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Dr. Richard A. Hanson has been BSU-NTC president since July 2010.
President Hanson announces retirement
Dr. Richard A. Hanson announced Tuesday, Aug. 18, that he plans to retire June 30 after six years as president of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone said a national search for Hanson’s successor will begin this fall, with the goal of having a new president in place by July 1.
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Welcome, Class of 2019
Bemidji State University's Class of 2019 gathered Aug. 21 for a group photo in Chet Anderson Stadium during fall orientation activities. You can download a high-resolution version of the class photo on BSU News.
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Fall enrollment steady
At the end of the five-day drop-add period, BSU's enrollment was nearly even with Fall 2015 – 3,974.2 full-year equivalent (FYE) students, compared to 3,986.8 FYE in Fall 2014, a drop of just 0.3 percent. Our 4,772 students – 4,511 undergraduates and 261 graduates – are enrolled for 58,865 credits. Final official enrollment numbers for Fall 2015 will be calculated Oct. 6, on the 30th day of classes.
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Student-produced video, bracelets promote student safety
The 2015 orientation for new students included a presentation and panel discussion for all incoming freshmen specifically focused on student safety, responsible behavior and caring for fellow students. These topics have gained greater urgency than ever in light of the tragic hypothermia death of a BSU student in December 2014.
This video "Who's Got Your Back?: No Buddy Left Behind" is a student project coordinated by Jay Passa of BSU's Student Center for Health and Counseling produced in partnership with Lakeland Television. It encourages students to take care of themselves and to watch out for their friends.
Also, green rubber bracelets with the words "S.O.S. SAVE OUR STUDENTS" are available through Student Senate for everyone on campus to show their support for this initiative.
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Bemidji State launches wildlife biology major
Starting this fall, BSU students who seek careers in natural resources agencies or who are interested in graduate study in wildlife biology have enrolled in our new bachelor of science program in wildlife biology.
Pictured: Dr. Brian Hiller, assistant professor of biology
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Hundreds attend 10th Annual Community Appreciation Day
Hundreds of people attended Bemidji State's10th Annual Community Appreciation Day on Sept. 3. The event featured free food samples courtesy of local businesses, games for youth, a meet-and-greet with BSU student-athletes and opportunities to join with friends and neighbors in a celebration of our community.
The annual event, which is open to the public at no charge, is a way for BSU to say “thank you†to the residents of Bemidji and the surrounding communities for all they do to support the university.
• photo gallery
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Residence halls near 90 percent capacity
Hundreds of students moved into their new homes on campus during BSU's annual fall Move-In Day on Aug. 21. More than 1,300 students are living in BSU's residence halls this year, nearly 90 percent of capacity, and Cedar has residents for all but two apartments.
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Hagg-Sauer replacement project hinges on bonding
Planning is underway for the demolition and replacement of Hagg-Sauer Hall and the related redistribution of faculty offices across campus. On Oct. 1, Bemidji State is scheduled to host the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee for a tour and briefing on the $18.1 million project, which depends on legislative approval of bond funding this spring. Hagg-Sauer is sixth on MnSCU's priority list for its 2016 Capital Request. The House Capital Investment Committee visited BSU on Aug. 12, touring Memorial Hall and receiving a presentation from Karen Snorek, vice president for finance and administration. Plans call for demolition of the current 82,000-square-foot Hagg-Sauer Hall in summer 2017 and construction over the following year of a new 25,000-square-foot academic learning center, with updated technology and a variety of classroom types and sizes. Renovation of the A.C. Clark Library, Bangsberg Performing Arts Complex, Bensen Hall, Deputy Hall and Sattgast Hall is scheduled to begin next summer to relocate faculty now in Hagg-Sauer and establish learning communities that promote collaboration among faculty and interaction with students.
Up-to-date plans for the project are available on the Academic Affairs website. A campus forum on the Hagg-Sauer Hall project is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 22 in Hagg-Sauer 100.
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Web redesign to wrap up this semester
Work continues to complete the BSU website redesign and a compatible redesign of the Northwest Technical College site. Nearly all BSU academic department sites have launched, and Web Services plans to complete the remaining administrative office sites and other loose ends this fall. Watch for a Fac-Staff announcement after Labor Day about scheduling of photos for new faculty members and others who have not yet had photos taken. Also, the Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) will schedule a meeting of all departmental/office website content managers to establish a website work group, answer questions and share other information about the project, including steps to ensure that content is kept accurate and up to date. OCM and Web Services also will offer refresher training on the WordPress content management system and website calendaring and schedule follow-up meetings with individual departmental and office representatives to consult on photo selection and "story" content to showcase students, graduates, faculty and staff. OCM will seek help from the entire campus community as it works to expand the inventory of the "circle" packages on the BSU homepage to ensure much more frequent rotation of that content than been possible so far.
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Corq app provides easy access to campus events
You can discover student activities and events around campus from your mobile device using Corq. The Hobson Memorial Union has begun using the app, which is powered by the same CollegiateLink system that runs the union's BeaverLink service for clubs and organizations, as another avenue for club and organization calendars. Corq is free on Google Play and the App Store, and you can access BSU's calendar of events without creating an account.
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 Homecoming – Get Your Green On!
Bemidji State's annual Homecoming tradition kicks off Oct. 2 with a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Memorial Hall and continues through a weekend full of activities. BSU hosts the University of Mary in the Homecoming football game at 2 p.m. on Oct. 3 and hopes to continue one of the best traditions in college sports with its post-game lake jump after a Homecoming victory. A complete lineup of Homecoming events is available through the Alumni Association.
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 TRIO program wins $2.15 million grant
TRIO/Student Support Services will continue through 2021 as part of a five-year, $2.154 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will help BSU launch a new developmental math program offered free of charge to qualifying students.
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Academic department updates name
Over the summer, faculty of the former Department of Languages and Ethnic Studies decided to adopt a new name; the department is now the Department of Languages and Indigenous Studies.
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New hires and interim appointments in administration
 Karen Snorek joined us July 1 as our new vice president for finance and administration, headlining a summer of change for the administration. Also over the summer, Dr. Randy Westhoff was named interim assistant vice president of academic affairs; Jim Dillemuth was named interim chief information officer; Dr. Troy Gilbertson was named interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology; and Sheila Paul was named interim assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
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 Bill Blackwell Jr. started July 1 as director of the American Indian Resource Center. Blackwell, a BSU alumnus and member of the Grand Portage Band of a Lake Superior Chippewa, will serve BSU and NTC after spending the past three years in a development role at Leech Lake Tribal College.
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Student Development and Enrollment reorganizes
Over the summer, BSU's Division of Student Development and Enrollment reorganized and is now under the direction of two deans. Dr. Mary Ward has been named interim dean of student success and oversees housing and residential life, the Hobson Memorial Union, campus recreation, the American Indian Resource Center, the Student Center for Health and Counseling, the Veterans Resource Center and Dining Services. Michelle Frenzel has been named interim dean of Student Support Services and oversees recruiting and admissions, the Registrar's Office, Disability Services, TRIO/Student Support Services, advising and retention, and the Office of Financial Aid.
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Sustainability Office contributing to monthly Pioneer column
 Anna Carlson, assistant director of the Sustainability Office, is contributing to a monthly column in the Bemidji Pioneer related to sustainability issues. Carlson collaborates with community member Diana Kuklinski on the columns, which have covered topics including community solar energy initiatives, natural landscaping and the use of solar-powered furnaces at Leech Lake since it debuted in February. Their next column, to be published Sept. 12, will feature Memorial Hall and its status as BSU's first LEED-certified building. An archive of the pair's previous columns is available on the Pioneer's website.
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Click photos for complete galleries from each event (top, then L to R):
- Beaver Organization Bash
- First day of classes in Memorial Hall
- Sophomore Keys to Success celebration
- AIRC Day of Welcome
- Convocation
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Varsity athletics season underway
Beaver Athletics kicked off its fall season last week with a pair of home competitions. In Bemidji, soccer capped off another successful Community Appreciation Day with a 2-1 victory over Minnesota-Crookston, and football dropped a 35-14 decision to Augustana in its season opener on Sept. 5.
On the road, the volleyball team dropped each of its four matches at the Riverfront Classic in Allendale, Minn. (day 1 results | day 2 results), while men's golf started its season with a fifth-place finish at the NSIC Preview.
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Follow BSU Athletics on social media
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