Five generations of the family of Bridget Schwindt of Dickinson met Nov. 6 at the Minot Moose Lodge for this photo. Schwindt is formerly of Killdeer. Seated is Schwindt's great-grandson, Christopher Johnson, Kenmare, left, holding her great-great-grandson, Connor Johnson. Schwindt is on the right. Standing are her granddaughter, Karen Johnson, Kenmare, left, and her daughter, Stephanie Krehlik, Minot.
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MSU to host open house for working adults
Article Photos
Submitted Photo
As with everything else in town, things are changing at Minot State University.
The face of the traditional student is no longer an 18 to 22 year old, fresh out of high school; and the term "older than average" doesn't really apply to older students any more, or anyone for that matter. With a 3.5 percent unemployment rate and high demand for workers in North Dakota, it is becoming more common for students to work before going to college.
To meet these demands, MSU is hosting an open house for working adults Nov. 29, 5-7:30 p.m. in the Student Center Atrium on the MSU campus. University advisors will be available to review transcripts and provide information on how to complete or continue a degree via campus courses, online courses, courses at Minot Air Force Base or graduate degrees. Other assistance will include applying for admission and financial aid, transfer questions and degree planning.
"Of the 3,600 plus students at MSU, 25 percent are 25 years of age or older," said Kevin Harmon, assistant vice president for enrollment management. "As our student population changes, so do their needs and demands. To remain attractive, MSU must be flexible."
More than 32 percent of MSU students take at least one online course, and 15 percent of students are exclusively online learners.
To accommodate student schedules and lifestyles, MSU offers 125 courses after 3 p.m. It also offers online undergraduate degrees in nine different programs, graduate degrees in four areas and certificates in four specialties.
For more information, contact Harmon at kevin. harmon@minotstateu.edu or 858-3140.
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N.D. Farm Bureau Foundation presents flood relief checks
The North Dakota Farm Bureau Foundation donated more than $27,000 in flood relief checks to rural fire departments and the Souris Valley United Way during the 69th North Dakota Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Nov. 18-19 at the Grand International in Minot.
Representatives from the Velva, Burlington, Sawyer and Tolley fire departments were on hand to receive $5,000 checks to help in flood recovery efforts in their communities.
"As Farm Bureau, we recognize the value of volunteers and the outstanding work they do," said NDFB President Doyle Johannes. "That is why we are so proud to present these checks to your volunteer fire departments, for all the selfless hours of service you provide your communities."
The Souris Valley United Way received $7,500. Also, the NDFB Foundation received generous donations from Dow AgroSciences through The Dow Chemical Company Foundation and FBL Financial Group.
The NDFB Foundation was established by the North Dakota Farm Bureau Board of Directors in 2002. Gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
Directors of the Foundation are members of the North Dakota Farm Bureau board of directors. North Dakota Farm Bureau is a voluntary, general agriculture organization.
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Williston State College opens second annual livestock challenge
Williston State College's agriculture department is hosting its second annual Carcass Challenge. Receiving dates run through Dec. 5.
Livestock producers can donate a steer to be fed at the Hovde Feedlot in Alexander. The donated steers will be used to raise funds for establishing an Ag Ambassador prgoram which will help recruit and maintain enrollment for the Williston State College agriculture program. Steers can be dropped off on either Dec. 1 or Dec. 2 at the Sitting Bull Auction. Separate arrangements can be made for pick up on other days.
"Ranchers will donate a weaned calf to the project," said agriculture instructor Kim Murphy, in a press release. "The calf will be put in the feedlot with the rest of the cattle, feed them all the same ration and weigh them once a month. That way we'll know the daily average rate of gain of the calf."
All donated animals must be part of an acceptable vaccination program.
When the challenge is done and the calf is ready to process, students will take measurements and carcass data, providing all the information needed to determine carcass quality and yield grades. Prizes will be awarded for the top steers in average daily gain and high carcass value based on quality and yield data.
At the feedlot, the cattle will be fed pea ration, which research shows provides more tender beef, according to Murphy. Final evaluation and processing of the steer will be done at Prairie Packing of Williston.
Students and producers will both benefit from the program in several ways, including brand inspection process, brand release process, processing change of ownership, health inspection process, vaccination program selection, maintenance and record keeping, feed selection and cost comparison, building rations, carcass evaluation, quality and yield grading, calculating cost of grain, back grounding enterprise analysis, financial, economic and marketing training, public relations and communication and livestock evaluation and selection.
Donors will receive an honorary personalized jacket; advertising in college publication and press releases; recognition at WSC Agriculture sponsored event and an opportunity to support local agriculture students and agricultural education at WSC. The WSC Foundation will issue a receipt for the steer as a tax-deductible donation.
Murphy also wanted to thank Northern Pulse Growers Association for being a major sponsor of the project two years in a row.
This has been a successful program at other locations, including at WSC last year, Murphy said, adding that Adult Farm Management Instructor Beau Anderson originally got the idea from Montana State University-Bozeman. "They have been doing this for quite a few years and it's a huge project there."
The first annual Carcass Challenge has concluded and awards will be presented to the winners on Dec. 9 at the Christmas Rodeo, which is open to the public. The operation with the steer that had the highest average daily gain was Grabow Ranch (Lynn and Marlene Grabow) of Stanley, and the steer winning the carcass quality category was Kevin and Sandy Harstad, also of Stanley.
For more information, contact Murphy at 774-6226 or visit the Williston State College website.
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Saron Ladies Luncheon planned
The annual Saron Ladies Christmas luncheon will be held at 12:30 p.m. Dec 3 at the rural southwest Minot church.
The event will include entertainment by the Prairie Gospel Quartet, door prizes and singing Christmas songs.
Ladies should bring a dish to share for the luncheon. There will also be a freewill offering.
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Trinity nurses luncheon set
The Trinity Nurses Alumni Christmas Luncheon will be Dec. 7 at noon in Michael's Restaurant in Minot. A special meeting will also be held.
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Camera Club names winners
Cara Harms of Bottineau took first place in the color category with "Rhubarb" and in the black-and-white category with "Ant at Work" in the Minot Camera Club's November competition. Shelly Adams took first in the digitally altered category with "Just Venting."
The subject for the competition was Abstract/Extreme Close-up. Judging the competition was Kim Whittemore from Studio 360 in Minot.
Other members with winning photos were Richard and Rosemary Debertin of Berthold, and Betty Nordstrom, Ryan Gosche and Heather Workman of Minot.