NDSCS Alumni News

NDSCS Partner, Nebraska Bookstore Company, donates $50,000 to Stadium Project

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Nebraska Bookstore Company has donated $50,000 to the North Dakota State College of Science to be used for an on-campus athletic stadium renovation project. The total cost of the renovation project at the Earl “Skip” Bute Alumni Stadium is $1.2 million. The improvements to the sports facility, which is home to both NDSCS and Wahpeton High School sporting events, will include: a new retail outlet for the bookstore, new locker rooms, renovated public restrooms, and a renovated concession area.

"This much needed renovation of the stadium facilities will benefit both NDSCS, Wahpeton High School and the city of Wahpeton," said Dr. John Richman, NDSCS president. “We are very grateful to the Nebraska Bookstore Company for its generous donation toward this project."

NDSCS partnered with the Nebraska Book Company in June 2010 to operate the on-campus bookstore. Nebraska Book Company has several divisions and owns or operates over 300 stores nationwide.

North Dakota Retention of Graduates at Highest Level

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. – Almost 68 percent of North Dakota University System’s 7,884 graduates from 2009 were employed or re‐enrolled during the 2010 academic year – the highest state retention rate since an annual “Follow‐Up Report” began. The number of graduates retained totaled 5,260.

The report, released by NDUS and “Follow‐Up on North Dakota Education and Training,” found that 2009 graduate retention rose 3.5 percent to 67.7 percent from 64.2 percent in 2008 and 5.2 percent from 2007 (62.5 percent). For a copy of the full report, go to http://www.ndus.edu/uploads/reports/75/2010-placements-of-2009-grads-findet.pdf.

“Economic climate, diversity and opportunity contributed to the increase,” said William Goetz, North Dakota University System chancellor. “Other factors are the increased role of our community colleges, quality of life and the increased opportunity and appeal of our graduate programs which has increased growth at our research universities.”

While 7,884 individuals graduated, 802 of those students also earned second degrees and another 1,927 earned minors. The prevalent choice of graduates was a baccalaureate degree (55.6 percent). Twenty‐six percent earned undergraduate certificates, diplomas and/or associate degrees. Almost 15 percent earned graduate degrees and 3.4 percent earned professional degrees.

Within a year of graduation in 2009, 63.1 percent of those students (4,972) were employed in North Dakota. Gender breakdown of graduates was 34 percent female and 29.1 percent male.

The report includes other data such as the percentages of graduate by age:

Between 20‐29 (81 percent),

30‐39 (10.1 percent),

40‐49 (4.8 percent),

under‐20 (2.2 percent)

50‐and‐older (2 percent).

Accordingly, similar percentages were found by age groups employed in North Dakota. Additional data includes breakdowns by profiles such as ethnicity; in‐ and out‐of‐state residency; degree levels; and primary, secondary, minors or areas of study.

For more information contact Mike Hillman, vice chancellor of academic and student affairs at 701‐328‐2965 or michel.hillman@ndus.edu, or Michelle Olsen, research analyst, at 701‐224‐2540 or michelle.olsen@ndus.edu.

Spring enrollment shows continuing pattern of growth

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

North Dakota State College of Science today announced a 6.5 percent increase in spring enrollment from 2011. As of Monday, February 6, the twentieth instruction day of the semester, NDSCS has 2,811 registered students, an increase of 172 students, compared to one year ago when 2,639 students were enrolled.

In the past four years, NDSCS spring enrollment has increased 23.7 percent from 2,272 students in 2009 to 2,811 in 2012.

“We are encouraged that more students, parents and high school counselors are hearing the message and understanding that two-year college certificates and degrees can lead to high-paying careers,” said John Richman, NDSCS president.

The spring 2012 student body includes:

57 percent full-time students, 43 percent part-time students

1,374 full-time students enrolled on the Wahpeton campus

881 students living on the Wahpeton campus

70 percent of students are from North Dakota

Students from 51 of the 53 North Dakota counties

29 students from 13 foreign countries, including Canada

1,703 first-year students, 1,108 second-year students

Several factors have contributed to the surge in enrollment, including the demand for highly-trained workers in western North Dakota, the impact of the national economy and greater awareness of job placement for graduates of two-year colleges. NDSCS’ 2011 graduate placement rate was 99 percent, meaning the graduates are employed or continuing their education. Seventy percent of the students found employment in North Dakota or transferred on to a North Dakota four-year university. For full details of the NDSCS Placement Report, go to www.ndscs.edu/placement.

“NDSCS has made a concerted effort to reach out to a greater number of traditional and non-traditional students through the expansion of the NDSCS-Fargo campus,” said Richman. “Our efforts to offer a variety of flexible class schedules and options will continue to expand as we make the NDSCS classes more available to a wider range of students in the future.”

Otto Bremer Foundation Awards $120,000 to NDSCS Foundation

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Funds will be used to upgrade College’s dental clinic technology in Wahpeton

The Otto Bremer Foundation, majority owner of Bremer Bank, recently donated $120,000 to the North Dakota State College of Science Alumni Foundation. The funds will be used to update the technology and facilities in the NDSCS Allied Dental Education Clinic in Wahpeton, N.D.

“Bremer’s generosity will provide a substantial amount of technology to our dental clinic,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “Donations such as these offer our students hands-on training with the most relevant technologies and also assist the college in adding great value to the classroom experience and ultimately, the state’s workforce.”

Through the combination of donation, grant and fundraising dollars, the NDSCS dental department will be able to upgrade dental chairs and technology, reach more of the community to provide general services and help an increased number of underserved children at the annual Give Kids a Smile event.

“The Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank are committed to building healthy communities in Breckenridge and Wahpeton,” said Jana Berndt, president of Bremer Bank in Breckenridge, Minn. “It’s gratifying that our owner and partner, the Otto Bremer Foundation, has offered its backing to this great organization, which provides critical services to support the overall health of our communities. These dollars would not be available without the support of our Bremer Bank clients. When clients bank with Bremer, we generate profits, a portion of which we deliver to the Foundation, which then uses those funds to make grants in communities like Wahpeton and Breckenridge.”

Bremer Financial Corporation:

Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately-held, $8 billion regional financial services company jointly owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Foundation. Founded in 1943 by Otto Bremer, the company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota and provides a comprehensive range of banking, investment, trust and insurance services to locations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

About the Otto Bremer Foundation:

Created in 1944, the Otto Bremer Foundation assists people in achieving full economic, civic and social participation in and for the betterment of their communities. The Foundation’s work to help build and maintain vibrant communities is based on the vision and legacy of Otto Bremer, whose commitment to Bremer Bank communities and to those working to make their lives better, continues to guide the Foundation. The Otto Bremer Foundation owns the majority share of Bremer Bank, and a portion of the bank’s profits comes to the Foundation as dividends, enabling the Foundation to invest back in the bank communities in the form of grants and program-related investments. In 2010, more than $24 million in charitable donations were given across the Bremer footprint. Organizations whose beneficiaries are residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, or Wisconsin are eligible to apply for Foundation grants, with priority given to communities served by Bremer Bank.

About NDSCS Alumni/Foundation:

The NDSCS Alumni/Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization with the mission to "Support and assist those activities that develop and strengthen the North Dakota State College of Science." The Foundation, a tax-exempt entity functioning independently of the college, has the flexibility to fund projects where state-appropriated dollars cannot be used. The Foundation office works closely with college administration in development of programs to raise funds for students, faculty and academic programs.

Daily News: NDSCS Plans Residence Hall Renovations

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Originally built in 1967 to house female students, Forkner Hall at North Dakota State College of Science is a traditional residence hall: long corridors, shared double rooms and community-style bathrooms.

Times have changed in the 45 years since the residence hall first opened its doors, and the two-year college recognizes that students' desires have, too.

“Today's student, unlike the student when I attended here (NDSSS) back in the early ‘70s, wants a different living quarters,” NDSCS President John Richman said. “They want more privacy. They want more individual space than what the students of my age and generation needed.” Forkner Hall, along with the nearly 60-year-old Riley Hall, has been regularly maintained over the years, but hasn't been renovated in recent history.

This year, however, NDSCS is prepping a multimillion dollar renovation project to turn the two halls into living spaces that meet the desires of its current generation of students. Those desires include more privacy, such as private bathroom spaces, and a shift to suite-style dorm rooms, the two-year college says.

"The renovation is really a part of our efforts to increase on-campus enrollment and provide a quality living and learning environment for our students," said Melissa Johnson, executive director of student and residential life.

"The privitization of the entire living experience is what's going to be a draw (for students)," she said. "I believe that's both going to recuit and obtain our student population because it's the type of living that they most desire to have on campus."

Nearly 1,000 of the more than 3,000 NDSCS students last fall lived in one of the college's five on-campus residence halls. The 45-year-old Forkner Hall currently houses 180 students. Riley Hall, a three-story building constructed in 1954, was formerly a residence hall but most recently houses administrative offices, such as the NDSCS Police Department.

As part of the $9 million renovation project, the double rooms and community bathrooms of the three-story, co-ed Forkner Hall will be turned into suite-style living quarters, "the type of living which today's students most desire." Johnson said. The more spacious rooms will consist of four people sharing two bedrooms, a bathroom facility and sinks.

"This will truly have much more of a homelike feel for students and be much more private," Johnson said.

"It'll be much quieter, much more well-suited to the type of student...who would be very dedicated and focused," Johnson said. "It will be a space made especially for them." The building will remain co-ed, alternating genders by floor.

In Riley Hall, the college will add 46 beds to the top two floors, to be known as the "honors floors," a living quarters for honors students currently housed in another residence hall. While the living quarters will be double rooms, both floors will offer a 4:1 student-to-bathroom ration, Johnson said.

Administrative offices scattered throughout the Wahpeton campus also will find a new home on the first floor of Riley Hall, bringing student services, such as counseling, health services and student and residential life, "closer to where students actually are living," Richman said.

The project also will result in new lounge areas and a nearby, full-functional kitchen for students living in the halls.

Together, the two buildings will hold slighly more beds than before (190), which will continue to meet the needs of the student population on campus, Johnson said.

In 2009, several NDSCS assessments showed the college had space in both the classroom and its residence halls for student growth, specifically to help fill certain workforce needs in North Dakota. NDSCS has steadily grown its on campus enrollment since then, but the college wasn't meeting students' desires for living spaces, Richman said.

"We weren't fully meeting that need, and that's the reason why we wanted to take on this project," he said.

Due to its sound financial health, the two-year college was able to take on a revenue bond to fund the $9 million project, Richman said.

Renovation is expected to start in late spring, and the new halls are slated to be occupied August 2013. Throughout the 2012-2013 school year, additional room to house students will be made in Babcock Hall and other residence halls while Forkner Hall is out of commission.

"We're very, very excited about the project," Johnson said, "and I think it's going to bring just a great deal of value to our students."

NDSCS - Meeting Housing Demands for Campus and Community

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The North Dakota State College of Science was given the go-ahead this week to embark on a $9-Million renovation of two residential halls. College President John Richman says the project will not only bring the rooms up to modern standards, it will also help continue the growth of the student population. Richman says a goal has been set to not only grow the school's enrollment but have 1,300 of those students living on campus. He says at that level, the newly renovated Forkner and Riley residence halls would have additional space...

"...The City has a need for Senior living quarters -- they're short on that piece. They're hearing from a number of seniors that reach a certain age -- 55 and older -- that their kids are all gone, they sell their home, and they want to stay in the community, but there isn't the appropriate senior living environment for that age group. And so they are having to leave the community and move to Fergus Falls or to Fargo. So, they have that need, we have the space, and Lutheran Social Service will be the funding and operating arm of that project."

Richman says the partnership with Lutheran Social Service will be a good match for the school and the residents...

"...Obviously, we have a full fledged kitchen... they may cater for meals, they may cater for I-T services, they may cater for maintenance and custodial services. We won't operate it. We will be, for lack of a better term, a land-lord for Lutheran Social Service to function. And, just so we've clear, this is not assisted living. This would be just Senior living."

Richman says while it's a new approach for the school, there are about three-dozen colleges in the U-S that offer a similar service.

See the original article.