Visit the online photo album.

Award recipients include the following students:

The University of Minnesota Crookston Music and Theater Department will perform the farcical black comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" on Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, 2013. The performances, which begin at 7:30 p.m., will take place in Kiehle Auditorium. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. 

The comedy is directed by Junior Beth Motley, an equine science major from Vadnais Heights, Minn., and is an undergraduate research project for Motley. "Arsenic and Old Lace," by playwright Joseph Kesselring, is the story of a drama critic named Mortimer Brewster who discovers his eccentric, elderly aunts are actually homicidal maniacs. The play was written in 1939 and made into a film in starring Cary Grant.  

Members of the cast include Martha Brewster played by Liz Massie, a junior from Eagan, Minn., majoring in communication; Abby Brewster played by Joanie Melichar, a sophomore from Richfield, Minn., majoring in early childhood; Teddy Brewster played by Justin Burogz, Crookston, Minn.; Elaine Harper played by Sarah Lanners, a sophomore from Nashwauk, Minn., majoring in horticulture; Mortimer Brewster played by Nathan Anderson, a sophomore from Appleton, Minn., majoring in agricultural education; Jonathan Brewster played by Dylunn Frazee, Crookston, Minn.; Dr. Einstein played by Sam Haugen, a sophomore from Fertile, Minn., majoring in agronomy; Officer Brophy played by Bomi Jang, a sophomore from Yangpyeong, South Korea, majoring in marketing; Officer O'Hara played by Johnnie Pauly, a junior from Wrenshall, Minn., majoring in equine science; Mr. Witherspoon/The Rev. Dr. Harper played by Emily Steenhout, a senior from Backus, Minn., majoring in equine science; Lieutenant Rooney played by Hyeseung Ko, a sophomore from Seoul, South Korea, majoring in marketing; Mr. Gibbs played by Cholong Sung, an ESL student from , Seongnam South Korea

Today the University of Minnesota Crookston delivers 27 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

The Crookston Student Association at the University of Minnesota Crookston will host the first-ever Crookston Community Ball on Saturday, April 13, 2013, in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. The evening which begins at 7 p.m. with appetizers will be followed by a dinner at 8 p.m.and a dance with music from the 60s and 70s. A cash bar will also be available. Formal attire is preferred and tickets are $25 per person/$50 per couple. All proceeds will support student scholarships at the U of M Crookston.  Tickets are limited and may be purchased by contacting Chris at 218-281-8144. 

Today the University of Minnesota Crookston delivers 27 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

the University of Minnesota, Crookston. This year's celebration will pay tribute to the artists of Northwest Minnesota and takes place on Friday, April 12, 2013, beginning at 3:30 p.m. All activities are free and open to the public. The food, art, and entertainment will strive to adhere to the artistry, materials, and ingredients indigenous to the Mexican people. 

From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., there will be art demonstrations in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center; a Northwest Arts Exhibit in the Prairie Room and a Silent Auction in the Northern Lights Lounge, Sargeant Student Center; and a drum-making and rhythm activity for young children in the Eagles Nest, Sahlstrom Conference Center. The Drum Circle, led by Diane Lagasse, is designed for music lovers of many ages, but younger children must be accompanied by a parent. The two Drum Circle sessions are limited to 35 per session and take place in Owen Hall 270, one session at 4:30 and one at 5:30 p.m. This activity is also popular with junior and senior high age as well as adults.

Video presentations from Fresh Voices youth leadership students will take place every half hour in the Northern Lights Lounge. Crookston High School students will have an exhibit in the International Lounge. 

From 4:30 to 7 p.m., a Mexican supper will be served in Brown Dining Room, followed at 7:30 p.m. by a performance of Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc, a professional dance and drumming group from St. Paul, Minn., in Kiehle Auditorium. The celebration concludes with a family dance from 9 until 11:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom with a DJ from Z Martin Entertainment. 

The art demonstrations will feature Crookston artists Irene Bertils working in chalk pastels; Trey Everett who uses words to create his art; and Mary Jane Doak, an artist who creates mosaics using a variety of materials. Joining these local artists will be fiber artist Sue Jacobson, from Fertile, Minn., and potter Karla Nelson from Grand Forks, N.D., who is an art teacher in the "Artists in the Classroom" program in the Grand Forks School District, and a teacher at Muddy Waters Clay Center. She will be making pottery and demonstrating the potter's wheel. Also taking place simultaneously will be opportunities for children to use comparable art materials to create their own works of art. 

The silent auction will to raise scholarship support for the Ramona Mendez Endowed Scholarship fund. The academic scholarship honors the memory of Ramona Mendez, a long time employee of UMC Facilities. Her son Kenneth is a graduate of the U of M, Crookston and a lead member of the fiesta planning committee. The scholarship was initiated during the 2011 "Fiesta in the Spirit of the Cinco de Mayo."

Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc (DMC) is a community of individuals and families that are dedicated to the preservation, promotion and practice of the Mexica/ Azteca culture including ceremonies, dance, accurate history, arts and craft, and philosophies. Fiesta organizers believe this troupe, with their dedication to the preservation, promotion, and sharing of the Mexican culture, reflects their own goal of providing quality artistic, cultural education for all who attend the Fiesta. To learn more about DMC, visit http://www.cuauhtemoc.org. 

The fiesta is sponsored in part by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, which 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. Other sponsors include the Crookston Convention and Visitors Bureau; Northwest Mental Health Center; Tri-Valley Opportunity Council; and Concerts and Lectures; Diversity and Multicultural Affairs; Career and Counseling Services; and the Coca Cola Community Initiative Fund at the U of M, Crookston.

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. The planning of the event includes students, faculty, staff from departments across the Crookston campus along with members of the Crookston community, and the Crookston High School VOICES Hispanic Youth Leadership group.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 27 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

George French, will perform on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at 4 p.m. The pops concert, to be held in Kiehle Auditorium, will be followed by a spaghetti dinner. Tickets for the event are $10 prior to the concert, $12 at the door, for adults and $5 for children. Children's tickets will be available at the door only. 

Tickets can be purchased by contacting a member of the choir, by e-mail at molte013@umn.edu, or by calling the choir office at 218-281-8266.

The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, refreshments, and dessert. Proceeds from the concert and dinner will go to support travel expenses for the choir as they prepare for trips to New York and Canada. Donations will also be accepted and checks can be made out to the UMC Choir. 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 27 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

celebrate the culture of China with a dance performance at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The dance theater will perform on Saturday, February 9, 2013, in Kiehle Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the performance starting at 7 p.m.  Tickets will be available at the door at $5 for adults, $3 for children and high school students, and $1 for students at the U of M, Crookston with their ID. Advanced tickets are available by contacting Rae French at 218-281-8339 (rfrench@umn.edu). 

Preceding the dance performance, a workshop will be held for all ages from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom and the International Lounge both located in the Sargeant Student Center. The workshop will feature demonstrations of Kungfu, a tea ceremony, art display, lantern making, and more. The workshop is free. An option for dinner is also available in Brown Dining Room at 5 p.m. for $7.67. Activities are designed for families with children of all ages. 

Chinese dance incorporates a variety of forms and styles of movement derived from 53 diverse ethnic groups' traditions. It involves not just unique Chinese dance sequences and movements but also the cultural and historical basis of the dances. The CAAM Chinese Dance Theater is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Chinese cultural heritage and enriching a diverse community through the universal language of dance. 

Since 1992, CDT has served families and delighted audiences with some of the best locally-produced Chinese dance concerts in the country. We are a community-based organization under the artistic direction of a world-renowned choreographer and teacher. A division of the Chinese American Association of Minnesota, the oldest, largest Chinese American community organization in Minnesota, CDT performs before 17,000 live audience members every year. With a dance school, annual concerts, and outreach performances, CDT is the largest Chinese dance organization in the Midwest. To learn more, visit www.caamcdt.org. 

This performance is made possible by the University of Minnesota's Confucius Institute and the Office of International Programs at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The workshop is made possible by the Multicultural International Club, International Programs Office, and the Korean Student Clubs on campus. 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 27 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

On Monday, February 4, is Multicultural Monday and features a panel discussion on "The Evolution of Africa" that will also include African food, the opportunity to wear authentic clothing, and a display of artifacts. The panel discussion will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bede Ballroom in the Sargeant Student Center. Lunch may be purchased in Brown Dining Room for $5.00 per person. All are welcome. 

On Friday, February 8, the theatrical performance, "Daughters of Africa" presented by the Mixed Blood Theatre Company. The performance, to be held at 7 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium, is a commemoration of the triumph of pride, determination, and courage. Fueled by the songs of Lena Horne, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, and many others, this exuberant, music-driven celebration of African American women's triumphs and accomplishments features a striking collection of profiles of the famous and the forgotten. The event is free and open to all. To learn more about Mixed Blood Theatre, visit http://www.mixedblood.com. 

Monday, February 25, Ron Spriggs will present the impressive history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Spriggs is an oral historian, lecturer and curator of Ron Spriggs Exhibit of Tuskegee Airmen (RSETA). He continues to bear the torch illuminating these "Gladiators of the Skies." He will be at the Crookston High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. and the Kiehle Auditorium at the U of M, Crookston at 7 p.m. There will be no admission charge. To learn more about RSETA, visit http://www.rseta.org. 

To conclude the month's activities, on Thursday, February 28, there will be a dinner theater featuring a "Celebration of Black History and Culture." The dinner theater will be held in Bede Ballroom at 6 p.m. Anyone interested in attending should contact members of the Black Student Association or Lorna Hollowell, director of Diversity and Multicultural Services at lhollowe@crk.umn.edu or 218-281-8580. The cost of the tickets is $12.00 for adults, $3.00 for students (with ID).

To view all events taking place during Black History Month at the U of M, Crookston, visit www.umcrookston.edu/today. 

This year marks two historic anniversaries, the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington (1963). These two significant events influenced the theme for the month which is "The Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington." 

Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926. The commemoration originated with historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson. He established what is now known as the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in 1915, and a year later founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he began an initiative for a special week to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. It became a month-long recognition in 1976. 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 27 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

enthusiast. Storyteller Jim Pfitzer (right) will bring Leopold to life on the stage of Kiehle Auditorium on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 7 p.m. The performance titled "Aldo Leopold - A Standard of Change" is free and all are welcome. 

The one-man play, written by and starring storyteller Jim Pfitzer, is set during an evening in and around the famous Wisconsin Shack that inspired much of Leopold's writing, the performance explores the influences and challenges that led to the writing of the widely popular book A Sand County Almanac. 

As a U.S. forester, Leopold was instrumental in the creation of our first federally designated wilderness in the Gila National Forest. In 1935, he and his family initiated an ecological restoration experiment on a worn-out farm along the Wisconsin River outside of Baraboo, Wisconsin where they planted thousands of pine trees, and restored prairies. 

Best known for his nature-based personal tales told with a distinctly southern delivery, storyteller and native Chattanoogan Jim Pfitzer has been lauded a "true Tennessee treasure" and his work called "old fashioned and avant-garde at the same time." Pfitzer performs and teaches workshops from coast to coast. To learn more about Pfitzer and the performance, visit http://www.jimpfitzer.com. 

The event is sponsored by UMC Concerts & Lectures, UMC Natural Resources Club, and the Coca Cola Beverage Partnership Grant. 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

Galen Abdur-Razzaq, a talented and extraordinary flutist from Montclair, N.J., has performed both domestically and internationally for more than thirty years. A former student of the Berklee College of Music, Boston, Mass., and a graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., Galen holds a master's degree in fine arts and education. He is an arranger, composer, director, educator, and writer.

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honoring African heritage and based on seven core principles known as Nguzo Saba, including unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. It was first celebrated in 1966-67 and was created as the first specifically African-American holiday to reconnect African Americans with their African culture and historical heritage.  

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

The Hafslo chapel, once a Norwegian country church, was built in 1888 and closed in 1978. It was moved in 1983 to the Crookston campus where it was located for almost twenty years before it was moved to the Polk County Museum grounds located at 719 East Robert St., Crookston, Minn. 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

includes a week packed with events and activities. Highlighting the week is a presentation by Fun wi Tita (at right), director of Making a Difference International (MADI) on Wednesday, November 15, at 7 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium. 

MADI specializes in poverty-alleviation activities including the provision of basic personal needs such as clothing and shoes, in tangent with the monetary support of child health, microfinance, agricultural and educational initiatives in Uganda. Tita's presentation will include photographs during an engaging session about the vital work of the MADI organization. 

If you are interested in international cuisine, you are invited to dine on Monday, November 12 on food from the four corners of the world. Featured countries include France, Mali, Vietnam, and Korea.  The public is welcome to eat lunch at a cost of $7.65 per person being served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Brown Dining Room. Everyone is encouraged to wear traditional clothing representing your heritage and at 3 p.m. that afternoon there will be pictures and prizes awarded.

Tuesday, November 13, is an opportunity to experience a day without shoes and everyone is encouraged to bring a pair of shoes for donation. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the International Lounge, there will be a variety of surfaces available to walk on as a way of experiencing the terrain of other countries in the world. 

From 12 to 1 p.m. in Brown Dining Room D, Sargeant Student Center, Senior Timothy Baker, a natural resources major from Copperas Cove, Texas, will share information about his three study abroad experiences in Thailand, New Zealand, and the Galapagos and the secrets to making these trips work. Bring your own lunch and join this discussion of learning abroad. 

From 12 to 2 p.m., English as Second Language (ESL) students will host a poster session in the International Lounge, Sargeant Student Center. The public is invited to ask questions and visit with these students and vote on the best poster. Prizes will be awarded to the "judges" as well as to the students. 

Students who spent spring break 2012 in Spain will be sharing their digital storytelling project from 4-5 p.m. during a reception for them in the Northern Lights Lounge, Sargeant Student Center and refreshments will be served. 

Wednesday, November 14 from 2-6 p.m. is the International Market (pictured in 2011, at left) in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. This year's market will feature items from Nepal, local community artists, along with many items from around the world.

From 7-8 p.m., Fun wi Tita will present his own childhood challenges and talk about the work of Making a Difference Internationally, Inc., in the Kiehle Auditorium. Admission to the presentation is a donated item of shoes or clothing or a canned good. Everyone is encouraged to come and hear about this important work in Africa. Refreshments will be served. To learn more about Making a Difference at www.madinc.org. 

On Thursday, November 15 is the International Photo and Art Contest held in the Prairie Room, Sargeant Student Center. Winners will be featured in a calendar produced by the Office of International programs. 

A program and reception will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center for Abbey and Dae Yuel "Danny" Lee who are 2012 recipients of the Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED) award. The program begins at 3 p.m. with the reception following. 

From 12 to 1 p.m. on Friday, November 16, Wemimo Samson Abbey, a senior from Lagos, Nigeria, majoring in business will share the story of Change Africa, an international cause dedicated to fighting poverty with education and sustainable free enterprise endeavors in developing Africa. The presentation will take place in Bede Ballroom A and B, Sargeant Student Center. To learn more about Change Africa, visit http://changeafrica.org. 

From 3 to 5 p.m. everyone is invited to a martial arts how-to session in Prairie Room, Sargeant Student Center. Learn some unique moves from a wide variety of martial arts styles.

Concluding the week from 5 to 7 p.m. is the International Kids Carnival held in the International Lounge with games in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center sponsored by Circle of Nations Indigenous Association (CNIA) and the Multicultural International Club (MIC). Families with children 10 and under are especially invited to attend. 

International Education Week, scheduled November 12-16, 2012, is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States. First held in 2000, today it is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit http://iew.state.gov. 

To find out more about what is happening during International Education Week at the U of M, Crookston, visit the Today page at www.umcrookston.edu/today.   

 

in Evergreen Hall on the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. McKay, who's career as a recitalist, collaborative musician, and soloist with the orchestra spans more than five decades, will be in concert beginning at 7 p.m. The recital is free and the public is welcome to attend. Evergreen Hall is located on the south side of the Crookston campus. 

The program will feature music by Mozart (including the brilliant Sonata in D major, K. 311), Chopin (including the Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, op. 47), and Ravel (three movements from "Miroirs").

McKay is an American pianist and music educator of Canadian birth who has performed in concerts, recitals and on radio and television broadcasts throughout North America and Europe. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, he graduated from McGill University. He earned graduate degrees at the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Eugene List and David Burge. McKay spent most of the sixties in Europe studying and concertizing widely. 

He taught at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., where he taught piano and the history of music for 28 years. For 17 of those years, he also directed Minnesota Valley Sommarfest, a festival of chamber music held every July at Gustavus. He continues to be in demand as a recitalist. 

McKay is married to Sara Hayden McKay, who directs the St. Peter Choral Society and the couple was honored in 2000 by the Minnesota State Arts Board for their contributions to the arts. 

For more information on the concert, contact George French, director of music and theater, at 218-281-8266 (gfrench@umn.edu). 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

Alumni award was presented to  Kirk Schultz '79, Doreen (Johnson) Roy '81, and Gerald Landby '82 and Ryan Driedger '97 from Golden Eagle Hockey was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. 

The recognition took place in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center with a social followed by a banquet and presentation of the honorees. Hosting the evening were Corby Kemmer, director of development and alumni relations and Stephanie Helgeson, director of athletics and Chancellor Fred Wood brought greetings from the campus. The choir, under the direction of George French, sang several numbers including Hail! Minnesota and the Minnesota Rouser. 

A few highlights of these four accomplished alumni include the following: 

Kirk Schultz '79 graduated with a degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management and has more than 30 years of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry. He is currently the vice president at Madison Hospitality Group. 

His responsibilities include hotel and restaurant operations, new hotel development, renovation, management contracts, acquisitions and strategic planning as well as a partner in the Culvers Restaurant in Alexandria, Minn.

Schultz has been responsible for operating several hotels and restaurants in addition to multi-unit management. His leadership experience includes a wide array of properties and leading brands: full service, limited service, water parks, extended stay, independent and economy hotels along with casual theme and family dining restaurants. 

His experiences prior to joining the Madison Hospitality Group include 14 years with Torgerson Properties, Inc., a leading franchisee in Minnesota and Florida. Most recently, he served as their senior vice president and was a member of the board of directors. New hotel openings, repositioning properties, renovation programs and implementation of comprehensive, property-specific business and marketing plans are also part of his background. He is past-president of the Minnesota Lodging Association and active in his community and in civic organizations. 

Doreen (Johnson) Roy '81 completed associate degrees in business management and fashion merchandising, which laid the foundation for her future as an entrepreneur. Following her graduation, she went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in textiles from North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., in 1983. 

She began producing natural goats' milk soaps for her family in 1999, and through the encouragement of family and friends, her online store "The Wholesome Basket" was born. The product line is also available at her store in downtown Burlington, Iowa, known as "Gypsi."  Today, her company makes and markets 30 variations of body and skin care products as well as an extensive line of accessories.

Johnson has been active in the Burlington Riverfront Farmers Market, which she helped organize, for the past ten years. She is a dedicated volunteer in her community including organizing activities for children; organizing a nutrition and recipe program; working with local organizations such as Area Aging, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); Extension; and as an organizer of the Riverfront Market Basket drawings. She is a member of the Downtown Partners through the Chamber of Commerce and a speaker for women's groups, seniors, and community colleges on the topics of nutrition and healthy living. 

Gerald Landby is a 1982 graduate with an associate degree in landscape, turf, and grounds. He went on to Montana State University, Bozeman, to earn his bachelor of science degree in landscape management. He is currently director of grounds at Carroll College, Helena, Mont., where he has been since 1998. 

He is responsible for supervision of grounds staff, planning for and providing leadership for campus landscape, infrastructure planning, and capital projects at Carroll College. His work on grounds has led to several awards including the 2008 Grand Award in the athletic field category from the Professional Grounds Management Society, a "Field of Excellence" award from Pioneer Athletics for Nelson Stadium on the campus in 2009, and in 2011, the college received Tree Campus USA recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation, the first college in Montana to earn the honor. 

Prior to his current role, he was municipal arborist for the city of Great Falls, Mont. Landby is a member of the Montana State University of Agriculture Academic Advisory committee, and he has attended Professional Land Care Network Day (PLANET) on the Hill Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., five times, where he volunteered his time for grounds maintenance at "Renewal and Remembrance" at Arlington National Cemetery in conjunction with the event. Landby also volunteers as an athletic field consultant for the public schools in Montana. 

He is the member of a number of professional organizations in the turf and landscape field, has been featured in articles in professional magazines, and a guest speaker at numerous conferences in his area of expertise. 

Ryan Driedger '97 graduated with a degree in agronomy and left a legacy in hockey. He came to the U of M, Crookston in 1993 after playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau, N.D., on a championship team. He transferred to play Golden Eagle hockey and scored the winning goal in the championship game in 1993 when he was named to the All-Tournament Team and earned First Team All-American honors.

He has been referred to as one of the most naturally gifted hockey players in U of M, Crookston campus history. His talent in hockey led him to play junior hockey where he was part of the Winkler Flyers Junior Hockey Club championship team in 1992-93 and a team with a 42-5-1 record and a member of the 2012 Flyers Hall of Fame. He went on to play for a National College Hockey Association championship team at Bemidji State University in 1993-94.

He returned to the Crookston campus to finish his degree in 1994-95, when he was the captain of the hockey team that went 30-2 on the season. 

Driedger is the owner of Abode Building & Renovations where he is responsible for building new homes and major renovations, arranging sub-contractors and interacting with homeowners in Carman, Manitoba, Canada.

For more information on homecoming at the U of M, Crookston, visit www.umcrookston.edu/alumni/homecoming.htm

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.

Highlights of the evening will include; vocal music by Bryan Sanchez, dancing by Las Rositas, presentations on Hispanic history, the Mexican Independence Day, and the flag by area elementary and middle school students. Special presentations by Alan Dragseth, president of the board of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Museum and area sugar beet grower, and by Leticia Sanchez, Intervention Coordinator/Supervisor, for Migrant Health Services in Crookston, will bring to life the history of Hispanics and Latinos in the Red River Valley. 

Mary Farley, recipient of the prestigious 2012 Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service, will be recognized during the evening. She spent her life's work in humanitarian efforts including advocating for immigrants and children, ministering to convicts, reintegrating homeless adults into community life, and finding treatment for individuals with mental illness.   For more on the award, visit www.mcknight.org. 

Cristina Rodriguez, from Fresh Voices in Progress, will provide an audio visual presentation chronicling the lives and culture of Hispanics in the Red River Valley. The evening will also include information about the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, known as the DREAM Act by the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Programs, and a featured reading by local high school student Justin Burgoz. The legislation, if passed, would affect individuals ages 15 to 31, who came to the country before they were 16 and have lived here continuously for at least the past five years. They must be free of serious criminal convictions, be enrolled in or have completed high school, or have served in the U.S. military. The presentation will provide information and help raise awareness. For more information on the DREAM Act, visit www.ed.gov. 

The evening will conclude with piñatas and Mexican Bingo for kids of all ages. 

Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries--Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and ends Oct. 15. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18. 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 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.