D I C K I N S O N
S TAT E
U N I V E R S I T Y
September 2019
Welcome Blue Hawks!
BOHN FEATURED IN ND EPSCOR NEWSLETTER Karissa Bohn, a natural sciences student at Dickinson State University, was recently featured in a newsletter by the North Dakota Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (ND EPSCoR). In the article, Bohn discusses the opportunities she’s had to research both in the lab and the field. Get the newsletter here: bit.ly/2YgCbef.
Finish What You Started There’s no better time than now! Certificate Programs Associate Degrees Bachelor’s Degrees AFFORDABLE. FLEXIBLE. RELEVANT.
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OPEN TO OPPORTUNITY: LIVING A ‘YES’ LIFE By: Marilyn Lee, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs In April of 2002, while I was in Dickinson interviewing for the assistant professor of art position at Dickinson State University (DSU), a realtor gave me a tour of the community that included Patterson Lake. I took one look and asked, “What’s wrong with the water?” She answered, “Nothing.” She looked at me, then back at the water, and said, “It’s frozen.” I had never seen a frozen lake. Ever. Shortly thereafter, I decided to take a chance on this opportunity and said, “Yes.” And I have never looked back. Since then, I have taken many opportunities to say ‘yes’ that have come my way. In using this philosophy I have grown personally and professionally. I found I loved living in this state with its buttes and rolling hills. My dogs and I enjoy our hikes in the country and parks. I have formed friendships with my colleagues, who included me in their activities, and introduced me to their friends. One of those friendships led to finding my wife. My good fortune in love includes her three children, and our grandchildren. How lucky is that? Living a ‘Yes’ life led me to accepting a position as the chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at the University in 2014, and most recently to a position as interim vice president for Academic Affairs. Early in my career at DSU, I created an Arts Entrepreneurship degree to provide opportunity for students. Whether aspiring to be a self-employed artist or to work for business in graphic design, these art entrepreneurs need the business skills to make their goals a reality. To create this opportunity, the Department of Fine and Performing Arts worked collaboratively with the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SoBE). This pathway allows students to complete their education in fine or graphic arts with an entrepreneurship minor. And that is not the only time in my tenure at this University that I have experienced collaboration amongst faculty, departments and the community. The University has recently been designated a Dual Mission institution. I am very proud to work with faculty and staff who are eager to develop new curriculum that will continue to provide opportunities for our students while meeting the workforce needs in our region. Several of these opportunities will be available in the near future. This summer, the Department of Nursing offered a Certified Nursing Assistant training for the first time. Through conversations with local industry we heard there was a need for this training, and the demand was proven as all 20 available seats were claimed prior to the registration deadline. We will continue to explore future offerings. In fall 2019, the Department of Fine and Performing Arts will begin to offer a musical theatre track within the structure of the Bachelor of University Studies degree. Students will have an opportunity to complete a Business Education degree online in fall 2019, offered by the Department of Teacher Education and SoBE. Also beginning fall 2019, the Department of Social Sciences will offer both an Associate and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In addition, Dickinson State University is looking forward to developing further partnerships with Lake Region State College for a police academy in Dickinson, at DSU. Lastly in this academic year, Dr. Chip Poland, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies at DSU, myself and representatives from Bismarck State College (BSC) are exploring a collaboration agreement to offer welding from BSC on the DSU campus. Our goal is to have it in place as soon as possible. While DSU is eager to pursue the many applied technical opportunities available as a Dual Mission institution, our anchor is in liberal arts education. Our liberal arts curriculum is designed to give students a broad knowledge of the world through studies in arithmetic, grammar, science, culture, communication, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to utilize these skills in real-world situations. In today’s global economy, it is essential students are engaged citizens, adapt to a rapidly changing economy, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively. The liberal arts provides the foundation to be successful for jobs yet to be imagined. Dickinson State University is excited to be able to provide these opportunities to our students and our region, as well as seek out future business and educational partnerships. I once heard it said that you cannot have change and comfort simultaneously. Embracing opportunity often means we must change. What we most often find on the other side of the discomfort is something bigger and greater than what we could imagine. This adventure begins with three simple letters: Y-E-S. I still think lakes should not be frozen in April. But because of a simple ‘yes,’ I have found community, friends, and family here. I have found that through the power of yes, we can find and embrace new opportunities and together, we can build something beyond what we could do alone.
SBHE APPROVES REVISED MISSION STATEMENT FOR DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY
On June 27, 2019, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) reviewed and approved a revised mission statement and expanded mission for Dickinson State University (DSU). The following revised mission was approved: Dickinson State University is a regional comprehensive institution within the North Dakota University System, whose primary role is to contribute to intellectual, social, economic, and cultural development, especially to Southwestern North Dakota. The University’s mission is to provide high quality, accessible programs; to promote excellence in teaching and learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the economy, health, and quality of life for the citizens of the State of North Dakota. Dickinson State University was established 100 years ago as the citizens of the region came together in recognition of a need for an institution in their community that would help train teachers to work in the area. As regional education needs have changed, DSU has expanded curriculum beyond teaching, to include business, nursing and agriculture.
In 2018, Dickinson State University received approval from the SBHE to offer expanded, dual mission programming. Being a dual mission institution means DSU can better meet the educational needs in the region. In addition to offering four-year liberal arts degrees, the dual mission designation removes barriers and allows DSU to offer expanded practical training, certificate, associate, graduate and community programs. In alignment with the new mission, DSU will offer the following opportunities in the next year: Master of Entrepreneurship Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Associate of Science with emphases in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Engineering Associate of Administration Certificate of Wellness Certificate of Strength and Conditioning Certificate of Corrective Exercise Certificate of Allied Health Certificate of Welding, in conjunction with Bismarck State College Certified Nursing Assistant Training Communication Skills Workshop Dickinson State University is located in the epicenter of regional growth and expansion and has a strong plan for serving the students and the region. With limited access to local higher education opportunities, the community looks to Dickinson State University to meet this need. The institution will continue to work with other NDUS schools to explore opportunities for collaboration.
DSU HONORS FOUR LONGTIME EMPLOYEES AT RETIREMENT CELEBRATION A T
D I C K I N S O N
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U N I V E R S I T Y
2019 SEPTEMBER 12-14
AN AMERICAN
LEGACY L to R: Todd Wetsch, Andy Fiedler, Julie Hatzenbuhler, Jim Haaland
Dickinson State University recognized four longtime employees for their dedication and service to the institution and its students at a retirement celebration Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Andrew (Andy) Fiedler | Maintenance Worker | 21 years James (Jim) Haaland | Maintenance Worker | 32 years Julianne (Julie) Hatzenbuhler | Custodian | 36 years Todd Wetsch | Custodian | 20 years Thank you Andy, Jim, Julie and Todd for your positive contributions to the University!
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DSU STUDENTS SUCCEED IN COMPETITIONS AT NATIONAL PBL CONFERENCE
ALUMNI S P O T L I G H T
COLTON SHOULTS ‘14
Five Dickinson State University (DSU) students and Amy Kass, assistant professor of accounting, recently attended the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The students networked with business professionals and took part in various workshops and career skills competitions. Each competition sees between 30 and 50 students from colleges and universities across the United States. The competition results are as follows: Business Presentation, 4th Place – Allisha Dworshak and Kyle Michel Justice Administration, 10th Place – Joseph Unruh Business Law, finalists – Emily Carda, Heidi Jazwa and Kyle Michel Job Interview, finalist – Allisha Dworshak Three of the attending DSU students received a $400 scholarship from PBL. Recipients were selected based on an application process that included an essay on how participation in their chapter has enhanced their leadership skills. The recipients are as follows: Allisha Dworshak Heidi Jazwa Joseph Unruh In addition, Emily Carda and Kyle Michel were both elected to serve roles in North Dakota PBL leadership for the 2019-2020 academic year. Congratulations to Dickinson State’s PBL chapter on another successful year!
THE COFFEE’S ALWAYS ON
By Annika G. Plummer, Administrative Secretary DSU Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies Step into the Dickinson State University Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies building and you’ll be greeted with the aroma of fresh coffee. The coffee’s always on at the Ag Building! The coffee, combined with the smell of dirt in the arena and the attentive nature of the faculty and staff, make the students in the Ag Department feel welcome and comfortable in our space. Once a student becomes an agricultural major, they become a member of the Ag Department family. As a family member, the students are supported and encouraged and, of course, subject to some good-natured teasing! Our students primarily come from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming, but we do have a few sprinkled in from other neighboring states and a couple from other countries, including Canada and Japan. The DSU Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies’ mission is to be a leader in developing the human capital necessary to create and maintain agricultural systems, landscapes, and communities that are economically and environmentally sustainable in southwestern North Dakota and across the region. One of the ways we meet this mission is to motivate our students to be actively engaged on campus and to develop leadership skills through club involvement. With four clubs in our department, Ag Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau Club, Range Club and the Rodeo Club/Team, we have a very active agricultural student body. The agricultural students coordinate the annual Kids Day on the Farm event in April; plan and execute Roughrider Judging for local 4-H and FFA contestants; and both fundraise for and compete in the DSU Blue Hawk Stampede Rodeo, among other events throughout the year. These students compete in local, regional, and national competitions such as the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet and the Society for Range Management’s Undergraduate Range Management Exam. In addition, through a variety of field trips, our students have the opportunity to learn about agricultural businesses and agencies, farm and ranch practices, and range plants and communities in a hands-on learning environment. Our department also encourages the students to partake in “real world” experiences through internships. The students learn in a variety of settings, including in banks, on farms or ranches, and many more varied environments. We are working on exposing some students to international internships and hope to have student placements internationally by summer 2020. We are proud of how we are preparing our students to be contributing members to their communities once they graduate and start their careers. If you’d like to learn more about the department, please email Annika.Plummer@dickinsonstate.edu and I will email you our latest department newsletter. Once a member of the Ag Department family, always a member! We also welcome you to stop in at the Ag Building to learn more about our department and our students and enjoy a tour of the building. The coffee’s always on, and everyone is welcome!
Master of Entrepreneurship CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEW MASTER OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM
www.dickinsonstate.edu/me
Why did you choose to attend Dickinson State University-Bismarck? I enrolled at Dickinson State University (DSU) because of the classes offered on the Bismarck State College campus. I prefer the traditional classroom setting over online courses so this was a perfect scenario because I wanted to stay in Bismarck. In what year did you graduate and what degree(s) did you earn? I graduated from DSU with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Administration in 2014. Was there a certain professor who made a big impact on your life? Charles Conrick IV had a big impact on my studies. I was attracted to his methodical and strategic way of thinking and solving problems. One class in specific was his business appraisal class, which was one of the harder classes I ever took, but it helped me understand that knowing your numbers is a crucial part of any business. What is a favorite memory you have of your time as an undergrad? My favorite memory at DSU was making the dean’s list for good grades. I was always a “B” average student so that was pretty cool to be on the same level as the “A” students, haha! What are you most proud of when you look back at your time at DSU? The thing I am most proud of while looking back at my time at DSU was graduating. School was always something that was hard for me to focus on, so DSU paved the way for me to then go on and get my master’s degree. I never would have thought in a million years back in high school that I would have gone to school for seven years and graduated with a master’s degree. DSU played a big part in that. What was the most difficult thing for you as an undergraduate, and how did you overcome it? The most difficult thing for me as an undergraduate student was actually completing my homework. I have always been a mover and shaker so I really had to put in the extra effort to find time to make sure I was excelling at my studies. What did you enjoy most about being a Blue Hawk? The things I enjoyed most about being a Blue Hawk were my classmates and professors. Great people! What would you tell someone who is considering attending DSU? For anyone thinking about attending DSU, especially if you live in Bismarck, it is the best option for business studies. How did DSU help shape your decisions for your path after you graduated? DSU helped shape me into a working professional that confidently decided to pursue a master’s degree which was not in my education plan at all. One of my friends and classmates at DSU went on to get his master’s, and that had a lot of influence on me to follow suit. Thank you, Tyler! How did your time at DSU help you to be successful in your later pursuits? My time at DSU has helped me in my path to entrepreneurship by creating connections and people I can still count on for advice. What are you doing now? I currently own Grand Junction Grilled Subs in Bismarck and Mandan along with franchise locations that I oversee in Fargo, Grand Forks and Moorhead, Minnesota. I also own The CraftCade which is a retro arcade, craft beer hall and NY-Style pizzeria in downtown Bismarck. Along with Grand Junction Subs and The CraftCade, I own two duplexes and have a company that places ATMs in businesses that need cash services. Do you have any plans for the future you would like to share? I have so many plans and ideas for the future but can’t share the details right now! Follow me on social media and you will be able to stay tuned with my future endeavors that I have up my sleeve!
DRAGSETH NAMED STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION FACULTY ADVISOR Dr. Debora Dragseth has been elected to be the faculty advisor on the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education for the 2019-2020 academic year. Dragseth is a tenured professor of business at Dickinson State University (DSU), is the former director of the University’s Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program and is the former chair of the department of business and management at DSU. In addition, she is a national award winning writer whose research interests are risk-taking, entrepreneurship and outmigration of youth. Dragseth is no stranger to Higher Education governance. She has been Dickinson State University’s Faculty Senate president three times and in June 2019 she finished a two-year role as president of the Council of College Faculties, a statewide council that represents all North Dakota University System faculty. “I feel that I have a breadth of experience that will allow me to recognize the needs of all of our state institutions of higher education. At Dakota State University in South Dakota, I had the traditional 4-year experience of beginning college immediately out of high school and living the ‘dorm life’ while attaining a B.S. in Business and a B.A. in English Literature. My MBA is from the University of South Dakota, an R-2 Research University and my Ph.D. is from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an R-1 Research University.” While achieving her advanced degrees Dragseth was also a working mother of three, so she understands the challenges of being in that position as well. Dragseth has received Dickinson State University’s highest faculty award, the Distinguished Teacher of the Year, has been named the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce’s Teacher of the Year, Innovative Teacher of the Year and “2018 Best of the Western Edge: Best Professor” (The Dickinson Press Readers’ Choice Award). She has also been named the student-elected Outstanding Faculty.
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www.dickinsonstate.edu/apply DICKINSON AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES PLAN TO READ AND CELEBRATE “THE THINGS THEY CARRIED,” OCT. 22 – DEC. 15
Dickinson State University (DSU), in collaboration with its partners, is a recipient of a grant of $15,000 to host the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read in Dickinson and its surrounding communities. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. DSU is one of 78 nonprofit organizations to receive an NEA Big Read grant to host a community reading program between September 2019 and June 2020. The NEA Big Read in Dickinson and its surrounding communities will focus on “The Things They Carried,” by Tim O’Brien. Activities will take place Oct. 22, 2019, through Dec. 15, 2019. “Dickinson State University and its partners are excited and honored to be recipients of this grant. We aim to promote open discussion, literacy, and the arts through the NEA Big Read events. The focus of much of our programming is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the veteran experience,” said Staci Green, head of library operations at DSU, and a member of the committee that brought the Big Read to Dickinson and its surrounding communities. “It is inspiring to see both large and small communities across the nation come together around a book,” said National Endowment for the Arts Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “We always look forward to the unique ways cities, towns, and organizations like Dickinson State University explore these
stories and encourage community participation in a wide variety of events.” The NEA Big Read showcases a diverse range of titles that reflect many different voices and perspectives, aiming to inspire conversation and discovery. The main feature of the initiative is a grants program, managed by Arts Midwest, which annually supports dynamic community reading programs, each designed around a single National Endowment for the Arts Big Read selection. The NEA Big Read is sponsored by the following generous donors: Dickinson State University, the DSU Heritage Foundation, Edgewood Hawks Point, and Joe Frenzel. Dickinson State University has also partnered with the Dickinson Public Library and its Medora, North Dakota, branch, Bowman Public Library, Dickinson High School, Trinity High School, Ramada-Grand Dakota Hotel Dickinson and other Dickinson community members. DSU and its partners have come together to plan a variety of activities and events including film screenings, book club groups, and discussion panels about the veteran experience. Many Dickinson High School students will be reading “The Things They Carried” in their classes. A special keynote event will be a visit from the author, Tim O’Brien, scheduled for Nov. 13, 2019. For a full listing of events, please visit www.dickinsonstate.edu/bigread.
DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY EVENTS Sept 12
Theodore Roosevelt in Retrospect: An American Legacy
7 p.m.
May Hall, Dorothy Stickney Auditorium
Sept 13
Theodore Roosevelt in Retrospect: An American Legacy
8 a.m.
May Hall, Dorothy Stickney Auditorium
Sept 13
Volleyball vs. Montana State University-Northern
5 p.m.
Scott Gymnasium
Sept 14
Dino Chat: Paleontology Panel
4 a.m.
Murphy Hall, room 117
Sept 14
Theodore Roosevelt in Retrospect: An American Legacy
7:30 a.m.
Regent and Medora, North Dakota
Sept 14
“Cretaceous & Beyond” - National Paleontology Conference
8 a.m.
Murphy Hall
Sept 14
Harvest Festival
11 a.m.
King Pavilion
Sept 14
Volleyball vs. Briercrest College - Stanton Strong Night
1 p.m.
Scott Gymnasium
Sept 15
“Cretaceous & Beyond” - National Paleontology Conference
8 a.m.
Murphy Hall
Sept 20
President’s Cabinet Open Forum
2 p.m.
Klinefelter Hall, Beck Auditorium
Sept 20
Volleyball vs. Miles Community College (junior varsity)
2 p.m.
Scott Gymnasium
Sept 20
Popcorn with the President
3 p.m.
DSU Klinefelter Hall - Foyer
Sept 20
Volleyball vs. Viterbo University
5 p.m.
Scott Gymnasium
Sept 21
Football vs. University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
1 p.m.
Henry Biesiot Activities Center
Sept 21
Volleyball vs. Waldorf University - M.S. Awareness Night
6 p.m.
Scott Gymnasium
Sept 24
Volleyball vs. University of Jamestown (junior varsity)
4 p.m.
Scott Gymnasium
Sept 24
Volleyball vs. University of Jamestown
6 p.m.
Scott Gymnasium
Sept 24
Harps & Chords
7:30 p.m.
May Hall
Sept 28
Football vs. Waldorf University
1 p.m.
Henry Biesiot Activities Center
DSU Events - www.dickinsonstate.edu/events
Athletic Events - www.dsubluehawks.com
DISCOVER DSU DAYS October 21, 2019 December 9, 2019 February 10, 2020 April 6, 2020 AT E A C H D I S C O V E R D S U D AY, T H E R E W I L L B E A D R AW I N G F O R A $500 S C H O L A R S H I P! You must be present to win.
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The Blue Hawk Bulletin is a publication created by the Office of University Relations at Dickinson State University. dsu.communications@dickinsonstate.edu 701.483.2787 DSU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. Contact the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator for questions (May Hall, Room 309-A; 701-483-2370; dsu.titleix@dickinsonstate.edu)