×

Society news and notes

Local students Comer, Anderson receive Real DEAL Scholarships

Two area students are recipients of Real DEAL Scholarships from the Bank of North Dakota’s DEAL Student Loan Program.

Awashtay Comer of Four Winds Community High School and Cheyenne Anderson of Velva High School will each receive a $500 scholarship to attend a North Dakota college and are qualified to be among the 48 applicants who will compete for a $3,000 scholarship to be awarded in the spring of 2015.

Recipients must demonstrate community or school involvement and have a 2.5 GPA or greater. Comer is involved in prom committee and does volunteer work at her high school. Students who will graduate high school in 2016 can apply for the Real DEAL scholarship starting in August 2015. To apply, complete the online application at Bank of North Dakota’s College Planning Center at banknd.nd.gov. Eight scholarships will be given statewide every month through March 2016.

Rona Alexander to keynote at NSSLHA spring conference

Minot State University’s chapter of the National Students Speech Language Hearing Association is holding its 2015 spring conference today in the Conference Center (Student Center, third floor), from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The keynote speaker is Rona Alexander, a speech-language pathologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems impairments in children.

“For more than 20 years, the MSU chapter of NSSLHA has held conferences. The students plan, organize and execute a nationally renowned conference, which is attended not only by MSU students, faculty and staff, but also by practicing speech-language pathologists from Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba,” said Lesley Magnus, associate professor of communication disorders.

The spring conference will emphasize infants and children with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems impairments and significant feeding and swallowing problems. Goals and strategies for direct treatment of problems in pediatric feeding and swallowing function and those appropriate for carryover activities will be discussed.

On-site registration is $100. The conference is free to all MSU students, faculty and staff, but registration is required. For more information, go to 2015 Conference Brochure.pdf.

Magnus can be reached at lesley.magnus@minotstateu.edu.

Virtual presentation with Norwegian ambassador and MSU students slated

Kare R. Aas, Norway’s ambassador to the United States, will chat live with Minot State University students April 29 in Aleshire Theater from 1 to 1:50 p.m. The public is also invited to this event. With the new era of digital diplomacy, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C., launched the #VirtualAmbassador Program, a new initiative which enables university students from across the U.S. to interact live with Aas.

“Ambassador Aas will give a brief presentation via Skype, followed by a question-and-answer period by the American students,” said Libby Claerbout, director of the international program at MSU. “I also encourage students to participate in a virtual question-and-answer session with the ambassador via his Twitter handle, @kareraas, where their questions are included in the presentation.”

The MSU presentation will cover the following topics:

“The Arctic” – Changes in the Arctic cause unprecedented challenges and emerging opportunities. Arctic ecosystems and human societies will be most strongly affected, but the Arctic environmental changes have global implications as well. Questions posed may include “How should these challenges be handled?” and “Is managing the Arctic a global task or is it solely the responsibility of the Arctic coastal states?”

“NATO, the U.S. and Norway” – NATO constitutes the basis for Norway’s security. Norway’s relations with the U.S. on security and defense represent the fundamental element of the American membership in the alliance. Within the alliance context, Norway collaborates with the U.S. on a wide variety of issues and activities, at both the policy and operational level and in terms of procurement. Each entity is faced with current and emerging challenges. The international security pattern is being transformed. Norway also has to adapt and will do so in close cooperation and coordination with allies and partners, in particular the U.S. Norway will continue to play an active part in ensuring that NATO remains a viable, effective and relevant alliance.

Society news and notes

Farmers Union camping registration

Online registration began this week for the North Dakota Farmers Union summer camping program. Youth summer camps throughout the state will get underway in June.

Camp registration is offered online this year at www.ndfu.org. For more information, call 1-800-366-8331.

Area students compete in state spelling bee

Area students will compete at the state spelling bee at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck on Monday. The oral spelldown will begin at 1:30 p.m.

This year there are 98 students that have advanced from county competitions to participate in the state spelling bee. All contestants first compete in a written test from which 25 finalists are chosen. The finalists compete on an equal basis in the oral spelldown and prizes are presented to the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place winners. The champion of the state bee will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., on May 24-30, with expenses paid for the winner and a companion by the North Dakota Association of County Superintendents, the North Dakota Newspaper Association and the North Dakota Masonic Foundation. Additional awards are donated by Merriam-Webster, Encyclopedia Britannica and Jay Sugarman, president and CEO of Starwood Financial Trust.

Students from the area in the bee include Anthony Mahler, an eighth-grader from Maddock; Declan Ritterman, an eighth-grader from Leeds; Hunter Schmidt, an eighth-grader from Bottineau; Tanner Lord, an eighth-grader from Bottineau; Mikayla Avery, an eighth-grader from Powers Lake; Samuel Edwards, an eighth-grader from Powers Lake; JoBeth Johnson, an eighth-grader from Divide County at Crosby; Samuel Johnson, an eighth-grader from Divide County at Crosby; Iris Dukart, an eighth-grader from Killdeer; Blaize Gegelman, an eighth-grader from Twin Buttes Elementary; Sandra Larson, an eighth-grader from New Rockford-Sheyenne; Evan Ulrich, a sixth-grader from New Rockford-Sheyenne; Jacob Rexin, a fifth-grader from Carrington; Marah Schmitz, a seventh-grader from Carrington; Madilyn GeForce, an eighth-grader from Velva; Austin Schatz, an eighth-grader from Velva; Sumaiyah Alyadumi, a sixth-grader from Watford City; Olivia Niemitalo, an eighth-grader from Johnson Corners Christian Academy in Watford City; Christina Bingham, an eighth-grader from Max; Owen Conoly, a sixth-grader from Wilton; Alyson Bosch, a sixth-grader from Hazen; Annika Towe, an eighth-grader from Hazen; Halle Sorenson, a fifth-grader from Stanley; Dawson Schepp, a seventh-grader from Rugby; Victoria Tryba, a seventh-grader from Rugby; Kerstyn Anderson, a sixth-grader from Central Middle School in Devils Lake; Colby Rance, a seventh-grader from Central Middle School in Devils Lake; Janie Savelkoul, a seventh-grader at MLS Mohall Middle School; Riley Vendsel, a seventh-grader at MLS-Mohall; J Delorme, an eighth-grader at Turtle Mountain Middle School in Belcourt; Jayden Lenoir, an eighth-grader at Turtle Mountain Middle School in Belcourt; Madison LaLonde, a sixth-grader at North Star in Cando; Gavin Miller, an eighth-grader at North Star in Cando; Madeline Rickert, an eighth-grader at Erik Ramstad Middle School in Minot; Harper Wentz, a seventh-grader at Jim Hill Middle School in Minot; Jacob Lawson, an eighth-grader at Harvey; Dixie Posey, an eighth-grader at Harvey; Angelenia Barnett, a seventh-grader at Eight Mile School District in Williston; Evelyn Padilla, a seventh-grader at Tioga.

UND?offering new option for teachers’ credits

Teachers and other licensed education professionals in North Dakota and throughout the United States can now earn graduate-level professional development credits for $50 per semester credit, through the University of North Dakota and its online professional development resources partner, Minneapolis-based Whitewater Learning LLC.

“This is a very practical and easy to use system for educators,” says Kim Jones, coordinator of UND’s Professional Development for Educators program, in a press release. “Most teachers would rather spend their time with their students, than having to make time to go to workshops, seminars, conferences and the like, and this program frees them to spend more time in the classroom. All of the courses are on-demand, ready for use by teachers whenever they have the time.

“UND is excited to have Whitewater as a new online professional development partner,” said Jones. “This partnership expands our online professional development program and allows UND to offer more opportunities for educators nationwide.”

The cost of the program is $299 for a one-year, individual subscription for online coursework and program administration from Whitewater Learning, plus UND’s customary fee of $50 per semester credit.

More information on the UND/Whitewater program can be found at wp.tieslearntech.org/whitewater/University-of-North-Dakota.

New student government officers at MSU

Students at Minot State University elected new Student Government Association officers, according to a press release issued by MSU.

Alex Buchholz, Minot, was elected president; Kelsey MacNaughton, Brandon, Man., was elected vice president of finance; Skyler Niebuhr, Sawyer, was elected vice president of internal affairs; Kevin Gilgallon, Amherst, N.Y., was elected vice president of state affairs; Joel Cartwright, Great Falls, Mont., was elected vice president of student outreach.

Jordan Busch, Minot Air Force Base, Layne Pfliiger, Washburn, and Claudia Rogel, Gurnee, Ill., were elected College of Business senators; Stephanie Brock, Accra, Ghana, Ashley Busch, Minot, Casey Feldner, Burlington, Roger Herrmann, Bismarck, Annika Kraft, Minot, and Kristopher Merrill, Tracy, Calif., were elected College of Arts and Sciences senators. Kayla Barke, Williston, McKenzie Kranz, Minot, Miranda Lessmeister, Lake Lenore, Sask., and Cassie Stauffer, Minot, were elected College of Education and Health Sciences senators.

Society news and notes

Foundation announces new board member

BISMARCK – Commerce Commissioner Alan Anderson announced a new member of the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation board today, Danita Bye with Dakota Leadership in Stanley.

Bye is the founder of Dakota Leadership and Sales Growth Specialists, a leadership development and management consulting firm. Bye brings 30 years of success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics industries. She is a frequent speaker at entrepreneurial events, including Carlson’s School of Management and the nationally recognized Project Skyway. Bye is on the Board of Trustees at University of Sioux Falls and has a Masters in Transformational Leadership from Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minn.

“Danita brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the business community and will be a great addition to our board,” Anderson said.

The North Dakota Economic Development Foundation is a private foundation established by the Legislature in 2001 to provide private-sector guidance and oversight of the state’s economic development efforts. The foundation board helps create strategic plans to strengthen and broaden North Dakota’s economic development.

The Foundation establishes and maintains a strategic plan for economic development managed by 23 business leaders from all corners of the state. The board meets quarterly to monitor progress toward economic development goals, to discuss major business and economic issues, and to offer suggestions for improving North Dakota’s business climate. Each member of the board serves a two-year term.

Scholastic hosting hero essay contest

Scholastic is hosting a “Be a Backyard Superhero” essay contest for children in grades K-5. They can enter the contest by writing and illustrating a story.

Children in grades K-5 have the power to improve the outdoor green spaces at their schools by participating in the “Be a Backyard Superhero” essay contest with Scholastic. They can enter the contest by writing and illustrating a story. The entry deadline is April 13.

The contest is part of the TurfMutt environmental stewardship and education program where children learn they can be backyard superheroes by taking care of green spaces, inspired by TurfMutt and his friends, the Outdoor Powers. The program is funded and managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) Research and Education Foundation.

Teachers and parents may submit their students’ or children’s essays and illustrations online. In 150200 words, students in grades K-5 will describe how they are “Backyard Superheroes” and, along with TurfMutt and the Outdoor Powers, combat the environmental villains (Carbon Creep, Dust Demon, Dr. Runoff, and Heat Freak). Students will draw pictures of their missions and attach the character cutouts to their drawings.

Two grand prize-winning schools will win $5,000 to improve outdoor green spaces.

More information about the contest can be found at www.scholastic.com/turfmutt/contest/

Official contest rules are at www.scholastic.com/turfmutt/pdfs/TurfMutt-OfficalRules.pdf

Area students qualify for geography bee

Area students have qualified to compete in the North Dakota Geographic Bee at the University of Mary in Bismarck on March 27.

Students from the area include: Kelby Armstrong, seventh grade, Erik Ramstad Middle School; Chase Baer, sixth grade, Garrison; Jourdan Baker, eighth grade, Parshall; Angelenia Barnett, seventh grade, Trenton; Mindee Boyce, eighth grade, Nedrose; Jonas Bubach, fifth grade, Longfellow Elementary, Minot; John Buchmann, eighth grade, Beulah; Brett Butler, a homeschooled sixth grader from Minot; Kincade Corbin, fourth grade, Dakota Elementary at Minot Air Force Base; Jorn Everson, sixth grade, St. Joseph Catholic School, Williston; Trevor Fisk, eighth grade, Williston; Lilee Friesen, eighth grade, South Prairie; Darien Hauf, eighth grade, Lewis and Clark-North Shore; Ashley Huesers, eighth grade, Garrison; Andrew Huettl, fifth grade, Edison Elementary of Minot; Margaret Huettl, seventh grade, Jim Hill Middle School of Minot; Ian Keck, seventh grade, Stony Creek Elementary School of Williston; Levi Kinney, sixth grade, Lewis and Clark Elementary of Williston; Sandra Larson, eighth grade, New Rockford-Sheyenne; Brandon Ledahl, eighth grade, Grenora; Xander Lindsey, fourth grade, Divide County of Crosby; Koby Marchus, eighth grade, Wolford; Jesse Mattern, eighth grade, Bottineau; Zachary Opperman, seventh grade, Memorial Middle School at Minot Air Force Base; Wyatt Puckett, seventh grade, Powers Lake; Jack Robinson, fifth grade, North Plains Elementary at Minot Air Force Base; Connor Smith, sixth grade, Trinity Christian School in Williston; Ciera Wahus, eighth grade, Bowbells.

Jamestown gives students scholarships

Area students have receive scholarships from the University of Jamestown, a private college in Jamestown.

Colton Lund, Sawyer, received $12,000 Distinguished Scholar award.

Studnets who received a $10,000 annual Presidential Scholarship are Emily Stier and Zachary Miller, both Rugby; Kaitlin Walker, Minot; Kenady Hansen, Washburn, and Nicholas Helfrich, Berthold.

University of Jamestown annually awards competitive academic scholarships to incoming freshmen. Candidates for the competition are selected based on academic achievements. The competition takes place on campus where candidates are interviewed and take part in an essay-writing competition. Two separate competitions take place in November and February using the same judging criteria.

Seminars to be offered at WSC

A series of seminars for administrative professionals will be offered on April 22 at Williston State College. Topics include Building an Effective Partnership with Your Boss, Grow Your Career and Have Fun Doing It!, Skills Needed by Today’s 21st Century Administrative Professional, and The Time to Relax is When You Don’t Have Time For It: Managing Your Stress; Finding Your Balance.

The main presenters are Stacy Leitner and Regenia Bailey. Leitner, an award-winning administrative professional and a college educator, will be bringing a wealth or knowledge to these seminars. Over the years, Leitner, an employee of the City of Rancho California, has worked with the CEO to help bring her employer to 12th on a Fortune magazines 2011 and 2012’s Great Place to Work list, the first city government to ever make the list. Bailey is an organizational strategist, consultant, coach, and former Mayor of Iowa City. Bailey brings over ten years of experience with working with all types of companies on strategic positioning and organizational growth.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

To sign up for Williston State University and TrainND Northwest’s administrative day, please visit www.willistonstate. edu/trainnd. Registration is $199 and includes breakfast, lunch, and four-seminars with Leitner and Bailey.

For more information about the Administrative Professional Day contact, Holly Meyers at holly.meyers@willistonstate.edu or 701-774-4557 or visit www.willistonstate.edu/trainnd.

Elizabeth Smart to speak in Grand Forks

Elizabeth Smart will speak in the Chester Fritz Auditorium at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks at 7 p.m. March 30.

Smart was abducted from her home at the age of 14 in March 2003 and was rescued nine months later. Her abduction and rescue were widely reported and were made into a TV movie. Both of her captors were convicted and are in prison.

The speech is free and open to the public.

Grant-writing workshop at WSC

Williston State College will host a grant-writing workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23.

Regenia Bailey will teach the workshop. Participants will learn how to develop and write successful grant proposals and hone their writing skills. Bailey, with the firm Bailey Leadership Initiative, LLC, will instruct participants on how to plan, describe, present, measure, and report on specific grant proposals. Through the workshop, participants will be able to plan and present a clear and compelling project for funding, respond to requests for proposals, assemble proposal components to submit a grant proposal and use the grant proposal to approach other funding sources.

To sign up for Williston State College and TrainND Northwest’s grant writing workshop, visit www.willistonstate.edu/trainnd Registration is $195 and includes instruction, breakfast, lunch and a certificate of completion.

Society news and notes

Piano students receive awards

On Feb. 28 the Nationally Federated Gold Cup festival was held on the campus of Minot State University. There were 267 entrants in a total of 6 events. The festival was sponsored by The Minot Piano Teachers Club.

Earning small gold cups, worth 15 points, for their piano solos were: Aliviah Lemer, Berthold, Haley Hahn, Bottineau, Makiah Frederick and Makinley Grosche, Burlington, Benjamin Haaland, Carpio, Logan Redding, Donnybrook, Malachi Dosch, Maddock, Chelsey Allan, Sam Goodman, Maddie Hedberg, Andrew Huettl, Parker Hummel, Tia Hummel, Noah Jacobs, Chauncee Knittel, Henry Langhans, Braedon McCarty, Nnenna Nwaigwe, Jace Rodacker, Griffen Schaeffer, Jacob Smestad and Peter Smith, Minot, Lexi Drangsholt, Mohall, Daniel Starks, Ryder, Katie Wilhelmi, Stanley and Evan Moen, Upham.

Earning small cups for their solos in the Lynn Freeman Olson event were: Chinelo Udekwe, Minot and Blake Rustad, Roseglen.

Earning small cups for their piano concerti were: Alison Keiser and Mara Keiser, Minot.

In the hymn playing event, earning small cups were: Olivia Redding, Burlington, Charity Dosch, Faith Dosch and Malachi Dosch all of Maddock.

Earning medium cups, worth 30 or more points, in the piano solo event were: Kendra Dahle and Thomas Schauer, Carpio, Bethany Anderson, Harvey, Doriann Brockel, Hurdsfield, Charity Dosch, Maddock, Ashlyn Almy, Katie George, Reece Pederson, Maggie Sem, Minot and Janie Savelkoul, Mohall.

For the Lynn Freeman Olson event, earning a medium cup was Sylvie Kramer of Minot.

In the hymn playing event medium cups were earned by Lydia Hoverson, Burlington and Hunter Andes of Plaza.

And, in the violin solo event Karena Verbitsky of Minot earned a medium cup.

Earning large cups worth 45 or more points in piano solo were: Benjamin Helfrich, Berthold, Caleb Hoverson, Burlington, Anne Johnson, Kenmare, Hudson Dahly, Jeremy Dockter, Jack Tennyson and Michaela Woiwode, Minot and Macy Sundahl of Mohall.

A gold cup worth 60 points was awarded to Blaise Stanley of Minot.

NDWN Woman of the Year sought

BISMARCK – Nominations for The North Dakota Women’s Network Woman of the Year are being accepted through March 31.

NDWN board chair Melissa Gillett of Tolna said that nominees should be leaders and advocates in one or more of the following areas: women’s health and reproductive rights; support of educational opportunities for women; equal pay for equal work; equal representation in political offices; preventing violence against women and children; and the eradication of gender, familial, ethnic, racial and sexual orientation discrimination.

Nominees may be submitted by NDWN members and allies. To submit a nomination for consideration, go to www.ndwomen.org to download the nomination form, or email renee@ndwomen.org. The honoree will be selected by the NDWN board of directors in April. Nominations are due March 31. The Woman of the Year will be honored at the fall NDWN 2015 Annual Meeting.

Society news and notes

Gunderson admitted to NDSU ‘with distinction’

Sean Gunderson, son of Hal and Elaine Gunderson, Minot, has been admitted to North Dakota State University “with distinction.” He will enter NDSU this fall and plans to major in physics. Distinction means that NDSU is acknowledging Gunderson as an honor student.

In high school, Gunderson is active in track and field, National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars.

Area students work on Habitat houses

Two area students are among Concordia College students who worked on building a Habitat for Humanity house over spring break.

They are Hannah Steffen, Devils Lake, who will be working on a house in Tucker, Ga., and Jadin Heidrich, Minot, who will be working on a house in Georgetown, S.C.

Six groups left for the South and Southeast Feb. 20 and returned Feb. 28. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that builds and renovates houses around the world for people in need using volunteer labor.

The six builds were in Durham, N.C., Georgetown, S.C., Beaumont, Texas, Palm Bay, Fla., Hattiesburg, Miss., and Tucker, Ga. The trips are through the Collegiate Challenge program with Habitat for Humanity, and the students did typical construction work, such as framing, roofing, siding and drywall throughout the week.

Concordia College’s Habitat for Humanity is a campus chapter of the local Habitat affiliate, Lake Agassiz. It offers a variety of on- and off-campus service opportunities throughout the year, including nationwide Spring Break trips. Students connect with others who are passionate about serving their community and building relationships with their fellow Cobbers and community members.

Concordia College is a four-year liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offering more than 60 majors, including 15 honors majors and 12 preprofessional programs.

Williston State College site of career expo

The Great Northwest Education Cooperative will be hosting a Career Expo on March 18 at Williston State College, for 10th and 11th grade high school students in northwest North Dakota. Schools attending this year include: Alexander, Divide County, Grenora, New Town, Parshall, Powers Lake, Stanley, Trenton, Watford City and Williston. With 30 sessions offered and over 50 presenters, students will have an opportunity to learn about different career options, ask the professionals questions and gain a better understanding of the link between career goals and the education needed to achieve them. For more information you may contact Janice Arnson at the Great Northwest Education Cooperative at 609-5681 or Janice.arnson@sendit.nodak.edu.

Society news and notes

Tharp awarded emeritus status

Linda Tharp has been awarded emeritus status at Williston State College.

Emeritus Status is awarded to a retired faculty member or administrator for distinguished service.

Tharp began her career as a nurse and later transitioned into education at Williston State College when she worked as Nursing Coordinator. For over 20 years, Tharp served on numerous committees, taught classes, advised students, mentored staff, received tenure, and was a founding member and later led the Dakota Nursing Program. Tharp was the past chair of the Health & Wellness Department and later the Dean for Instructional Effectiveness & Curriculum until her retirement in 2014.

“No one is more deserving than Linda Tharp,” said Wanda Meyer, Provost/Vice President for Instruction, in a press release. “She is honorable, has mentored several faculty over her years, and has educated hundreds of people who have made a difference in the health care industry.”

SVUW announces 2015 officers

Souris Valley United Way has announced officers for 2015. They include: Kevin Harmon, Minot State University, President; Todd Jensen, Midcontinent Communications, Vice President; Scott Moum, Minot Public Schools, Treasurer; and Megan Grundstrom, The Preferred Companies, Past President.

Additional board members include Niki Carlson, Mary Keller, Jim Knudsen, Perry Olson, Mike Tornatore, Dr. Krista Kelly and Ann Rivera.

Souris Valley United Way strives to mobilize people, organizations and resources in an impactful effort to advance education, financial stability and health while addressing basic human needs.

For more information, visit

svunitedway.com or call 839-2994.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today