New Experience in a New Setting

“The goal of the trail is to engage and educate the public about renewable energy systems and showcase how WCROC research on farm energy use can benefit agriculture,” Berthiaume said.

So, their first task was to learn about all of the renewable energy projects. The list includes solar agrivoltaic panels, solar thermal panels, energy efficiency projects in the swine and dairy barns, the ammonia and hydrogen production plant, and the wind turbine.

“I got to talk with many different people at WCROC, and they have a lot going on! I also learned a lot.” For instance, before working on this project, “I knew about solar photovoltaic panels, but I didn’t know about solar thermal panels.”

In addition to collecting details about the renewable energy projects, Berthiaume also had to research materials for the signs, sign placement, and accessibility for the trail.

Ultimately, the trail project boiled down to research and communication, which Berthiaume really enjoyed. That research went beyond the contents of the sign to include what kind of signs would work best, where they should be placed, several accessibility issues, and, finally, how to succinctly and accurately describe the research.

Construction of the trail is expected to be completed during the summer. Funding for the interpretive signage and pathway construction is supported by the sale of excess electricity produced by the wind turbine.

The trail will begin at the administration building, go across the road to the swine barns and all the way to the wind turbine. This meant Berthiaume spent a good portion of their day outside, and they discovered the view from the WCROC administration parking lot was amazing. “You look out over the gentle hills in the Pomme de Terre River Valley, you can see the solar panels and the cows grazing, maybe a few birds. It’s nice.”

Having grown up in a Twin Cities suburb, Berthiaume never imagined working in an agricultural setting. The only agriculture in their background was an animal science class in high school. But they really felt drawn to the project because of their passion for sustainability.

Berthiaume had initially planned to major in political science, but by their second year on campus, had switched to an environmental studies major, with a political science minor.

“Lucky for me, UMN Morris has great connections in sustainability work.”

Sustainability is in large part why Berthiaume chose UMN Morris. “The small classes and opportunities to work closely with faculty were solid factors in my decision to attend Morris. But the campus reputation for sustainability was what really made it the place for me.”

After receiving an email list of potential internships, Berthiaume thought this project would be a good fit— they could apply information from their courses outside the classroom, and they could literally work outside of a classroom.

Berthiaume admitted that they had never been to WCROC before but felt the three-month internship offered exactly the kind of experience they were hoping to have. As a bonus, it was so close they could ride a bike to work nearly every day.

Berthiaume hopes to work with an environmental nonprofit after graduation, something that would combine both sustainability and politics. “Environmental studies is relevant. It puts you in a place where you can start to see how to have an impact.”

This is just one of the many gems you can find in the online Prairie Portal. The caption notes that the photo was taken during a political science study abroad trip in 2010 and identifies those pictured. Top (L to R): guide, Ian Patterson, Tony McGerr, Matt Nelson, Andrew Showalter, Ryan Klawitter, Kevin Daly, Michael Peters, Sarah Buchanan, Sheri Breen, Meaghan Young-Stephens, Julie Drennan, Mallory King, pyramids security guard. Bottom (L to R): guide, Winnie Lindstrom, Zak Forde, Kirsten Tharalson, Caitlin Smith, DeAnna Ricci, Amanda Dunbar, Kaitlin Thompson, Jing Li.

UMN Morris Archives Offers Online Trip Back in Time

The University of Minnesota Morris Archives maintains many digital collections that are available online. Check them out today!

Buildings and Biographies

Learn how the buildings on campus have changed over the years. The UMN Morris Archives contains written histories of historic campus buildings available at archives.morris.umn.edu. You’ll also find heavily researched biographies highlighting important faculty and staff at UMN Morris. While the collection is nowhere near complete, there are currently 17 biographies to explore and more coming each semester.

Prairie Portal

Visit contentdm.morris.umn.edu to view the UMN Morris Prairie Portal, which houses our extensive photo collection highlighting student life and the history of this campus. It also contains digital copies of all the WCSA and UMN Morris yearbooks, as well as the campus newspaper from 1960–present. You can also view the art showcased on campus in our UMN Morris Campus Artwork collection.

Digital Well

The Digital Well at digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu is the UMN Morris institutional repository that houses important digital documents, audio, and videos from the campus. Listen to oral histories about UMN Morris or the west central Minnesota region in our Oral History collection (which includes 539 oral histories). Read documents from the founding of UMN Morris or explore digital UMMAA meeting minutes and Saddle Club records in the UMM Archives collection. Watch public lectures and videos of special events in the Public Lectures, Events, and Conferences collection. View past issues of alumni newsletters in the Alumni Newsletters (Profile, etc.) collection, which includes newsletters from 1964–present. There’s so much to explore and more added every week!

If you have items that you think would make a great addition to the UMN Morris Archives, please contact archives@morris.umn.edu.

UMMAA Board of Directors

Randy Koopman ’78, president

Don Brabeck ’84

Martin Conroy ’92

Robert Dalager ’71

David Eckmann ’78

Seth Elsen ’13

Holly Gruntner ’13

Jennifer Houtman ’94

Kay Keskinen ’70

Jake Lunemann ’07

Jena Magee ’09

Becky Newell ’97

Khondoker “Ahnaf” Prio ’19

Jennifer Westendorf ’91

Office of Alumni Relations

Jennifer Zych Herrmann ’00, director of alumni engagement

Gwen Rollofson ’99 executive office and administrative specialist alumni@morris.umn.edu

320-589-6066 alumni.morris.umn.edu

Randy Koopman ’78, UMMAA President

As I write this, it is a beautiful winter day with a winter storm expected to hit tonight and tomorrow. By the time you read this, we should be well into spring and hopefully some warm weather to thaw us out after what has been a year of challenging winter weather.

On March 1 we held the UMMAA Midwinter/Annual Meeting in the Twin Cities after a postponement from late February, due to weather. It was great to see many alumni at the meeting where we elected new members to the UMMAA Board of Directors and, most importantly, spent time socializing and reminiscing. For those of you who have not attended a Midwinter meeting in the past, I encourage you to keep your eyes open for the invite to next year’s meeting. It is normally held in mid-February in the Twin Cities area.

Soon we will be preparing for UMN Morris’s 60th Commencement, to be held on May 13. A shout out to those alumni who graduated last spring. We welcome you as part of the UMMAA and hope you have found success and satisfaction in the pursuit of your new adventures.

This past year the Board has been focused on several projects. We have established some committees within the Board to help you keep connected with UMN Morris, provide information and support in pursuit of your careers, and to promote alumni events. Our Board is currently well staffed at 14 members. If you have interest in serving on the Board, please let me or another Board member know. It is a gratifying experience and a service to both UMN Morris and your fellow alumni.

Also coming up, and it will be here sooner than we think, is Homecoming 2023. It will be held a little earlier than normal this year, September 8–10. One of the driving factors for the earlier date is to have more athletic events scheduled on campus that weekend, giving you and your friends a variety of things to do and see. This was in response to input received and now, responded to. Homecoming 2022 was, in my opinion, the best Homecoming I have attended. There was a great deal going on and the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. I had the opportunity to share the weekend with several of my past classmates and roommates which really makes a difference. And, yes, I did get to Don’s Café! I encourage you to arrange to meet your Morris friends at the next Homecoming for an enjoyable weekend, and I look forward to seeing many of you soon.

As always, stay safe, stay happy, stay connected!

Randy Koopman ’78

Upcoming Alumni Events

April 27

Morris on the Move to Boston

May 13 6oth Commencement

May 16

June 15

July 22

September 8–10

Gathering of UMN Morris Alumni

Working at UMN Twin Cities

Morris on the Move to Washington, D.C.

U of M Day at the Minnesota Twins

Homecoming 2023

For the most current event information, visit alumni.morris.umn.edu or watch upcoming editions of the Morris Matters newsletter.

Homecoming Highlights

September 8–10, 2023

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Annual Alumni and Students Networking Event—11:30 a.m. Distinguished Alumni Award Recognition Event—5 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Cougar Hall of Fame Recognition Event—10:30 a.m.

William B. and Ida B. Stewart Hall Dedication Event—3 p.m.