Ag Arama royalty were named at the 36th annual event on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the University of MInnesota, Crookston. Crowned royalty at this year's Ag Arama were King Sam Westby, a senior from Pelican Rapids, Minn., majoring in animal science and agronomy ; Queen Alysia Osowski, a junior from Grafton, N.D., majoring in agricultural business and agronomy; Princess Maria Funk, a sophomore from Sebeka, Minn., majoring in agricultural education; and Prince John Plass, a sophomore from Tule Lake, Calif., majoring in agronomy.
 
The royalty are selected through 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.

Ag Arama's 2011 True Grit Award winner was Senior Amanda Thorsvig, an agricultural education major from Detroit Lakes, Minn.  The True Grit Award is an award given annually to a student who best demonstrates the hardworking, persistent spirit of Todd Opsahl, a UMC student in 1973-74.

Contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, and natural resources highlight Ag Arama weekend. They serve as an opportunity for students 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 Terrill Bradford, animal science instructor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.

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:
Top, right: Ag Arama Royalty: King Sam Westby, Queen Alysia Osowski, Princess Maria Funk, and Prince John Plass

 

Bottom, left: Pictured at the far right with Ron Del Vecchio, Ph.D., professor and department head for the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, is True Grit Award winner Amanda Thorsvig.

Contact: Ron Del Vecchio, head, Agriculture and Natural Resources Dept., 218-281- 8109 (delve004@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

The Office of the Registrar at the University of Minnesota, Crookston recently announced its list of fall 2010 graduates. Students completed their degree requirements during fall semester 2010. Graduates are listed below with their degree(s) earned.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston enrolls approximately 1,200 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 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.

Name	Major	Minor	Honors
Aakre, Teresa A	Animal Science B S
Adeyeye, Adeboye O	Business Management B S
Anderson, Christopher Michael	Manufacturing Management B M M
Baszczynski, Melinda Katherine	Equine Science B S
Benoit, Jenna Christine	Business Management B S		Distinction
Bentley, Kathleen Kelly	Communication B S
Beske, Andrew Zane	Golf and Turf Mgmt B S
Biggers, Gerald Michael II	Communication B S
Bittmann, Christopher L	Natural Resources B S
Blank, Camren Dale	Manufacturing Management B M M
Boike, Kristopher M	Applied Studies B S
Brinkmann, Thomas Arnold	Applied Health B A H
Brosnan, Jacqueline E	Quality Management B M M
Burke, Amy Marie	Sport &Recreation Mgmt B S	Coaching
Carrlson, Virginia Lee	Agricultural Education B S
Choc, Jessica M	Animal Science B S
Clemons, Treasure Rose	Business Management B S
Coffman, Matthew J	Agronomy B S
Craig, Katherine Anne	Criminal Justice B S
Enright, Michael James	Plant Industries Mgmt B S
Field, Michael Alan	Golf and Turf Mgmt B S
	Horticulture B S
Fite, David J	Information Technology Mgmt BS
Flaten, Singne R	Animal Science B S
Flicek, Paul Harvey	Natural Resources B S
Fowler, Christopher Scott	Business Management B S		High Distinction
Gallivan, Mark	Business Management B S		High Distinction
Gentele, Lisa Anne	Natural Resources B S
Giese, Emily Koelker Eaton	Early Childhood Education B S
Gold, Derek Thomas	Business Management B S
Graham, Kirk Neil	Business Management B S
Heier, Matthew James	Sport &Recreation Mgmt B S
Hilton, Jennifer Sue	Applied Health B A H
Hoffman, Brian	Natural Resources B S
Husicka, Martin	Business Management B S	Marketing
Jacobson, Jordan Marcus	Golf and Turf Mgmt B S
	Horticulture B S
Jiran, Nikolas James	Aviation B S
Johnson, Becky Ann	Animal Science B S
	Equine Science B S
Johnson, Jason David	Quality Management B M M
Johnson, Sean W	Natural Resources B S
Jones, Justine Nicole	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
Kappes, Bradley W	Accounting B S
	Agricultural Business B S
Kim, Keunyung	Horticulture B S
Kruszynski, Joanne	Business Management B S
Kyllo, Aviva Mordecai	Business Management B S
LaPlante, Bonnie Jean	Applied Health B A H		Distinction
Lenz, Maxwell D	Golf and Turf Mgmt B S
Letnes, Nicole Marie	Applied Studies B S
Linder, Matthew Daniel David	Marketing B S
Lucas, Jill Marie	Applied Health B A H
Lucia, James E	Quality Management B M M
Mahamud, Osman Maalim	Applied Studies B S
McAulay, Michael D	Marketing/Management A A S
Michealson, Charles	Natural Resources B S
Miller, David John	Manufacturing Management B M M		Distinction
Moe, Joshua Everett	Natural Resources B S
Nelson, Jeffrey David	Manufacturing Management B M M	Bus Mgmt
Nieuwboer, Mindy Adell	Equine Science B S	Animal Sci	High Distinction
Olson, Bart Allen	Manufacturing Management B M M
Pease, Nicholas Richard	Agricultural Education B S
Ribar, Joshua Raymond	Natural Resources B S
Robinson, Paul Jeffrey	Business Management B S
Roskos, Jenny Rae	Animal Science B S
Sachwitz, Brandon	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S		Distinction
	Biology B S		Distinction
Salah, Rhoda	Health Management B S
Savage, Derek D	Natural Resources B S
	Natural Resources B S
Sayres, Derek	Manufacturing Management B M M		Distinction
	Quality Management B M M		Distinction
Sedorook, Robert Richard	Applied Studies B S	Biology
		Bus Mgmt
Sevigny, Monica J	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
Sieger, Jeffrey Scott	Natural Resources B S
Smith, Blake Andrew	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S
Smith, Jared Michael	Manufacturing Management B M M
Summers, Gregory Ryan	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S	Chemistry
	Biology B S	Coaching
Thompson, Matthew P	Natural Resources B S
Ulmer, Isaiah K	Animal Science B S
Vargason, Alicia Ruth	Natural Resources B S
Volker, Melinda Nelson	Applied Studies B S
Waslaski, Gavin R	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S	Ag Business
Wawack, Derek Jon	Animal Science B S
Weber, Cynthia Joy	Business Management B S
	Marketing B S
Wentzel, Meredith Susannah	Health Management B S
Wermager, Ryan Kevin	Natural Resources B S
Yaeger, Christopher Clinton	Business Management B S
Yook, Taehee	Animal Science B S	Ag Business
Zawacki, Nicholas George	Business Management B S
Zhu, Yiyun	Business Management B S

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

The Crookston Students for Sustainable Development (CSSD) and the UMC Sustainability Committee are proud to announce that UMC has entered a nation-wide recycling competition called RecycleMania (www.recyclemania.org).  Over 575 colleges and universities will be participating in the 2011 RecycleMania competition that begins on January 23 and runs through April 2. 

The goal of this competition is to increase awareness of campus recycling.  All participating schools are required to report measurements (pounds of recycled materials divided by campus population) on a weekly basis.  The school that collects the most recycleables in a variety of categories per capita wins!  Weekly updates on UMC's RecycleMania results may be viewed at (www.recyclemaniacs.org/university_detail08.asp?ID=1689).

Let's set a goal of placing 100% of our beverage containers and paper products in the appropriate recycling bins throughout campus.  Cardboard should be flattened and placed behind the recycling bins.  Student organizations will collect the recyclables and place them in outside containers for pick-up and weighing.

During the RecycleMania Challenge, please join in the campus activities.  More details will be coming:

    * Trivia Questions--Check out the Eagle's Eye beginning Monday January 31 for a
       weekly trivia question.  Prizes will be awarded to the first person to correctly answer
       the question
    * Recycle BINGO with environmentally smart prize
    * Contests during  one of the home UMC Club Hockey Game
    * EARTH Week
    * Recycling Fair
    * Informational booths in the Student Center with prize giveaway
    * Get caught GREEN-HANDED!  Get caught recycling and receive a free beverage at the
       Evergreen Grill!

Get involved and help make a difference!

For more information, please contact Tim Knudson knud0194@umn.edu, Ben Sullivan sulli495@umn.edu, or Lisa Loegering loege005@umn.edu. 

Contact: Tim Knudson knud0194@umn.edu; Ben Sullivan sulli495@umn.edu; Lisa Loegering loege005@umn.edu

One student in the horticultural studies program at University of Minnesota-Crookston recently received a scholarship sponsored by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) Foundation.  The scholarship recipient was Theodore Lenneman, a senior double majoring in golf and turf management and horticulture from St. Michael, Minn.

The MNLA scholarship program recognizes superior students enrolled in horticultural or landscape studies programs at several area colleges and universities.  The scholarships are designed by MNLA and its member companies to help grow future leaders in the nursery and landscape industry.

The MNLA Commercial Arborist Committee co-sponsored the scholarship for Lenneman.

To be eligible for an MNLA scholarship, applicants must possess a "C" grade average or better, present letters of recommendation from instructors and employers, and submit an essay stating their career goals and objectives.

The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association is the state's largest green industry trade association with over 1,200 member companies.  Members include nurseries, garden centers, landscape contractors, landscape designers, irrigation contractors, commercial flower growers, tree care specialists, professional gardening services, and turf and landscape management professionals.

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:  Cassie Larson, Education & Industry Advancement Director, 651-633-4987, (cassie@mnla.biz); Sue Jacobson, instructor, horticulture, 218-281-8118, (sjacobso@umn.edu)

The New Century Learning Consortium (NCLC), founded at the University of Illinois Springfield has added University of Minnesota, Crookston as its 10th member. The Consortium is designed to assist universities in implementing high quality, large-scale online and blended learning programs.

"We welcome the University of Minnesota, Crookston to NCLC. As one of the fastest growing online programs in Minnesota and possessing a distinguished tradition of national awards and honors, the University of Minnesota, Crookston is a strong partner for the consortium," said Shari McCurdy Smith, NCLC director and associate director of the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service (COLRS) at UIS.

The U of M, Crookston conferred its first online degree in 2001 and now offers seven of its bachelor's degree programs entirely online.

"The faculty and staff of the University of Minnesota, Crookston are honored to join the NCLC," said Chancellor Charles Casey, "and we eagerly anticipate the exchange of ideas that will result from our interaction with the other members of the NCLC."

The Consortium plans to expand to 14 institutions by May of 2011. Consortium activities include developing a clearinghouse of online classes where there is excess capacity; shared research projects; shared IT expertise to support building infrastructure capacity; and peer support at the upper administration, dean, and faculty member levels. NCLC was founded utilizing a grant from the Sloan Consortium, who is also providing funding for the expansion.

"We are especially gratified to have the University of Minnesota, Crookston join us in NCLC. The Crookston campus - the original 'laptop U' - has a long history of innovation in the application of technology to enhance teaching and learning. They are a leader in online learning in the University of Minnesota system," said Ray Schroeder, director of COLRS and founder of NCLC.

NCLC member institutions are dedicated to developing vigorous online and blended learning initiatives to expand and stabilize student enrollments.

Current members are University of Illinois Springfield; California State University Easy Bay, Hayward; Southern Oregon University, Ashland; Chicago State University, Illinois; Oakland University, Rochester Hills, Michigan; University of Southern Maine, Portland; Louisiana Tech University, Ruston; SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs; and Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia.

For more information about the Consortium, contact Shari McCurdy Smith at 217/206-7360 or email smccu1@uis.edu.

Contact: Sue Brorson, head, Business Department, 218-281-8186 (sbrorson@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Alumni and community friends of the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) and the University of Minnesota, Crookston will gather for a social on Friday, Feb.18, 2011, at Terrace Green at ViewPoint Resort, 640 North Hawes Road, Mesa, Arizona. The annual alumni social begins at 11:30 a.m. and will run until 3 p.m. Lunch will be served at noon for $15 per person.

Corby Kemmer, director of Development & Alumni Relations will host this year's social and Chancellor Charles H. Casey will bring greetings from the Crookston campus.

If you are interested in attending the Arizona Social, please call Lorraine (Zipoy) Love '54, at 480-380-4051 or the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at 800-862-6466 ext. 8401 to confirm attendance. Disability accommodations are available upon request.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a four-year, public university and one of five campuses in the University of Minnesota system. The NWSA Alumni Association represents the 5,433 graduates of the residential agriculture high school, which operated from 1905 through 1968, on what is now the campus of the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

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, 218-281-8434 (ckemmer@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

A fishing tournament in memory of Justin Knebel, who played basketball for the University  of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles, will be held on Lake of the Woods at Zippel Bay Resort, Williams, Minn. The tournament, scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2011, honors the memory of Knebel who loved the Warroad area and outdoor sports in Minnesota.

Registration, limited to the first 150, is at 10 a.m. on the ice at the tournament site with fishing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the first person to catch a fish, the smallest fish caught, along with prizes for the largest walleye, northern, sauger, and perch caught during the tournament. 

Tickets are available for $25 ($30 at the gate) by contacting Alysa Tulibaski at 218-281-8570 or Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8436. Tickets are also available at Zippel Bay Resort, 6080 39th St. NW, Williams, Minn., 800-222-2537.  All proceeds from the tournament support the Justin Knebel Memorial Scholarship Fund benefiting students at the U of M, Crookston.

Knebel grew up in Warroad, Minn., graduating from Warroad High School in 2001. A talented athlete, he lettered in basketball, cross country, and track. After graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota, Crookston where he played basketball as a point guard for the Golden Eagles. Head Basketball Coach Jeff Oseth describes him as the ultimate team player working hard on the court and in the classroom.  

In the fall of 2002, Knebel became ill and was unable to participate with the team in conditioning but eventually was cleared to resume activity by his doctor. The evening before the first official practice was to begin, Knebel passed away unexpectedly from complications but left behind a legacy of dedication, determination, and a drive to excel.

For more information on the tournament, visit www.umcrookston.edu/justinknebel. Members of the planning committee for the event include Corby Kemmer, Bill Tyrrell, Stephanie Helgeson, Amber Bailey, Lew Hanson, Jeff Oseth, Rose Ulseth, Derek Ricke, and Alysa Tulibaski.

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: Bill Tyrrell, director, athletic fundraising, 218-281-8436, (btyrrell@umn.edu); Alysa Tulibaski, student experience and parent coordinator, 218-281-8570 (hauge450@umn.edu); Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@u

Making the most of a field day for students is the topic of a workshop slated for Thursday, February 10, 2011, at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The Best Practices for Field Days workshop, which focuses on how to maximize the field day experience, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bede Ballroom on the Crookston campus. The $15 registration fee includes lunch.
 
Field days are community events that bring together professionals, volunteers and teachers with school children for a day of learning about their environment. In educational field days, students rotate through multiple presentations on environmental topics.

The Best Practices for Field Days workshop is designed to help organizers and   presenters improve the field experience for students by helping them learn and retain important concepts, plan a comfortable and memorable setting, ensure the day runs safely and smoothly, create more useful evaluations, market an event, and to employ designs that help connect youth with nature.

All workshop attendees will receive the Best Practices for Field Days: A Program Planning Guidebook for Organizers, Presenters, Teachers, and Volunteers and a companion CD of tools and templates. For more information, visit www.extension.umn.edu/FieldDays or contact Jolene Beiswenger at 218-281-8027.

The workshop is sponsored by University of Minnesota Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership and its partners University of Minnesota, Crookston, University of Minnesota Extension, Northwest Regional Development Commission, International Water Institute River Watch, Polk and Mahnomen Public Health Programs, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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: Linda Kingery, executive director, Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, 218-281-8697, kinge002@umn.edu; Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Seven projects have been supported through the awarding of $500 mini-grants from a unique working partnership focused on connecting children and nature. The mini-grant project goals are to connect children with nature, get children outdoors, develop community support for unstructured outdoor activities, provide multiyear benefits for encouraging a personal experience in outdoor places, help remove barriers to outdoor activities, such as access issues, safety concerns, and negativity of natural play or other concerns.

The partnership, which includes the University of Minnesota, Crookston; University of Minnesota Extension; Northwest Regional Development Commission; Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership;  International Water Institute River Watch; Polk and Mahnomen Public Health Programs; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, awarded the grants in December and is looking to fund a second round in February 2011.  Applications are encouraged.

The mini-grant opportunities are available to any school, club, group, community, or non-profit organization directly involved with educating or caring for children located in Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, and Wilkin counties. To be considered for the next round of funding applications must be received by February 1, 2011. For more information or to access the application form, visit www.umcrookston.edu/childrenandnature.

The seven projects receiving funding in December included several projects in the Crookston community: The Northwest Mental Health Center's summer program gardens will encourage children in grades K-6 to participate in gardens at 12 school sites tying nutritional benefits to working with nature in a garden. The School Age Care's school garden project will help support learning during the summer program using the garden at Washington School. Little Villagers Child Care  at the Villa St. Vincent will use their grant to provide children with outdoor program supplies including a toboggans, composter, bug nets, and shovels, etc. Highland Elementary School will purchase digital cameras to be used for the sixth grade's annual field trip to Itasca and for a winter survival unit at the U of M, Crookston's Nature Center.

The Ada- Borup Elementary School will use their funding to purchase digital cameras for their after-school science enrichment program for grades 3-6. In Newfolden, Minn., Marshall County Central's mini grant award will help defray transportation costs for a field trip to Wolf Ridge for a field-based science learning experience, and Marshall County's McCrea 4-H Club will use funds to learn about native fish in Minnesota through an ice fishing trip to Lake of the Woods.

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: Linda Kingery, executive director, Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, 218-281-8697, kinge002@umn.edu; Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director, communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)