Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

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A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON SPECIAL ANNUAL REPORT VOLUME 43, NUMBER 1 SPRING 2011

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Special Annual Report 2011

Transcript of Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

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A MAgAzine for AluMni & friends of the

university of MinnesotA, Crookston

SPECIAL ANNUAL REPORTVOLUmE 43, NUmbER 1

SPRINg 2011

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From the Chancellor

Another year of accomplishments highlights this annual report issue of the Torch magazine. With this issue we pause to reflect on student success and the progress the University of Minnesota, Crookston has made over the past year. We continue to move the campus forward with the leadership of our talented faculty and staff along with the support of our generous donors. In uncertain economic times, private support is crucial for students in the pursuit of a college degree. With this issue of the magazine, we take a collective look at our achievements as well as recognize those who have given us their guidance and support over the past year.

There are many great stories on a campus like ours and so many student stories we would like to share. The impact of a college education on a life is hard to quantify, but it is wonderful to watch the development of students over the course of their collegiate careers. The opportunities for leadership and growth provided through internships, service learning, clubs and organizations, and through research possibilities have learning implications reaching far beyond the walls of our classrooms. Applying principles in a discipline to real-world situations helps students gain valuable experience and learn skills they will need as a professional.

Reflected in the pages of this issue are stories representing countless students who have come from farms, small towns, sprawling cities, and across the world to study at the U of M, Crookston. They are looking for the right degree program in order to prepare themselves for the future, but they are also looking for a great student experience. We want them to find what they are looking for right here, and we are diligent in our efforts to provide activities that will enhance their lives as a college student and make this time memorable.

Our new admissions materials revolve around the theme “college essentials,” and often times it is truly the little things that make the difference. For example, our campus has an average of 19 students in a class, a 16 to 1 student – teacher ratio, a campus you can walk across in only 8 minutes, and yet, we offer a degree that is recognized and respected around the world. Students earn a first-class education on a campus that is the right size for them. Offering students the best has been and continues to be our legacy, and we take seriously the future we are building together.

Thank you to all who have so generously supported our efforts. Your gifts to the University of Minnesota, Crookston are not only deeply appreciated, they are at work every day in the lives of students. I cannot think of a better way to invest in tomorrow than supporting students today.

Sincerely,Charles H. Casey, D.V.M.Chancellor

“There are many great stories on a campus like ours and so many student stories we would like to share,” Charles H. Casey, D.V.M.

TABLE OF CONTENTSTyler Brazier .................................................................... 3Lhakpa Gurung .............................................................. 6Informatics Lab .............................................................. 8Kaitlyn Linde ................................................................. 10John Plass ....................................................................... 12NCLC ............................................................................... 14Otter Tail Energy Challenge .................................... 15CRES................................................................................. 16

MRSA Research ............................................................ 18Anna Wagner ................................................................20Director’s Letter .......................................................... 22Donor Pages.................................................................. 23Campus Calendar ...................................Back Cover

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Code manMajoring in software engineering

is something of a turnaround for Tyler Brazier because as he describes, “Growing up, I hated computers!” That is no longer true for this senior from Greenbush, Minn.

As a high school student, Brazier excelled in mathematics and took a number of college math courses through College in the High School. He recalls his mother telling him one day he would be a computer guy, but he never believed it. “As I learned more about them, my interest increased,” Brazier says. He developed his skills further at a computer game design camp at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

“I attended Game Design Camp for more than one summer,” Brazier says. “It influenced my decision to attend school here and it influenced my decision on a major.” He also liked the fact that the Crookston campus was close to home.

He has lived in the residence halls on campus for the past three years; first he lived in McCall, then in Centennial, and he currently resides in Evergreen. Brazier has enjoyed his student experience, and he believes his major fits what he is looking for in a future career.

“I like variety in my work,” Brazier

“With programming there are so many applications to experiment with it keeps the learning fresh and engaging,” Tyler Brazier.

explains. “I think that software engineering will give me opportunities to not only write programming code but also be involved in design. That variety makes a career in the field appealing to me.” His plans don’t stop at a bachelor’s degree either; Brazier plans to pursue a graduate

senior tyler Brazier is a software engineering major from greenbush, Minn. his gas collection chamber project has accelerated his interest in his major and a future career.

for the gas collection chamber, Brazier had the help of several employees at Central Boiler, his family’s outdoor wood furnace manufacturing company. the chamber is still in development and Brazier’s prototype is a work in progress.

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degree when he finishes in December 2011.

His favorite classes are those in his major, particularly programming. He will lend his skills in that area to a project with Katy Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor in environmental sciences and biology. Brazier will construct a chamber for measuring CO2 coming from the soil. He will not only design and construct the chamber, he also will program the computer used to record the measurements.

The project began initially in fall 2010 when he met with Smith to find out what she needed from him to further her research. Brazier followed that meeting with a document containing the necessary

requirements, followed by a design for Smith’s approval. Once the construction phase is completed, testing will begin. When the testing proves successful, the chamber will be deployed as part of Smith’s ongoing research on greenhouse gases. “This whole process is common to the software engineering development cycle,” Brazier explains.

Martin Lundell and Brazier’s father, Dennis, have served over the years as role models for the younger Brazier. “Martin works hard like my dad,” he says. “I find motivation in his work ethic, and although I might not have quite the same drive, these two men both inspire me.”

In one of his early programming classes, Brazier programmed an

airplane simulator to coordinate takeoffs and landings. “We started with the simple programming of a calculator and moved on to projects that increased in difficulty,” he reflects. “With programming there are so many applications to experiment with that it keeps the learning fresh and engaging.”

It is hard to believe this enthusiasm comes from someone who thought he didn’t like computers. Finding the right fit in a major was the secret to success for this soon to be alumnus. Like Brazier, it seems when you get the code right, you are just programmed to succeed.

Tyler Brazier, far left, holds the controller in the new Informatics Lab on the second floor of Dowell Hall during a demonstration led by Jingpeng Tang (at far right), assistant professor in software engineering. in the center is senior rick Cole, an information technology management major from thief river falls, Minn.

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From the Himalayan mountainsto the Red River Valley

The country of Nepal is home to nine of the world’s fourteen highest mountain peaks. One of the most remote and rugged areas is Mustang, a village of 1,000 people and home to students Lhakpa Gurung and her cousin, Yangchen.

These two young women came to the University of Minnesota, Crookston in great part because of familial influence. “I am the first in my family to reach college,” Lhakpa says. “My parents encouraged education, particularly my grandfather who wanted us to have a better life and believes education is a way for us to have a better life.” Yangchen agrees.

“My dad has been both a motivator and encourager,” she explains. “And both my dad and grandfather put a high priority on our education.”

Lhakpa, a senior majoring in early childhood education, has wanted to become a teacher since she was a very young girl. “I considered other majors, but my family has always encouraged me to make my own decisions, so in the end, I returned to my first love – teaching,” she says with a smile.

“My dad has been both a motivator and encourager, and both my dad and grandfather put a high priority on our education,” Lhakpa Gurung.

Both of the women studied English in Nepal though they attended different boarding schools when they were growing up. “I went to school with Lhakpa until grade one,” Yangchen explains, “Then, I went to another school where I could learn both the English and Tibetan languages.” Leaving Nepal to come to the U of M, Crookston was not as much of a leap for the two as one might imagine. When they attended boarding school, they were in a city located several days from their village. “We had already adjusted to life away from home when we came here,” Lhakpa says.

The decision to attend the U of M, Crookston was made first by Lhakpa who had a friend from her village already on the campus. “My friend ended up transferring,” Lhakpa says. “But, knowing someone had attended the U of M, Crookston influenced my choice.”

She has enjoyed her classes and created a community of friends through her involvement as a community advisor in residential life, and as a member of the Early Childhood Club, the UMC Lions Club, and the Multicultural and

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yangchen gurung in the mountains near her village of Mustang, nepal.

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International Club (MIC). She has been an officer every semester as part of the Early Childhood Club and served as president in fall 2010.

Yangchen, long interested in following her father’s footsteps into the world of business, would like to work for a non-profit or a small, private business. Eventually, however, both women would like to return to Nepal to serve and to benefit their home country. Lhakpa would like to go on to graduate school and get experience as a teacher, in order to bring her experience to the educational system in Nepal.

Also a community advisor, member of the UMC Lions Club, and MIC, Yangchen has been active in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) serving as vice president of business ethics and vice president of fundraising for the club. This spring she was selected to be part of SIFE’s presentation team, which will compete at the regional competition later in the spring semester.

In 2010, Lhakpa received the University of Minnesota undergraduate Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED) Award honoring outstanding diverse undergraduate students. Along with the SEED award, she was named a University Women of Color Tapestry Award winner, an award given to those who help create a thriving campus community where diversity is welcomed and supported.

Both Lhakpa and Yangchen appreciate many of the same things about the U of M, Crookston: the small campus, the classes, and getting to know so many people. Yangchen smiles wryly when she adds, “I like the snow; we don’t have snow like this, and I really do like it.”

The two credit many of the same people for their success on campus: Soo-Yin Lim-Thompson, Marsha Odom, and Marilyn Grave in early

childhood education; Kenneth Johnson in business; counselor and host family Laurie and Dan Wilson; residential life staff including Gary Willhite, Sandy Desrosier, and Kristie Jacobsen; and Kim Gillette, Rae French and Sean Shin in the international programs office.

Education has been the primary focus of both Lhakpa and Yangchen. They are driven to succeed and to make their families proud. Lhakpa hopes to have her family in attendance at this spring’s commencement exercises. They will certainly be proud of her accomplishments. She sums up the experience this way, “I realize my education is something that can’t be taken away, and I can use it to do anything I want. There are so many possibilities because I have an education, and now, I can go out and make a difference.”

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lower left: yangchen (left) and lhakpa in Mustang, nepal, in native dress. nepal was one of the featured countries during this spring’s international dinners. lower right: lhakpa was a recipient of both the university of Minnesota seed and tapestry awards in 2010. Photo by eric hylden, grand forks herald.

Above: lhakpa (at right), a senior, will graduate in May 2011 with a degree in early childhood education. yangchen, a junior, is working on a degree in business along with a minor in communication. At left: lhakpa gurung and her cousin, yangchen, visit Washington, d.C., with yangchen’s father.

lhakpa smiles from atop a horse on her journey between her village and city where she went to school. the journey takes several days.

Map of Nepal. (n.d). Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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Immersive Technology Changes more than Perspective

This changes everything. Technology available in the new

immersive visualization laboratory at the University of Minnesota, Crookston gives students a whole new vantage point. The lab, brought to campus by Adel Ali, professor and head of the Math, Science, and Technology Department, is the result of stimulus dollars at work and its interdisciplinary impact knows no boundaries.

The lab, located in Dowell Hall, opened in early November 2010 and since its opening, it has been generating all kinds of interest. Students majoring in software engineering seem like the natural benefactors of the lab’s capabilities, and those students do indeed benefit. In fact, students have begun “construction” on a 3-D model of the Crookston campus. The construction of this model would be useful for evacuation planning in the case of a fire, for example, but it would be possible to run scenarios of any kind to plan for almost any type of emergency.

For students in agriculture, the lab offers opportunities in the area of precision agriculture; chemistry students could build a 3-D model of a molecule;

Students have begun “construction” on a 3-D model of the Crookston campus.

in the health sciences, students could take a “walk” inside the human body; and for natural resources students, the flow of water in a flood could be studied to help determine the possible impact on a habitat. These examples help demonstrate the lab’s interdisciplinary nature and the opportunities it affords not just students in the software field but across academic programs.

“We are looking for collaborative opportunities across disciplines but also across universities,” Ali explains. “This technology could benefit organizations outside the university also, and we would love to share the immersive technology in the lab with others.” Ali is an expert in the area of immersive visualization. He has worked on simulations of emergency evacuations of large stadiums for the Department of Homeland Security using the technology, and he is looking forward to partnering for work on other projects where the technology could prove to be beneficial.

“It won’t predict a flood, but in the lab, we can demonstrate where the water would travel at a predicted level,” Ali says. “It will help model where the

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Adel Ali, far right, demonstrates the capabilities available to students in the virtual immersion laboratory. the lab opened in november 2010.

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water would go. That kind of information could be invaluable in making important decisions about flood control.”

For those who have not experienced it firsthand, the demonstrations of the technology are visually striking and help a great deal in understanding the possible applications. “Computers are good at crunching numbers,” Ali says. “But, the human brain is good at visualizations and understanding relationships. Combining the human mind and the computer is very powerful.”

One of the aspects making this lab special is the projection using a powerful computer and mirrors on both the screen in front of the user and on the floor providing the immersive experience. Tracking using sound signals in a pair of 3-D glasses helps the computer identify the user’s exact location similar to the relationship of satellite tracking and the GPS on an automobile. When the user moves forward or backward the change is registered and adjusted for accordingly. Not merely a spectator, the user interacts with the data and can view it from any perspective.

The list of the lab’s possibilities is endless and just as varied. The experience takes learning and learners into a whole new dimension. Literally.

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Adel Ali, professor and head of the Math, science, and technology department has been with the u of M, Crookston since 2008.

CAMPUS HEADLINES

Torch & Shield Award Recipients HonoredThe University of Minnesota, Crookston honored three

individuals and an organization with the Torch & Shield Award. Recipients Sue Brorson, Phil Baird, Dave Hoff, and KROX AM Radio 1260 were honored at a special recognition event held in late October 2010. Some 150 people attended the event honoring the Torch & Shield recipients as well as the many donors who give in support of the Crookston campus.

The award recognizes the leadership of individuals and organizations who have been influential on the development of the University of Minnesota, Crookston; Northwest Research and Outreach Center; and Extension. It is the highest recognition awarded by the campus.

moller Accepts Head Coaching Position for golden Eagle Football

The University of Minnesota, Crookston announced Charles “Chuck” Moller as the new head football coach for the Golden Eagles on December 13, 2010. Originally from Eagle Bend, Minn., he most recently served as assistant football coach for Phoenix College in Phoenix, Arizona, but he has been a member of the football coaching staff for the offensive line at Oklahoma State University (2001-2004); for the offensive line for tackles and tight ends at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California (1997-2001), where he helped coach a team to the Rose Bowl in 2000; for tight ends and kicking at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (1991-1997); as assistant head coach at Texas State University in San Marcos (1989-1991); and at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas (1987-1989).

He also served as a graduate assistant football coach at North Dakota State University from 1985 to 1987 under then Head Football Coach Rocky Hagar. Moller spent his first collegiate coaching season at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, Morris. As a college football player, he was a four-year letterman and two-time all-region player. He was also named Academic All-American.

Moller earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education, elementary through secondary, at the U of M, Morris and pursued graduate work in athletic administration and physical education while he was at North Dakota State. He and his wife, Kris, have two children.

Back row (l to r): Chancellor Charles h. Casey, david hoff, Phil Baird, and Corby kemmer, director of development and alumni relations. front row: Jeanette Fee, Sue Brorson, and Ray Frydenlund. (Fee and Frydenlund represented kroX.)

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Conditions for FlightIn order for a pilot to take off, the

conditions have to be favorable. Junior Kaitlyn Linde, Apple Valley, Minn., found the perfect conditions for the takeoff of her collegiate career when she discovered the University of Minnesota had a campus that combined both natural resources and aviation in a degree program.

“I was always bringing every little animal into the house,” Linde says. “As I grew up, I knew I wanted to study natural resources. As a high school student at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, I decided I wanted to attend one of the campuses of the University of Minnesota.”

As a natural resources aviation major at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, Linde discovered the perfect academic degree combination. “When my search for a college led to the Crookston campus, I knew it was meant to be,” she explains.

A campus visit confirmed her decision, and she moved into Skyberg Hall the fall after she graduated from high school. “I met so many friends during orientation,” Linde says. “Although I now live off campus, I would recommend students live on campus their first year, it gets you involved and it helps you meet people.”

As a young woman, Linde finds herself in a minority in the aviation program, but that fact matters little to her. She is as passionate about flying as she is about the environment. “I love the sense of getting up in the air and spending time enjoying the beauty as well as the opportunity to learn,” Linde explains. “Aviation is a field where learning never stops. There is always more to learn about flight and about aircraft.”

Giving students the experience they

“Aviation is a field where learning never stops. There is always more to learn about flight and about aircraft,” Kaitlyn Linde.

need compelled Mike Vivion, chief pilot on the Crookston campus, to make an emergency maneuvers training (EMT) course available to his students. “More and more positions require this kind of training,” Vivion says. “We offer students the best training available thanks to my good fortune in knowing Rich Stowell who allows us to use his program with our students.” Stowell, who specializes in spin, emergency maneuver, aerobatic, and tailwheel training, is highly regarded in the field of aviation for his EMT® Program as well as his trademark PARE spin recovery checklist.

For Linde and her classmates, the EMT course meant learning to fly under all kinds of stress. “We spent a good share of the course learning to fly upside down,” Linde recalls. “A pilot who has been trained with EMT is prepared to fly the plane upside down in order to take

on the shores of the zumbrota river in Minnesota, mussels collected during a survey

of the area are divided into piles by species and age. linde (far left) works with other interns

during summer 2010.

linde holds a White Creek heel splitter mussel while trying to determine its age.

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the steps necessary to right the aircraft. We were also put into spins and learned how to recover.” This experience is possible through a partnership the U of M, Crookston has with the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and an instructor from UND’s aerobatics team gives students the kind of in-flight training they need to handle the unexpected.

While Linde loves flying, she also loves the natural resource side of her degree. “I have had some great instructors, and they have so much experience in the field,” she states. “I would like to work for an agency when I graduate, and the experience these instructors bring to the classroom is very beneficial to us as students.”

During her internship in summer 2010, Linde worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) scuba diving as part of research on the state’s native freshwater mussels. “It was a great experience for me, and I am considering a second internship with them this summer,” she relates. “I would like to get as much experience as I can in the field so I am keeping my options open, but working for the DNR was amazing.”

Linde says her future career must include aviation, narrowing her choices to a job that is very specialized. If she can’t find what she is looking for, she is considering active duty in the Air Force to broaden her experience.

Right now, she is focused on her education and will see what is on the horizon as she nears graduation in 2011. Linde’s aspirations appear to be quite lofty, but this young aviator is certain to be ready for takeoff when the time comes.

Junior Kaitlyn Linde in her parachute and ready to take off on a flight during the emergency maneuvers training course offered during fall semester 2010.

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Torch

volume 43, number 1, spring 2011, Annual reportTorch is a publication of the university of Minnesota, Crookston.

director of development & Alumni relationsCorby [email protected]

support staffrose ulseth ‘87 [email protected]

sue dwyer ‘[email protected]

UmCAA board Cindy Bigger ‘79Paige eskelson ‘08donna hartel ‘07nancie hoerner ‘95Juanita Lopez ‘08Amy (Peterson) lubarski ‘02Carl Melbye ‘77kari (vallager) Moe ’03linda (knutson) Morgan ’85 & ‘09Jen (Novak) Nelson ‘06katie (Becker) shaw ‘07Bill thielke ‘94

NWSA Alumni Association board don diedrich ‘56Allan dragseth ‘57lowell hamrick ‘53david haugo ‘52Charles holmquist ’52Melvin larson ‘55Barbara (hylland) lunsetter ’56Berneil Nelson ’42, ex officiogerhard ross ‘45Beulah (stolaas) vad ‘58Jean (Stromstad) Vigness-Parker ‘55

Contact information:Torchelizabeth tollefson ’02, editoruniversity of Minnesota, Crookston2900 university AvenueCrookston, Minnesota 56716Phone: 218-281-8432fax: 218-281-8440email: [email protected]

the university of Minnesota, Crookston is a public, baccalaureate, coeducational institution and a coordinate campus of the university of Minnesota. the northwest school of Agriculture (nWsA) was a residential high school serving students from 1906-68 and the predecessor of the Crookston campus. the Torch is named for the historical passing of the educational torch between the nWsA and the u of M, Crookston in 1968.

the university of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.

Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least

10 percent post-consumer material using agribased inks.

on the back cover, Because feature: Adel Ali (far right), professor and head of the Math, science, and technology department demonstrates software to students in the new informatics lab in dowell hall.

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Stars to WatchIf the University of Minnesota,

Crookston were a planet, then one of the brightest stars in its orbit would have to be Senior John Plass. The agronomy major transferred as a freshman after an online search for a “small, rural campus offering degrees in agriculture” led him to Crookston. The deal was sealed for Plass when he noted the campus had a flat tuition rate and charged no out-of-state tuition.

His interest in agriculture stems directly from growing up in the small town of Tulelake, Calif., where his father owns an agriculture-related communications business. Unlike many students, Plass did not visit campus before he started. “I came here when I started school,” he explains. “I felt welcome immediately, and I discovered this place was definitely a good fit for me.”

When he arrived, Plass took a work-

“I felt welcome immediately, and I discovered this place was definitely a good fit for me,” John Plass.

study job for Associate Professor Chuck Habstritt who was completing his last semester on campus before retiring. “Chuck was a mentor for me,” Plass says. “I enjoyed working for and learning from him.”

A member of the Agronomy Club and Collegiate Crops Team, Plass also tutors students in agronomy related classes such as entomology and plant breeding and genetics. He has been on the Chancellor’s List with a 4.0 grade point average every semester since he came to the Crookston campus.

When asked to describe his major, Plass explains that “agronomy is a diverse study of agricultural science as it relates to crop production incorporating business, math, and all the other natural sciences.” The funny thing about his definition is he didn’t know what a degree in agronomy meant prior to his search for an ag-related

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Plass, along with instructor rob Proulx ’06, examine a corn plant as part of Proulx’s crop production class.

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degree. “What my search helped me uncover about agronomy was really a definition of what I wanted to study and where I wanted to have a future career,” he states.

The upper division courses in his major have proven to be Plass’s favorites. His advisor, Rob Proulx, also serves as coach of the Collegiate Crops Team. Plass, along with Sophomore Andrew Gorentz, Dent, Minn.; and Senior Jon Borge, Ada, Minn., competed in the national contests held in Kansas City, Mo., and in Chicago, Ill., in November 2010, and both contests yielded second place finishes for this outstanding team.

The crops contests integrate a student’s knowledge of agronomy into three categories: seed analysis, grain grading, and crop and weed identification. Preparation for the contests is very intense Plass explains, “We begin in September by spending about six hours a week getting ready and by the time it is November we are up to ten hours a week.” Envelopes of seeds are placed on the table for each contestant, and the seeds must be separated according to weed or crop and then identified or graded according to the USDA’s standards. For Plass and his teammates, this tedious preparation is a test of their knowledge and a lesson in patience.

While the campus was more isolated than he originally anticipated, the decision to attend the U of M, Crookston is something he would not change. “I have recommended this campus to many other students,” Plass smiles, “And, I have been deeply impressed by the faculty and staff here because of their approachability and genuine care.”

He hopes to complete a study abroad experience as part of his upcoming internship and then choosing a graduate school will be next. “I always thought I would be happy if I got an undergraduate degree, and now, I am looking at graduate schools,” he says.

For this rising star, the future will hold plenty of opportunity, and his graduation in December 2011 means Plass has only just begun to shine.

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John Plass sorts seeds from the sample as part of preparation for the Collegiate Crops Contests.

the u of M, Crookston Collegiate Crops team at 1,353 feet up on the skydeck ledge in Chicago. (l to r): rob Proulx, Andrew gorentz, Marc Walter, Jon Borge, John Plass. Walter, a junior from Plummer, Minn., was team alternate.

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NCLC member institutions are dedicated to developing vigorous online and blended learning initiatives to expand and stablilize student enrollments.

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UIS founded New Century Learning Consortium adds U of m, Crookston as 10th member

The New Century Learning Consortium (NCLC), founded at the University of Illinois Springfield, (UIS) has added the University of Minnesota, Crookston as its 10th member. The consortium is designed to assist universities in implementing high quality, large-scale online and blended learning programs.

“We welcome the University of Minnesota, Crookston to NCLC. As one of the fastest growing online programs in Minnesota and possessing a distinguished tradition of national awards and honors, the University of Minnesota, Crookston is a strong partner for the consortium,” said Shari McCurdy Smith, NCLC director and associate director of the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service (COLRS) at UIS.

The U of M, Crookston conferred its first online degree in 2001 and now offers seven of its bachelor’s degree programs entirely online. To learn more about the online degree programs, visit www.umcrookston.edu/academics/online.

“The faculty and staff of the University of Minnesota, Crookston are honored to join the NCLC,” said Chancellor Charles H. Casey, “and we eagerly anticipate the exchange of ideas that will result from our interaction with the other members of the NCLC.”

The Consortium plans to expand to 14 institutions by May of 2011. Consortium activities include developing a clearinghouse of online classes where there is excess capacity; shared research projects; shared IT expertise to support building infrastructure capacity; and peer support at the upper administration, dean, and faculty member levels. NCLC

was founded utilizing a grant from the Sloan Consortium, who is also providing funding for the expansion.

“We are especially gratified to have the University of Minnesota, Crookston join us in NCLC. The Crookston campus - the original ‘laptop U’ - has a long history of innovation in the application of technology to enhance teaching and

learning. They are a leader in online learning in the University of Minnesota system,” said Ray Schroeder, director of COLRS and founder of NCLC.

NCLC member institutions are dedicated to developing vigorous online and blended learning initiatives to expand and stabilize student enrollments.

Current members are University of Illinois Springfield; California State University Easy Bay, Hayward; Southern Oregon University, Ashland; Chicago State University, Illinois; Oakland University, Rochester Hills, Michigan; University of Southern Maine, Portland; Louisiana Tech University, Ruston; SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs; and Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia.

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Otter Tail Campus Energy Challenge Taught Campus to “Flip it Off” and Save

One of the goals of the Otter Tail Campus Energy Challenge at the University of Minnesota, Crookston was improved energy efficiency through behavior modification. Over the past year in this first-of-its-kind program, the U of M, Crookston worked closely with Otter Tail Power Company to reduce electric energy consumption on campus by as much as 15 percent. The result of this challenge has the Crookston campus celebrating the successful effort to save energy, but the path to this success had challenges of its own.

Students chose the theme,” Flip it off: save your energy for later” to increase awareness and encourage behavioral change. The logo was introduced during a Campus Energy Challenge game night. Along with the game night, special events engaged students in the challenge led by the efforts of the Crookston Students for Sustainable Development and the Center for Sustainability.

The Campus Energy Challenge included a change to more energy efficient lighting in both the University Teaching and Outreach Center Arena and Lysaker Gymnasium and putting in variable-frequency drives on ventilation

systems to save energy by allowing the volume of air moved to match system demand. Sahlstrom Conference Center, Dowell Hall, and Hill Hall went through energy efficiency upgrades, selected buildings were metered for electrical energy use, and the residence halls faced off in an energy saving challenge in October 2010.

During the November 4, 2010, “Watts on Wednesday” (W.O.W.) event Jana Emery, a Green Team member from Otter Tail Power Company, announced that the four residence halls reduced their electric use approximately 4 percent during the month of October compared to September. Residents of Skyberg Hall reduced their energy use by 10 percent and were presented with an achievement award.

Otter Tail Power Company selected the Crookston Campus from four Minnesota colleges that have student

housing within the company’s service area. The selection process reviewed the total square footage of each campus along with their existing heating and cooling technologies, the number of students living on campus, and the school’s overall energy-efficiency potential.

Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It provides electricity and energy services to more than a quarter million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Building lifelong habits to save energy is important to the future of the campus and to the future of our world. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to continue their pledge to save energy on campus and to take those habits into their personal lives as well. The Energy Challenge is proof that when you work together, you can make a difference.

A game night challenged students’ knowledge about energy consumption and helped garner support for the important effort needed to reach energy savings goals.

15

Page 16: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

Encouraging EntrepreneursFor marketing major and Senior Janessa

DeBoer, Crookston, Minn., the experience her internship provides will help build a resume and give her important background for a career in business.

Last fall, the U.S. Department of Education awarded a $550,000 congressionally-directed grant to the University of Minnesota, Crookston to establish the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES). The Center will expand connectivity to the region’s educational institutions, economic development organizations and financial institutions, as well as to state and federal small business support agencies and aspiring entrepreneurs in Northwest Minnesota.

DeBoer, along with Senior Lindsey Fouts, Park Rapids, Minn., serves in CRES as an intern, working closely with Kevin Cooper, director, and Rachel Lundbohm, assistant director. Both Cooper and Lundbohm are instructors in the Business Department and were part of the grant writing team who brought the CRES to the Crookston campus.

While Fouts focuses on the accounting and database side of the work, DeBoer focuses on developing a brochure and

content for the Web site, crafting the creative statement, choosing colors, helping design both the logo and slogan for CRES, and creating a one-year marking plan for the Center. The work she has done and is doing in her internship gives her a sense of accomplishment and the realization that she is involved in the real business world.

“I have been working with a client on a marketing plan, and it has given me a chance to use what I learned in the classroom in a real-life situation,” DeBoer explains. “It is exciting to see how valuable what we learn in the classroom is to helping shape a business.”

The mission of the CRES is to encourage entrepreneurship through educational leadership, applied research, and insightful consulting. The CRES will engage the students, faculty, and research facilities of the University of Minnesota in Crookston in order to stimulate the entrepreneurial culture and strengthen the economic vitality of northwest Minnesota. DeBoer is excited to be a part of the CRES and spends about 15-20 hours a week in the office in 117 Dowell Hall. Both Fouts and DeBoer work around their class schedules to staff the office.

The mission of the CRES is to encourage entrepreneurship through educational leadership, applied research, and insightful consulting.

16 www.umcrookston.edu

Page 17: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

Encouraging Entrepreneurs

While business seems the perfect fit for DeBoer, she changed majors a few times before discovering her niche. She attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth for two years before transferring back to the Crookston campus. “I like the smaller campus,” she explains. “I was unsure when I had grown up here if I wanted to go to school here, but I am so glad I came back. It has been a great experience to be learning on this campus.”

Her favorite class has been Lundbohm’s integrated marketing communication where she and two of her classmates developed a marketing plan for an area car dealership. “We recommended marketing strategies they have used to increase awareness,” DeBoer says. “It is exciting to realize elements of the plan we developed were useful. For me, the class was really beneficial and rewarding.”

She hopes to work as an event coordinator and planner at some point, but for now, she is focused on employment to help her grow in the field. Her job search has already begun, but like many seniors, she is looking forward to commencement in May. It marks the end as well as a new beginning and DeBoer is already equipped with some professional experience to help her on the road ahead.

At Right: Janessa DeBoer is the daughter of Alumna karen (Mireault) Biermaier ’83.

At left: housed in the Business department, Cres is physically located in 117 dowell hall. in the photo (l to r): Janessa DeBoer, Kevin Cooper, lindsey fouts, and rachel lundbohm.

If you are interested in learning more about CRES:

The Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies2900 University Ave117 Dowell HallCrookston MN 56716Phone: 218-281-8595Web site www.umccres.org

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Page 18: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

“There is a wealth of data in scientific and traditional literature about the medicinal properties of plants in and around Minnesota,” Venu Mukku.

No mercy on mRSATwo University of Minnesota,

Crookston professors are working on research to discover compounds to combat staphylococcus (staph) bacteria, a type of germ common to even healthy individuals, but harboring the potential to cause serious infections.

In order for Assistant Professor Venu Mukku and Associate Professor Brian Dingmann to conduct their research, the campus installed a level 2 biological safety cabinet purchased with help from a University of Minnesota Grant-In-Aid. Early research, using the facilities at RiverView Health in Crookston, began in August 2009.

Because the Crookston campus lacked the necessary facilities, the partnership between RiverView Health and the U of M, Crookston was invaluable to Mukku.

“It is quite likely we would not have gotten the Grant-In-Aid without the preliminary work Dr. Mukku conducted at RiverView,” Dingmann explains. “The grant process is very competitive and having access to the facilities at the hospital was imperative for Dr. Mukku’s

research, in fact, it would not have been possible without it.”

The research involves infecting worms with the pathogen of interest and checking the efficacy of various natural product extracts. Based on historical drug discovery statistics, the researchers believe that the next antibiotic is waiting to be discovered from Mother Nature. The biological safety cabinet allows the research to be conducted in a safe environment.

Pat Fall, director of laboratory services at RiverView, worked closely with Mukku and Dingmann to coordinate the lab’s use. “I used the lab before 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m. so our work would not interfere with the hospital’s use of their lab,” Mukku explains. “I am extremely grateful to Pat and to RiverView Health for allowing me use of their facilities.”

Background on MRSAOver time, Methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, caused by a strain of staph bacteria, has become resistant to the antibiotics used to

Magnified 20,000X, this colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicts a grouping of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MrsA) bacteria. Photo credit: Janice Carr Public Health Image Library (PHIL) www.cdc.gov

18 www.umcrookston.edu

Page 19: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

treat ordinary staph infections. Dingmann, who teaches microbiology, and Mukku, who teaches chemistry, teamed up to examine compounds prevalent in plants that show antibacterial activity.

“There is a wealth of data in scientific and traditional literature about the medicinal properties of plants in and around Minnesota. We will examine extracts of different parts of those plants such as seeds, leaves, and bark for their efficacy in curing worms infected with different strains of staph. We will pursue a process known as bio-assay guided fractionation with the intent of isolating and characterizing compounds with activity.”

Involved with Mukku and Dingmann are students Shawn Friedland, a senior biology major from Melbourne, Fla.; Heather Donati-Lewis, a senior pre-veterinary medicine major from Narcoossee, Fla.; Norman Dharmarajah, a junior health sciences major from North Mankato, Minn.; and Bryant Hamilton, a sophomore biology major from New York, N.Y. The students work with the extraction process as well as other phases of the research. The U of M, Crookston is known for its undergraduate research, and the opportunity for students to work directly with faculty on research projects is encouraged in order to provide students with experiential learning.

The chemistry of natural products is a primary area of research for Mukku. He teaches organic chemistry and biochemistry on the Crookston campus. Dingmann provides the necessary expertise in microbiology. He teaches biology, zoology, and aquatic toxicology, along with microbiology. Together, the two will collect a library of plant extracts available for future study, but for now, they will work to find solutions for fighting staph infection.

Brian dingmann, Ph.d. (top) and venugopal Mukku, Ph.d. (bottom)

19

“If you come back, then I’ll come back.”

HOMECOMING 2011Friday, September 30 & Saturday, October 1Watch Facebook and your mail for details.

“If you come back, then I’ll come back.”

Page 20: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

Learning Here and Abroad

Since starting as an animal science major her freshman year, Anna Wagner’s three years on campus have certainly been interesting. The senior from Brandon, Minn., expects to graduate in spring 2011, a year earlier than her peers, as the result of taking classes as a post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO) student her senior year of high school. During her time at the U of M, Crookston, she has been involved in the Crookston Student Association (CSA), Dairy Club, and several other activities on campus.

Wagner’s involvement in CSA has included being a CSA club representative during 2008 and serving as the senator of community service for 2009-10. She is currently the vice president for the 2010-11 academic year. “CSA makes me feel more connected to the campus and I am able to learn about what goes on beyond the classroom,” Wagner says. “I enjoy taking on leadership roles and CSA was a great fit.”

This year, Wagner began working in

University Relations which ties nicely into her communication major and marketing minor. “I’ve always enjoyed writing so I changed my major from animal science and agricultural business to communication last year and was the student worker for The Eagle’s Eye newsletter. This summer I was the marketing communication intern for Agriculture Future of America in Kansas City, Mo. The concentration area in my communication major allows for me to easily fit in my minor and still take the agriculture classes I want, such as animal breeding,” Wagner explains.

Growing up on a dairy farm, Wagner knew she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture. “Animals have always been a passion of mine. I love the dairy industry and also maintained a show herd of Jersey Wooly rabbits for about eight years. I bred my own stock, attended several national shows, and intend to become a licensed judge,” Wagner states. By majoring in communication, she will be able to work

20 www.umcrookston.edu

Austin Czichotzki and Anna Wagner chip away at the glacier they hiked in iceland as part of their study abroad trip. the glacier was covered in ash from the eruption of eyjafjallajökull, which was nearby.

“Traveling abroad taught me to take different perspectives, and I learned about aspects of other countries that I may never have thought of otherwise,” Anna Wagner.

Written by Anna Wagner, Communications Assistant in University Relations

Page 21: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

with agricultural marketing agencies or use her communication skills in other agriculture fields.

Wagner’s interests don’t stop at student government, communication, and agriculture; she also had a desire to learn about other cultures and study abroad. The perfect opportunity presented itself when she learned of a global seminar in Norway during the May term, which meant

less interference with school and her internship. Wagner seized the opportunity and spent three weeks in Europe with 15 other U of M, Crookston students along with Sue Brorson, professor and head of the Business Department.

“Traveling abroad taught me to take different perspectives, and I learned about aspects of other countries that I may never have thought of otherwise. It was a great experience

and one I’ll never forget,” Wagner recalls. The global seminar took the group to Iceland for three days and a volcano-induced detour brought them to Copenhagen, Denmark, for a day before arriving in Norway for two weeks. Wagner and three other students then took a side trip to Rome, Italy, for three days.

Attending the U of M, Crookston allowed Wagner to investigate her interests while reaping the benefits of the smaller campus as well. “The Crookston campus was a great match for me to gain what I wanted from my college experience,” Wagner says.

21

Anna Wagner on Preikestolen, or Pulpit rock, in norway during her study abroad experience.

Students Austin Czhichotzki, Qian Liu, Jackie Dullinger, and Anna Wagner with a few norwegian girls wearing bunads, or the traditional dress of norway, on synettede Mai, the norwegian independence day celebration, in oslo.

Page 22: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

22 www.umcrookston.edu

“Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure,” Thorndike.

From the Directorof Development &Alumni Relations

As a professional fundraiser it’s my mission to provide you, our alumni, friends, and supporters with opportunities to do great things, to challenge and inspire you, and to involve you in enterprises that will make life better for today’s generation and those of the future.

This Special Donor Report of the Torch magazine looks back at the investments you made in support of the University of Minnesota, Crookston during fiscal year 2010 (July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010). Total commitments in fiscal year 2010 were the highest in seven years with over $663,000. Your investments supported academic programs, scholarships, capital improvements, research and outreach, and so much more during one of the most challenging economic climates we’ve faced in decades. You led by example through your investments in the U of M, Crookston showing others the importance and need of giving back.

As the state of Minnesota faces a $6 billion economic shortfall, this certainly has a significant impact on higher education. Therefore, if you believe in the University of Minnesota, Crookston, as I do, I encourage and

challenge you to make continued, major transformational investments, and I ask you to utilize your inspiration to advocate others to do the same.

Reflect on the positive impact of faculty, staff, athletics, student organizations and clubs, friendships, and special events on your lives while you attended this institution and challenge yourself on how you can make today and tomorrow’s educational experience even more fulfilling through your private giving.

My sincere thank you for your affluence, availability, advocacy, influence, and teamwork; these attributes provide clear evidence in your passion for the University of Minnesota, Crookston. By working together and communicating with each other we can achieve successes greater than we’ve ever imagined.

Sincerely,Corby Kemmer, directorDevelopment & Alumni Relations

REMEMBER THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON

A will or living trust is a statement about what matters most in your life. It ensures that your intentions are clearly understood and will be followed by those administering your estate.

If you value your experience at the University of Minnesota, Crookston or the Northwest School of Agriculture, you can leave a legacy through a gift to the campus in your will. Your generosity will help further the mission of the University of Minnesota, Crookston to provide education, research and outreach. The following language can be used by you and your attorney in your will:

“I give, devise and bequeath to the University of Minnesota Foundation (percentage, sum or description of property) for the benefit of the University of Minnesota, Crookston.”

If you would like more information, contact Corby Kemmer, director of development & alumni relations toll free at 1-800-862-6466, ext. 8434 or 218-281-8434 ([email protected]).

For more information about giving or to give a gift online, visit www.umcrookston.edu/alumni/giving.html.

Excerpted from The Importance of a Will published by the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Page 23: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

23

Lifetime givingbuilders Society(Lifetime Gifts of $1,000,000 -

$9,999,999)lyle & kathleen kasprickfrank W. veden* Charitable trust

Regents Society(Lifetime Gifts of $250,000 -

$999,999)stanley s.* & hanorah* k. Alsethlarry & diane Altringerotto Bremer foundationMichael* & linda Chowdry family

foundationelenora Amalia & Ben filipi, in

Memoriamthe ford foundationrolland* & Avis* gustafsonLester & June Nielsendonald & Wilma* ossotter tail Power Companyharris A. Peterson/Minn-dak

growers Assn.Jeraldine Swain*uMC teambackers

Trustees Society(Lifetime Gifts of $100,000 -

$249,999)Agrium Advanced technologies,

inc.Blandin foundationBremer BankCharles H. Casey & Barbara J.

MuesingMary Jo (Melbye) & Rick EastesCarl & lorraine hord, in

MemoriamWallace* & hanna* Millerroger & Paulette Moehazel e. nakken estateErnest J. Newhouse*northwest Minnesota foundationrobert & Barbara Petersonstanley* & Mil* sahlstromJune ShaverAndrew & elmer Wardeberg, in

Memoriam

Chancellors Society(Lifetime Gifts of $25,000 - $99,999)Altru health systemAmerican Crystal sugar Companyrose C. Anderson estateBayer CorporationBig valley 4-h Cluster fair, inc.robert & Becky CameronCy & frances Carpenterrichard Cecchettini & nan WilleCenex harvest states foundationdak-Bev/PepsiAmericas, inc.deutsche Banc Alex Brown, inc.Allan & Judy Dragsethdoris & gary egbertWalter & elinor fehrJeffrey Fieldkenton & Barbara frebergharlene hagen

vicki hagenBruce & Aase hamnesrobert hoernertom hrubyhugo’sgloria hvidsten*iBM CorporationPaul klodtkroX radioAllan & kathryn larsonCarol Mackkathleen MahonMarion ugland Mallinger estateMarvin Windows & doorselaine MaruskaMichael & Barbara MenzhuberMidwest dairy Assn. (formerly

American dairy Assn.)Minnesota Approved seed

Conditioner & Marketing Assn.northern Co-op foundationroger & gail odegaarddoug & sandi omangeorgia ortonAllen & freda PedersenAlbert o. Peterson*harold o. & Alma* Petersonriverview healthcare Assn.robert g. robinson*Del & Judy Roelofsdonald & Mary Beth sargeantdr. russell sather*Andrew skaarlarry & sandra smithPhyllis Anderson soleesyngenta Crop Protection inc.Bill & Mary* tyrrellvfW Post 1902, Crookstongordon & diane viereAllan h. & Barbara Ward/Ward

Charitable trustBarbara & Philip WeilerWise optionWilliam & nancy zats

Ambassadors Club(Lifetime Gifts of $10,000 - $24,999)3M foundation inc.American legion Post #20everett & rejeanne AndersonMarv & diane BachmeierBenjamin & Ardelle* Bakkegarddavid & karen Bangdon & Carrie BangMark & theresa BarensBAsf Corporationdaniel & rochelle BauerPercy & Colleen Blakelawrence BreenLyle* & Jeanne Brekkenhilmer* & hildegard BrostPhilip* & ethel* BuckleyPeter & karen CarlsonCathedral of immaculate

Conception (george & Cecil Conati sch)

donald & Mary CavalierCentrol of twin valleyAlan Copathomas CraneCrookston Area Chamber of

CommerceCrookston development AuthorityCrookston JobsCrookston national BankCrookston rotary ClubMorris dahl*dahlgren and Company, inc.Clifford dahlsad*John Dohertydow Agrosciences, llChannah dowell*Jack & Audrey Eickhofdr. Peter & doris fehrthomas & kim feiroglen & Marlys finkenbinderfirst state Bank of fertiledona fishergeorge & rae frenchArvin i. gorden*edna gudvangen estateCharles & Christine habstrittdelmar* & eunice* hagenhartz foundationvanessa heineckestephanie helgesondavid & irene hoffduane & susan hoffChristopher J. HollandArt* & Joyce Howardearl hvidsten*Kenneth & Patricia JohannsonRay K. JohnsonLeanne JordahlKaren & Dean JorgensonMary Louise Jorgenson*Michelle Wilcox kingAlbert kopecky*land o’ lakes, inc.Charles & Jorene Larsonkeith Magnusongeorge & karen Marxrichard MavesMcdonald’s of Crookston - Mike &

Cindy o’keefegary & nancy McveyMdu resources fnd.rita MeyerCatherine MeyersMid-state Chapter - Mn society

of CPA’sMid-valley grain Co-opAndrew v. Miller

Minnesota grain & feed Association

Maureen e. MurphyPeter & laurie nordquistnorth Central food systems, inc.northwest regional development

CommissionAnne nowlant.W.* & Mildred* odegaardedwin & Mary Ann odlandCatherine o’link-Meyers & david

Meyerssteven C. olsonrichard PalsArnold & Pamela Paradisedwin Pearson*ralph & Mary PesterPkM electric Cooperative, inc.Polk County, CrookstonCourtney & Mary Pulkrabekreed Quernkeith rambergJohn & Ruth Reeserobertson BrothersClarence & edna sargenteugene & susan scarberrygary & Carol senskeotilda Anderson shadensack

estateRobert & Julie SmithWilliam* & Jean StricklerW. daniel & vicki svedarskyCharles & Audrey* sylvesterralph & Carole taylorthe Andersons, inc.uMC Management ClubuMC Women’s AssociationJohn & Janice Vallagerroger Ward*karla WatsonMark & debra Wesselslyle & susan Westromf. david Williamslaurie & daniel WilsonCarol WindelsHarvey & Jeannine WindelsBernard & Bernice* youngquistJohn & Deborah M. Zak

REMEMBER THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON

Page 24: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

24 www.umcrookston.edu

Champions Club(Lifetime Gifts of $5,000 - $9,999)Paul & Janet AakreAgriliance, llCAmerican federal Bank,

CrookstonBonita* & Bruce AndersonAnonymousAssociation of American

Agricultural insurersAventis CropsciencePhilip & JoAnn BairdBruce Beresford*Biermaier Chiropractic Clinic -

Dr. Steve & Jana BiermaierJo Boltekenneth e. & harriet Broinruth Menzhuber Buness*John & Mary Bywaterlinda ChowdryBrian CicconeCity of CrookstonBo & Margareta CraboCrookston kiwanisCrookston noon day lionsMargaret CzachorMargaret druryrobert & diana fehrdr. Colin fennellCynthia fosseyfraternal order of eagles,

Crookston Aerie #873Jack FridMichael & Connie gaspergrain terminal AssociationArt greenbergorland & vivian hansonDavid & Jean Haugorichard & Carole hebertCharles & Marlys hillerCharles & Bonnie* holmquistAlice & Joseph Hufstedlershelly hughesJohannson, Rust, Stock &

rasmussen P.A.Robert L. & Joan JohnsonWendell & Penny JohnsonRichard Jordahlkim kaugPreston* & Patricia* dollard kingJerome & Mary Lynne* Knutsonharold & Marjorie langlesCo, inc.

elizabeth lutherherschel* & yvonne lysakerJoseph & Virginia Masseynicolle McBlairMidwest Coca-Cola Bottling

CompanyMinnesota nursery & landscape

fnd.Minnesota turf & grounds fnd.dr. Paul & nancy MoranBerneil nelsonrobert & gayle nelsonAlan & g. lorraine neslanddr. Anton & Barbara nessenorthcentral turfgrass Assn.northland inn, Crookstonnorthwest Agri-dealers

Associationnorthwest feed Manufacturers

Associationnorthwest Manufacturing, inc.northwestern stockmen’s Assn.odland, fitzgerald, reynolds &

harbottMarsha odomrandal l. olsonJeff Osethg. Milford Peterson trustthe Pillsbury Companytrish & Pete ramstadWilliam & Jean Rathred river valley sugarbeet

growers Assn.gilmore restad estatekathleen & louis rezzonicogerhard & norma rossJane SchockJack & Karen Sheehansimplot shared services APArnold skeiedr. sara sneedShannon & Jodi Stassenstate farm Company foundationWayne & JoAnn Swansondr. kari torkelsontwyla treanoresther tyrrellultima Bank of Minnesotavilla st. vincentAl* & JoAnn WestburgDrs. Jane C. Widseth & R. Bruce

Partridgestephen Wright*dr. Paul & Mary youngquist

Sponsors Club(Lifetime Gifts of $2,500 - $4,999)AgsCo, inc.Curtiss & Marlene AlmlieAnderson Beveragesthomas e.* & kirsten AndersonJohn & Sharon Baldwinthomas Baldwin & Ardith Peltonkristen & Brent BartschConnie BattenBill & Arlene BayerMarjorie Berendthoward & Cathy BergerudCindy Biggerlon & Chris Boikerobert* & gladys BoucherCentral livestock Association

keith ChisholmCharles ChristiansMichelle & Mike ChristophersonCrookston valley Cooperative,

inc.Michael & Michelle Curfmaneugene & Mary Anne dietzlisa & Marvin drillsue & Paul dwyerfrederic & rose Mary eldridgedavid & Peggy enghMarshall evans*first American Bank, Warrengfg foodservice, inc.gfWC Women’s Clubdr. Peter & Ann grahamArlyss & richard grosztyler & rhea groveCorey & Michelle hansengilman* & Maxine* hansonrichard & terry hansonHappy Joe’s of Crookstonhealthsouth sports Medicine &

rehabilitation Centerralph & rene heimergary & lori hoernerPaul & Alice holmCharles horowitzharry howarddavid & Bertha hsiaolarry huus*Jeannie JensenRobert & JoAnn JeskaBrenda Cruz keithdonald* & donna keithCorby Kemmer & Sherry Justorvis & Carol klosterdale & Mary Ann knotekrussell & susan kreagerMark kunkelflorence kuzniadr. Martha C. larsenlowell & Carole larsonteri lawsonleonard, street & deinhardBernie liederBetty lundinPatti MalmeMarshall County Crop

improvement Assn.Jennifer MarskeMckinnon Co., inc.donald & Mary MedalPhilip MeyersMidwest dairy AssociationJR Miller & CompanyMinn-dak Asphalt, inc.Minnesota Wheat

research & Promotion Council

Bruce & Marlys Mjoenlynnette Mullinsdonald & Ann MyklebyJerry Nagel & Brenda

Menierrodney & nancy nelsonnoah insurance serviceJacqueline & James

normandinnorthern states Powerscott & denice oliverglenn olsen & Barbara

hager-olsenkramer W. olsensharon olsonsusan omdahlfred ophusCindy ostliePentAir, inc.harvey PetersonWilliam C. & debra PetersonAlison Phillipsthomas & deborah Piche’Marissa Piercekrista & Mike Proulxgary & Patricia PurathMichelle ramstadWilliam t. & Pearl rasmussenred river valley Potato growersforest & rose reichelJohn ReitmeierChristine renardMarielle robinsonAlex & hollyn rodeckAlan roebkeelizabeth rothdr. daniel rudJohn & Lynel Schleichersaul schubertrichard & faith schwartzJudith SchwiegerJames E. Senskesteele & sherry senskeJim & Sharon SimsStephen & Judith Slackdorothy & rodney soderstromsports, etc.James Sterrikersubway, Crookstonswanson, ostlie and AssociatesJason & Renee Tangquistroger thiemterry & elizabeth tollefsonnorman torkelsonPeter tricktheresa trockerose & Marc ulsethuMC horticulture ClubuMC hospitality Clubvaaler insurance, inc.lee & sharon WallPete Wasberg

Page 25: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

Moris & diana WebsterWest Polk County Crop

improvement Assn.terri WeyerBonnie WichtermanWidman’s Candy shopEdwin* & Janet* Widsethrichard WidsethWidseth smith nolting &

AssociatesCharles & ruth WilderXCel energydavid & Mary yost

Associates Club(Lifetime Gifts of $1,000 - $2,499)David & Jan AamothAdkins equipment, inc.Aero dyna-kleen services, inc.Agassiz study ClubAgf foundationAmerican dairy Association, West

Polk CountyAmerican familyAmerican legion, fisherhonorable russell & kristin

AndersonAlton* & georgine Arnessvernon AskegardAstec, inc.dr. robert & rose Marie Baabdavid Badmanharvey & elaine BakerClaudia & larry Bartoneverett & edith Battles, in

Memoriamed* & Ann Baumgartnereldo & Marlys Bentleyhoward & verna Bergeddie & Barbara BernhardsonJeffrey & Julie Biggerkevin BiggerMark Biggerscott Biggerlarry & georgia BlatchfordJohn Bluegregory Boetcherkarl* & Alice* BornhoftJames & Patricia BramleyArt & nancy Brandlistephen & lonnie BrasethBetty Brectodavid Brictson

roger* & faith* BridenVelmer S. Burton, Jr.Wayne & nancy CapistranMylo Carlson familyCerexagri, inc.darlene r. CharronRay & June Christensenrichard* & Myra Christensonvern & Claudia ClevelandCoast-to-Coast hardware,

Crookstondavid & trudy CrawfordCrookston Blue line Club, inc.Crookston dawn-to-dusk lionsCrookston federal land BankCrookston Pontiac-Buick-gMCCrookston scholarship fundr. Blake CrosbyCustom Aire inc.robert danielowskidan’s flying servicestanley & doris davisdel vecchio familydelta Airlines foundationgene desselAlan dexterelizabeth deyeMr. & Mrs. harvey diamonddirks, inc.double s M, inc.Mark & sheila dufnerAndrew dumasPaul eggebraatenduane* & Alice ekmanMilton ellingerdonald & theresa enrighterskine shipping Assn.Amber evans-dailey & todd

daileyJean Schullz FeagansMary & Chris fellerfine Print of grand forks, inc.Dale & Janice Finkenbinderglen & Marlys finkenbindergeorge & kristi flaskerudfrito lay Midwest north regiondavid & linnea genereuxleonard & Margaret geskeClark and Margaret* gibbgold star steam Cleaning

servicesgolf terrace Motel, CrookstonMarilyn grave

Manvel & delores greenharold grottedan & stacey grunewaldAllan & Pauline gustafsontheodore haasCliff* & Marie hagenMarilyn hagertyPerry haglundTodd Halvorson (Happy Joe’s, GF)A.o.* & theresa hamnesWarren hamrick & sonsduane & karen hansonLew Hanson, Jr.Michael & kathryn hansonleonard hapkaBrian & hallie harronJerry & Debbie HasbrouckMichael hayesWerner & Marian hegstromhelena Chemical Companydavid henningsdennis henricksonBrad & kari heppnerJames* & Clara HigginsBarbara hoeferPamela holsinger-fuchs & tom

fuchsRaymond & Jean Hoppedouglas & kaye hvidstene. Paul & katherine imlevern & Marlene ingvalsonirishman’s shantyJ. C. Penney CompanyJ. K. SportsHelen JacksonJerry JacobsonMarlyn & Marlys JacobsonMarvin JensenEric JohnsonGlenice JohnsonLorne K. JohnsonMarlin* & Sandy JohnsonWillard & Geraldine Johnsonlarry kennedyl. “Bud” kieckerlonn & debra kielCathi kietzmanSteven J. Kinge. duane & faith knottAlton & Margretta knutsondennis & rose kochkathleen koebensky-gauthierBernard kolteskraft foods, inc.Mitchell krepsthrainn kristjanssonnatasha kuhlegladys laCoursierelakeview farms, roland &

Marland ruedoug langerdonna & david larsonCharles & Paula larivieredavid & sue legarethomas & Patricia* lenertzJohn & Marie Lesethgrant & elizabeth leydardlonewolf ManagementAllen & lorraine loveCarl lundeen*Michael Maglichy. B. Magnusson, in Memoriam

luke MaidmentCecil Malmevern* & Patricia MarkeyAdam & Crystal MaruskaMaster Construction, fargoMarvin Mattsondoris & Bill Matzkerussell* & eleanore* MavesMaximum impactdon & sue McCallMcintosh dairy & farm supply,

inc.Marilyn & darol Melbydouglas “Carl” & Maribeth

MelbyeCleon & Jeri MelsaMen’s garden Club of Mpls.Metadynamics, inc.Michael & kaye lynn MeyerMidcontinent CommunicationsBrian & Michelle Millereugene & Arline Millerkenneth & Merle* Millerdonald & ruth MilnerMinnesota ffA foundationira & Marjorie MjeldeCraig & linda MorganGerald & Jeanne MoritzMPt enterprisessteven Mursu*Pamela neilMike & Jennifer NelsonTimothy J. Nelsonodell & Carol nelsonness CafeJudith Nesshoward neumannnew vision fiberglass inc., grand

forksnew york football giants, inc.earl A. newhouse*Alan nordellnorthern Paving, inc.northwestern Minnesota

Agricultural Assoc.nufarm Americas, inc.Kathleen O’Brien & Jeffrey

loeschJames O. Olsonlinda & lonnie olsondr. ted & lynnette olsongerald & Carol olsonawskiLarry & Janet OlsonawskiMark & Andi olsonawskiHarold & Jan OpgrandMark & Jody OslandBennett & gloria osmonsonJerry Oxboroughearl A. PatchTed & Joyce Paulkenneth PazdernikArnold Pearsondaniel PedersenPeoples state Bank of WarrenBlake Petersonharvey e. Petersonsherwood & Marilyn Petersonharold & esther PetschPhoenix industries, ltdChris Plantedr. karl & roxann Podratz

25

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26 www.umcrookston.edu26 www.umcrookston.edu

Polk County state Bank, Crookston

duane A. PrestonPaul* & lois ProulxJames & Janice PulkrabekWillard & Pauline PurathMary B. randallred river horsebreeders Assn.W. howard reesekristie Brekken ricordroyal & karen rivardrivard’s Quality seeds, inc.Jon Rogelstadrohm & haas Companytruman rolf*David & Jocelyn Rollingrooters on sale, inc.Annette rother*Mike & kim royslandrud Chiropractic Clinic,

Crookstonrobert & Matilda ruppAllen & JoAnn St. Germaindavid & denise st. germainJohn & Florence St. GermainPaul & Janet St. Germainsalem Motors, inc.Carrie sampletricia & scott sandersBill & Patricia sargeantPerry schermerhornMario & Jill Schisanodavid & luann schliepArley & Pat* schultzlyndon & lori schultztom & gayle schusterthomas sczepanskikathryn searightseed systems, inc.C. W. & Margaret seemannvictoria seltunruss & doris seversondavid & kathy simonAlbert & Jane Simssisters of saint Benedictstephanie smithArlen & laverne sondroldavid solberg

franklin & Mary sorensenJeff & Renae Sperlingdavid spongvirginia stainbrookJohn StankoRussell & Arlene Stansfieldstate Bank of shellysharon stewartstine seed farmorlan & Clarice stolaasAaron stoverlee sundberglyle swansonernest swiftsyngenta Crop Protection, inc.Wayne & Berget taintorraymond* & rosemary tateterra international, inc.David & Jan Thomnancy thomasArdis thompson*o. e.* & dorothy thorbeckMurray & Patti tiedemannron & sally tobkinroger & donna ulsethuniroyal Chemical Co.Janet L. Utechval & Myron uttermarkvalent usA Corp.Mr. & Mrs. erwin vanekvennes farms, inc.M. Jerome Voxlandraymond WalterWeiss farms, Arlan & gary

Weissdean* & shirley Widsethdonald & Audrey Wielandlinda Wigginslinda & greg* Wilkensgary & lynn Willhiteowen & linda Williamsgary & Ward WilsonArnold & lillian WoldenAudrey Wolfe estateWarren & Beatta* Wooleryye ole Print shoppe, inc.Conrad zakfranklin & gloria zakgreg zakCharles & dolores zammertdeAnn zavoralBob zelenkagary zitzer*

*deceased

Annual giftsgold Club(Annual Gift of $2,500 or more)Agrium Advanced technologies

(u.s.) inc.Altru health systemBremer BankCharles H. Casey & Barbara J.

MuesingChs foundationfraternal order of eaglesCharles & Christine habstrittBruce & Aase hamnesCorey & Michelle hansenhugo’skroX radiog. lorraine neslandLester & June NielsenPeter & laurie nordquistnorthwest Manufacturing inc.roger & gail odegaardMike & Cindy o’keefesteven C. olsonotter tail Power Co.harris A. Petersonriverview healthcare Assn.simplot shared services APCharles sylvesterteambackersBill & Mary tyrrellultima Bank of MinnesotaMark & debra WesselsJohn & Deborah M. Zak

maroon Club(Annual Gift of $1,000 - $2,499)Marv & diane Bachmeierthomas Baldwin & Ardith Peltondaniel & rochelle Bauerhilmer* & hildegard Brostethel M. Buckley*Cargill inc.donald & Mary CavalierCrookston Area Chamber of

CommerceCrookston national BankCrookston rotary Clubdel vecchio familyJack & Audrey EickhofAmber evans-dailey & todd

daileythomas & kim feirofrito lay Midwest north regiondavid haugorichard & Carole hebertstephanie helgesonrichard P. MavesMdu resources foundationMidcontinent CommunicationsMid-state Chapter-Mn society

of CPA’sMidwest dairy AssociationMn Approved seed Conditioner

and Mktg Assn.Craig & linda Morgandonald & Ann MyklebyBerneil nelsonrandal l. olsonJeff OsethPkM electric Cooperative inc.donald & Mary Beth sargeantShannon & Jodi StassenW. daniel & vicki svedarskynancy thomasdr. kari torkelsonesther tyrrellvaaler insurance inc.John & Janice Vallagerlyle & susan Westromdr. Paul & Mary youngquist

*deceased

Read the Torch Onlineyou can read the Torch, the alumni magazine for the northwest school of Agriculture and the university of Minnesota, Crookston online by visiting: http://issuu.com/umcrookston or on the u of M, Crookston Web site atwww.umcrookston.edu/alumni/torch

if you would prefer to receive your Torch online only, contact elizabeth tollefson at 218-281-8432 ([email protected])

Page 27: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011
Page 28: Torch Annual Report, Volume 43 Number 1, Spring 2011

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