C a m p u s N e ws
Dean’s Corner:
such as Kubasta’s from active-duty military are the norm for her office, which also helps students enroll in UND’s distance education programs. “Many decide to attend UND because all veterans and all active-duty members receive the in-state resident tuition rate,” she said. “We have a student in Iraq right now taking online classes.” Within two weeks after her final mission in Iraq, Kubasta was in Grand Forks, a few days late for the 2009 spring semester. “Coming back was so slow-paced compared to what I was used to,” she said. “It was hard to go to school the day after I turned my rifle in.” Not only was the climate vastly different, but she also had to readjust to college life as a civilian. Kubasta instinctively scanned crowds for trouble, even though she knew there was no reason to do so. “I’d find myself watching my back,” she said. “I couldn’t sit in front of the classroom. I had to sit in back because I couldn’t stand having people behind me.” Kubasta also wasn’t sure how faculty and other students would treat her if they knew she’d served in Iraq, but soon realized it wasn’t an issue. “They told me it was awesome that I’d helped people in another country,” she said. Anson and her staff assist approximately 700 students on campus who identify themselves as veterans. “We process education benefits for National Guard, dependents of disabled veterans and active-duty members who are using the GI Bill,” she said. “We also process enrollment for the new post-9/11 GI Bill for students who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, and for veterans using the GI Bill under the Montgomery GI Bill. We have students using VA (Veterans Affairs) vocational rehabilitation.” Whether it’s providing in-state tuition to all veterans, creating a Facebook page for them, helping them find classrooms or making sure they enroll in the programs that provide the most benefits, it’s no accident that UND is considered one of the nation’s most militaryfriendly schools. PATRICK C. MILLER
Rising to the Top The College of Business & Public Administration (CoBPA) has achieved an exceptional year due to the collective efforts of passionate students, inspirational educators, innovative programs, and the generosity of our alumni and friends. Eduniversal awarded the CoBPA three palms in the worldwide business school ranking, classifying us as an excellent business school that is strong nationwide with continental links. Our continually expanding entrepreneurship department continues to remain strong, ranking as one of the top 25 colleges for entrepreneurship. The department of entrepreneurship, in partnership with Alerus Financial, has developed the Alerus Entrepreneurship Challenge, a new state-wide/regional business plan competition, that was held on campus last month. This provides another avenue of experiential learning for our students and budding entrepreneurs across the region. Our passionate students continue to excel as we prepare our next generation of business professionals. The Student Managed Investment Fund won first place in the undergraduate division for its growth-style portfolio at RISE X (Redefining Investment Strategy Education) Global Investment Forum. I am proud to say that we are No. 1 in the world in growth-style investing. We are committed to providing our students with the tools they need to enhance their ability to pursue internships and career opportunities during challenging economic times. Through a generous gift from Linda ’76, and Mark Pancratz, ’77, our students will have the opportunity to enhance their professional and networking skills through workshops and career development at the Pancratz Career Development Center. This new center will be located in Gamble Hall and we will be breaking ground this summer in preparation for Fall 2010. Through the generosity of an unnamed benefactor, the CoBPA received a historic $10 million commitment to match new endowment gifts 3:1. We are privileged to have had the opportunity in such a short time to open 22 new endowments in the areas of student scholarships, faculty support and new program initiatives with a total impact of more than $7.9 million. This challenge has the opportunity to grow to a $40 million impact. On a fast track to achieving excellence, your philanthropic partnership, coupled with the additional support offered by the generosity of the matching grant, will catapult the College and ensure sustaining excellence. We encourage you to stop by to personally meet our students and faculty to gain a better understanding of the great accomplishments being achieved at your alma mater. Sincerely,
Dennis J. Elbert, Ph.D. Professor of Marketing and Dean College of Business and Public Administration
s um m er 2010
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