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 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)

Students named to the fall semester 2010 Dean's List at the University of Minnesota, Crookston were announced by the Office of the Registrar. The U of M, Crookston is one of the most respected career-oriented, technology-based universities in the nation.

To qualify for a place on the Dean's List, students must complete 12 or more letter-graded (A-F) credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average. The Crookston campus is the online leader in the University of Minnesota system and the only campus providing every full-time student with a laptop computer.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 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	Degree
Aasness,Alisha Reneemae	Horticulture B S/Business Management B S
Adelman,Paul W	Sport &Recreation Mgmt B S
Aho,Nathaniel Carl	Business Management B S
Albertsen,Andrew	Natural Resources B S
Anderson,Tyler Dean	Business Management B S
Bach,Maxine V	Animal Science B S/Equine Science B S
Barta,Michelle Lee	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
Bartholomew,Angela Marie	Business Management B S/Equine Science B S
Basham,Jennifer Lynn	Undecided
Benoit,Jenna Christine	Business Management B S
Bernat,Judy	Applied Health B A H
Bernhardt,Brianna	Agricultural Education B S
Blasingame,Tanya	Accounting B S
Bowar,Katie	Business Management B S/Marketing B S
Brekken,Cody	Sport &Recreation Mgmt B S
Capper,Heather Rene'E	Business Management B S
Carpenedo,Karen M	Equine Science B S
Chapin,Rick Remigio	Business Management B S/Marketing B S
Charles,Jessica L	Animal Science B S/Equine Science B S
Chei,Sung Woo	Biology B S
Chi,Sukeoung	Undecided
Choi,Seong Cho	Business Management B S
Corneliussen,Amanda R	Animal Science B S
Craig,Katherine	Criminal Justice B S
Daly,Mitchell P	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S
DeBoer,Alex Briden	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Ding,Yuan	Agricultural Business B S
Dufresne,Kylie R	Communication B S
Fite,David J	Information Technology Mgmt BS
Flaten,Singne R	Animal Science B S
Flikka,Stacy Ann	Early Childhood Education B S/Business Mgmt B S
Flint,Amanda Kristine	Equine Science B S
Fouts,Lindsey J	Accounting B S/Business Management B S
Freitag,Melissa Kay	Software Engineering B S
Frisell,Wayne J	Accounting B S
Funk,Maria C	Agricultural Education B S
Gait,Prerna	Undecided
Geiszler,Melissa Marie	Agri/NatRes-Undeclared
Gervais,Lynsey R	Business Management B S/Marketing B S
Goodrich,Jessica	Communication B S
Gorentz,Andrew	Agronomy B S
Granfors,Jacob W	Natural Resources B S
Gurung,Lhakpa	Early Childhood Education B S
Gurung,Yangchen Dolker	Business Management B S
Haarstick,Thomas Shane	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S
Halligan,Rachel Marie	Early Childhood Education B S
Hammond,Nicole C	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S
Harren,Joseph	Agronomy B S
Hartung,Ashlynn R	Horticulture B S
Haug,Erika Maxine	Equine Science B S
Heppner,Seth Arnold	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Hicks,Annessa	Undecided
Holloway,Christine Marie Schmidt	Business Management B S
Hong,SeongJong	Business Management B S
Hovet,Stacy	Business Management B S
Jacobson,Whitney M	Agricultural Education B S/Animal Science B S
Jenkins,Bethany Juliet	Horticulture B S
Johnson,Katy	Natural Resources B S
Jordan,April A	Agricultural Business B S/Marketing B S
Kang,Eun Hye	Communication B S
Keimig,Rachel F	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S
Kessler,Lauren Brittney	Early Childhood Education B S
Khan,Shozab Mahmood	Quality Management B M M/Manufacturing Mgmt B M M
Kim,Eun Chan	Accounting B S
Kim,Joon Ho	Business Management B S
Kim,Sow Jung	Early Childhood Education B S
Kocina,Kathleen J	Accounting B S
Koralewski,Ashley Dawn	Accounting B S
Korhnak,Matthew	Natural Resources B S
Krdzalic,Almir	Undecided
Kubica,Melanie	Applied Studies B S
Larson,Brian	Manufacturing Management B M M
Lavalla,Marissa Patrice	Accounting B S
Lechner,Amy	Applied Health B A H
Lee,Juhyuk	Horticulture B S
Liebl,Quinton Nels	Natural Resources B S
Liew, Chan	Business Management B S
Liu,Chunhui	Business Management B S
Liu,Yundi	Accounting B S
Lovins,John E	Business Management B S
Maiga,Moussa Harouna	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Maki,Samantha J	Early Childhood Education B S
Martin,Victoria	Animal Science B S
Masters-Wolfe, Jenny S	Applied Studies B S
McBride,Keith	Business Management B S
Meyer,Andrew Fritz	Business Management B S
Michalski,Mark	Golf and Turf Mgmt B S
Miettunen,Jared S	Business Management B S
Miller,Amber Ann	Animal Science B S
Miller,Maranda	Natural Resources B S
Mo,Chengyu	Business Management B S
Myers,Paul Michael	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S
Nelson,Katie Lee	Marketing B S
Nenn,Katie	Animal Science B S
Neu,Kristine M	Horticulture B S
Neu,Kristine M	Communication B S
Oh,Suk Il	Undecided
Palm,Heather Lea	Health Management B S
Pepper,Trista	Business Management B S
Perea,Josh	Criminal Justice B S
Peterson,Amanda Marie	Agricultural Business B S/Equine Science B S
Peterson,Angela J	Equine Science B S
Peterson,Katrina J	Animal Science B S
Reysen,Hannah M	Agricultural Business B S/Animal Science B S
Rhode,Tori J	Biology B S
Rodriguez,Melanie C	Animal Science B S
Rohloff,Patrick G	Natural Resources B S
Sachwitz,Rebecca Jean	Early Childhood Education B S
Samuelson,Rick Allen	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
Schlangen,Jacqueline R	Animal Science B S
Schliep,Katherine D	Animal Science B S
Schmitz,Derek Joseph	Business Management B S
Sibson,Kayli Jo	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Simon,Kassandra Joy	Marketing B S
Skoien,Brittney Marie	Agricultural Business B S/Equine Science B S
Smith,Miranda M	Applied Health B A H
Sontag,Shelly	Biology B S
Sorlie,Nicole E	Animal Science B S
Sparby,Kassi A	Early Childhood Education B S
Stearly,Joseph R	Marketing B S
Steinfeldt,Andrew Robert	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S
Summers,Gregory R	Biology B S/Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S
Sylvester,Nick L	Agronomy B S
Terry,Jane Ellen	Business Management B S
Thompson,Matthew P	Natural Resources B S
Thompson,William	Agronomy B S/Business Management B S
Trotter,Julie Ann	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
Ulmer,Isaiah K	Animal Science B S
Van Dyke,Vayla M	Natural Resources B S
Van Treeck,Amy L	Agricultural Business B S
Vandenhemel,Chelsea	Equine Science B S
Vanzee,Colten G	Natural Resources B S
Volker,Melinda	Applied Studies B S
Walberg,Brittany Ellen	Equine Science B S
Walker,Jeremy J	Natural Resources B S
Walker,Nicole	Business Management B S/Hlth Sciences B S
Walsvik,Benjamin J	Natural Resources B S
Walters,Bethany J	Environmental Sciences
Walton,Christopher	Math/Sci/Tech-Undeclared
Waslaski,Gavin R	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S
Wawack,Derek Jon	Animal Science B S
Wells,Sara Nicole	Biology B S/Equine Science B S
Wiesner,Chelsea A	Hlth Sciences Pre Prof Tr B S
Williams,Ashley	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
Williams,Benjamin Rex	Natural Resources B S
Williams,Luke Christopher	Sport &Recreation Mgmt B S
Wimmergren,Joshua David	Manufacturing Management B M M
Yang,Jie	Agricultural Business B S
Zabel,Bri L	Business Management B S
Zawacki,Nicholas	Business Management B S
Zhou,Xi	Business Management B S/Marketing B S
Zhou,Xiaowei	Information Technology Mgmt BS

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

Students named to the fall semester 2010 Chancellor's List at the University of Minnesota, Crookston were announced by the Office of the Registrar. The U of M, Crookston is one of the most respected career-oriented, technology-based universities in the nation.

To qualify for a place on the Chancellor's List, students must complete 12 or more letter-graded (A-F) credits while attaining a 4.00 grade point average. The Crookston campus is the online leader in the University of Minnesota system and the only campus providing every full-time student with a laptop computer.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 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	Degree
Ahn, Seri	Undeclared
Ahn, Won Jin	Marketing B S
Bae, Joo Hyun	Accounting B S
Bakken, Keith Jory	Business Mgt B S/Health Mgt B S/Quality Mgt B M M
Bauer, Janie M	Early Childhood Education B S
Berg, Steffanie Jean	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Blace, Jenna	Natural Resources B S
Blees, Samuel G	Criminal Justice B S
Borge, Jonathan C	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S/Agronomy B S
Bowar, Kayla N	Business Management B S/Marketing B S
Brenny, Trenton Gene	Natural Resources B S
Breth, Tiffany Nicole	Animal Science B S
Brooks, Brett Duane	Business Management B S
Buscher, Alexandra W	Business Management B S
Carlson, Anne E	Health Sciences Pre-Profosseional Track B S
Carnell, David John	Quality Management B M M
Chen, Qi	Business Management B S
Cho, Hyun Jin	Undeclared
Czichotzki, Austin	Communication B S
DeBoer, Jessica Lynn	Marketing B S
Drees, Chasity Mae	Criminal Justice B S
Drinkall, Adam John	Applied Studies B S
Eul, Megan Elizabeth	Early Childhood Education B S
Fowler, Christopher S	Business Management B S
French, Sarah Lynn	Business Management B S
Giese, Emily Koelker Eaton	Early Childhood Education B S
Green, Matthew	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S/Agronomy B S
Guetter, Robert	Natural Resources B S
Ha, Hye Mi	Undeclared
Heier, Michael	Manufacturing Management B M M
Hillstrom, Alisha Marie	Business Management B S
Hudon, Mark D	Criminal Justice B S
Jirik, Joseph Robert	Natural Resources B S
Kelley, Lucas L	Agronomy B S
Kenyon, Krista A	Natural Resources B S
Kim, Keunsoo	Marketing B S
Klehr, Kayla	Animal Science B S
Lawrence, Kaci Jo	Business Management B S
Lee, Dae Yeul	Accounting B S
Lee, Suna	Business Management B S
McKeown, Cole Michael	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Messner, Lincoln Joe	Accounting B S
Nedrud, Hannah R	Equine Science B S
Nieuwboer, Mindy Adell	Equine Science B S
Norris, Daniel Allen	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Norris, Michael Alexander	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Origas, Nicole Marie	Business Management B S
Pan, Fangjing	Business Management B S
Pierce, Cassandra Jean	Business Management B S
Plass, John	Agronomy B S
Pondish, Jonathan Foster	Criminal Justice B S
Pristanski, Madelyn K	Equine Science B S
Reed, Megan Elizabeth	Marketing B S
Regeimbal, Alexandra M	Post-Secondary Enrollment Opt
Sachwitz, Brandon	Biology B S/Health Sciences Pre-Professional Track
Shaw, Erin Marie	Accounting B S/Business Management B S
Shin, Hye Won	Undeclared
Sibert, Jeremy L	Criminal Justice B S
Sorlie, Katherine Marie	Business Management B S
Stanley, Christa Pauline	Business Management B S
Vaughn, Craig	Agricultural Systems Mgmt B S
Wolfe, Megan	Business Management B S
Woods, Stephen J	Business Mgmt B S/Sport & Recreation Mgmt B S
Wrzos, Holly	Hotel/Rest/Tourism Mgmt B S
You, Jae Eun	Undeclared
Zuck, Samantha Ann	Animal Science B S

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

As a new semester begins, the University of Minnesota, Crookston is pleased to announce the hiring of several new faculty and staff.

The Math, Science and Technology (MST) Department welcomes Marcella Melby, Ph.D., (photo, right) who has been hired as a lecturer in mathematics. She recently earned her doctorate in teaching and learning in teacher education with a minor in mathematics education from the University of North Dakota (UND).

Eyad Youssef, Ph.D., (photo, left) assistant professor, is teaching marketing in the Business Department. He holds a doctorate in international business and marketing from Old Dominion University. Denis Maier, Ph.D., (photo, right middle) assistant professor, will be teaching business management. He earned his doctorate in operations management from Technical University in Munich, Germany.

Lisa Leiran (photo, left middle) began her duties in March 2010 as a teaching specialist/online student support assistant in the Business Department.  She completed her undergraduate work at Minnesota State University, Moorhead and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.
 
Joining the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department is Matthew Simmons, Ph.D., (photo, right below) assistant professor, in ecology.  Simmons holds a doctorate in rangeland ecology and management from Texas A&M University.


Additionally, Daniel Sherman (photo, left below) has been hired as a teaching specialist in a grant-funded position working with agricultural education through the Sparsely Populated Agricultural Education Program.  He will be working with the following high schools: Bagley, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Red Lake County Central (Oklee), and Lake of the Woods (Baudette).




Changes in appointment

David Rolling, Ph.D., assistant professor, teaches sport and recreation management in the Business Department.  Rolling, who has been a lecturer on the campus for the past four years, recently earned his doctorate in sport administration from the University of Kansas.

In the MST Department, Thomas Henderson, Ph.D., is a lecturer in biology. He has taught as an adjunct faculty member on the Crookston campus since 2008 and recently earned his doctorate in microbiology and immunology from UND.

Kristie Walker, assistant professor, is teaching agronomy on the campus and has served as a lecturer on the campus for the past two years. She holds a doctorate in agronomy from Purdue University. Brenda Miller is a lecturer in soil science and related areas.  She holds a master's of engineering from the UND and has previously taught at the U of M, Crookston. Walker and Miller are both in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.

Two lecturer positions in the Liberal Arts and Education Department include Jim Schaar, M.Div., teaching in humanities, and Karen Miller, Ph.D., teaching composition.  Both have taught as adjunct faculty members for a number of years.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents recently granted approval to the University of Minnesota, Crookston to offer two new bachelor's degree programs.  Coursework for the two programs--the Bachelor of Science in Marketing and the Bachelor of Manufacturing Management in Quality Management--is set to begin in January 2010.  A minor in marketing was also approved.

Both of the new degree programs will be offered on the campus as well as entirely online, bringing the number of online degree programs the Crookston campus offers to six. 

The U of M, Crookston's new marketing program builds on the strengths the campus has developed within its Business Department.  For many years, students have had the option of selecting a marketing emphasis within the bachelor's degree program in business management, but strong student interest, faculty expertise, and strategic planning to widen program offerings led campus leaders to pursue a full degree program. 

Business Department Head Susan Brorson, Ph.D., said, "We have been attracting an increasing number of students--both online and traditional students--into our business programs.  There has been a great deal of interest in a full-fledged bachelor's program in marketing, and we are pleased we can now offer that option to our students." 

Brorson believes the program is also attractive to transfer students who have completed associate degrees from regional technical and community colleges and who see the value in pursuing their bachelor's degree in marketing at the Crookston campus.  "There is no question the University of Minnesota is highly regarded as a brand name in education.  We look at that reputation as a benchmark for quality, and we work hard to exceed expectations. Our programs reflect our commitment to an exceptional student experience, and I believe our alumni as well as prospective students recognize that."

Since the mission of the campus involves offering students an applied, career-oriented education, the new marketing program has a strong connection to current marketing practices from today's information-rich business climate.  Technology is also directly integrated into the curriculum through the U of M, Crookston's laptop computer initiative, and that focus is clear in classes that lend directly to new and emerging marketing practices facilitated over the Internet.  Courses like Integrated Marketing Communication, Internet Marketing, Brand Management, and International Marketing reflect the contemporary, real-world aspects and the entrepreneurial nature of the program.

The second new degree program, quality management, also reflects a strong tie to today's workplace.  With a solid foundation in the U of M, Crookston's emerging strength in manufacturing management, this new degree exposes students to the global environment and prepares graduates for quality management positions in the manufacturing industry as well as in state and federal regulatory agencies.

The curriculum focuses on business operations, product functions, quality and cost analysis, as well as consumer expectations and profitability.  The degree program was designed to respond to increasing employer demand for professionals who possess a background in manufacturing techniques and who understand the roles and responsibilities in assuring high standards of product or service quality.  Many companies that outsource production have discovered the need for more stringent quality assurance of products, especially those made in foreign countries, causing an increased need for graduates with a background in quality management.

While the program will be offered on campus in a more traditional learning environment, it is a perfect fit to offer online as well.  Christo Robberts, M.B.A., explained, "This program is tailored to technical and community college graduates in industrial and business fields who have considerable experience in manufacturing or in other processing environments.  It is especially tailored to those working adults who would like to become part of the quality management team within their workplaces." 

The U of M, Crookston has demonstrated expertise in online education, and it has seen significant growth in enrollment in its online offerings. The number of students taking online courses has continued to grow as more degree programs are offered entirely online and as more students--many of whom are already in the workforce--discover the benefits of online study and the prestige of a University of Minnesota degree. 

Information, including course requirements, about the two new programs is available online at www.umcrookston.edu/marketing and www.umcrookston.edu/quality, respectively.

To learn more about the University of Minnesota, Crookston's online degree programs, visit www.umcrookston.edu/online.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs, and welcomes students from more than 20 countries and 35 states.  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Andrew Svec, director of communications, 218-281-8438 (asvec@umn.edu); Susan Brorson, Ph.D., head, Business Department, 218-2818186 (sbrorson@umn.edu)

CROOKSTON, Minn. (October 8, 2009) - The University of Minnesota, Crookston continues on a growth trajectory.  The 2009-2010 academic year marks the second consecutive year the campus has seen record undergraduate enrollment.  As a reflection of that enrollment growth, campus residence halls, including a new apartment-style complex, are at capacity.

According to official enrollment data, the number of degree-seeking students attending the Crookston campus is reported at 1,310 for fall semester 2009.  That number bests last year's historic high mark for undergraduate enrollment and signifies an increase of 8.5% over fall 2008.  It also marks the third consecutive year the Crookston campus has recorded an undergraduate enrollment increase.  The number of degree-seeking students was 1,207 for fall semester 2008 and 1,142 for fall semester 2007.  Total enrollment for the Crookston campus has seen an increase of 3.6 percent, from 2,199 last year to 2,279 this year.

The number of students taking online courses continues to grow as more degree programs are offered entirely online and as more students--the majority of whom are already in the workforce--discover the benefits of online study and the prestige of a University of Minnesota degree.  The number of new online-only students, 107 this fall, has more than doubled as compared to fall of 2008, and online credit hours have increased by 30% percent for fall semester 2009 compared to fall 2008.

Again this year the profile of incoming students reflects improved academic preparation.  For the incoming freshman class, average ACT composite scores increased to 21.8 this year from 21.5 in 2008

This year's student body is also the most diverse in the history of the campus.  Of the 1,310 undergraduates, 99 international students representing 25 countries of origin account for 7.6% of the total, and 149 students of color represent 11% of the total.  

The number of students living on campus is also at a record high.  According to the Office of Residential Life, 563 students currently live in campus residence halls and apartments.  The newly-opened 128-bed apartment-style residence hall, Evergreen Hall, has helped address the demand for campus housing, and it is full, as are three other campus residence halls.  Gary Willhite, director of residential life and security services, said, "There has been increasing demand for campus housing over the past few years.  The fact that return rates for students choosing campus housing are higher than ever not only tells me students are satisfied with their experience here but also reinforces the concept that campus living directly helps retention."

In addition to improved facilities and expanded recruitment efforts, the U of M, Crookston has made strategic choices in widening its academic offerings.  This fall, the first students in a new criminal justice program arrived on campus, and the U of M Board of Regents recently approved two new bachelor's degree programs: marketing and quality management.  Coursework for those two programs--available both on campus as well as entirely online--is set to begin in January 2010.

Growth and change are nothing new to the Crookston campus, as it has seen a significant transformation over the past 16 years since becoming a baccalaureate-level university in the fall of 1993.  At the helm since 2005, Chancellor Charles H. Casey credits the dedication and hard work of the faculty and staff for where the campus is today.  "Students who choose the U of M, Crookston recognize the value of the friendly, personalized atmosphere and of the leadership opportunities provided by our exceptional faculty and staff," Casey said.  "More and more often we hear from students how they recognize the brand name value of a University of Minnesota degree and the quality it represents.  They also seem to understand how the day-to-day use of technology can help them achieve their career goals."  

The U of M, Crookston uses the phrase "Small Campus. Big Degree." when marketing the campus.  That phrase seems to resonate with students.  In a survey of this fall's incoming class, over 72% of those responding cited the size of the campus as the primary reason they chose to attend.  In the survey, which allowed respondents to select numerous reasons, 64% listed the type of academic programs offered as a top reason, 41% cited the U of M, Crookston's use of laptop computers and related technology for all students, and 35% acknowledged academic reputation.  Cost, availability of scholarships and financial aid, and the prestige and recognition of attending the University of Minnesota rounded out the list of top reasons student gave for choosing the Crookston campus.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs, and welcomes students from more than 20 countries and 35 states.  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Contact: Andrew Svec, director of communications, 218-281-8438 (asvec@umn.edu) Robert Nelson, registrar, 218-281-8560 (nelson@umn.edu) Elizabeth Tollefson, assistant director of communications, 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu)

Crookston, Minn.- For twelve consecutive years, the University of Minnesota, Crookston has been recognized by U.S.News and World Report as a one of the top four public baccalaureate colleges in its category in the Midwest.

"The recognition by U.S.News and World Report affirms our continued efforts to offer students an exceptional educational experience on our campus," says Dr. Charles H. Casey, chancellor at the U of M, Crookston. "We have a strong commitment to students, and we recognize that the quality of our programs depends on our faculty and the critical ways that staff contribute to our success.  

"Students have the opportunity to earn a degree from University of Minnesota, a degree recognized nationally and internationally, in a campus setting that is smaller and more personal," Casey states. "We also strive to help students gain both global perspectives and important leadership skills in order to prepare them for the workplace or graduate school, and as citizens of the world community."

This fall, the U of M, Crookston will dedicate a new residence hall that has been certified through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an internationally recognized green building certification system. As the first LEED certified residence hall in the University of Minnesota system, Evergreen Hall offers apartment-style living designed with consideration for sustainability and less environmental impact.

Another unique feature of the building is an innovative "lecture-less" classroom that showcases another technological advantage offered at the U of M, Crookston, the campus that has provided students and faculty with laptop computers since 1993. The campus also was selected to serve as the University of Minnesota Digital Campus Calling Center. The calling center serves all five campuses and maintains student support and a referral call center to answer and respond to student inquiries concerning University of Minnesota for-credit and non-credit online programs.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston's category in the U.S.News rankings, Top Public Baccalaureate Colleges, is comprised of institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs but grant fewer than 50 percent of their degrees in the liberal arts.  Highlights of the college rankings will be published in the September 2009 issue of U.S.News & World Report, available for newsstand purchase on Monday, August 24. The 2010 America's Best Colleges guidebook will be available as of Tuesday, August 25.

U.S.News ranks colleges and universities in three basic steps. First each school is sorted by mission, and in some cases, region. Data is gathered from each institution for up to 15 indicators of academic excellence, including peer assessment; graduation and retention rates; faculty resources; student selectivity; financial resources and alumni giving. Each factor is assigned a weight reflecting the judgment of U.S.News about how much a measure matters. Finally, the colleges in each category are ranked against their peers, based on their composite weighted score.

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.  

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