schedule Worksheet
  >Final Exam Schedule Fall 2012
  >Refund Schedule for May Session, Summer Session and Fall Semester 2012
  >Academic Calendar 2012-2013
  >Campus Map

Remember to make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor!

Everyone--especially all area women--is invited to celebrate a Women's History Month event on Friday, March 23.  The Celebrating "U" Women's Expo will focus on empowering women in business. There will be a local vendor fair from 4-5 p.m.,a fashion and prom show from 5-6 p.m., and women's stories of entrepreneurship from 6-7 p.m. The event will take place in the Sargeant Student Center.  

Refreshments will be served as part of the evening, and all area women are invited. The event is free and open to the public.

The first 75 attendees will receive a free box of chocolates.

Two students in the horticultural studies program at University of Minnesota, Crookston recently received scholarships sponsored by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) Foundation. The scholarship recipients are horticulture majors Lexi Salonek (at left), a freshman from Montrose, Minn., and Alisha Aasness (at right), a senior from Fergus Falls, Minn.

The MNLA scholarship program recognizes superior students enrolled in horticultural or landscape studies programs at several area colleges and universities.  The scholarships are designed by MNLA and its member companies to help grow future leaders in the nursery and landscape industry.

Two MNLA member firms sponsored the scholarships for the University of Minnesota, Crookston students. Countryside Gardens, Inc., based in Delano, sponsored the scholarship for Salonek and Hoffman & McNamara Nursery and Landscape, based in Hastings, sponsored the scholarship for Aasness.

The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association is the state's largest green industry trade association with over 1,200 member companies.  Members include nurseries, garden centers, landscape contractors, landscape designers, irrigation contractors, commercial flower growers, tree care specialists, professional gardening services, and turf and landscape management professionals.

UMC senior Beth Walters reminds us that it is Recycling Awareness Day on the University of Minnesota, Crookston campus.

Do Your Bit, Pitch In!

The National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) presents a live broadcast of speaker Mel Robbins: "How To Get What You Want - In The REAL World"

When: Tuesday, March 20
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Bede Ballroom C,D, and E

Mel is the host and star of the A&E Network's hit television series "Monster In-laws." She's been seen on television providing advice to millions of people on success, relationships, and careers. She's an Ivy League educated lawyer, gives hard-hitting advice on her daily syndicated radio show, and writes a monthly column for SUCCESS Magazine. She is also the best-selling author of Stop Saying You're Fine, Discover A More Powerful You. Get ready to learn the truth about life after college and winning strategies to make it in the real world.

Last Session is tonight Monday, March 19, 2012

Time and Place: 9:00 p.m., Centennial Hall Conference Room

REMINDER:  Apartment Lottery forms are due to Sandy by 4 p.m. this Wednesday, March 21.

At this session, you will receive information on how to sign up for housing for 2012-2013, apartment lottery information and can pick up forms. Residential Life Staff will answer any questions you may have.  If unable to attend a session, please contact Sandy at Residential Life for information and questions.
 
Attached is a pdf file that includes the following information:

SCHEDULE FOR ROOM SIGN UP for 2012-2013

HALL/FLOOR PLACEMENTS AND RATES for 2012-2013 

LOTTERY INFORMATION for those wishing to enter the apartment lottery for Centennial and Evergreen Apartments
 
CONTRACTS and HANDBOOKS will be available for pick up beginning Monday, February 27 at the Residential Life Front Desk in Centennial Hall.  Apartment Lottery forms will also be available starting this date.

Signed contracts and $50 application fee will only be accepted when you sign up for your room at your designated day and time.  A room cannot be held without the completed contract AND $50 application fee. 

We welcome your return next year!

Click link for Residential Life Housing Information and sign up sheet Residence Hall Sign Up 2012.pdf

The University of Minnesota, Crookston was one of five campuses in Minnesota named to the Honor Roll with Distinction as part of the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2012. The campus has been on the Honor Roll every year since 2006 with the exception of one, but this is the first year the campus has been recognized on the Honor Roll with Distinction. Other Minnesota campuses honored with the distinction designation include Augsburg College, College of St. Benedict, Metropolitan State University, and Winona State University.

Lisa Loegering, who directs efforts in service learning and civic engagement on the Crookston campus, says meaningful service in the lives of students is invaluable. "Students engaged in service learning or in community service gain context for study in the classroom," Loegering says. "Their student experience is enriched as they discover the power of commitment to helping others and improving the community in which they live. We hope our students take these service experiences with them wherever they go."

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The University of Minnesota, Crookston has been granted full-continuing approval from the Minnesota Board of Teaching to prepare individuals for Minnesota teacher licensure through June 30, 2019. UMC currently offers a licensure program in Early Childhood Education and is seeking to add a licensure program for Elementary Education beginning in the fall 2012 semester. The Board took the action during their February meeting and also commended campus leadership for their expeditious response to the findings report and for evidencing full compliance to the required standards. Full-continuing approval has a seven-year interval and is determined by the Board of Teaching.

"This current action taken by the Board of Teaching to provide UMC its full 7-year continuing approval clearly affirms the quality of our faculty and curriculum," noted Jack Geller, Ph.D., head of the Liberal Arts and Education Department. "Equally important, it sets the stage for the addition and growth of the Elementary Education licensure program here at UMC," he added.

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National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) 2012 induction ceremony was held on Thursday, March 1, in Bede Ballroom of the Sargeant Student Center.
 
NSLS 2012 Inductees: Alexmai Addo, Paul Adelman, Ibitoru Afonya, Jenna Blace, Tiffany Breth, Toynell Delaney, Jessica Wahlberg, Kelly Gustofson, Brendan Meissner, Maranda Miller, Brant Moore, May Nabirye, Stephanie Overgaard, Kurt Prudhomme, Hannah Reysen, Allison Schumacher, Andrew Fisher, Erika Haug, Erin Hoium, Chelsea Swenson, Chelsea Weisner, Andrew Steinfeldt, Megan Ramsey, Mariah Melin, Christopher Walton, Wade Wallace, Dae Yeul "Danny" Lee, and Tiffany Chin

Awards were presented:
Excellence in Teaching Award:  Ron Del Vecchio, PhD
Honorary Membership:  Kim Cousins, PhD; Ashley Hoffman; Brooke Hamilton
Excellence in Service to Students:  Anthony Taylor

Award of Excellence Recipients:  Wemimo Abbey, Michelle Boateng, Tiffany Breth, Kelly Gustofson, Maranda Miller, Stephanie Overgaard, Anthony Taylor, Jessica Wahlberg, and Dae Yeul "Danny" Lee

Advisors: Peter Phaiah, PhD; Don Cavalier; Mary Feller; and Brian Dingmann, PhD

Above photos l to r:  Anthony Taylor honored with "Excellence in Service to Students" presented by Peter Phaiah; National Society for Leadership and Success inductees, Ron Del Vecchio was presented with the "Excellence in Teaching Award" by Peter Phaiah

Additional photos from the NSLS 2012 Induction and Awards can be viewed on facebook

University of Minnesota President Eric W. Kaler's State of the University Address

3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 1, 2012
Coffman Memorial Union Theater
300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis

The address will be broadcast live via ITV to all campuses.
Crookston - 101 Dowell Hall
Duluth - 173 Kirby Plaza
Morris - Studio A, Humanities Fine Arts Building
Rochester - 419 University Square
and at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center

In his address, "Balances," Kaler will outline his vision and priorities for the university, expanding upon his signature themes of excellence and access.

There will be a question-and-answer period at the end of the address, followed by a reception in the theater lobby.

Visit the 2012 State of the University website to view the address online.

A $10,000 grant awarded by the Northwest Minnesota Regional Arts Council will support the fourth annual "Fiesta in the Spirit of Cinco de Mayo" at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The event is slated for Saturday, April 21, 2012. The grant, offered through the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund, helps support access and exposure to the arts in all corners of the region.

Area clubs or organizations interested in helping to support the "Fourth Annual Fiesta in the Spirit of Cinco de Mayo" are encouraged to contact Kenneth Mendez at 218-281-8329. Since the first celebration in 2009, the event was designed to honor the rich heritage of the Mexican people.

The goal of the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the U of M, Crookston is to promote learning, understanding and appreciation for the Mexican culture through traditional Mexican entertainment, crafts, and cuisine. It is held in honor of Cinco de Mayo, a day that historically, represents the victory of Mexico over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 and culturally, represents Mexican heritage and pride. 

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council serves the seven counties located in the northwest corner of the state.  The Arts Council receives funding from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment from the Minnesota State Legislature.  This allows the Arts Council to develop services and grant programs for arts access, arts learning, and folk and traditional arts.  More information is available at www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org

In the photo at top, left to right:  Peter Phaiah, UMC; Rosa Quiroz, CHS; Anissa Moore, TVOC Head-Start; Ken Mendez, UMC; Laurie Wilson, UMC; Dale Knotek, NW Arts Council; Eryn Killough, NW Arts Council; Marsha Odom, UMC; Chuck Casey, UMC Chancellor; Patti Tiedemann, UMC; Tony Taylor, UMC.  NOT PICTURED: Leticia Sanchez and Anna Corona, Migrant Health Services.