One of the highlights of homecoming week at the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Thursday, September 29, 2011, was the coronation of the homecoming royalty. The evening was designed around the theme for this year's homecoming festivities "Golden Eagle Empire."

The homecoming court included: Queen Katelyn Zins a senior from Starbuck, Minn., majoring in communication and King Austin Czichotzki, a senior from Barnesville, Minn., majoring in communication; Princess Alexmai Addo, a freshman from Minneapolis, Minn., major undetermined; and Prince Brant Moore, a sophomore from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., majoring in business management.

Candidates were chosen by a vote by the student body. Crookston Student Association President Alisha Aasness, a senior double majoring in horticulture and business management from Fergus Falls, Minn., served as emcee and joining her at the podium was Brooke Novak, a junior majoring in communication from Dahlen, N.D.

Activities and events taking place throughout the week included a powder puff football game, a spirit banner contest, gladiator jousting, culminating with a weekend of athletic competition and an alumni-student dance. For a complete listing of events, visit www.umcrookston.edu/alumni/homecoming.htm.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photos:
Top, left:

Seated, left to right: Queen Katelyn Zins and King Austin Czichotzki. Standing: Princess Alexmai Addo and Prince Brant Moore. 

Bottom, right:

Front Row, seated, left to right: King Austin Czichotzki - senior, communication, Barnesville, Minn.; Queen Katelyn Zins, senior, communication, Starbuck, Minn.; Prince Brant Moore - sophomore, business management, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; and Princess Alexmai Addo - freshman, undetermined, Minneapolis, Minn.

Middle Row: Jackie Dullinger - senior, biology and health sciences, Hutchinson, Minn.; Holly Wrzos - senior; hotel, restaurant, tourism; Big Lake, Minn.; Michelle Boateng - junior, biology, Rosemount, Minn.; Ebony Livingston - freshman, organizational psychology, Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Kayla Bellrichard- freshman, business management, Elk River, Minn.; Ben Genereux - freshman, agronomy, Crookston, Minn.; Whitney Lian - sophomore, agricultural education, Thief River Falls, Minn., and Joanie Melichar - freshman, animal science, Bloomington, Minn.;

Back row: Tony Taylor - junior, marketing, Sheridan, Wyoming; Klint Mahne - junior, business management, Lake Bronson, Minn.; Anton Young - senior, natural resources, St. Cloud, Minn.; Kasey Okke - sophomore, agricultural education, Hawley, Minn.; Trent Nyhus - senior, sport and recreation, Almena, Wis.; Jonique Andrews - sophomore, criminal justice, Stockton, Calif.; Amanda Swann - junior, health sciences, Rochester Hills, Mich.; and Michael Laurich freshman, biology, Lansing, Ill.

Contact: : Lisa Samuelson, director, student activities, 218-281-8507 (samue026@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

For the past three years, the University of Minnesota, Crookston has served as the Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center for the state of Minnesota. That designation will continue with the recent awarding of a grant appropriation of $615,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Under the guidance of Jack Geller, Ph.D., who serves as director, the EDA Center will work with economic development agencies to focus on two complementary areas: Fostering a climate of entrepreneurship in economically distressed rural communities and increasing digital literacy and technology adoption. Geographic regions in Minnesota each have their own unique regional economy as well as economic challenges and opportunities. The Center will leverage the intellectual resources of the U of M to help distressed rural communities facing these economic and demographic challenges and broaden the tools available to regional economic agencies.

"Economic development has traditionally focused on business recruitment and retention, but more and more we are realizing that the path towards rural economic prosperity also includes creating a climate for entrepreneurship and small business creation.  More than ever in rural Minnesota we realize that small business is big business," notes Geller.

The grant also facilitates greater collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension. Geller worked with Dick Senese, associate dean for public engagement and the Extension Center for Community Vitality, to identify Extension programs and applied research that can be tapped to inform decisions in regional economies. Extension has expertise in applied research for communities, especially as it relates to supporting community-driven approaches to economic development.

"When it comes to facing the new economy, local leadership matters - a lot," says Senese.  "Extension's Center for Community Vitality is eager to help the EDA Center make University research practical and useful for those local leaders who are ready to grow their economy through business retention and development."

Utilizing the intellectual resources of the University and Extension will allow the Center to continue to provide technical assistance and applied research as well as foster a culture of entrepreneurship and business development across the state.

The Crookston campus will leverage funds to provide strategic investments through cash support and in-kind investments to help increase both opportunities for undergraduate research and internships with an economic development agency. The Center provides the opportunity to utilize the capacity of the U of M, Crookston in partnership with economic development agencies to support job creation, capital investment, business recruitment, and job retention.

"Since 2008 under the direction of Professor Jack Geller, the University of Minnesota, Crookston has served as the EDA University Center with a focus on serving the rural, economically-distressed communities across Minnesota.  This new award will greatly enhance our ability to expand the geographic reach of the University Center, help foster a stronger entrepreneurial culture in these communities, and enhance the digital literacy skills of small rural businesses in economically-distressed areas of the state," explains Charles H. Casey, D.V.M., chancellor at the U of M, Crookston. 

"This is strongly tied to our mission as a land-grant university; to leverage the skills and talents of our faculty and students to provide technical assistance and conduct applied research to solve real-world problems in rural Minnesota," Casey added.

To learn more about the EDA Center, visit www.edacenter.org . For more information about Extension, visit www.extension.umn.edu/community.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Jack Geller, professor and head, Liberal Arts and Education Dept. and director, EDA Center; Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

College students from around the area are invited to attend College Outdoor Skills Day, taking place on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Crookston Gun Club, located north of the University of Minnesota, Crookston campus on Highway 75 and 240th Street Southwest.  The event is free, but interested students must pre-register. For more information or to register, contact Laura Bell, lab coordinator and naturalist at the U of M, Crookston, at 218-281-8131 (lbell@umn.edu).  Free t-shirts will be given to the first fifty college students to pre-register.

The event is designed to help college students experience new outdoor activities or sharpen the outdoor skills they already have. Programs will be offered throughout the evening, including fly-fish casting, target archery, slingshots/wrist rockets, outdoor survival, outdoor first aid, rifle shooting, trap shooting, and tree stand safety.

College Outdoor Skills Day is sponsored by the University of Minnesota, Crookston and the following organizations:  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, West Polk Deer Hunters, Crookston Gun Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Federal Cartridge, and the U of M, Crookston's Natural Resources Club and Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Laura Bell, lab services coordinator, 218-281-8131 (lbell@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director of communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Join members of Alpha Eta Rho, the University of Minnesota, Crookston's aviation fraternity, for their annual pancake breakfast, where they will be serving pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, and orange juice. 

Date/Time:  Sunday, September 25, 2011, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Crookston Municipal Airport, two and 1/2 miles north of the UMC campus on Highway 75.

Cost:  advance $6; at door: $8; kids ages 4-12: $3; ages 3 and younger: FREE!
Free breakfast for any Pilot in Command.

Sponsored by Alpha Eta Rho International Aviation Fraternity (AHP) and Crookston Aviation

Contact: Mike Vivion, chief pilot, 218-281-8114 (mvivion@umn.edu)

The Black-Jew Dialogues will be performed at the University of Minnesota, Crookston Kiehle Auditorium on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at 8 p.m. The energetic and captivating two-actor play examines prejudice and racism with the goal of reuniting cultures and makes the audience think while being entertained. Cost for the event will be $2 for non-UMC Students and $5 for the public. UMC students should present their student ID at the door for free admission.

In The Black-Jew Dialogues, Larry Jay Tish and Ron Jones take the audience on a hysterical and poignant ride through three days they spent together in a cheap hotel room discussing their own experiences, the history of their people, and why there has been a growing rift between the two groups since the early 70's. Tish and Jones find humor in everything from the Jewish involvement in the Dutch slave trade to two rednecks on a joy ride of hate.

The show premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in August of 2006. In September 2007 it was the only American play invited to perform at the Leeds Jewish Performing Arts Festival in England. In the time between The Black-Jew Dialogues has been touring to universities, high schools, synagogues, and theatres throughout the US with great success.

The Black-Jew Dialogues combines fast-paced sketches, improvisations, and multi-media to create a show that has gained praise across the U.S. and the U.K. This performance is an exhilarating and insightful look at the state of race and cultural relations in America. You will learn as much as you laugh.

For more information visit www.theblackjewdialogues.com. The Black-Jew Dialogues are part of the weekly What's on Wednesday series which is hosted by Student Programming and Campus Entertainment (SPACE). Concerts & Lectures is co-sponsoring this event.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including several online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,400 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Lisa Samuelson, director, student activities 218-281-8507 (samue026@umn.edu) ; Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Keep in the swing this fall with the 9th Annual Carl Spackler Open to be held on Friday, September 23, 2011, at Minakwa Golf Course, at 3 p.m. Registration for the 9-hole, 4-person scramble is $20 per person or $80 per team and includes golf, food, and prizes. For more information about the tournament, contact Kristie Walker at 218-281-8116.

If interested, $50 hole sponsorships also are available by contacting Walker. Golf carts may be reserved through Minakwa if needed.

The Carl Spackler Open is open to all, and proceeds will be used to assist students in the Turf Club at the U of M, Crookston to attend regional and national educational conferences.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 36 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of more than 1450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Kristie Walker, lecturer, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 218-281-8116 (kwalker@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

For a fourteenth consecutive year, the University of Minnesota, Crookston has been recognized as one of the top regional colleges in the Midwest in its category for the 2012 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News Media Group.  This year's rankings place the Crookston campus in the top three public colleges in the category "Best Regional Colleges." Within the specific category, U.S. News compared 371 colleges by region. The exclusive rankings are available today at http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-colleges/top-public and will also be published in the September issue of U.S.News & World Report, available on newsstands on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

"Recognition from U.S.News & World Report is a credit to our outstanding faculty and staff, who work diligently to provide the best academic experience for our students," says Dr. Charles H. Casey, chancellor at the U of M, Crookston. "We are dedicated to helping students achieve, and we are proud to provide an education that prepares them well and results in a degree from the University of Minnesota.

"The students on our campus represent a cross section of the country and the world. This diversity of backgrounds brings great value to our campus and to the classroom," adds Casey.  "We want to engage our students in hands-on learning with a scope that is global, diverse, and teaches them to think and problem solve in preparation for their careers and for leadership roles in the communities where they will eventually live and work."

The University of Minnesota, Crookston's category in the U.S. News rankings, Best Regional Colleges, is comprised of both public and private institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs but grant less than half of their degrees in the liberal arts.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. News college rankings, which group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, have grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings of regional colleges, the key measures of quality are:  peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving.  For details, visit www.usnews.com/collegemeth.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Andrew Svec, director, communications, 218-281-8438 (asvec@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Final concepts for nature-based play spaces for the cities of Crookston and Warren, Minn. have now been completed and approved. The children's play space for Crookston was designed for Castle Park (at right below), which is located off of Castle Street to the west of the Crookston hospital complex. The play space for Warren was designed for Island Park (at left below) located off of Warren's South Division Street.

A final design was prepared for each community. Both designs were a collaborative effort between the University of Minnesota, Crookston and Twin Cities campuses. The nature-based play space final design concepts were created by Kristen Murray, U of M, Twin Cities landscape architecture graduate student, and Kristine Neu, U of M, Crookston environmental landscaping undergraduate. Funding for Murray's research assistant position was provided by the Community Assistantship Program (CAP) at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the U of M Twin Cities campus. Both students were advised by Eric Castle, landscape architect and U of M, Crookston assistant professor of horticulture.

A nature-based play space is not the average playground. It looks more like woods, prairie, or garden. Unlike the open woods, the design has a border, so that parents know where their children are, and children can play freely in the space. The design incorporates plants and materials native to the area. The purpose of the design was to create a space that reconnects children to nature and improves overall health of children and families in the community.

The design process for both Castle and Island parks has been ongoing since early summer. The final design for Crookston was based on community feedback gathered at National Night Out on August 2 and input from the City of Crookston. Community feedback from Warren was gathered at the Marshall County Fair, and the City of Warren and Warren Jaycees also gave important input. Both communities will begin installation of their nature-based play spaces this fall. The students of the U of M, Crookston landscape installation and maintenance class, lead by Castle, will be providing installation assistance at both sites. In Warren, the Jaycees will be providing volunteer assistance for the installation.

The nature-based play spaces in Crookston and Warren were two of several regional installations under the Children Discovering Nature in Northwest Minnesota Project. The project team also included Daniel Handeen and Virajita Singh, both research fellows at the U of M, Twin Cities Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR), and Linda Kingery, executive director of the Northwest Minnesota Sustainable Development Partnership (NWRSDP). Sarah Reese, Polk County Public Health Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) Coordinator and Kirsten Fagerlund, SHIP staff, served as the liaison between the community of Crookston and the project team. Frances Tougas, North Valley SHIP coordinator, served a similar role in Warren. A portion of the financial support for the planning and implementation of each play space is being provided by a grant received from the Otto Bremer Foundation and the U of M Office of Community Engagement for Health's Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

The project team is forming a core advisory committee for the nature-based play space in each community. Each committee would be comprised of a group of volunteers who will help make decisions, organize other volunteer efforts, and generally help create a vision for the play space into the future. If interested in being a part of the advisory committee in Crookston, community members are encouraged to contact Kirsten Fagerlund 218-281-3385 kfagerlund@pcphealth.org for more information. Community members of Warren should contact Gail Larson, North Valley Public Health Director, 218-745-5154 glarson@nvhc.net or Frances Tougas 218-745-5154 ftougas@nvhc.net.

The final designs are available for viewing at www.umcrookston.edu/childrenandnature.
The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), an integral part of Minnesota's nation-leading 2008 health reform law, strives to help Minnesotans lead longer, healthier lives by preventing the chronic disease risk factors of tobacco use and exposure, poor nutrition and physical inactivity.

For moreinformation,visit www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/ship.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including several online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,400 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Eric Castle, assistant professor, castl047@umn.edu; Kristine Neu, communications assistant, neuxx019@umn.edu ; Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs Thomas Baldwin has announced that the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved the following U of M, Crookston faculty members for tenure.

Kevin Thompson, Ph.D., at left, who teaches in the Liberal Arts and Education Department and Jingpeng Tang, Ph.D. ,  at right, who teaches in the Math, Science and Technology Department were each promoted from assistant professor to associate professor with tenure effective August 15, 2011.

 

Several new faculty members have been hired in the Business Department and the Math, Science, and Technology Department on the Crookston campus. New faculty members include:

Baizhou Chen, C.P.A., at left, has been hired as an instructor of accounting in the Business Department.  A 2003 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Crookston, he holds an M.B.A. from St. John's University in Queens, New York.  Since 2006 he has worked in Assurance and Advisory Business Services for Ernst & Young, LLP, in New York City.  He is a licensed certified public accountant registered in the state of New York.

Courtney Bergman, M.B.A., at right below, has been hired as a lecturer in the Business Department to teach marketing and management. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota and her master's degree from the University of Mary, both degrees are in business administration. She most recently worked as director of marketing for Douglas Place, Inc., in East Grand Forks, Minn., where she was responsible for all marketing activities for the company.
 
Martin Breaker, J.D., at left, has been hired as a teaching specialist in the Business Department.  He holds a juris doctorate from the University of North Dakota's Law School as well as a master of strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.  In addition to teaching experience at Bemidji State University and Vermillion Community College in Ely, Minn., he has been the owner and CEO of a successful all-year resort in northeastern Minnesota, as well as an active duty member holding the rank of colonel in the U.S Army Reserve with service in Iraq and with commendations including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

Lacole Hook, Ph.D. (ABD), at right, has been hired as an instructor in the area of sport and recreation management for the Business Department.  She is completing a doctorate in sport management from the University of Kansas and holds an M.S.E. in sports management from Southern Illinois University and an M.B.A. from MidAmerica Nazarene University, where she completed her undergraduate work.  She has served as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science and the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, since 2007.

Kun Tian, Ph.D., at left, holds a doctorate in computer science from the Eric Johnson School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he has served as a graduate teaching assistant for software engineering and programming courses since 2006.  He will be teaching in the Math, Science, and Technology Department.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.
 

Contact: Andrew Svec, director, communications, 218-281-8438 (asvec@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

New and prospective students are invited to visit the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Saturday, September 24, 2011, to learn more about the campus during Preview Day.  Students are encouraged to bring their families along for the in depth look at campus.  

Students may go online to register for the Preview Day on Saturday, September 24 by visiting  www.umcrookston.edu/admissions or by contacting the Admissions Office at 218-281-8569. The welcome and admissions presentation begins at 10 a.m.

During Preview Days, students have the opportunity to interact with current students, faculty, and staff as they learn about the U of M, Crookston. Throughout the day the students will be able to receive detailed information about the various opportunities available on the Crookston campus, participate in a question and answer session, tour the beautiful campus, and enjoy lunch in Brown Dining Hall.   Preview Day is designed to help students and their families as they make decisions about college.

For more information, visit www.umcrookston.edu/admissions.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,400 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Amber Evans, director, admissions, 218-281-8568, (evan0331@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Three individuals will be inducted to the Athletic Hall of Fame at the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Friday, September 30, 2011. The inductees include: Nathan Pitt '97, Morden, Manitoba, Canada; Luther Huggins ex. '84, Frisco, Texas; and Ed Odland, Crookston, Minn. The recognition will be held in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, and will also honor the 2011 Outstanding Alumni.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a social followed by a banquet and program to honor the inductees and outstanding alumni. The cost for the evening is $20 per individual and the reservation deadline is September 23. For reservations, contact Rose Ulseth in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at 218-281-8439.

The achievements of the 2011 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees include:

Nathan Pitt '97 played hockey for the Golden Eagles and was named an All-American in 1994 and most valuable player the following year. From 1995-97, he was a member of the All-Academic Team and in 1997, he was the Defensive Player of the Year and a nominee for Student-Athlete of the Year. Pitt is the manager of finance and administration for RANA Respiratory Care Group in Morden where he is responsible for overseeing accounting functions for the healthcare company as well as quality control and regulatory programs. He graduated from the U of M, Crookston with a degree in health management and is currently completing his Certified Management Accountant designation. Pitt is also a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. He and his wife, Deana, are parents of a son.

Luther Huggins ex. '84 played on the Trojan football team for the University of Minnesota, Crookston Technical College when the campus was a part of the National Junior College Athletic Association. He was named All-Conference, All-Region, and Offensive Player of the Year in 1984 when the Trojans finished their season 7-1 and ended the year second in the conference. He ran for more than 1,000 rushing yards as a freshman. He currently serves as a YMCA Youth Counselor for teens and is the owner of L & L Huggins Real Estate Investments, Inc, in Frisco, Texas, where he resides with his wife, Lucy. They are the parents of two children.

Ed Odland is an avid supporter of Golden Eagle athletics. In 1993, he began serving on the board of directors for UMC Teambackers, an athletic promotion and fundraising organization for the campus. He was the organization's president for more than a decade. In 1977, he received the Torch & Shield award, the highest honor awarded by the campus for his leadership in the development of the U of M, Crookston. He was named Teambacker of the Year in 1997 for his support of Golden Eagle student-athletes. Odland is a past chair of the UMC-Chamber College Liaison Committee, past chair and director of the Northwest Education Improvement Association, and member of the University of Minnesota President's Club. He is a partner in the law firm of Odland, Fitzgerald , Reynolds, and Harbott in Crookston. He earned both his juris doctor and bachelor of science in business administration from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have two children.

Homecoming weekend is September 30 - October 1 on the Crookston campus. The campus is looking forward to hosting alumni for a number of events over the weekend. This year's outstanding alumni honorees include Ann Bailey '79, Larimore, N.D.; Kevin Fee '80, Grand Forks, N.D.; and Eric Klindt ex. '99, Campbell, Minn. For more information on homecoming events, visit www.umcrookston.edu/homecoming.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Corby Kemmer, director, development and alumni, 218-281-8434 (ckemmer@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The Office of the Registrar at the University of Minnesota, Crookston recently announced its list of summer 2011 graduates. Students completed their degree requirements during summer 2011. Graduates are listed below with their degree(s) earned.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston enrolls approximately 1,400 full-time students and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The U of M, Crookston is a four-year baccalaureate degree granting institution, dedicated to learning, discovery and engagement in northwest Minnesota.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,450 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Name	Major	Honors
Anderson, Tyler Dean	Business Management B S
Armbrust, BillieJo M	Animal Science B S
	Agricultural Business B S
Belony, Marie Y	Dietetic Technician A A S
Blair, Matthew D	Aviation B S
	Natural Resources B S
Bronstad, Jason Marcus	Manufacturing Management B M M	High Distinction
	Quality Management B M M
Canny, Robert W III	Business Management B S
Carnell, David John	Quality Management B M M
	Manufacturing Management B M M
Cologna, Shannon Kay	Organizational Psychology B S
Cretesio, Joe Panta	Manufacturing Management B M M
Deshler, Elizabeth Ann	Applied Studies B S
Diaz, Anthony R	Biology B S
Dorland-Roan, Raichell Lynn	Dietetic Technician A A S	High Distinction
Drinkall, Adam John	Applied Studies B S
	Hlth Infor Priv Sec Hlth Care
Duale, Saleban Mohumed	Hlth Infor Priv Sec Hlth Care
	Applied Studies B S
Gibeault, Megan A	Communication B S
Gray, Nichole Angela	Information Technology Mgmt BS
	Hlth Infor Sftware Eng/IT Prof
Green, Melissa E	Health Management B S
Greener, Jeffrey James	Applied Studies B S
Haggar, Bret Thomas	Manufacturing Management B M M
Hitchen, Lana Jo	Dietetic Technician A A S
Holloway, Christine Marie Schmidt	Business Management B S
Hough, Nathan Jon	Applied Health B A H
Jama, Ayanle Ahmed	Hlth Infor Priv Sec Hlth Care
	Applied Studies B S
Kang, Eun Hye	Communication B S	High Distinction
Kang, Eunhye	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S
Kecker, Stephanie Michaela	Accounting B S
Kennedy, Terasena Cayla	Applied Studies B S	Distinction
	Hlth Infor Priv Sec Hlth Care
Lahr, Kevin Michael	Business Management B S	High Distinction
Larsen, Michael Shawn	Business Management B S
Lee, HongGil	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S
Lissick, Jeffrey	Natural Resources B S
Mendez, Kenneth	Communication B S
Miller, Amber Ann	Animal Science B S
Misialek, Casey Rae	Organizational Psychology B S	Distinction
Nelson, Nicholas Morris	Business Management B S
	Business Management B S
Olson, Kari Anna	Animal Science B S
Pankow, Nicholas Austin	Hotel/Restrnt/Inst Mgmt A A S
Pondish, Jonathan Foster	Criminal Justice B S
Prestidge, Steffane	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
Reinitz, Jeremy Jon	Accounting B S
	Business Management B S
Rodney, Jerome McKoy	Business Management B S
Sachwitz, Rebecca Jean	Early Childhood Education B S
Schmitz, Derek J	Business Management B S
Schreiner, Shari Ann	Applied Health B A H
Snider, Julie A	Equine Science B S
	Animal Science B S
Staus Jr., Marvin	Criminal Justice B S
Thomas, Jerryann Joannie	Accounting B S
Williams, Ashley Marie	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S

Contact: Andrew Svec, director, communications, 218-281-8438 (asvec@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White recently stopped by the North Central Soil Conservation District offices in Minnewaukan, N.D., while visiting the flooded Devils Lake area. A meeting was held at the west end outlet just south of Minnewaukan with area and state staff, representatives for Senator John Hoeven, representatives of the Spirit Lake Tribe, and the North Central Soil Conservation District. Chief White was amazed by the number of U of M, Crookston grads who work with the NRCS in North Dakota.  Pictured above, left to right, are Karyn Neve, NRCS District Conservationist, Minnewaukan FO; NRCS Chief Dave White, Washington D.C.; Jesse Mastrian ('09), District Technician, NCSCD; Brandon Schwab ('10), NRCS Soil Conservationist, Minnewaukan FO. The picture was taken at the new boat landing next to the outlet.

Contact: Phil Baird, Associate Professor, Natural Resources, pbaird@umn.edu

University of Minnesota, Crookston student Abbey Wemimo is pictured presenting recommendations to members of the Roseau Civic and Commerce Association and the Roseau Convention and Visitors Bureau in late August.  He is a junior at UMC double-majoring in organization psychology and business management.  He is also a student intern for the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES).  CRES provides free technical assistance and research to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations in Northwest Minnesota while giving students real-world business experience by engaging them with area entrepreneurs.   The Center was established in August 2010, when the Business Department at the U of M, Crookston recieved a grant from the Department of Education.  More information can be found at www.umccres.org. 

 

Contact: Rachel Lundbohm, associate director, Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies, rlundboh@umn.edu