The musical "Leader of the Pack," a theater production based on the life and music of Ellie Greenwich, will be performed in Kiehle Auditorium on Thursday- Sunday, March 4, 5, 6, 7. Performances are scheduled each evening at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under with a $15 maximum for families.  

Greenwich was a well-known American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer.This play, which features popular music from the 1960s, is produced by the U of M, Crookston Theater Department. Under the direction of George French in conjunction with the Office of Diversity Programs and sponsored by Concerts & Lectures, the cast is all U of M, Crookston students. The performance scheduled in March also commemorates Women's History Month. The theme for Women's History Month is "Writing Women Back into History" and play's performance is one of a number of events taking place in March on the Crookston Campus.

Cast members in the production include Kevin Anderson, a senior from Spring Grove, Minn.; Kasey Bekkerus, a post-secondary enrollment option student from Gary, Minn.; Karen Carpenedo, a freshman from Bessember, Mich.; Thomas Chute, a sophomore from Aitkin, Minn.; Austin Czichotzki, a sophomore from Barnesville, Minn.;  Melissa Graf, a freshman from Hokah, Minn.; Matthew Green, sophomore from Greenbush, Minn.; Brooke Hamilton, a freshman from Adams, Minn.; Jordan Hasbrouck, a freshman from Erskine, Minn.; Bethany Jenkins, a freshman from Grand Forks, N.D.; Trey Johnston, a freshman from Angus, Minn.; Emily Nelsen, a sophomore from Atwater, Minn.; Tyler Nelson, a freshman from Hinckley, Minn.; Kay Plaisance, a freshman from Lino Lakes, Minn.;  Amber Schleicher, a freshman from Crookston, Minn.; Chelsea Swenson, a freshman from Fertile, Minn.; and Chelsey Wells, a junior from Paris, Mich.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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 photo at the top: Top row (l to r): Amber Schleicher, Austin Czichotzki, Kevin Anderson, and Kasey Bekkerus. Middle Row: Matt Green, Tyler Nelson, Trey Johnston, and Jordan Hasbrouck. Front row: Brooke Hamilton, Karen Carpenedo, Melissa Graf, Kay Plaisance, Bethany Jenkins, and Chelsey Wells.

Missing in the photo are cast members: Thomas Chute, Emily Nelsen, and Chelsea Swenson.

Contact: George French, director, theater and music, 218-281-8266 (gfrench@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

New and prospective students can connect with the University of Minnesota, Crookston to learn more during Campus Preview Day on March 6, 2010.  Families are also encouraged to attend Preview Day at the U of M, Crookston along with their new student.

Preview Day provides time for new students to interact with faculty, current students and staff as well as learn more about the Crookston campus. Highlights include receiving detailed information about opportunities for students at the U of M, Crookston, eating lunch in Brown Dining Hall, interacting during question and answer sessions and touring campus.

Students may go online to register for Preview Day on Saturday, March 6 by visiting www.UMCrookston.edu/admissions or sign up by contacting the Admissions Office at 218-281-8569.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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-Dailey, director, admissions, 218-281-8568 (evan0331@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director of communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu); Stephanie Onken, communications assistant, 218-281-8446 (onken015@umn.edu)

Abigail Addams wrote her husband, John, in March 1776 as he toiled to begin the revolution against British rule.

I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable
to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands
of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could.

The Founding Fathers did not include women in their Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation or the Constitution.  Women would request, plead and plot to gain civil rights in America.  The path to voting and social equality came with arguments and education that convinced men to support and ultimately vote for women's rights at the poll and in court.

The women at the Seneca Falls Convention in July 1848 came together to put forward rights of women to be treated equal to men in the Declaration of Sentiments.  After three days of discussion they declared that "All people are created equal".  The final document was signed by 68 women and 32 men.

Sojourner Truth, a former slave, addressed the Women's Convention in 1851 with a moving extemporaneous speech, "Ain't I a Woman?"  She moved the gathering with her story of her double burden of being a woman and slave.  Her speech is shaming of the prejudices of all who would deny rights to people because of gender and race.

The women's suffrage movement mobilized women and convinced men that the right to vote was due all people.  We often refer to women getting the right to vote as if it was granted by the states and the nation.  It was not gifted to women; men voted in local and state elections to enfranchise women.  The men of Wyoming were the first to vote to include women in territorial elections as voters.  The men of Montana in 1914 granted the vote to the women of their state and two years later the men and women of the state elected Jeanette Rankin, the first women elected to the House of Representatives.

The 19th Amendment passed in 1920 by overwhelmingly male Congress became the law of the land.  Women had the right to vote in all elections.

As we celebrate Women's History Month let us, to paraphrase Abigail Addams, remember not only the ladies but also the men.  It was by changing attitudes and laws that women have seen men vote for suffrage, and in recent years, men sitting as judges have ruled to extend equality to all.   Educate for justice and pursue the right for all has been the women's movement.

Thank you to Sharon Neet, D.A., professor of history at the U of M, Crookston, for writing this tribute to commemorate the 90th anniversary of U.S. women winning the right to vote. March is Women's History Month. 

Contact: Sharon Neet, history professor, 218-281-8269 (sneet@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director of communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The Office of the Registrar at the University of Minnesota, Crookston recently announced its list of fall 2009 graduates. Students completed their degree requirements during fall semester 2009.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston enrolls approximately 1,300 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 more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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.

Fall 2009 Grad's List

Name	Degree	Minor
Adams, Lorrie Anne	Manufacturing Management BMM
Almandalawi, Khaldoon Sami	Information Technology Mgmt BS
Alstad, Jason	Natural Resources BS
Austin, Aaron Mark	Business Mgmt BS
Borchers, Gregory Steven	Natural Resources BS
Bozyk, Jamie Lee	Applied Studies BS
Butson, Timothy D	Golf & Turf Mgmt BS / Horticulture BS
Claeys, Brandon	Manufacturing Mgmt BS	Business Mgmt
Coulson, Travis John	Applied Studies BS	Coaching
Cummings, Bryce Bret Thomas	Sport & Recreation Mgmt BS
Domoradzki, Sarah Kathleen	Business Mgmt BS
Edwards, Darcy Lynn	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Farah, Mohamed Ali	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Felts, Bruce Franklin	Biology BS/Health Sciences PreProfessional Track BS
Fredrich, Kerry Derek	Golf & Turf Mgmt BS/Horticulture BS
Freeman, Jake Charles	Sport & Recreation Mgmt BS
Gross, Hilary Jane	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Gysbers, Brian George	Natural Resources BS
Halstad, Aaron Joseph	Information Technology Mgmt BS/Business Mgmt BS
Halstad, Deborah Beate	Communication BS	Music
Hanson, Ethan Charles	Aviation BS
Harris, Danielle Marie	Animal Science BS/Agricultural BS
Hart, Steven Richard	Natural Resources BS
Hartmann, Jenelle Marie	Business Mgmt BS
Hoff, Danny Richard	Natural Resources BS
Hopkins, Terrence Wesley	Communication BS
Jackson Jr, Ronald	Applied Studies BS
Jansen, James Michael	Agricultural Education BS
Jensen, Joshua Wade	Natural Resources BS
Johnson, Tamryn Jo	Natural Resources BS
Johnson, Timothy Fredrick	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Kappes, Lydia Rose	Hotel, Restaurant, & Insitutional Mgmt BS
Kellum, Chad Michael	Applied Studies BS
Kim, HeeKwon	Accounting BS
Kreklau, Caleb Clarence	Agricultural Systems Mgmt BS
LaGue, Lorna J	Business Mgmt BS
Langer, Douglas L	Business Mgmt BS
Langlois, Mandy Lorraine	Animal Science BS
Lewis, Trevor David	Computer Software Technology BS
Lien, Andrea	Marketing/Mgmt AAS
May, Cody Aron	Aviation BS
McMullen Jr, Calvin Milton	Business Mgmt BS
Melhorn, Thomas Richard	Business Mgmt BS
Meyer, Melanie Elizabeth	Agriculture AAS/Animal Science BS
Miller Jr, Rupert	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Moser, Jill Lynn	Early Childhood Education BS
Nelson, Leslie K	Agricultural AAS
Neubauer, Bobbie Jo	Hotel, Restaurant, & Insitutional Mgmt BS
Odegard, Casey James	Aviation BS
Olmstead, Sarah Jo	Business Mgmt BS
Olson, II, Robert Sherman	Natural Resources BS
Orne, Benjamin Gregory	Natural Resources BS
Palmer, Michael	Natural Resources BS
Pashuwa, Shekuwe Mursal	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Pederson, Travis Lane	Agronomy BS
Pezdirtz, Brooke Elizabeth	Business Mgmt BS
Potthier, Mara Homer	Hotel, Restaurant, & Insitutional Mgmt BS
Quiggle, Heather	Equine Science BS
Rongen, Eric M	Agricultural Business BS
Schulwitz, Nicolas	Business Mgmt BS
Sevigny, Monica J	Hotel, Restaurant, & Insitutional Mgmt BS
Slagter, Jeremiah Cole	Natural Resources BS
Smith, Tyler Anthony	Applied Studies BS
Sparby, Adam Douglas	Agricultural Business BS
Steigauf, Stephen Robert	Golf & Turf Mgmt BS/Horticulture BS
Traver, Daryl William	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Waclawik, Matthew Michael	Natural Resources BS
Welch, Benjamin Frederick	Business Mgmt BS
Whalen, Jean M	Applied Studies BS
Wilson, Andrew J	Golf & Turf Mgmt BS
Wolf, Anthony Richard	Natural Resources BS
Zoch, Jennifer Lyn	Horticulture BS

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

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), in collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND), will host an open house on March 23 for individuals interested in pursuing UND's online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program. UMC partnered with UND in response to a growing demand from UMC's online students for an online MBA degree option.

The MBA open house will be held March 23 in the Alseth Business Boardroom, Dowell Hall 116, on the UMC Campus, 2900 University Avenue, Crookston from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a presentation at 5:30 p.m. Anyone in Crookston or the surrounding area who is interested in UND's online or on-campus MBA program is welcome to attend and a virtual open house will also be available to those who are not physically able to participate.

UND's MBA program prepares individuals to meet "real world" management challenges at the executive level. Graduates of the MBA program will have enhanced communication, management and analytical skills.

U of M, Crookston students who have or will have completed their bachelor of science in business management will have achieved the necessary coursework required to begin the MBA admissions process at UND.

Any individual interested in the online or on-campus MBA can participate in the March 23 open house to visit with UND faculty, review the MBA curriculum and admission requirements, learn how the online program works, and discuss tuition and financial aid options.

For more information and to RSVP, contact UND Online & Distance Education at www.distance.und.edu/crookston or toll free at 1-800-342-8230.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Personal. Prestigious."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu/online.

With a focus on academic excellence, innovation and creativity, The University of North Dakota enrolls more than 13,000 on-campus and online students in some 220 fields of study, from baccalaureate through doctoral and professional degrees, including arts and sciences, aerospace, business, education, engineering, nursing, law and medicine. Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review and others, UND has established a reputation for entrepreneurship and innovation. It is a leader in such fields as rural health, energy and the environment, alternative fuels, unmanned aerial vehicles, nutrition, Indian law, space, technology, and more. To learn more, visit www.und.edu.

Contact: For more information and to RSVP, contact UND Online & Distance Education at www.distance.und.edu/crookston or toll free at 1-800-342-8230.

"Writing Women Back into History" is the theme for March when the University of Minnesota, Crookston will recognize Women's History Month with a series of events. The National Women's History Project, originator of Women's History Month, recognizes that women have been missing from our history books and this year's theme will honor the legacy of women throughout history. Women's History Month events on the Crookston campus include a theatrical performance, a common read, and a guest speaker who will focus on women and leadership.

Monday, March 1 - Women's History Month will be recognized with a special cake honoring the 90th anniversary of the women's suffrage movement and the 30th anniversary of the National Women's History Project. Served in the Sargeant Student Center from 1 -3 p.m., calendars will be handed out to everyone with a schedule of events with an historical profile of women's suffrage written by Sharon Neet, D.A., history professor at the U of M, Crookston. In the evening, Senior Eun Hye "Halie" Kang, a communication major, will present "The Women's Role in Korea" during the first in a series of international dinners held on the Crookston Campus. For information on the International Dinner Series, contact Rae French, coordinator of study abroad at 218-281-8339 (rfrench@umn.edu).

Tuesday, March 2 - Screening of the movie "Iron Jawed Angels," which tells the story of several defiant young activists who put their lives at risk to help American women win the right to vote. The movie will be shown in the Evergreen Hall classroom at 4 p.m.

Thursday- Sunday, March 4, 5, 6, 7 - "Leader of the Pack," a theater production based on the life and music of Ellie Greenwich will be performed in Kiehle Auditorium. Performances are scheduled each evening at 7:30 p.m. The play is produced by the U of M, Crookston Theater Department under the direction of George French and sponsored by Concerts & Lectures. Greenwich was a well-known American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer.  Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under with a $15 maximum for families.  

Monday, March 29 - Guest speaker Peg Lonnquist, Ph.D., director of the Women's Center at the University of Minnesota, will speak on the topic of women and leadership. Her presentation, which will begin at 4 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, is entitled "How to be Outrageous" will focus on the skills of women leaders. Hors d'œuvres will be served.

Wednesday, March 31 - A book discussion on Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, an autobiographical family history by Chinese writer Jung Chang, will be held in the Prairie Room in the Sargeant Student Center. The discussion will be held at 3:30 p.m., just prior to the International Dinner scheduled later that evening. Copies of the book are available at the U of M, Crookston Bookstore.

President Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as the first National Women's History Week. Later, in 1987, Congress expanded the week into a month, and March is now National Women's History Month. For more information, visit www.nwhp.org.
 
Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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)

The University of Minnesota, Crookston will send about thirty students on the upcoming Students Today Leaders Forever Pay It Forward Tour which begins on Friday, March 12, 2010. Over a nine day period, the students will travel by bus visiting six cities ending in Washington, D.C. The team of students will volunteer in the cities they visit and learn about area cultures and social issues.

The U of M, Crookston has sent a group of students on this Pay It Forward Tour for the last four years. Advisor Lisa Samuelson, director of student activities, complimented her student chairs explaining that they organize everything from choosing the sites and locating lodging to shopping for food and setting up evening activities.

Student leader and Senior Kate Bentley, a communication major from St. Paul, Minn., shared her inspiration, "As a participant, I have had a lot of fun. You're helping a lot of people that need it. It's something that doesn't take a lot of time but makes a big impact." Other student leaders include Senior Nik Jiran, an aviation major from Hayden, Idaho; Sophomore Joe Harren, an agronomy major from Eagle Bend, Minn.; and Junior Steffane Prestidge, a hotel, restaurant, and institutional management major from Buffalo, Minn.

Cities the students will be visiting include Duluth, Minn.; Kenosha, Wis.; Sandusky, Ohio; Rochester, N.Y.;  New Haven, Conn.; and finally Washington, D.C. To learn more about the Crookston campus' Pay It Forward tour, visit http://www.stlf.net/chapters/umc/events/umc-tour.

The Pay It Forward Tour is a multi-day, multi-city experience engages students in service and leadership, travel to and service in a new city each day, learning about social issues, building lasting relationships, and making a commitment to continued action when they return home.  All College Pay It Forward Tours travel to six cities across the country over the course of nine days.  Each tour consists of up to 40 students.  Every Tour is open to students from any school. There is also a Pay It Forward program for high school and middle school students.

The Pay It Forward Program is a program provided through Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF). STLF was founded in 2003 by Irene Fernando, Nick Lindberg, Greg Tehven, and Brian Peterson, son of Bill Peterson U of M, Crookston professor in the Math, Science, and Technology Department. These four students were college freshmen who dreamed of a way to make a difference. Their mission is to reveal leadership through service, relationships, and action. There are two main components of STLF: Pay It Forward Tours (for middle school through college students) and High School Leadership Camps. To learn more about STLF and the Pay It Forward Tours, visit www.stlf.net.
 
Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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 photo: Thirty students boarded the bus for the Students Today Leaders Forever "Pay It Forward Tour" on Friday, March 12, 2010. Over a nine day period, the students will travel by bus visiting six cities ending in the celebration city, Washington, D.C.  While in D.C., the UMC bus will be meeting up with different colleges to do one final service project.  The team of students will volunteer by doing service projects in the cities they visit and learn about area cultures and social issues.
 

Contact: Lisa Samuelson, director, student activities, 218-281-8507 (samue026@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu); Elizabeth Kern, communications assistant, 218-281-8446 (kernx088@umn.edu)

The Regional Partnerships and Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Institute invite University Research Faculty and Graduate & Post Graduate students to participate in the upcoming conference, "Relocalizing our Foodshed: Models and Methodologies in Cross-Disciplinary Research."  The two-day symposium and workshop is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, March 15-16 and will take place in Coffman Memorial Union on the East Bank Campus in Minneapolis, Minn.

Increasing numbers of communities and institutions are calling for and initiating a substantial overhaul of the American food system. The shared vision for this rapidly growing movement reflects a commitment to vital rural communities, healthy landscapes and people, and a robust food culture and agriculture that is more regionally based, sustainable in practice and intimate in scale.

This symposium will convene faculty, staff and students from north central academic institutions with visiting experts and community partners to discuss novel models and methodologies to meet public needs associated with redesigning our food system, with a special focus on foodshed analysis and food systems planning. Researchers from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa are invited to attend and network with their colleagues at neighboring institutions.

For more information and to register, visit www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu or www.hfhl.umn.edu. 

Contact: Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives at hfhl@umn.edu; Linda Kingery, executive director, Northwest Regional Sustainable Development, 218-281-8697 (kinge002@umn.edu)

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Turf Bowl Team placed 7th in the National Turf Bowl Competition held recently. Members of the team included Junior Tom Halver, Chaska, Minn.; Senior Philip Holland, New London, Minn.; Senior Mark Michalski, Silver Bay, Minn.; and Senior Weston Wander, Sauk Centre, Minn. They competed against 67 turf bowl teams from universities all across the United States.  The competition was held during the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Education and Trade Show on February 11, 2010, in San Diego, Calif.

Of the 67 teams represented by the 31 universities who competed, the U of M, Crookston Turf Bowl Team ranked 5th behind some major turfgrass programs including Iowa State University located in Ames; University of Massachusetts in Amherst; Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.; and Penn State located in State College.

The 3 ½ hour turf bowl exam  is comprised of nine sections including identification (turfgrass, seed, soil, weed, insect, and disease), turfgrass growth and development, soil and soil fertility, weed management, disease management, insect management, turfgrass calculations, business management, and  a case study essay.

Tom Halver, a golf and turf management major, interned for Superintendent Michael Cohrs at the Bluff Creek Golf Course in Chaska. Philip Holland interned for Superintendent John Kelley, Jr., at the Kittansett Club in Marion, Mass. Mark Michalski interned for Superintendent Roger Stewart at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn., during summer 2009. Weston Wander interned last summer for Superintendent Lee Mahnke at the Greystone Golf Club in Sauk Centre, Minn. Holland, Michalski, and Wander are all pursuing double majors in golf and turf management and horticulture with an emphasis in environmental landscaping.

The advisor of the U of M, Crookston Turf Bowl Team is Kristina S. Walker, Ph.D. She earned her doctoral and master's degrees in agronomy specializing in turfgrass management from Purdue University. Walker has been teaching courses in agronomy and turfgrass management since January 2009 at the Crookston Campus.

With a degree in golf and turf management, graduates are qualified for positions in the golf industry, sports field management, lawn care, sod production, grounds maintenance, sales or pursue an advanced degree. For more information on golf and turf management at the U of M, Crookston, visit www.umcrookston.edu/academics/agri/golfturf.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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 photo at top, left (l to r): Gregg Breningmeyer, John Deere Golf, director of Sales and Marketing; Kristina S. Walker, Ph.D., advisor and lecturer in golf and turf management at the U of M, Crookston; Philp Holland; Weston Wander; Mark Michalski; Tom Halver; and Mark Kuhns, GCSAA president.
 
In the photo at right (l to r): Philip Holland, Mark Michalski, Weston Wander, and Tom Halver.

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

Second guest in the Mentor in Residence series at the University of Minnesota, Crookston is concert pianist John McKay. While visiting campus, McKay will perform a special recital on February 22, 2010, dedicating the grand piano in Evergreen Hall, located on the south side of campus. The recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Evergreen and refreshments will be served following his performance. The concert is free and everyone is invited to attend.  

McKay's performance will include Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI/48 Haydn (1732-1809); Sonata in E flat major, op. 31, no. 3 Beethoven (1770-1827); Barcarolle in F sharp major, op. 60 Chopin (1810-1849); and Le Tombeau de Couperin Ravel (1875-1937).

John McKay retired as a professor of piano from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., in 2004, and now performs frequently throughout the Midwest and beyond. He is often heard as a soloist with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra. A native of Montreal, Canada, Dr. McKay earned his Bachelor's degree in Music from McGill University, and his graduate degrees at the Eastman School of Music.
From 1962 to 1969, McKay lived in Europe and gave recitals in Brussels, London, Vienna, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Munich, Berlin and Cologne. During the 1971-72 concert season, while teaching at the University of Toronto, McKay presented the complete works for solo piano by Johannes Brahms in a series of four recitals at Toronto's Town Hall. As a result of a sabbatical leave granted him in 1985-86, he performed Beethoven's 32 Piano Sonatas in a series of eight concerts.

In July 2000, McKay and his wife, Sara, were honored by the Minnesota State Arts Board for their service to music in their community. This recital is the second time McKay has been in concert on the Crookston Campus; he presented a recital in 2008 in Kiehle Auditorium.  

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

The Mentor in Residence program, under the direction of Gary Willhite, director of residential life, is built around the idea of living and learning. The primary objective is to enhance academic learning by providing an opportunity for students to develop and to participate in a relationship and dialogue that provides for a more intimate learning experience. The concert is sponsored in conjunction with the University of Minnesota, Crookston Music Department and the Concerts and Lectures Committee.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: George French, director, music and theater, 218-281-8266 (gfrench@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Designed for employees to network and share best practices, the annual, systemwide University of Minnesota Quality Fair is all about driving excellence. Included in this year's top finishers during a poster session was a poster by Melissa Dingmann, financial aid director and Emily Knutson, a financial aid counselor and workstudy coordinator at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  Their poster, entitled "Tracking Workstudy Study Funds Effectively Across Campus," was awarded third place overall of the 35 posters entered in the Quality Fair. Each year the top six entries in the poster session are recognized with a $500 prize for the department responsible for the poster's creation.

Dingmann and Knutson were interested in a better way to manage student workstudy. In 2007, the two enlisted the expertise of Tom Mulvaney, an information technology professional on the Crookston Campus. Mulvaney, in turn, built an online, Web-based database for them as a better way to manage the workstudy funds while allowing access by students, faculty and staff to help with such tasks as printing contracts and tracking hours. The database also automatically sends out timecard notices and let's students and their employees know when they are close to exhausting the available hours.
 
"It gives a lot of people access to information that is important to them," Dingmann says. "Before we had this tool, the whole process of keeping everyone informed was extremely time consuming."
Knutson, who works with the information daily, is especially pleased with the way they can track important information and how it gives easy access to those who need it. "We are looking at next steps to improve the database," Knutson explains. "We will be adding new things as time goes on and are currently considering the creation of a paperless timecard submission process." In 2008, the Morris campus decided to implement the database as a way to track the workstudy funds on their campus.

The U of M, Crookston also was represented by another poster during the session.  Rand Rasmussen, Ph.D., director of the Academic Assistance Center and Professor Bill Peterson from the Math, Science, & Technology Department presented a poster on "Caring for the At-Risk Student."

The 2010 Quality Fair, held on February 4 at the TCF Stadium on the Minneapolis campus, was one of the most successful in its history with some 1,000 registrants. A keynote address was given by Stuart R. Levine on "Strengthening Your Leadership Capacity to Achieve Quality Results with Passion." Levine is current chairman and CEO of Stuart Levine & Associates LLC, an international consulting and leadership development company, and former CEO of Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.

The U of M Quality Fair is designed to positively impact service and productivity, reduce costs, enhance revenue, education and research. It is sponsored by the Office of Service and Continuous Improvement (OSCI), an internal consulting group created by President Robert Bruininks in 2004 to enhance service, value, and efficiency at the University of Minnesota. To learn more about the Quality Fair, visit http://www1.umn.edu/osci/programs/q_fair/index.html.
 
Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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 photo: Melissa Dingmann (left) and Emily Knutson with their poster entered in the poster session at the University of Minnesota Quality Fair. 
 

Contact: Melissa Dingmann, director, financial aid, 218-281-8576 (dingmann@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Freshman Jeremy Olsen, Lino Lakes, Minn., a natural resources aviation major at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, recently completed his first solo flight. Olsen started flight training in mid-winter and recently completed his first solo flight.
 
The first solo is a major milestone in a fledgling pilot's progression to pilot certification. Olsen will now progress to cross country flights, night flying, and maneuvering flight training, all of which will culminate in his being qualified as a private pilot with single engine land privileges. The natural resource degree with an Aviation emphasis that Olsen is enrolled in will result in certification as a commercial pilot with instrument privileges upon his completion of the degree.

At the U of M, Crookston, the natural resource aviation degree program offers "dual function" degree programs by combining degrees in agriculture, law enforcement, natural resources or business management with professional flight training. To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu/academics/agri/aviation.
 
Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: Mike Vivion, chief pilot, 218-281-8114 (mvivion@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The popular International Dinner Series brings the wonderful flavors of food and culture from countries from across the world to the University of Minnesota, Crookston campus. The 2010 dinner series features Korea, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Panama. Students from each of these countries will share their favorite dishes and a special presentation related to their home country.

Advanced tickets are available for $12 for an individual evening or $40 for the entire series. Children tickets are available for $10 for an evening and $35 for the series. Contact Rae French, coordinator of study abroad at 218-281-8339 (rfrench@umn.edu) for tickets or more details.

The dinners kick off on March 1 with the country of Korea; March 8 the featured country is Dubai; followed by Panama on March 22. On March 31 is the international dinner finale. Dinner is served each evening at 6 p.m. Details for the 2010 International Dinner Series include:

March 1 - Join Senior Eun Hye "Halie" Kang, a communication major, as she presents "The Women's Role in Korea" while guests enjoy Korean food served family style. Traditional music and special selections from the U of M, Crookston theater will be performed.

March 8 - Learn about "The Man Made City" of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. You will taste delicacies from Pakistan. Junior Shozab Mahmood Khan, a bachelor of manufacturing management major, was born in Pakistan but grew up in Dubai he will share more about both of these interesting countries.

March 22 - Dancing and great food will highlight an evening featuring the country of Panama. Enjoy tasting the wonderful food  and learning more about the culture of Latin America with Senior Irma De La Guardia, a business management major.

March 31 - The International - Multicultural Club will host an evening talent showcase, along with demonstrations, table displays, and entertainment from countries all over the world. At 4:30 p.m. students will present a showcase of talent followed by the dinner at 6 p.m. This dinner concludes the international dinner series for 2010.

The International Dinner Series is a longstanding tradition at the U of M, Crookston and highlights the culture and cuisine of selected countries. To learn more about international programs, visit www.umcrookston.edu/international.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: Rae French, coordinator of study abroad at 218-281-8339 (rfrench@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Nearly 300 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community residents attended the 35th Annual Ag Arama on Saturday, January 30, 2010. Several contests are held and a variety of awards are given out to honor both current and graduated students. Ag Arama is planned and operated by a committee of students advised by faculty members.

Included in the variety of contests held are contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, and natural resources that highlight Ag Arama weekend. These contests serve as an opportunity for students in agriculture and natural resources degree programs to showcase their knowledge and skills and have a chance to interact with alumni and faculty members.

Brandin Solie, a senior from Fertile, Minn., was Crops Sweepstakes winner for the day. Solie had the most combined points from both the Agronomy Practicum contest as well as the Crop Show contest. The Agronomy Practicum presents contestants with problems to solve that they might face as a farm manager, such as problems with the application of herbicides, fertilizer, and insecticides. They were also asked to identify seedling crops and seeds, and to answer other questions relating to agronomic practice. The Crops Show tested contestants in their ability to judge seeds based on a number of factors, including plumpness, seed color, bushel weight, and the absence of foreign material.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director of communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu); Stephanie Onken, communications assistant, 218-281-8446 (onken015@umn.edu)

Nearly 300 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community residents attended the 35th Annual Ag Arama on Saturday, January 30, 2010. Several contests are held and a variety of awards are given out to honor both current and graduated students. Ag Arama is planned and operated by a committee of students advised by faculty members.

Included in the variety of contests held are contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, and natural resources that highlight Ag Arama weekend. These contests serve as an opportunity for students in agriculture and natural resources degree programs to showcase their knowledge and skills and have a chance to interact with alumni and faculty members.

Isaiah Ulmer, a junior from Fullerton, N.D., was the Round Robin Showmanship Winner for the day. The Round Robin Showmanship competition takes the first place winner from each showmanship contest, including horse, dairy, sheep, beef, and swine, and brings them together in the same ring. It was a challenging contest as each contestant must know something about every animal. Ulmer took home the Animal Science Sweepstakes Trophy as part of winning the Round Robin Showmanship competition.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director of communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu); Stephanie Onken, communications assistant, 218-281-8446 (onken015@umn.edu)

Seven times in the last nine years a University of Minnesota, Crookston student has been awarded the Student Conservationist and Scholarship Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. Carrying on this outstanding tradition, Senior Lisa Gentele, Omaha, Neb., a natural resources management major at the U of M, Crookston, is set to receive the prestigious award for 2010.

The award, presented in April at the professional organization's annual meeting, consists of a plaque and a $500 cash award. Last year's recipient was Holly Sandberg, a 2009 graduate of the U of M, Crookston, who is currently a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Alaska. Sandberg was the co-recipient with Junior Sheila Carleton, Baxter, Minn., who is currently double majoring in natural resources and agronomy.

According to Gentele, "The Soil and Water Conservation Society stands apart from many professional organizations in my eye in that it emphasizes a more integrated approach to living conditions for both urban residents and rural land owners.  Working for both The Nature Conservancy and Crookston's Park Department in the past has taught me many important ethics about the land, how we chose to manage it, and also how to work with everyone from politicians to local people.   My priority right now is a student but it's easy to look past education and into the working field where real life obstacles can be overcome and environmental changes can benefit everyone, now and in the future."

 Along with completing her degree at the U of M, Crookston in May of 2010, Gentele is the student sustainability assistant in the Center for Sustainability and coordinates student activities in connection with the Otter Tail Energy Challenge grant.  

"One of my areas of responsibility is to increase awareness about our current energy consumption and compare it to what we could save and the dollar amount associated with that savings," according to Gentele. "We've set a high goal on the Crookston campus to become climate neutral in the next 20 years by cutting carbon emissions related to energy consumption and considering alternative energy sources such as  wind, geothermal, biomass, biodigestion, and solar."

"After graduation Lisa plans to start a career in land, water, or energy management to give her an opportunity to practice her conservation passion," according to Dan Svedarsky, Ph.D., one of Gentele's professors and director of the Center for Sustainability on the Crookston campus. "We're so proud of Lisa's enthusiasm and leadership here on campus and for continuing the award-winning tradition of our conservation students." Gentele also serves as vice president of the Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society at the U of M, Crookston.

The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization, founded in 1943, that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based conservation practice, programs, and policy. To learn more about the work of the Minnesota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, visit www.minnesotaswcs.org.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: Dan Svedarsky, director, Center for Sustainability, 218-281-8129 (dsvedars@ umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Students at the University of Minnesota, Crookston named to the fall semester 2009 Dean's List were announced by the Office of the Registrar. The U of M, Crookston is one of the most respected career-oriented, technology-based universities in the nation.

To qualify for a place on the Dean's List, students must complete 12 or more letter-graded (A-F) credits while attaining a 3.50 grade point average. The Crookston campus is the online leader in the University of Minnesota system and the only campus providing every full-time student with a laptop computer.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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.

Fall 2009 Dean's List

Name	Degree	Minor
Aasness, Alisha	Business Management/Horticulture BS
Adams, Lorrie	Manufacturing Management BMM
Adelman, Paul	Sport & Recreation Management BS
Adkins, Amanda	Agricultural Education BS
Ahn, Duk Jin	Information Technology Management BS
Anderson, Jenna	Business Management BS
Arne, Brett	Natural Resources BS
Bach, Maxine	Equine Science BS
Bartholomew, Angela	Business Management/Equine Science BS
Bergemann, Brittany	Marketing BS
Berglund, Tyler	Post Secondary Enrollment Option
Bergquist, Carrie	Business Management BS
Beske, Andrew	Golf & Turf Management BS
Biddle, Jessica	Equine Science BS
Bochow, Amanda	Natural Resources BS
Bowar, Kayla	Business Management BS
Brinkmann, Thomas	Applied Health BAH
Burkard, Nicole	Natural Resources BS
Carlson, Amy	Health Sciences Preprofessional Track BS
Carpendedo, Karen	Equine Science BS
Carr, Jeffrey	Sport & Recreation Management BS
Carrlson, Virginia	Agricultural Education BS
Carty, Amoy	Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Management BS
Charles, Jessica	Animal Science/Equine Science BS
Chung, Seiyoung	Undeclared
Chute, Thomas	Agricultural Education BS
Claeys, Brandon	Manufacturing Management BMM
Coffman, Matthew	Agronomy BS
Critchett, Laura	Equine Science BS
Crots, Jensen	Health Sciences Preprofessional Track BS
Dagoberg, Seth	Agricultural Business/Agronomy BS
Dank, Anthony	Equine Science/Animal Science BS
Davis, Kristine	Applied Health BAH
DeBoer, Janessa	Marketing BS
Dikaitis, Victor	Health Sciences BS
Dimmler, Cole	Agricultural Business BS
Donati-Lewis, Heather	Equine Science BS
Dufresne, Kylie	Communication BS
Duick, Benjamin	Natural Resources BS
Ellenberg, Jada	Horticulture BS
Ellingson, Ryan	Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Management BS
Felts, Bruce	Biology/Health Sciences BS
Fillmore, Jonathan	Horticulture BS
Finke, Shanel	Communication BS
Fisher, Eric	Business Management BS
Flint, Amanda	Equine Science BS
Funk, Maria	Agricultural Education BS
Graves, Trent	Undeclared
Green, Matthew	Agricultural Systems Management BS
Grenell, Monica	Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Management BS
Gysbers, Brian	Natural Resources BS
Halver, Thomas	Golf & Turf Management BS
Hannon, Megan	Equine Science BS
Hanson, Eddie	Accounting BS
Harris, Danielle	Agricultural Business/Animal Science BS
Heggedal, Jakob	Agronomy BS
Heo, Joongi	Computer Software Technology BS
Holland, Philip	Agronomy/Golf & Turf Management/Horticulture BS
Hughes, Andrew	Business Management BS
Hullman, Jennifer	Applied Studies BS
Huso, Nicholas	Applied Health BAH
Im, Soo bin	Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Management BS
Jackson, Naomi	Criminal Justice BS
Jaroszewski, Gina	Sport & Recreation Management BS
Johnson, Becky	Animal/Equine Science BS
Johnson, Sean	Natural Resources BS
Johnston, Trey	Communication BS
Jones, Justine	Hotel Restaurtant & Institutional Management BS
Kaiser, Kelsey	Natural Resources BS
Karras, Jacob	Business Management BS
Kaschmitter, Brianna	Agricultural Business BS
Keimig, Rachel	Agricultural Systems Mgmt BS
Kern, Elizabeth	Communications BS
Khan, Shozab	Manufacturing Management/Quality Management BMM
Kilian, Michelle	Information Technology Mgmt BS
Kim, Hee Sup	Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Mgmt BS
Kim, Ji-Yeon	Business Mgmt BS
Kim, Keunsoo	Undeclared
Kim, Keunyung	Horticulture BS
Kim, Kyu Tae	Business Mgmt BS
Kim, Min Soo	Undeclared
Kim, MinJeoung	Undeclared
Knickrehm, Ashley	Early Childhood Education BS
Knudson, Michael	Natural Resources BS
Knudson, Timothy	Natural Resources BS
Knutson, Abigail	Animal Science BS
Koerber, Kyle	Accounting BS
Kramer, Megan	Equine Science BS
Kranzler, Brittany	Animal/Equine Science BS
Kriegh, Amanda	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Kujava, Payton	Undeclared
Kyllo, Aviva	Business Management BS
Lamecker, Joshua	Agricultural Business BS
Laplante, Bonnie	Applied Health BAH
Lee, Jun Young	Business Mgmt BS
Lee, Sang Hyung	Computer Software Tech. BS
Lee, Youngeun	Biology BS
Libbey, Jonathan	Natural Resources BS
Lim, Dong Hyun	Businees Mgmt BS
Lim, Suyoung	Undeclared
Liu, Chunhui	Business Mgmt BS
Lyons, Matthew	Health Science Pre Prof Tr BS
Mahamud, Osman	Applied Studies BS
Mangen, Beau	Biology BS
Mchugh, Margo	Accounting BS
McKeag, Ashley	Applied Studies BS
Meyer, Megan	Applied Science BS
Meyer, Melanie	Applied Science BS
Michalski, Mark	Golf & Turf Mgmt/Horticulture BS
Molden, Andrew	Sport & Recration Mgmt BS
Moritz, Alisha	Sport & Recration Mgmt BS
Nam, Wonik	Accounting BS
Nelsen, Emily	Agricultural Systems Mgmt BS
Nelson, Tyler	Agricultural Systems Mgmt BS
Neu, Kristine	Communication/Horticulture BS
Nieuwboer, Mindy	Equine Science BS
Norvitch, Philip	Natural Resources BS
Nowacki, Sarah	Early Childhood Education BS
Nustad, Joseph	Natural Resources BS
Odegard, Casey	Aviation BS
Olson, Samantha	Business Mgmt BS
Onken, Stephanie	Business Mgmt/Communication BS
Owens, Jarod	Computer Softwar Tech/Information Tech Mgmt BS
Park, Gun Beom	Undeclared
Park, Jeoung Hoon	Business Mgmt BS
Park, Min Ah	Organizational Psychology BS
Parsons, Kalpana	Early Childhood Education BS
Peterson, Angela	Equine Science BS
Peterson, Katrina	Animal Science BS
Prestidge, Steffane	Hotel Restaurant & Intstitutional Mgmt BS
Quiggle, Heather	Equine Science BS
Reitmeier, Christopher	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Riepe, Mark	Agronomy BS
Robinson, Jeffrey	Business Mgmt BS
Roland, Stephanie	Animal Science BS
Schein, Jessica	Natural Resources BS
Schlangen, Jacqueline	Animal Science BS
Schiep, Katherine	Animal Science/Early Childhood Education BS
Schmid, Kenny	Agricultural Systems Mgmt BS
Schmidt, Nicole	Business Mgmt BS
Schmitz, Gemma	Natural Resources BS
Schroeder, Heather	Animal Science BS
Schwartz, Gary	Manufacturing Mgmt BMM
Scott, Sara	Animal Science BS
Shulstad, Nichole	Accounting BS
Slepicka, Jaclyn	Communication BS
Sletten, Ashley	Business Mgmt BS
Swanson, Brett	Communication BS
Swenson, Chelsea	Information Technology Mgmt BS
Sylvester, Nick	Agronomy BS
Syverson, Karl	Business Mgmt BS
Taddy, Diana	Early Childhood Education BS
Terry, Jane	Business Mgmt BS
Thomas, Jerryann	Accounting BS
Thompson, Billy	Agronomy/Business Mgmt BS
Thompson, Matthew	Natural Resources BS
Tietje, Stepheni	Horticultural BS
Tollefson, Anna Mae	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Tong, Alvin Jian Hao	Business Mgmt/Natural Resources BS
Triestram, Jordan	Accounting BS
Trotter, Julie	Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Mgmt BS
Van Ackeren, Kelsey	Sport & Recreation Mgmt BS
Veres, Nicole	Equine Science BS
Volker, Melinda	Applied Studies BS
Waclawik, Matthew	Natural Resources BS
Wagner, Anna	Communication BS
Wander, Weston	Golf & Turf Mgmt/Horticulture BS
Wanous, Bradley	Quality Mgmt BMM
Waslaski, Gavin	Agricultural Systems Mgmt BS
Weber, Cynthia	Business Mgmt/Marketing BS
Weller, Matthew	Quality Mgmt BMM
Wells, Chelsey	Animal Science/Equine Science BS
Williams, Ashley	Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Mgmt BS
Williams, Benjamin	Natural Resources BS
Wilson, Andrew	Golf & Turf Mgmt BS
Wong, Spencer	Business Mgmt BS
Woods, Stephen	Business Mgmt/Sport & Recration Mgmt BS
Wroblewske, Tammy	Communication/Golf & Turf Mgmt/Horticulture BS
Yaeger, Christopher	Business Mgmt BS
Yu, Li	English as a Second Language
Zabel, Bri	Business Mgmt BS
Zawacki, Nicholas	Business Mgmt BS
Zuck, Samantha	Animal Science BS

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

Author Dennis Weidemann is the first in a series of guests who are part of a new Mentor in Residence program at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Weidemann's presentation will be Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Author of the book This Water Goes North, Weidemann's presentation will include a slide show beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Evergreen Hall followed by a book signing. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served and copies of This Water Goes North will be available for purchase.

Weidemann's book, published by Manitenahk Books, chronicles the real-life adventure of four young men in two canoes who set out in 1979 to paddle 1,400 miles north to Hudson Bay. The foursome spent the first three weeks snaking north on the Minnesota's Otter Tail River and Red River to Canada, camping at farms along the way. Following old fur trading routes, they passed through another 400 miles of untamed backcountry to the remote York Factory outpost on Hudson Bay.

"The spirit of adventure is universal," says Weidemann, who hopes that the book will help others appreciate the value of an adventure of youth. "Everyone dreams of going somewhere, but often life gets in the way. I hope that for at least a moment, This Water Goes North will take readers to wherever they wanted to go. Maybe one day, they too will be worlds away."

The Mentor in Residence program, under the direction of Gary Willhite, director of residential life, is built around the idea of living and learning. The primary objective is to enhance academic learning by providing an opportunity for students to develop and to participate in a relationship and dialogue that provides for a more intimate learning experience.

An efficiency apartment located in Evergreen Hall, which opened in fall 2009, will house the guests and the hall's classroom and lounges will serve as gathering spaces for some of the Mentor in Residence events. There also will be opportunities for the guests to interact with students in their classrooms and add value to the learning experience.

"The Mentor in Residence program is designed as an opportunity for students to develop interests in tandem with their core curricular degrees. These interests may work in harmony or be completely different than their degree program," Willhite says. "We will work with academic departments to bring in mentors who will augment learning and enhance the student experience on our campus."

Future guests include John McKay, a musician/concert pianist; Andrew Miller, a sports recreation administrator; and Natalie McGuire, professional photographer. For more information on Weidemann and his book, This Water Goes North, visit http://thiswatergoesnorth.com.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: Gary Willhite, director, residential life, 218-281-8530 (gwilhit@umn,.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Nearly 300 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community residents attended the 35th Annual Ag Arama on Saturday, January 30, 2010. Contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, and natural resources highlight Ag Arama weekend. These contests serve as an opportunity for students in agriculture and natural resources degree programs to showcase their knowledge and skills and have a chance to interact with alumni and faculty members. Ag Arama is planned and operated by a committee of students advised by faculty members.

Among the awards presented, four students were selected as royalty.  A rigorous application process involving student achievement and interviews by a panel of judges helps determine who best reflects the goals and spirit of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.  A student vote is also factored into the selection process.  The 2010 Ag Arama Royalty are Prince Leonard Will, Tulelake, Calif., a sophomore majoring in agricultural systems management; Princess Samantha Lahman, Parkers Prairie, Minn., a sophomore majoring in animal science; Queen Virginia Carrlson, New York Mills, Minn., a senior majoring in agricultural education and agricultural business; and King Thomas Haarstick, Vergas, Minn., a senior majoring in agricultural systems management.

Senior Desiree Severance, New York Mills, Minn., an animal science and agricultural
education major, earned the True Grit Award, presented annually to a student who best demonstrates active participation in student activities and encouragement of others to participate. The most coveted of all awards presented at Ag Arama the True Grit Award is dedicated to Todd Opsahl, a student in 1973-74.  Most of the students and faculty around Todd did not know that he was suffering from terminal leukemia, a disease that took his life shortly after he left college.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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 photo, top left (l to r): Prince Leonard Will, Princess Samantha Lahman, Queen Virginia Carrlson, and King Thomas Haarstick.

In the photo, bottom right (l to r); Ron Del Vecchio, Ph.D., head of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and True Grit Award Winner Desiree Severance.

Contact: Terrill Bradford, instructor, agriculture, 218-281-8108 (tbradfor@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

In a style they call "muckgrass", a concert by the band Mucky Peat and the Macrophytes will bring energy and entertainment to Kiehle Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Thursday, February 11, 2010. The performance begins at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge and everyone is invited to attend; however, the concert is best suited to older students and adults.

The band plays several old country/bluegrass covers and alternative works, all in their self-proclaimed  "muckgrass" style. Members of the band are students at the U of M, Crookston including: Senior Jake Anderson, Lakeville, Minn., on guitar and vocals; Junior D.J. Salquist, Spooner, Wis., also on guitar and vocals; Junior Chris Evans, Buffalo, Minn., on guitar; Senior Jeff Wilson, Spooner, Wis., on mandolin; Senior Paul Anderson, Kasson, Minn., on bass guitar; and Jonah Olson, White Bear Lake, Minn., on percussion.

The performance by Mucky Peat and the Macrophytes is sponsored by Student Programming and Activities for Campus Entertainment (S.P.A.C.E.) at the U of M, Crookston.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, 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: Joshua Jensen, public relations for Mucky Peat and the Macrophytes (jense822@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)