President's Message
 Our university is buzzing with activity and events these days, just as it should. On the administrative side, we will continue to hold a series of six Listening Sessions over the next couple of weeks, gathering input from professionals across the region as we prepare to develop a new university strategic plan. We also are eyeing the Minnesota Legislature’s review of the Minnesota State system’s budget request. The outcome is still unclear for tuition, general fund support and bonding for renovation and our Hagg-Sauer Hall replacement project.
As you plan your busy schedules, I hope you will participate in Black History Month events on the evenings of Feb. 13, 16 and 21. I am grateful for the efforts of Dr. Debra Peterson, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and others who are working to help us appreciate and celebrate our diverse community and shared history.
Also, be sure to check out all the hockey, basketball and tennis action this month and mark your calendars for first-round WCHA playoff action for the men’s hockey team on March 3-5 at the Sanford Center, as well as a BSU opera, “Speed Dating Tonight”, on March 3-5. Thank you for supporting our students!
Faith Hensrud, Ed.D.
President
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Dr. Andrew Hafs, associate professor of biology, published an article examining seasonal changes in Appalachian brook trout in the January issue of the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, to lead this month's Faculty and Staff News.
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Searches Underway for Four Permanent Administrator Positions; Interims Extended
Human Resources is overseeing searches for permanent appointments for four administrative positions: BSU provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, vice president for Northwest Technical College, executive director for enrollment management, and dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology. BSU administrators intend to host public forums on campus for these positions in March and April, with all four hired or in place to be hired by July 1.
Interim appointments held by Dr. Deb Peterson, assistant to the president for affirmative action and accreditation; Dr. Randy Westhoff, assistant vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Bonnie Higgins, dean of the College of Business, have been extended through the end of June 2018.
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BSU/NTC Employees Raise Nearly $10,000 in Combined Charities Campaign
Employees at Bemidji State and Northwest Tech have pledged to donate nearly $10,000 as part of the state of Minnesota's Combined Charities Campaign. Seventy employees have pledged to contribute $9,607 during the 2017 calendar year, both significantly increased from last year's $4,927 donation from 16 employees. Across all state agencies, 2,038 employees contributed $786,490 during the campaign.
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Hundreds of High School Students Visiting Campus for Academic Events in Coming Weeks
Over the next several weeks, hundreds of regional high school students will be on campus for events hosted by BSU academic departments or programs.
The School of Technology, Art and Design and the Department of Integrated Media have sent special invitations to the top science, engineering, technology and mathematics students at 20 regional high schools to attend workshops on campus focusing on art, graphic design, media and exhibit design. The Feb. 22 workshops, part of an inaugural Media, Art and Design (MAD) Day event, will include demonstrations of virtual reality technology, an introduction to video game design, laser etching, designing a magazine cover and hosting a radio show.
Nearly 100 students from a 15-county region are expected to attend the 64th annual Northern Minnesota Regional Science Fair on Feb. 17. The fair, affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair, will send 30 students with poster presentations and five students with research papers on to the Minnesota State Science Fair in late March.
On March 6, BSU will host the Northwest Regional portion of National History Day Minnesota, a statewide interdisciplinary research competition for students in grades 6-12. The competition teaches students to conduct in-depth research, use primary and secondary sources, read a variety of texts, analyze and synthesize information and write and present historical content. Student presentations must support the competition’s annual theme, “Taking a Stand in History,” which encourages students to examine someone, or a group, that took a stand for their beliefs — positively or negatively.
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Garrison Keillor Brings "The Gratitude Tour" to BSU in April
Former "A Prairie Home Companion" host Garrison Keillor is bringing a new brand of humor to Bemidji State on April 24. BSU is one of five stops on what Keillor is calling "The Gratitude Tour," focusing on humor found in life's serendipity and lucky breaks rather than its setbacks and pitfalls. While seats remain in the Beaux Arts Ballroom, faculty and staff can pick up one free ticket each at the Union Info Desk.
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SAC Proposals Accepted Until Feb. 20
Faculty are encouraged to remind students that proposals for 2017 Student Achievement Conference presentations can be submitted online until Feb. 20. The April 5 event celebrates student excellence in both original scholarship and artistic endeavor, and presentations represent the range of academic disciplines and aesthetic pursuits that are the life of the university. Proposals may be submitted on the conference website. |
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Students Organize Lions Club
BSU and NTC students looking for community and humanitarian service opportunities have organized a new student Lions Club, which will celebrate its charter night at the Bemidji Eagles Lodge on Feb. 16.
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- BSU's social work program hosted a Kids Count presentation on Feb. 7, which shared statewide trends in early childhood development.
- BSU administrators dedicated the university's Fossil Fuel-Free Fish House to kick off the inaugural Beaver Freeze ice fishing tournament on Jan. 28.
- Construction and design students were introduced to augmented reality technology during a Jan. 17 classroom presentation by Minneapolis-based Simonson Design Studios.
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Beaver Hockey Hosting First-Round WCHA Playoff Series March 3-5 at Sanford Center
For just the second time since joining the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Beaver Hockey will host a first-round conference playoff series. The best-of-three series begins March 3 and tickets are available now starting at $16 for adults and $9 for youth.
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Fitzgerald Triplets Featured in New York Times
In January, Bemidji State's unique hockey trio of triplets Gerry, Leo and Myles Fitzgerald were featured in the New York Times. The article followed the brothers' transition from child actors — the trio starred in two major studio films: “Baby Geniuses,” released in 1999 and starring Kathleen Turner and Christopher Lloyd, and a 2004 sequel featuring Jon Voight — into college hockey stars.
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Beaver Hockey Celebrates 50 Years
With Coach R.H. Peters
On Jan. 20-21, Beaver Hockey celebrated a legend – former head coach R.H. “Bob” Peters. The 2016-17 men’s hockey season marks the 50th anniversary of Peters’ inaugural season as Bemidji State head coach. During his remarkable tenure from 1966-2001, Peters won 702 games at BSU and an incredible 13 national championships. Around 100 of his former players were on hand to pay tribute to one of the true coaching legends in all of college athletics.
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