Annette Mennem is the new Native American Center director at Minot State University. She started Aug. 17.
Mennem is a Minot State University graduate. In a press release, she called being director her "dream job" and said her goal is to help American Indian students reach their goals and be successful.
Mennem grew up on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, and her ancestors were Ojibway. She received an associate degree from Turtle Mountain Community College and a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in management from MSU. Before returning to MSU, she was the director of administrative support services at the Quentin N. Burdick Job Corp Center, where she acquired eight years of experience working with students from diverse populations.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo - - Annette Mennem is the new Native American Center director at Minot State University.
Mennem wants to represent American Indian people and represent them well. She especially wants to set a good example for younger people. Growing up, her role models were family members Carol Davis, retired TMCC vice president, Ken W. Davis, past tribal chairman, and Willie Davis, a disability services consultant.
"I believe in the '90-10 Rule.'" she said. "I will be with students, assisting, guiding and getting to know them, 90 percent of the time. Then, I will be at my desk 10 percent of the time to provide support where needed. When teaching diverse people, it is essential to understand their culture and tradition, thus, understand to be understood."
Mennem's goals for the Native American Center are to enhance what is in place and to nurture students and build relationships. She wants to uplift students throughout the process.
Mennem will also be an adviser to the Native American Cultural Awareness Club and a member of the MSU Diversity Committee.
----------------
Autism support grant received
The North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, a University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities at Minot State University, has received a federal grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for support of state work on autism spectrum disorders. The grant, titled "Support Autism in North Dakota," is designed to assist the state in improving services for children and youth.
The grant totals $840,000 over three years and will support collaboration among North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities: North Dakota Family Voices, a parent health information and support center; the North Dakota Department of Health, Children's Special Health Services and the North Dakota Department of Human Services. These organizations will work to implement several of the strategic goals established by the North Dakota Autism Spectrum Disorders Task Force.
The Combating Autism Act, approved by Congress, allocates funds to help a limited number of states to address their infrastructure needs regarding autism services. North Dakota is one of about a dozen states that received this competitive award, according to Brent Askvig, executive director of the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities.
David Fuller, president of Minot State University, cited this grant as an example of MSU's commitment and dedication to community service and engagement.
"When Minot State works with communities and citizens, we are able to leverage our expertise to assist in addressing important local and state issues," Fuller said. "Of course, our faculty, staff and students also gain so much from that real-time engagement with immediate needs and possible solutions. These become win-win opportunities for our region and our state."
Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. and John Hoeven, R-N.D., along with Representative Rick Berg, R-N.D., provided support for the center's proposal.
-----------------------
MSU?library earns recognition
The Gordon B. Olson Library on the Minot State University campus has been recognized by the Federal Depository Library Program for excellence in providing federal government document services to Minot and surrounding areas. The Gordon B. Olson Library is the first library in North Dakota to be recognized by the federal government for excellence with its depository program.
"The library underwent its biennial review this past spring, and we were commended for our efforts with the depository program," said Stephen Banister, library director, in a press release. "I am very proud of the efforts of David Iversen, cataloging and government documents librarian, and Donna Just, government documents assistant. They have done a great job over the last 10 years."
Congress established the Federal Depository Library Program to ensure that the American public has access to its government's information. Since 1813, depository libraries have safeguarded the public's right to know by collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving and assisting users with information from the federal government. Depository libraries provide local, no-fee access to government information in an impartial environment with professional assistance.
----------------------
Photographer offers free class
Well-known Seattle photographer and recent inductee to the Minot State University Academic Hall of Fame Rosanne Olson is teaching a free lighting class at Minot State University beginning today.
The classes will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday this week and from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and Monday in Hartnett Hall.
Olson will also present "The Creative Life" Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Aleshire Theater, MSU, as a part of the Northwest Art Center Lecture Series.
For more information, contact Patrick Sheldon at patrick.sheldon@minotstateu.edu.