The University of Minnesota, Crookston recently honored three individuals and an organization with the Torch & Shield Award. Recipients Sue Brorson, Phil Baird, Dave Hoff and KROX AM Radio 1260 were honored at a special recognition event held on Tuesday, October 26, 2010. Some 150 people attended the event honoring the Torch & Shield recipients as well as the many donors who give in support of the Crookston campus.

The award recognizes the leadership of individuals and organizations who have been influential on the development of the University of Minnesota, Crookston; Northwest Research and Outreach Center; and Extension. It is the highest recognition awarded by the campus.

The 2010 Torch & Shield honorees included:

Susan Brorson, Ph.D., is a professor and head of the Business Department at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Her work on the campus spans more than 30 years and serving as head of the Business Department for the past six years. Brorson has embraced and nurtured educational innovation.  First, through teaching as the U of M, Crookston transitioned to a technology-focused baccalaureate campus in the 1990s and most recently, through her work as an administrator. Under her leadership, the Business Department has grown to offer five baccalaureate degrees online and serve more than 400 degree-seeking students.

Phil Baird is an associate professor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department at the U of M, Crookston where he has served since 1979. An innovative and dedicated instructor, Baird has served as an advisor to countless students. For the past 28 years, Baird and Tom Feiro have taken his students each spring to the Deer River District on the Chippewa National Forest for a long weekend of planting trees and experiencing the meaning of service, hard work, teamwork, and responsibility. Their crews have planted more than 155,000 trees.

David Hoff joined the teaching staff at the University of Minnesota Technical College in Crookston in 1967. He is responsible for starting the ag business program in 1970. Over the years, he was involved in many of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conferences over the years serving as judging team coordinator from 1988-2004.

KROX AM Radio 1260 is only the second organization to be recognized with the Torch &Shield Award. Founded in April 1948, the station has been broadcasting everyday for more than 62 years. It is owned and operated by Gopher Communications Company, which is comprised of Frank and Jeanette Fee. A community-minded radio station, KROX works in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, Crookston and covers news stories from the campus as well as broadcasting Insight Radio and Golden Eagle athletic events.

The purpose of recognizing someone with a Torch & Shield Award is to honor contributions of significance to higher education, the Crookston campus, and the region; recognize champions of UMC, NWROC, and Extension for their impact on the region through teaching, research, and outreach; and distinguish both high profile individuals and those who have been "quiet" contributors to the success of the U of M, Crookston. For more information or to view past recipients of the award, visit www.umcrookston.edu/torchandshield.

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

In the photo: Back row (l to r): Chancellor Charles H. Casey, David Hoff, Phil Baird, and Corby Kemmer, director of development and alumni relations. Front row: Jeanette Fee, Sue Brorson, and Ray Frydenlund.

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

You are conducting an aerial census of bighorn sheep in mountainous terrain when a strong gust of wind causes a temporary upset of your aircraft.  Your response in the next few seconds can mean the difference between life and death.  Studies have shown that pilots exposed to such potential loss of control in training stand a much better chance of extricating themselves from an in-flight emergency.

Rich Stowell of Santa Paula, Calif., the 2007 National Flight Instructor of the Year, created his nationally acclaimed Emergency Maneuver Training ™ program specifically to help pilots avoid loss of control emergencies and to improve their odds of survival in the unlikely event that they find themselves in such a situation.  Stowell has been so generous as to permit the U of M, Crookston to use his training syllabus in offering this invaluable training to students.  Federal and State conservation and law enforcement agencies and many airlines now require this type of training of their pilots.

Recently, nine U of M, Crookston aviation students participated in Emergency Maneuver Training ™ at the Crookston Municipal airport.  Kaitlyn Linde, a junior from Apple Valley, Minn.;  Nik Jiran, a senior from Hayden, Idaho; Nongye Lo, a junior from St. Paul, Minn.; Kyle Sveen, a senior from Hoople, N.D.; Lucas Rosemeyer, a senior from Dorchester, Wis.; David Carignan, a senior from Walhalla, N.D.; Anthony Young, a senior from St. Cloud, Minn.; Jeff Sieger, a senior from Grand Forks, N.D.; Cody McLean, a junior from East Grand Forks, Minn., participated in the training.

The course involves three blocks of training, including introduction to spin training in partner UNDAF Cessna 172s, followed by two blocks of spin and unusual attitude recovery training in a Bellanca Decathlon.  The training includes spins, spin avoidance and recovery, recovery from rolling upsets (inverted flight), recovery from jammed or failed controls, and an introduction to aerobatic flight.

Rich Stowell took his first flying lesson in 1982 and earned his Private license in early 1984. He began his career as a full-time instructor in 1987. In February 2001, Stowell was designated the country's first Master CFI-Aerobatics and has served on the Master Instructors LLC Board of Review for Master CFI-Aerobatic applicants ever since. To learn more, visit www.richstowell.com.

To learn more about aviation on the Crookston campus, visit www.umcrookston.edu/academics.

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

In the photo: Nongye Lo, seated in the pilot seat of a Cessna 172, prior to a spin flight, giving a thumbs up.

Contact: Mike Vivion, chief pilot, 218-281-8114 (mvivion@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

In the United States, it is the season of giving thanks for the abundance so many enjoy, but for others, it is only a gnawing reminder of the suffering caused by hunger. A project at the University of Minnesota, Crookston will provide a way to help those who suffer and to remember the many empty bowls there are in this country and around the world.

An Empty Bowls Dinner, a combination service learning and community service project, is slated for Tuesday, November 16, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. The dinner, to be held in Bede Ballroom, brings to fruition a project that began more than a year ago under the direction of Lisa Loegering, assistant director of service learning. Tickets for the event are $15 and available at the Krazy Kiln in Crookston, at the 2nd floor administrative desk in the Sargeant Student Center, or at the door.
 
Students in a pottery class at the U of M, Crookston taught by Assistant Professor Sonia Spaeth, high school students in Gary Stegman's pottery class at the Crookston High School (CHS), along with community members joined together last spring for a "Bowl-a-thon" and "Glaze-a-thon" at the CHS.  In addition to Spaeth and Stegman, Jenn Steinbrink, artist and owner of the Krazy Kiln, collaborated to head up these events.  In about 5 hours, about 65 community members created about 200 bowls.  Some of them were thrown, some were hand-built, but each one is unique. Those who come to the dinner will take home their bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls there are in the world.

Students in the Hospitality Association Club at the U of M, Crookston will be creating the soup, bread, and dessert served at the dinner. "This event really brought together a lot of collaborators and is truly a joint effort," says Loegering. "The whole idea for the project was brought to my attention about five years ago, but there wasn't enough funding to make it happen until one of our students was awarded grant funding to help support the project."

Sophomore Katya Zepeda, Crookston, Minn., was one of two college students selected to receive a $1,000 Carter Academic Service Entrepreneur (CASE) grant supporting innovative service-learning projects. Zepeda's funding helped make the Empty Bowls project a reality. An additional aspect of this project was a partnership between UMC and about 10 students from CHS.  On days when classes were released early, students were bused to UMC for some educational opportunities, and included preparing for this event.

"It took the willingness and work of Katya combined with the expertise and passion of Gary Stegman, Jenn Steinbrink and Sonia Spaeth to make this dinner happen," Loegering says. "It simply would not have been possible without them and I am very grateful."

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

In the photos: The bowl-a-thon held last spring helped create 250 bowls for use during the Empty Bowls dinner.

 

Contact: Lisa Loegering, assistant director, service learning, 218-281-8526 (loege005@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Minneapolis' Mixed Blood Theatre's production of Theory of Mind will be performed at the University of Minnesota Crookston Kiehle Auditorium on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, from 7 to 8 p.m. This sensitive yet unsentimental story presents a portrait of a young man with Asperger's Syndrome.

Bill is a college-bound seventeen year-old, equipped with scholastic brilliance but low emotional intelligence; a keen self-awareness yet, an inability to read social cues, and a charming directness yet prone to taking everything he hears literally.  His outing with a young woman becomes a memorable, insightful look at the tugs, shifts, and about-faces found on the autism spectrum.

Theory of Mind is written by Ken LaZebnik, a veteran Mixed Blood company member whose other writing credits include Touched by an Angel and the Mixed Blood-produced plays Calvinisms, League of Nations and Vestibular Sense.  His yet untitled play about the online autism community is planned to debut in Mixed Blood's 2011-2012 season.

First toured by Mixed Blood in 2009, Theory of Mind again features Skyler Nowinski as Bill in a cast that also includes Brittany Bradford and Warren C. Bowles.  The production is again staged by Mixed Blood Artistic Director Jack Reuler.

The show is one of five culturally-specific productions toured this season by Mixed Blood, a professional, multi-racial theatre company based in Minneapolis that promotes cultural pluralism and individual equality through artistic excellence.  The other touring productions include the Chicano cultural history Minnecanos; the Martin Luther King biography Dr. King's Dream; Daughters of Africa, a music-driven history of African American women; and African America, a look at the modern African diaspora in Minnesota.

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

Contact: Thomas Williams, director , diversity programs, 218-281-8580 (will3140@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Bringing high-speed broadband Internet access to rural areas in Northwest Minnesota will be the central topic of a community forum on Wednesday, October 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Crookston.   All broadband stakeholders are encouraged to attend, including business owners, elected officials, service providers, and residents.  

The meeting will be hosted by IMPACT 20/20, a group of Northwest Minnesota leaders representing diverse interests and working together for the region's economic success and its rural broadband initiative mission.  These leaders agree that high-speed broadband is one of the most important components of the rural economy, now and into the future.  

A similar community forum is scheduled for Thursday, October 28, from noon to 2 p.m. at North Point Lodge in Park Rapids, Minnesota.  

The broadband initiative was adopted in response to the findings of a Regional Competitiveness Assessment that was prepared for the IMPACT 20/20 Core Team.  IMPACT 20/20 has established two goals for this initiative:  1. All communities in the region with 500 residents or more will have business-grade broadband access of speeds greater than 20/10 (20 Mb download and 10 Mb upload) within five years.  2. All residents of the region will have access to broadband speeds of 10/5 (10Mb download  and 5 Mb upload) within the same time period.

Learn more at www.impact2020.org/broadband.html.  

IMPACT 20/20 is a group of senior executives and elected officials who came together in the fall of 2008 to explore the possibility of developing a collective action plan for the economy of Northwest Minnesota.  Participants included seven of the region's top business people, three heads of higher education, two tribal chairs, two officers of utility cooperatives, two presidents of healthcare institutions, two directors of economic development commissions, two directors of workforce development organizations, one school superintendent, one director of a K-12 service cooperative, one president of a foundation, and one state commissioner.

Contact: Jack Geller, professor and department head, Liberal Arts and Education Department, and member of the Governor’s Taskforce on High-Speed Broadband, 218-281-8248 (gelle045@umn.edu); Andrew Svec, director of communications, 218-281-8438 (asvec@umn.edu)

A social is planned for alumni from the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Thursday,
November 4, 2010, at the Ramada Plaza Suites and Convention Center in Fargo, N.D. The social, slated from 5 - 7 p.m., is hosted by members of the U of M, Crookston Alumni Association Board (UMCAA) and all alumni are invited and refreshments will be served.

The Ramada Plaza Suites and Convention Center is located at 1635 42nd Street South in Fargo. You can also RSVP if you wish by visiting facebook.com and searching for University of Minnesota, Crookston Alumni Social.

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

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

The University of Minnesota, Crookston co-hosted the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's Region 5 Regional Flying contest at Crookston Municipal Airport during the week of October 11, 2010.  For the first time in 20 years, the U of M, Crookston fielded a team in the competition. Team members included Senior Andrew Knapton, Rockford, Minn.; Junior Nongye Lo, St. Paul., Minn.; and Senior Anthony Young, St. Cloud, Minn.

The competition consisted of nine separate events, including both flying and ground-based competitions.  Contestants may compete in one or all of the contests.  Most of the competitors in this year's event had competed in past events, including several who have competed in the national championships.   Most of the teams practice all year for this competition.

The team members from the U of M, Crookston acquitted themselves superbly, especially considering a relatively short training period and the fact that none of them had past experience with these particular contests. Lo finished 6th overall out of 46 competitors, while Knapton finished 27th and Young finished 28th overall.   

For Mike Vivion, chief pilot on the Crookston campus, the results were a source of pride. "Our Flying Team performed extremely well, and we congratulate them and wish them good luck in next year's event, which will be held in St. Cloud, Minn.," Vivion says.  "All three of the team members are enthusiastic about participating in next year's regional competition, and with more time to practice and one competition under their belt, they should be even more of a threat to the top contenders.

"Most teams brought 10 or more competitors, so UMC is looking to grow its flying team prior to next year's event.  With Andrew, Nongye and Anthony, we've got a great core for a successful team."

To learn more about the opportunities in aviation on the Crookston campus, visit www.umcrookston.edu/academics or contact Vivion at 218-281-8114.

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

In the photo: Judges observe during the spot landing competition.

Contact: Mike Vivion, chief pilot, 218-281-8114 (mvivion@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Albert Sims, Ph.D. (photo, at right), as Director of Operations effective Monday, October 4, 2010. Sims' background is in nutrient and fertilizer management in crop production.  He has been with the NWROC since 1995; he earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor in 2001 in the Department of Soil, Water and Climate in the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.

Greg Cuomo, associate dean of the college, says Sims will provide solid direction and leadership for the NWROC. "Dr. Sims is recognized throughout the region and the state of Minnesota for his work in the areas of soil fertility and nutrient management and we are pleased to have him as the new director of operations in Crookston."

Sims replaces Larry Smith, who stepped down as head of the NWROC after 27 years of dedicated service. Smith will remain a member of the research faculty as sugar beet agronomist. His work in the area of sugar beets and small grains has enabled increased crop production and regional viability. "Dr. Smith has provided such dedicated service over the years," Cuomo said. "His role as a member of our research faculty will give him the opportunity to continue that unprecedented leadership to both agriculture production and to northwest Minnesota."

Sims is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the American Society for the Advancement of Science. Sims holds a doctorate from North Carolina State University in Raleigh in soil science and both his master's and bachelor's degrees are in agronomy from University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

For more information on the NWROC, visit http://nwroc.crk.umn.edu.

Contact: Maureen Aubol, Northwest Research and Outreach Center, 218-281-8602 (aubo0002@umn.edu)

In honor of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month, the University of Minnesota, Crookston will host a performance of "Help Wanted" by Teatro del Pueblo. One of their most popular performances, Teatro del Pueblo will perform the one-act play on Wed., October 20, at 6 p.m. in the Kiehle Auditorium. The play is free and open to the public. Following the performance there will be a time for questions and discussion.

The play, written and directed by Virginia McFerran, focuses on the lives of impoverished immigrants who came to Minnesota to seek a better life and to help their family in Mexico.  Three actors playing multiple roles present scenes depicting life in Mexico, a dangerous border crossing, unionizing efforts, detention by the INS, and demonstrations in support of the hotel workers.  This satirical piece demonstrates the plight of workers whose labor is needed in Minnesota, but who risk harsh treatment and inequities when trying to fill this need. 

The original production is loosely based upon real events that took place in Minnesota surrounding the Albino sisters and their experiences. The stories of the sisters were transcribed through interviews with Dennis Valdez and other members of Teatro Latino of Minneapolis, Minn. The script has recently been updated to reflect the ever-changing immigrant experiences in the United States.

Teatro del Pueblo is a small, non-profit Latino theater located in St. Paul, MN. Fostered by the Latino community on the West Side, it has grown since its inception in 1992 to serve St. Paul, Minneapolis, the metro area and greater Minnesota.Based in the West Side's Latino community, Teatro del Pueblo promotes Latino culture through the creation and presentation of performing arts. Teatro develops and supports Latino artists, provides educational opportunities for all to experience Latino culture and promotes cross-cultural dialogue.For more information about Teatro del Pueblo, visit www.teatrodelpueblo.org.
 
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. More information is available at www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.
 
Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 18 minors, and more than 40 concentrations, including several online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,400 undergraduates from more than 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: : Thomas Williams, director, diversity and multicultural services, 218-281-8580 (will3140@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director of communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

What to do when you're a college student in Minnesota, and you want to attend a professional conference in Idaho?  Junior Andrew Rice (right in photo) and Senior Alvin Tong (left in photo) from the University of Minnesota, Crookston didn't let the distance stop them.  The two natural resources aviation majors climbed into an airplane and flew to the conference.  

 The intrepid aviators took to the cockpit of Andrew's father's Piper Tri Pacer flying both to and from Boise, Idaho, to attend the annual Conference and Safety Workshop of the International Association of Natural Resource Pilots during the week of October 1 -5, 2010.

While crystal clear weather and tailwinds favored the two on the trip to Boise, headwinds, thunderstorms, rain, and darkness plagued them on the return trip.  They handled it all safely and with aplomb during a trip that provided great real-world experience for these budding professional aviators.  

The IANRP is a group of pilots who utilize aircraft in the field of renewable resources. Their aviation specialties are varied and include aircraft use for forestry, wildlife, and fisheries applications, plus enforcement of natural resource regulations. To learn more, visit ianrp.org.

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

Contact: : Mike Vivion, chief pilot, 218-281-8114 (mvivion@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Rescheduled to Thursday, Dec. 2nd  1 - 5 p.m. at the McIntosh Community Center - To RSVP, get directions, and see the full agenda, please click here or visit http://nwgreenstep.eventbrite.com.

Wondering what you can do to make your community thriving, healthy, and prosperous? GreenStep Cities has done the research so you don't have to!  This free, voluntary program gives community members the tools needed to create and make citizens' vision for the future a reality!  Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team (CERT) is hosting a free informational meeting about MN GreenStep Cities, a newly-released challenge, assistance, and recognition program that helps regional municipalities look to the future. The meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, December 2, 2010, from  1 - 5 p.m. at the McIntosh Community Center. A light reception, with appetizers and networking, will follow the meeting from 4-5 pm.

Who should attend?  Local government personnel, city council members, mayors, county commissioners, community organization leaders, utilities, congregations, community leaders, and the general public can all benefit from GreenStep Cities.  

RSVP:  To learn more, get directions, and register for this free event, go online to http://nwgreenstep.eventbrite.com or call (218) 281-8685.

AGENDA:
1:00      Welcome: Mayor David Genereux, City of Crookston
1:15    Networking activity
1:35    City of Hoffman: "What can small towns do? A Case Study Example", Muriel        Krusemark, Hoffman Economic Development Authority
1:55    Minnesota GreenStep Cities Overview: Chris Waltz, NW CERT
2:10    Discussion: Existing Skills & Assets you bring to GreenStep Cities, led by Chris Waltz, NW CERT
2:30    Break (refreshments)
2:45    Panel Discussion: Moderator: Chris Waltz, NW CERT    
    
The panel:
Lissa Pawlisch - CERTs Statewide Coordinator, University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP)    
Cam Fanfulik - Northwest Economic Development Commission
Ken Johnson - Energy Management Representative, Ottertail Power Company
Lisa Pickard - Communications/Member Services Specialist, Minnkota Power Cooperative
Richard Lehmann - Mayor of Bemidji, Optivation (formerly Northwest Technical College Center for Research and Innovation Custom College), Bemidji State University
3:30    Q&A
4:00    Topic tables: GreenStep Best Practices by Category (Building and Lighting, Land Use,     Transportation, Environmental Management, Economic and Community Development).
4:15      Light Reception (appetizers & networking)
5:00      Adjourn

THE BASICS:
Who: Community members and community leaders from Northwestern Minnesota
What: Free, informational meeting on Minnesota GreenStep Cities program
Where: Crookston, Bede Ballroom, University of Minnesota Crookston campus
When:  October 27, 2010
    - 1:00-4:00pm Meeting
    - 4:00-5:00 pm Light Reception (Appetizers and Networking)
   Why: To learn how local communities can become thriving, healthy, and prosperous

ABOUT CERTs: The Clean Energy Resource Teams connect Minnesotan communities with resources to identify and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

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

Contact: For GreenStep Cities: Chris Waltz, NW CERT Coordinator, 218-281-8685 or waltz020@umn.edu

Five colleges in the upper Midwest will be participating in a flight competition as part of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) in mid-October. The Region 5 Safecon will kick off with a briefing on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, in Youngquist Auditorium located at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center adjacent to the campus of the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The competition runs through Saturday, October 16 with much of the activity taking place at the Crookston Municipal Airport. The event is hosted by the University of North Dakota (UND) with assistance from Mike Vivion, chief pilot at the U of M, Crookston and his staff.

Students must meet eligibility requirements to compete in the wide range of contests designed to test skills such areas as navigation, message drop, computer accuracy, aircraft inspection, and others. The Region 5 Safecon will be the first time the U of M, Crookston will have a team in the competition. Members of that team include two seniors Andrew Knapton, Rockford, Minn., Anthony Young, St. Cloud, Minn., and a junior Nongye Lo, St. Paul, Minn.

Students at the Crookston campus majoring in aviation learn aviation fundamentals through a partnership with UND and the U of M, Crookston. Other colleges competing include Iowa State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; St. Cloud State University; and the University of Dubuque.

NIFA sponsors the flying competitions which include both flight and ground-based competitions for member schools. The competitions are held first at the regional level and winners of the regional competition move on to a national contest.
For information about the competition, contact Mike Vivion at 218-281-8114.

The National Intercollegiate Flying Association was formed for the purposes of developing and advancing aviation education; to promote, encourage and foster safety in aviation; to promote and foster communications and cooperation between aviation students, educators, educational institutions and the aviation industry; and to provide an arena for collegiate aviation competition. For more information, visit www.nifa.us.

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

Contact: : Mike Vivion, chief pilot, 218-281-8114 (mvivion@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

After an extremely competitive selection process Mike Field, a senior at the University of Minnesota, Crookston was selected by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national organization for the landscaping industry, to be a student ambassador for the upcoming annual Green Industry Conference in Louisville, Ky.  Field who is from Spicer, Minn., is a double major in horticulture and golf and turf management.

The 2010 Green Industry Conference which takes place on October 27-30, 2010, provides the opportunity for both landscape professionals and business experts to network and learn the latest in this rapidly growing field. Jamie Clarke, extreme adventurer and motivational speaker will provide the keynote address at the conference.

As part of the ambassador program, Field will receive complimentary registration, hotel, meals, and a daily stipend.  He will be able to take advantage of the educational sessions as well as national networking opportunities, and he will assist PLANET staff with conference operations.

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

In the photo (l to r): Sue Jacobson, instructor in horticulture, Mike Field, and Eric Castle, assistant professor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.

Contact: Eric Castle, assistant professor, 218-281-8119 (castl047@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The Torch & Shield Award recognizes the leadership of individuals and organizations who have been influential on the development of the University of Minnesota, Crookston; Northwest Research and Outreach Center; and Extension. It is the highest recognition awarded by the campus and this year three individuals and an organization will be honored with the award. A social, program, and banquet celebrating the award recipients will be held on Tuesday evening, October 26, 2010. The evening also  honors the donors who have given in support of the campus over the past year.

The event will be live streamed that evening at http://www3.crk.umn.edu/people/services/MediaServ/Stream.htm. Click on "Connect to Live Event"


The 2010 Torch & Shield Award recipients are:

Susan Brorson, Ph.D., is a professor and head of the Business Department at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. She has served as head of the department for the past six years.  Brorson has embraced and nurtured educational innovation.  First, through teaching as the U of M, Crookston transitioned to a technology-focused baccalaureate campus in the 1990s, and most recently, through her work as an administrator. Under her leadership, the Business Department has grown to offer five baccalaureate degrees online and serve more than 400 degree-seeking students. Her work on the campus spans more than 30 years, and she has served as a role model for young women and consistently championed the role of women through her support and encouragement. She has twice been honored by the U of M, Crookston with the Distinguished Teaching Award, and in 2001 she was recognized by Women in Technology International for contributions to the advancement of technology. Brorson holds a doctorate in teaching and learning and a master's degree in marketing education from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and a bachelor's degree in marketing education from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Phil Baird is an associate professor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department at the U of M, Crookston where he has served since 1979. An innovative and dedicated instructor, Baird has served as an adviser to countless students. He has received Crookston campus recognition including UMC Student Association awards for Academic Adviser of the Semester, Outstanding Educator of the Year, and Outstanding Service to Students, as well as the Distinguished Teaching Award. He has also received the University of Minnesota's President's Award for Outstanding Service and the Horace T. Morse University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education. For the past 28 years, Baird and Tom Feiro have taken his students each spring to the Deer River District on the Chippewa National Forest for a long weekend of planting trees and experiencing the meaning of service, hard work, teamwork, and responsibility. Their crews have planted more than 155,000 trees. Baird has also coordinated the Northwest Urban Forestry Workshop for the past 27 years; designed to provide training and the advancement of urban forestry for cities and counties in northwestern Minnesota and the region. Baird holds a master's degree in forest administration and management and a bachelor's degree in outdoor recreation resources management, both from Iowa State University in Ames.

David Hoff joined the teaching staff at the University of Minnesota Technical College in Crookston in 1967. He is responsible for starting the ag business program in 1970, served as interim chair of the Ag Division in 1988-89, and was involved in many of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conferences over the years serving as judging team coordinator from 1988-2004. Hoff initiated the discussion leading to a cooperative agreement with the Agricultural Education Department at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul which allowed students to earn their agricultural education degrees on the Crookston campus. In 1978-79, he was part of a teacher exchange to Berkshire College of Agriculture in England. He holds a master's degree in agricultural economics and a bachelor's degree in agricultural education, both from North Dakota State University in Fargo.

KROX AM Radio 1260 is only the second organization to be recognized with the Torch &
Shield Award. Founded in April 1948, the
station has been broadcasting everyday for more than 62 years. It is owned and operated by Gopher Communications Company, which is comprised of Frank and Jeanette Fee. A community-minded radio station, KROX works in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, Crookston and covers news stories from the campus as well as broadcasting Insight Radio, a weekly radio program featuring students, faculty, and staff on the Crookston campus. The station is also dedicated to the broadcasting of Golden Eagle athletics and has traveled countless miles to bring athletic action to the fans. Staff members at KROX include: Frank Fee,  general manager, sales, news and sports; Jeanette Fee, office manager; Chris Fee, traffic director, announcer, Web site and sports; Tom Helgeson, sales; Raymond Lee, morning announcer and host of Valley Talk; MaryAnn Simmons, news director; Jacob Fee, announcer and Web site coordinator; Joshua Leyh, afternoon/evening announcer; Cecil Malme, Alisa Cardinal, Mark Anderson who serve as weekend and part-time announcers; and Stan Mueller, station engineer.

The purpose of recognizing someone with a Torch & Shield Award is to honor contributions of significance to higher education, the Crookston campus, and the region; recognize champions of UMC, NWROC, and Extension for their impact on the region through teaching, research, and outreach; and distinguish both high profile individuals and those who have been "quiet" contributors to the success of the U of M, Crookston. For more information or to view past recipients of the award, visit www.umcrookston.edu/torchandshield.

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

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

Alumni from the University of Minnesota, Crookston were honored during homecoming weekend on Friday, September 24, 2010, at the annual banquet and program. It was a chance for the campus community to honor two recipients of the Outstanding Alumni award and the inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame, including three individuals and the 1982 Football Team.

Outstanding Alumni for 2010 are:

James Clack, currently the Baltimore, Md., fire chief, was born in Crookston but grew up in Fowler, Calif. He attended the U of M, Crookston Technical College graduating in 1980 with a degree in general business administration. Clack began as a firefighter in February 1986 and spent five years at Station 11 in southeast Minneapolis on the hazardous materials team. In 1992 he was promoted to captain--where he moved from station to station--and in 1998 he was appointed deputy chief of personnel. He became assistant chief and was officially appointed chief in 2007after serving as acting chief for about a year. During the August 2007 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minn., Clack and his department played an integral role. For the first 24 hours the Minneapolis Fire Department was the lead agency of the unified command team, making Clack the primary commander of the rescue effort. He has been Baltimore fire chief since 2008.

Jan Patenaude graduated with an associate degree in institutional management from the U of M, Crookston Technical College in 1977. She went on to the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and then to Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wis., graduating with a bachelor of science in community /medical dietetics in 1982. She is currently the director of medical nutrition for Signet Diagnostic Corporation in Riviera Beach, Fla. She also works as a consultant dietician and a freelance writer from her home in Marble, Colo. Certified as a LEAP therapist, Patenaude has more than 30 years of experience in the field of medical nutrition. Her work as a consultant has involved work with hospitals, nursing homes, drug/alcohol rehabilitation facilities, home health care, employee and corporate health, food companies, and her own private practice.

Athletic Hall of Fame inductees included:

June Shaver has been an advocate and ardent supporter of Golden Eagle athletic programs. She has been recognized over the years with several awards including the Torch & Shield Award, the U of M, Crookston's most prestigious award in 1994 and the Outstanding Alumni award in 1995. She has also established several endowed scholarships for student-athletes along with the Environmental Landscaping Internship Fund and the Shaver Butterfly Garden located adjacent to Owen Hall on the Crookston campus in memory of her parents. She earned her associate degree in accounting and applied studies in 1976 and 1982 respectively. She was office manager for American Linen Supply in St. Paul, Minn., for ten years, and Portland, Ore., for two years. From 1953-83, Shaver was administrator for the Northwestern Clinic in Crookston.

Ken Essay attended the U of M, Crookston from 1992-94 when he transferred to Minnesota State University, Mankato to complete a bachelor's degree in physical education and health. He earned a master of science degree in educational leadership also from Mankato and is currently the activities director at Mankato West High School as well as their boys' hockey coach. Prior to that time, he was a physical education and health teacher at Mankato West and as a long-term substitute in the New Ulm, Minn., School District. He was a two-year letter winner and captain at the U of M, Crookston and in 1993-94, he was named a National Junior College Athletic Association All-American.

Rick Spaeth earned his associate degree in restaurant management in 1986 from the U of M, Crookston Technical College. He earned his bachelor of science from St. Cloud State University. He is currently the owner of R & R Masonry, Inc. in Paynesville, Minn. Spaeth was named to the All-Conference offensive line in 1984, and as All-Conference offensive and defensive tackle in 1985. That same year, he also was named to the All-Region defensive and offensive lines, National Junior College All-American First Team and was the team's captain.  He was inducted into the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 1991.

The 1982 Trojan Football Team, with its 7-1 record, won the Northern Division Conference title. The team advanced to the state title game losing to Normandale Community College and they also played in the Midwest Bowl in Joliet, Ill., that fall. Head coach for the division champs was Jim Sims who presented the award to the team.

The Crookston campus opened its doors in 1906 as the Northwest School of Agriculture educating high-school students for 60 years until 1968. During its last two years of operation, the campus transitioned to a two-year technical college, known as the University of Minnesota Crookston Technical Institute. In 1993, the campus transitioned again to offer baccalaureate degrees and became the first-ever laptop university in the nation.

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

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

Excitement is building around a conference taking place next week at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The Institute for Advanced Study Conference (IAS), the first ever on the Crookston campus, is slated for Thursday, October 14, 2010, in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. The conference, which focuses on the theme of visual communication and interdisciplinarity, is free and the public is welcome to attend.

Two communication majors at the U of M, Crookston recently interviewed Rex Veeder, Ph.D., (in photo) a keynote panelist about the IAS conference. The students, both juniors, Katelyn Zins, Starbuck, Minn., and Austin Czichotzki, Barnesville, Minn., authored the following interview with Veeder under the guidance of Associate Professor Mark Huglen, Ph.D., who was integral in bringing the conference to the Crookston campus.

Interview with Institute for Advanced Study Conference presenter, Rex Veeder, Ph.D., "Iron Cat":

"I believe poetry and music can find me when I sense the strong agitation of people wanting to live.... I choose not to be an official anything but cling to the syllables and songs -- of longings and desires of people for their lovers and for their children, and please, I say, please, remain angry and yet find the peace at the center of it."

This is a line from The Head Water Blues Opry, a musical written by Rex Veeder, Ph.D.,  and Leon Laudenbach.  Veeder will be at the University of Minnesota, Crookston as part of the keynote panel at the Institute for Advanced Study Conference taking place on October 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Faculty, staff, and students from all areas of study will come together and have the opportunity to examine, speak about and explore the topic of visual persuasion and interdisciplinarity. 

Veeder is honored to be a part of this conference.  He believes that "conferences such as this are models for what should be happening all across the academic world." His goal is to teach the audience about the idea of copia, which, for him, is the exploration of interesting possibilities as they relate to issues of importance to yourself and your significant others. Copia is the celebration of the abundance of resources and knowledge that are important to our concerns, interests, and desires.  This idea of abundance is a main topic in Veeder's personal philosophy.  His focus for this conference is public scholarship and blending the arts and rhetoric together, of which Veeder has great passion.

Veeder began his career as a teacher in 1970. He has worked in schools varying from junior high and reservation schools to comprehensive universities.  In addition to teaching, Veeder has previously worked as an editor with Rhetoric Society Quarterly, an international journal, served as vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at Central Lakes College, and assistant vice president at St. Cloud State University.

Currently he can be found at St. Cloud State University as a professor of English as well as working with organizations such as The Green Band and American Democracy Project, both with similar ideals of public scholarship as him.  Veeder believes that "we have gotten into a rock throwing, mudslinging attitude that doesn't celebrate life and prevents us from working together. To fix this we need to get back to the arts and humanities and their relationships to all these things."

One of Veeder's many successes in the blending of rhetoric and art is the blues musical The Head Water Blues Opry, which he wrote with Leon Laudenbach, a blues player and close friend from St. Cloud.  The musical began as a casual conversation between the two blues-loving neighbors and took nearly 6 years to finally take the stage.  Featuring 15 songs by Laudenbach, this musical is the story of a Minnesota blues player trying to enter the Delta blues scene.  In the creation of the musical Veeder put some of himself into each character portrayed, Iron Cat especially.  "Iron Cat" is Veeder's alter-ego in the production and has become a part of him as much as Veeder has become a part of the character; they are one in the same.

 While seeking venues around the country and state, Veeder and the crew also do a number of fundraisers for Take Heart America, an organization that helped save Veeder's life after a sudden cardiac arrest in 2007.  Take Heart America was founded to inform people to better know how to handle emergency situations dealing with cardiac arrest.  The project has successfully raised survival rates of cardiac arrest victims so much that it has also become a support group for the survivors.

More information about this IAS conference can be found at www.umcrookston.edu/ias or by contacting Mark Huglen, UMC Associate Professor, at 218-281-8275 (mhuglen@umn.edu).

For further information on the Institute for Advanced Study you can visit http://ias.umn.edu/.  To learn more about Take Heart America you can visit their site at http://takeheartamerica.org/.

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

Contact: Mark Huglen, associate professor, 218-281-8275 (mhuglen@umn.edu); Katelyn Zins, communication major, zinsx029@umn.edu; Austin Czichotzki, communication major, (czich003@umn.edu) ; Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (lto

Visual artists Annie Young and Ethan Heidelbaugh have been invited as guests to an Institute for Advanced Study Conference on visual communication and interdisciplinarity. Their work will be displayed throughout the conference, which will be held at the U of M, Crookston, on Thursday October 14, 2010, in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. Both artists reside in the Twin Cities. The artwork of Mary Carol Peterson also will be displayed during the daylongconference

Young, Heidelbaugh, and Peterson are all members of VSA Minnesota, the state organization of the arts and disability. VSA Minnesota has sponsored artists with disabilities throughout the state through grants and exhibition programs. One of the VSA's more prominent programs, the Arts Ambassador Program, brings artists with disabilities into Minnesota schools to present on their art, work, and disabilities. On Friday, October 15, Young and Heidelbaugh will be visiting the Crookston High School to lead workshops.

"The goal of the VSA is to create a community where people with disabilities can learn about and participate in the arts," says Craig Dunn, executive director of the VSA. Dunn has also been invited to attend the Institute for Advanced Study, and will be part of the response team to the Uncommon Thursday panel at 12:30 p.m. the day of the conference. Young will be presenting as part of that panel.

Young, a resident of Minnetonka, Minn., is a visually-impaired painter whose work asks the question: "Do you see what I feel?" Her tactile paintings invite viewers to leave their comfort zones and broaden the way they perceive the world. Young is a working artist, volunteer, and curator of art exhibits in the Minnetonka area.

After being involved in a car accident that lead to a traumatic brain injury and a nine-day coma, Heidelbaugh woke to what he calls his "surreal reality." This surreal reality allows Heidelbaugh to be closer to his subject matter.

Mary Carol Peterson is an award-winning pastel artist from the Pelican Rapids, Minn., area. Peterson, whose mobility has been altered by polio, focuses her artwork on the beautiful landscapes near her home. Although she cannot attend the conference, several of her works will be on display.

Conference sponsors include the Institute for Advanced Study, University of Minnesota; Liberal Arts and Education Department and Office of Students with Disabilities at the Crookston campus; and the UMC Coca-Cola Beverage Partnership - Community Initiatives Grant. This activity is also funded, in part, by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council and the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

For more information about the conference and the artists, visit www.umcrookston.edu/ias.

The IAS, established in 2005 at the University of Minnesota, was designed to create intellectual community across and beyond the boundaries of the University. To learn more, visit http://ias.umn.edu.

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.

Contact: Mark Huglen, associate professor, communication, 218-281-8275 (mhuglen@umn.edu); Molly Ramey, IAS Conference committee member and communication major, (rame0029@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Baseball program will be hosting its third annual fundraiser dinner at the Crookston Eagles Club on Thursday, November 11. Cost of the dinner is $30 for either prime rib or walleye. All proceeds will benefit the Golden Eagle Baseball program.

A social will be held at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Shortly thereafter, a program will be held with special guest speaker Donald "Bucky" Burgau. Burgau is the head baseball coach at Concordia College - Moorhead and also an assistant coach with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks.

A native of Perham, Minn., Burgau will be entering his 33rd season as head coach of the Cobbers. He has amassed 612 victories including 375 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Burgau is the all-time winningest baseball coach in the history of the MIAC. A member of the Concordia College Hall of Fame, he is one of the few coaches to be inducted while still active. Burgau played at Fergus Falls Community College and North Dakota State University (NDSU) prior to coaching at NDSU for four seasons. He also coached the Moorhead American Legion Post #21 Blues for 27 seasons compiling 883 wins and leading the Blues to a fourth place finish at the 1988 American Legion World Series.

"I couldn't be more elated to have Bucky Burgau as our guest speaker," says University of Minnesota, Crookston Head Baseball Coach Chris Vito. "Very few people have done for baseball in our region what he has. In addition to being a true keeper of the game, Bucky is someone I have considered a dear friend and mentor for many years."

There will also be a 50/50 drawing and a small silent auction. One of the silent actions is an autographed jersey from Minnesota Twins slugger Jim Thome.

For tickets contact either...

Chris Vito  Head Baseball Coach  (218)281-8445 vito@umn.edu

Bill Tyrrell  Director of Athletic Fundraising (218)281-8436 btyrrell@umn.edu

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at http://www.goldeneaglesports.com/.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Contact: Chris Vito - Assistant Sports Information Director - (218)281-8445

It's about every little thing you do and don't do. Educating students, faculty, and staff about how their behavior can help save energy is critical part of the Campus Energy Challenge, a first-of-its-kind program connecting Otter Tail Power Company with the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  Students have rallied around the energy saving theme chosen for the challenge, "Flip it Off: save your energy for later."

During the month of October students on the Crookston campus are working hard to help reduce energy consumption in the residence halls with a Residence Hall Energy Challenge. The goal is to reduce electrical consumption by 10 percent compared to September in on-campus housing and to help students recognize the impact they have on energy consumption and savings.

To reach the goal students are encouraged to make simple  changes such as shutting off the lights when we leave a room, turning off computers when they are not in use, taking shorter showers, and encouraging others to do the same. It is an effort to help save precious resources and encourage energy saving habits for a lifetime.

The Campus Energy Challenge goal for the U of M, Crookston, is to better understand that the choices made about electrical use have a global impact and to reduce energy consumption by up to 15percent through simple changes in behavior. To learn more about the Campus Energy Challenge, visit http://www.energychallengeison.com/umcrookston.

Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It provides electricity and energy services to more than a quarter million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. To learn more about Otter Tail Power Company visit www.otpco.com. To learn more about conserving energy visit www.conservingelectricity.com. To learn more about Otter Tail Corporation visit www.ottertail.com.

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

Contact: : Dan Svedarsky, director, Center for Sustainability, 218-281-8129 (dsvedars@umn.edu); Cindy Kusimi, ; Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The Office of International Programs at the University of Minnesota, Crookston is sponsoring a passport drive, Tuesday, October 12, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Northern Lights Lounge, Sargeant Student Center.  The drive is open to anyone from the campus or from the community.  

Each individual applying for a passport will need to provide:  a certified copy of his or her birth certificate; a $25 check or money order made payable to the Polk County Recorder (cash not accepted); and a $110 check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of State (cash not accepted).  Passport photos will be taken and will cost $5 for UMC students and children under age 16; $10.00 for faculty, staff and the public.  Make checks or money orders for photos payable to UMC.  Be prepared to respond to questions regarding your mother/father's birth date information.

You must have a copy of your birth certificate; photocopies are unacceptable. If you were born in Minnesota, you can obtain a copy of the certificate at the Polk County Courthouse in Crookston. I fyou were born out-of-state, you will need two forms of identification such as your driver's license and U-card. Passports may also be renewed at this drive.
 
For more information regarding the passport drive, contact Rae French at 218-281-8339.

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

Contact: Rae French, coordinator, study abroad, 218-281-8339 (rfrench@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)