Blue skies and light winds provided a pleasant backdrop to the Centennial Park Flag Project dedication ceremony held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 13, 2010, on the University of Minnesota, Crookston Campus Mall. The brief ceremony featured a welcome and introductions from Corby Kemmer, director of Development & Alumni Relations. Chancellor Charles H. Casey extended greetings and shared historical information about the project and its benefactor, Harris A. Peterson, a 1942 alumnus of the Northwest School of Agriculture.

Peterson, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was represented by his son, Harold Peterson, grandson Shane Peterson along with his wife, Leah, and their twin sons, Matthew and Nathan, Harris' great grandsons. Shane shared remarks on behalf of his grandfather during the ceremony.

Crookston Student Association President Shawn Friedland thanked the Peterson family on behalf of the student body and the entire campus community and presented a framed photograph of the three flags that now fly over the campus. The dedication concluded with a flag ceremony, narrated by Mike Vivion, chief pilot and instructor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and Veterans Club advisor. The United States flag was raised while U of M, Crookston Senior Katherine Kezar, Farmington, Minn., played Reveille on the trumpet.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including several online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photo (l to r): Harold Peterson, Chancellor Casey, Leah Peterson, CSA President Shawn Friedland, Director of Development & Alumni Relations Corby Kemmer, and Shane Peterson. Shane and Leah are holding twin sons Matthew and Nathan.