Bismarck State College Library begins its annual BookTalk series of literary discussions on Sunday, Jan. 5, with Markus Zusak's "The Book Thief." The discussion is open to all.

In this 15th year, BookTalk explores a "Light a Fire Within" theme inspired by the words of Victor Hugo – "To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."

Janelle Masters, BSC dean of academic affairs, leads the first session from 1 to 3 p.m. in the library.

Set in Nazi Germany, "The Book Thief" concerns Liesel, an illiterate girl orphaned when her brother dies on their way to a foster home. At the funeral, she takes a book as a remembrance, establishing a behavior seen throughout the story narrated by Death, a busy specter during a time of WWII escalation. With help from her foster father, Liesel learns to read and shares her stolen books with neighbors during bombing raids and a Jewish man hidden in her basement.

First published in 2005, the book has won numerous awards and was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list for more than 230 weeks. In 2013, "The Book Thief" was adapted into a film starring Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse, who won a Satellite Award for best breakthrough performance as Liesel.

Zusak has asserted himself as one of today's most innovative and poetic novelists. With the publication of "The Book Thief," he earned praise as a "literary phenomenon" from Australian and U.S. critics. Zusak is the award-winning author of four previous books for young adults, including the international bestseller, "I Am the Messenger." Among his many awards is the 2006 Printz Honor in America for excellence in young adult literature. He lives in Sydney, Australia.

Books for the series are available at local libraries and booksellers. Refreshments will be available during the discussion. BookTalk is funded by the BSC Library and a grant from the BSC Foundation. For more information, call the BSC Library at 224-5450 or visit bismarckstate.edu.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

A short time remains to register for the Energy Generation Conference in Bismarck, the upper Midwest's premier training and exhibitor event for people involved in the energy industry.

The conference runs Jan. 28-30 at the Bismarck Civic Center. Online pre-registrations should be in by Friday, Jan. 10, to avoid the $10 per person, per day late fee.

Coordinated by the Continuing Education, Training & Innovation Department at Bismarck State College, the 35th annual conference focuses on professional development, new energy technologies, and networking between workers and suppliers.

All-day training on selected energy topics takes place in pre-conference sessions Tuesday, Jan. 28. Workshops are scheduled Jan. 29-30 that address issues and problems in such areas as engineering, instrumentation, operations, environmental, safety, information technology and support services.

Lynn Helms, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources director, will give a Bakken update. The future of national gas in North Dakota will be presented by Justin Kringstad, director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority.

Safety advocate Chad Hymas, a world-class wheelchair athlete, delivers the keynote address on "How a Split Second Decision Can Change Your Life." Hymas suffered an accident in 2001 at age 27, when a 2,000-pound hay bale shattered his neck. He set a world record by wheeling his chair from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas (513 miles).

Instructions for online registration are available at bismarckstate.edu/ceti/energy. For more information, call Continuing Education, Training & Innovation at 701-224-5600 or 877-846-9387.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

The OLLI@UND winter showcase of courses at Bismarck State College takes place Thursday, Jan. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the BSC National Energy Center of Excellence Bavendick Stateroom.

BSC offers this continuing education opportunity for people over 50 in partnership with the University of North Dakota Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Short courses and other activities begin Jan. 23 and conclude April 17.

During the showcase, attendees can visit with instructors to preview courses and enjoy a social event with refreshments.

Guest speaker is Al Gustin, retired broadcast journalist and 2012 National Farm Broadcast of the Year.

Participation requires an annual Olli membership of $35. To register, visit olli.UND.edu. For a free catalog, contact BSC Continuing Education, Training & Innovation at bsc.ceti@bismarckstate.edu or call 224-5600 or 1-877-846-9387.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

Regular classes for the spring semester began Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Bismarck State College with enrollment numbers higher than a year ago.

The college reports a headcount increase of 4.6 percent and a credit hour increase of 3.7 percent.

BSC Interim President Dave Clark cited the college's focus on student retention, highly relevant class and program offerings, as well as the ongoing demand for graduates in BSC's energy programs as factors in the college's strong spring numbers.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

The Bismarck State College Embracing Diversity Committee sponsors a showing of Jessica Hegland's documentary film, "Freedom Barrel: North Dakota Voices on Feminism and Sexism" on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

A panel discussion follows the 7:30 p.m. showing in BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence Basin Electric Auditorium (304). Individuals representing various supporting and advocate interests in the community are appearing on the panel.

"Freedom Barrel: North Dakota Voices on Feminism and Sexism" is an interview-style, storytelling documentary. Hegland asks eight men and eight women what they think feminism is, if they have experienced sexism, and their opinions about concepts such as male privilege.

Filmed on location in Bismarck, the documentary runs one hour and is free to the public.

Hegland, visitor services assistant with the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND), said she felt compelled to explore the topic after serving as project director for the 2013 Women's Equality Day at the Former Governors' Mansion in Bismarck. She made the film in coordination with Cinema 100's video loan program, which provided the necessary equipment, and with the SHSND, which provided interview space at the mansion.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

As part of Bismarck State College's year-long celebration of 75 years of education and community, the college has produced a documentary film, "Celebrating 75 Years: The Story of Bismarck State College."

The film will premiere on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Bavendick Stateroom at the National Energy Center of Excellence on the BSC campus. The community is invited to attend this free event.

Nearly 60 interviews were conducted and hundreds of hours of archival research went into the production of this approximately 90-minute documentary film.

The documentary tells the story of how Bismarck Junior College, established in 1939 as a Depression-era experiment on the third floor of Bismarck High School, has grown into Bismarck State College, the third largest college in the university system offering high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

An encore presentation will be held Friday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Basin Electric Auditorium in the NECE. All showings are free and open to the public. See a sneak peek of the film here.

For more information about the premiere, content or production of the documentary, contact Marnie Piehl at 224-5699 or Marnie.Piehl@bismarckstate.edu.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

Bismarck State College named 712 students for academic recognition on the President's Honor Roll for fall 2013. To make the list, students must maintain a 3.50 grade point average on a 4.00 scale while taking at least 12 semester hours of classes. They receive notification from BSC's president of their achievement. Students who have an asterisk by their last name achieved a 4.0 grade point average.

NORTH DAKOTA:
ALMONT - Andrew M. Johnson. AMIDON - Brandon John Fischer. ANAMOOSE - Casey S. Schuh. ARENA - Caleb Duane Mehlhoff*. BALDWIN - Matthew R. Jacobson. BEACH - Kyle Jean Bagley, Tyler T. Benes, Lucas Daniel Buchholz*, Daniel A. Skoglund. BELCOURT - Dominic Poitra. BELFIELD - Andrew J. Klym, Mitch A. Krebs*, BERGEN - Hillary J. Duchsherer. BEULAH - Michelle Sue Brouwer, Tanner J. Dolbec*, Logan Miles Dschaak*, Cameron Mitchell Sadowsky, Autumn Von Schaan, Zachary T. Seibel, Nicholas E. Wolf.

BISMARCK - Wade W. Alvarez*, Scott M. Atkinson*, Hannah T. Bailey, Joshua S. Baker*, Colin M. Bales*, Juan Antonio Barrett*, Sarah Jean Baumgartner, Katelyn C. Baumgartner*, Abby N. Beehler*, Dionne Marie Benefiel*, Kayla Elizabeth Bercier, Andrea K. Berglund, Samantha Caroline Berry, Levi James Binstock, Tyler R. Boeckel, Derek E. Boeshans, Mik Albert James Boger, Michael George Bogsted, Ashley Elizabeth Bohrer, Kristen K. Bortke*, Kira A. Bossert*, Eileen Moria Boulden, Dawn M. Braun, Avery R. Braun*, Justin James Brendel, Anastasia Josephine Bulcher, Bailee A. Bulman, Alexis M. Burgard, Danika M. Burkett*, Devon J. Butz, Alyssa J. Cahoon, Brandi Danielle Carman, Kenny J. Carter, Allison Chalcraft*, Alysha I. Chmielewski*, Matthew D. Chumley*, Jessica Marie Church*, Alistair Crockett*, Dalton S. Delange, Jean Cecile Delozier, Kathryn Lynn DeWitt, Isabel Camil Del Rosario DeWitt*, Marcus J. Dietrich*, Elizabeth Doll*, Jordan Kathryn Dollinger, Christopher D. Dorfschmidt*, Jordan H. Ebel, Kaleb Liardon Edmonson*, Courtney A. Eldridge, Kathryn Elwood, Brock A. Emter, Alicia Rose Enderle*, Mitch Brighten Erickson*, Desirae Lynne Feland, Travis Ray Felchle, Lindsey M. Fettig, Casey P. Fiest, Adam M. Fischer, Sarah M. Fitterer, Ashley Flickinger, Tyler M. Fredrickson, Megan Marie Glock, Hunter Werner Glur, Armelle Josee Goune Salekeu, Leighton A. Guthmiller, Katherine A. Haas, Sierra Rose Hall*, Rachel Marie Handeland, Nathaniel L. Harter, Jana Michelle Hathaway*, Caleb T. Hauff, Brooke L. Haugen, Jacy L. Hausauer, Lindsey Nicole Hefta*, Allison Jo Heidt, Kylie Lynne Helm, Jacob Andrew Herman*, Ashley R. Hiltner, Austin A. Hilzendeger*, Sarah J. Hoekstra, Jacob T. Hoffman, Jordan Michael Hoffman, Justin Leon Hoggarth, Jamie Lee Holte, Kyle Jerome Hornbacher, Cassidy Collin Horner, Molly Jayne Horner, Karista Huber*, Whitney M. Irmen, Miranda L. Jensen*, Brenna L. Jessen, Brianna Johnson, Roxanne Nicole Johnson, Kevin J. Kalvoda, Karly Renee Kambeitz*, Gabrielle Marie Keller*, Jennifer Ann Kessler, Austin Troy Ketterling, Lea Marie Kiemele*, Todd Allen Kilber*, Taylor Dale Kindseth, Katherine R. Kirschmann, Breanna Mary Klabo, Justin M. Klabunde, Kasey Jane Klein, Samantha R. Knapp*, Jak Knetter, Laura Knudsen*, Kendra Lyn Koch*, Kinzie Suzanne Koch*, Jacob L. Kok, Gregory Alan Korgel*, James Allan Kostelecky, Rachel Lynn Kovash, Alexis A. Kraft, Kristen L. Kramer*, Haley Jean Kranz, Michael James Kuch*, Benjamin M. Kuhnley, Hanna E. Kuhnley*, Jessica Kulish, Jordan J. Kuntz, Nathan W. Kurtti, Hailey J. Lacher*, David J. Lange, Abby L. Larshus, David R. Larson*, Stephen A. Leard, Derek Robert Lee, Jacob M. Legreid*, Keisha M. Lehde, Alexandrea L. Leidholm*, Joshua A. Leier, Jacob G. Leno*, Peyton Marie Lind*, Derek Douglas Lockrem, Bethany R. Mack, Vitus Okechukwu Maduako, Jeremiah P. Maier, Robyn E. Markhouse*, Lauren N. McCollom, Jennifer L. Mcconnachie*, Jesse James McCormick, Steven J. McGillivray, Matthew Mark McKinney, Darren W. Mernitz*, Peyton Mertz, Matthew A. Messer, Emily P. Meyer*, Gerald Lee Miller, Anthony Keith Mitterling*, Lindsay Yvonne Mock*, Justin W. Morrow, Deserae M. Moser, Anne Marie Nathe*, Andrew Young Mwiluri Ndolo*, David Michael Neff*, Jordan Nelson, Cayla R. Nelson*, Blake C. Nemecek*, Samantha Paige Obrigewitch, Marvin M. Olsen*, Katie Marie Olson, Tyler K. Ortmann*, Heather M. Pearson, Paden R. Peterson, Emma J. Peterson*, Luke J. Pfleger, Jayme D. Pischel*, Deanna R. Price*, Nathan David Raatz, Christopher Mark Rasmussen*, Casey L. Reamann, Charles Richard Rebhun*, Lindsay A. Reede, Allison Joy Remboldt*, Rachel K. Remmick, Kevin Damon Rivers, Jonathan T. Rixen, Taylor J. Roth, Deon James Sanders*, Brock G. Sandy*, Nicole Marie Schaan, Clayton Alan Schaeffer, Noah James Schaible, Megan C. Schlosser*, Kimberly A. Schmitz*, Brandon A. Schock*, Mylee K. Schorsch, Danielle N. Schwartz, Rachael C. Scott, Matthew S. Senn, Michael T. Sharp, Natasha G. Sickler, Hannah Beth Slocomb, Andrew D. Solberg, Tawni Jean Sommerdorf, Kimberly Jean Spallinger*, Drew Thomas Spaulding, Sara Dona Stadick, Kristina Steckler*, Allison M. Steffl*, Kimberly J. Stewart*, Taylor J. Stute, Tia Lee Stute, Graham Thomas Swenson, Jordan Matthew Taghon, Taylor M. Theisen, Joelle Lyn Thompson, Lindsae M. Timm, Megan Nichole Toman, Braeton Lee Traiser*, Austyn L. Trauger, Isaac Richard Trottier, Uchechukwu Johnfisher Uchem, MacKenzie M. Ulrich, Selena Lyn Van Hout, Brett Jay Ver Helst, Jake D. Voeller, Blake J. Volk, Nicole Katherine Volk*, Melissa Jo Wagner, Tiahna J. Wagner*, Mason J. Walker*, Kiefer Jerome Ward, Paige Sara Weigel*, Alice Elizabeth Weikum*, Britnee M. Weisz*, Matthew J. Welton*, Jenna R. Wentland, Sadie Wetzel*, Samantha Jo White, Hailey J. Whitman*, Andrew W. Wickenheiser, Amy Elizabeth Will, Matt Lyle Wolski, Taylor Martin Wray*, Bo K. Yesel, Ryan Young, Lisa Elizabeth Zahn, Wyatt J. Zahn.

BOTTINEAU - Tylor R. Olson*. BOWBELLS - Shelby R. Hass. BOWMAN - Jason Andrew Dolbear. BURLINGTON - Travis Jay Johnson. Laken N. Underdahl. CANNON BALL - Ashton L. Gullickson*. CARRINGTON - Tysen Daniel Rosenau. CENTER - Beverly Gress*, Paige M. Mosbrucker, Whitney Rud. COLEHARBOR - Dillon Reid Aldinger*, Ty Allen Rossman*, William Gardner Wilson. DEVILS LAKE - Devan S. Dalziel. DICKINSON - Leslie D. Beaudoin, Alex C. Binstock*, Harley E. Fisher, Lisa Marie Fisher*, Brandon J. Hauck, Brooke N. Kuntz, MiKayla Kuntz, Luis Fernando Londono*, Sharell Grace Mehrer, Rachel Ann Myran, Kaitlin Emily Ridl*, Patricia M. Romanyshyn*, Rachel M. Schroeder. DRAKE - Ryan Allen Kuntz. ELLENDALE - Ellie M. Wertz*. FARGO - Justin S. Prince*. FLASHER - Micaela K. Meyer, Arika A. Schick, Mckenna L. Schmidt, Melissa Marie Serna, Bailie D. VandenBurg*. FORT RICE - Sandra L. Kuntz*. FORT YATES - Lacey Alexius Bordeaux*. FOXHOLM - Alex N. Bloms. GACKLE - Zachary D. Meyer. Garrison - Brookes L. Reinholt. GLADSTONE - Patrick Allen Cassezza*. GLEN ULLIN - Jared Danzeisen, Casey Ray Duppong*, Zachary J. Kessler. GOLDEN VALLEY - Dustin Duane Scheurer. GOODRICH - Melissa R. Ludwick*. HAGUE - Nathan J. Eberle, Austin Lee Int Veldt. HANNOVER - John Charles Schwab. HARVEY - Shyler Block, Steven Schild, Kristy Jo Weninger. HAZELTON - Taite Grossman, Tanner C. Purintun, Evan D. Weiss*. HAZEN - Alex Barfield, Michael Weston Berg, Ryan Block*, Connor D. Hill, Karson K. Hintz, Jason Randall Kurtti*, Brett M. Leier, Collin J. Lindquist, Jared R. Olson, Steven Schwarz, Jackson A. Smith, James L. Ternes. HORACE - Jacob C. Kleinjan. HUFF - Janae Mary Miller. JAMESTOWN - Kendra R. Beedy, Stacy Marie Fritz, Alex L. Mcinnes, Aaron Albert Michel, Taylor Shane Olson, Kathryn A. Ramlo, Kyle W. Redmann*, Jeremiah J. Rowell*, Alex Michael Williams, Tygh Michael Yatskis*. JUD - Jonathan Lee Widmer. KENMARE - Spencer Brandt*. KILLDEER - Brodie Anton Candrian*, Austyn J. Sadowsky*. KINTYRE - Paige A. Feist, Steven R. Weigel, Kelsey J. Weigel*. LEFOR - Levi D. Hollinger. LIGNITE - Brandon James Bryant*. LINCOLN - Lea Michelle Berger, Jalane Mae Clouse, Chelsie Rae Crisp, Rachel C. Dodd*, Wendy Sue Grafsgaard*, Kia Marie Herbel, Andrea R. Ryckman, Chloe L. Schiermeister. LINTON - Levi K. Bernhardt, Tyler M. Humann, Clay M. Jacob, Anna B. Schmidt*, Alison R. Vetter, Danielle Lee Volk*, Tobie B. Wald, Brady Mathew Weber*, Jennifer Karine Weiss*.

MANDAN - Chancellor A. Baesler, Britain Bentz*, Tyler M. Bohl, Chad A. Brinkman, Brandi Marie Bures, Alexis Mae Cook*, Brandi Sierra Davidson*, Mike G. DeGreef, Shawna R. Dietz, Haley M. Droog, Ashley Jade Eagle*, Brittney Rae Engelhard*, Dennis K. Evans, Justin Hugh Farrington*, Oxana Ivanovna Flemmer*, Matthew J. Frank, Alexander L. Froelich, Abigail Elizabeth Garlie, Laura Love Gerhart, Courtney Karen Goetz, Nicholas Edwin Graham, Matthew Jacob Haag*, Amanda L. Haugen, Kenneth Lowel Haugen*, Chris Lee Hoffer*, Riley A. Hoffert, Dakota Lori Hoots*, Dylan Earlin Horner*, Alexandra D. Joersz, Austin R. Kahl, Ryan M. Kroese, Jordan J. Leingang, McKayla Jo Leingang, Daniel George Lengowski, Angela Diane Lipp, Kay Ann Ludlum*, Kory Ray Mashek, Robert W. Mason, Madisen T. Mattern, Amy Nicole Moody, Brian Lee Muth, Ashley M. Neis, Brianna F. Netzer, Noah Neuberger, Wyatt J. Paul*, Sara Beth Pavilionis, Brittany M. Peterson, Elma Peterson, Tyler F. Piatz, Chad Jeremy Pulkrabek, Samuel A. Ravnaas*, Lance M. Renner, Kelsey Ann Schafer, Derik John Schaner, Elizabeth A. Schaner, Landen James Schmeichel*, Katarina B. Schmidt, Dylan J. Schulz, Kelly Darvin Schulz*, Chance J. Schwartz, Eli Richard Severson*, Matthew J. Smith, Adam D. Stein, Tiffany R. Steingrueber, Eden Claire Stramer*, Job C. Stramer*, Eve Josephine Suchy, Chad Jonathan Symmank, Benjamin A. Thompson, Curtis Clay Tietz, Kacy Anne Toso, Jamie L. Vetsch, Dana L. Vollmuth*, Zackery A. Westberg, Seth Andrew Westby, Nate Wolski, Jordan T. Zander*, Anna Marlene Ziegler.

MAX - Dylan M. Kinn. MAXBASS - Rebecca SueAnn Christenson*. MCCLUSKY - Alex D. Ripplinger. MCKENZIE - Stephanie L. Bold. MENOKEN - Cole G. Gross, Jayme L. Leintz, Stephanie P. Miron, Robert John Richter*, Kayla Rae Schmitz, Aaron D. Van Gorkom*. MINOT - Megan Leann Albertson, Abram Dakota Hagenstein, Drew Middaugh, Dalton Daniel Rademacher, Robbie A. Wick. MOFFIT - Jace Clark Carroll, Jason Alan Richter. MOHALL - Tanner R. Aasen*. MYLO - Allison Marie Slaubaugh. NAPOLEON - Elijah J. Hilzendeger, Cole Ryan Johnson, Ashley Ann Moser*, Wade D. Rath-Wald, Jonah Markus Schwartzenberger, Kendra E. Weigel. NEW SALEM - Kooper A. Bethke, Karly K. Doll*, MiKaela C. Forster, Toni L. Gullickson, Hayden Lane Hermanson*, Andrew G. Kreidt, Amanda Reighan Olsen-Epstein, Rebecca A. Valleroy, Teasha M. Voegele*, Tyler T. Wehri, Jacob J. Wetzel*. NOONAN - Morgan Henry Jacobs*. PARK RIVER - Sarah Ann O'Brien. RAY - Kendra Leigh Perdue*. REGAN - Katrina J. Hausauer*, Sarah Lynn Morris*. RIVERDALE - Aaron J. Morman. ROBINSON - Megan M. Eichele. RUGBY - Paxton A. Klein, Joshua Roger Tank. RYDER - Kati M. Brandt. SAWYER - Wacey Colton Dahl. SENTINEL BUTTE - Parker E. Abraham*, Owen C. Makelky*. SOLEN - Chanda Decouteau*. SOURIS - John W. Patterson. STANLEY - Lucas Alan Colbenson, ReeAnn Lee Mehus*, Dyllon W. Meiers. STANTON - Maria R. Clayton*. STEELE - Danielle M. Goldade. STRASBURG - Jeremy Grossman, Kyle L. Roth*, Jesse R. Schwab*, Jennifer Rae Wikenheiser*. TAPPEN - Allison Grace Barnick, BreAnna Dawn Stroh*. UNDERWOOD - Caitlyn M. Berg, Tyler James Hotten, Emily E. Johannes, Dylan R. Ruff, Rachael Michelle Taylor. VALLEY CITY - Keely A. Fogarty*, Jaden L. Keys. VELVA - Kayla Ann Craig, Ahnna Faith Peterson*. VENTURIA - Benjamin J. Meier. WASHBURN - Scarlett J. Tweeten. WESTHOPE - Hadlee N. Schell*. WILLISTON - Brittny A. Allard, Victoria Lynn Douglas*, Collin Jace Lynch, Erik Wolf Osburn. WILTON - Allyssa M. Albrecht. WING - Mary A. Wagner*. WISHEK - Raquel Alexis Sayler. ZAP - Ashlee Rae Sigman*, Denver Ray Unruh*, Jonathan Ken Welk.

OTHER STATES:
ALABAMA: Springville - Larry Paul Mathews. Sylacauga - Markus Brown*. ARIZONA: Benson - David Timothy Schmidt. Chandler - Katie Marie Smith. El Mirage - Roberto Carlos Camacho. Queen Creek - Spencer Troy Ellsworth. ARKANSAS: Benton - Shaun W. Jundt. Cabot - Jeffrey Cole King. North Little Rock - Jeffrie Gill, Joshua Monroe, Alex Wittenburg. Sheridan - Rocky Barrett Bellomy*. CALIFORNIA: Adelanto - Jarred Rich*. Folsom - Jeremy M. Miller. Galt - Jeremy Austin Webb. Lancaster - Hilvin Mercado. Riverside - Chad Andrew Clabaugh. San Bernardino - Jared Andrew Bocka. San Clemente - Alexander Patrick Frisbie. Seaside - Robin Ray Van Huis*. Sun City - Robert Michael Bruno. COLORADO: Eaton - Hayden Michael Johnson*. Erie - Brady Keith Newton. Indian Hills - Brian Hainley*. Littleton - Anthony Michael Martinez. Loma - Morris Lee Reed. Manzanola - Kevin Brandon. Pueblo West - Aaron Bradley Avery*. CONNECTICUT: Ashford - Timothy Joseph Nurse*. Middletown - Brandon Efrain Cruz*. Niantic - Tim Seckla. Plymouth - Shawn Michael Teter. FLORIDA: Flagler Beach - Bonnie Loveday. Hilliard - Ryan A. Mosley. Ocala - Justin Scott Whitley. Parrish - Bryan Lee Swindell. Saint Augustine - Kody Ryan David*. GEORGIA: Atlanta - Robert Reidallen Rentfrow*. Butler - Keith Bradley Poole. Canton - David Alan Duren*. Kathleen - Tyrone Pertie Gilbert. Sylvania - Trevin Matthew Bragg*. HAWAII: Kihei - Troy Matthew Connatser*. Mililani - David J. Welder*. Wahiawa - Jason Paul Cornell*, Abimael Rivera-Lopez*, Zane Von Thompson. IDAHO: Meridian - Joshua Caleb McWinn*. ILLINOIS: Albany - Andrew Robert Phelps. Gardner - John Michael Dowhamyla. Kampsville - Donald Scott Sabol*. Lake Villa - John Anthony Stressler*. Machesney Park - Ryan Gregory Duy*. Morrison - Marcus Allen Hill*, Timothy Burton Richardson. Normal - Phillip Anthony Washington. Rockford - Thomas Aaron Corcoran. Roscoe - Jason Sanderson. Streator - Nathan Louis Matsko*. Wauconda - Linda Mehlman*. INDIANA: Washington - Christopher Sean Burton. IOWA: Clinton - Adam Robert Lewis*, Patrick John McCallister*. Davenport - Chad Allen Wagner*. Des Moines - Christopher Lowell Funk. Muscatine - Patrick Dipple*. KENTUCKY: Harrodsburg - Jeremy Reed Catlett*. LOUISIANA: River Ridge - Mitchel Pomet. MARYLAND: Elkton - Arthur David Tollinger*. Lusby - Ernest Lenzy Oliver. Sandy Spring - Timothy A. Benton*. MASSACHUSETTS: Hudson - Laura M. McLaughlin. Reading - David John Melanson. MICHIGAN: Brownstown Twp - Jose G. Godinez. Davison - Kevin Thomas Brady. Henderson - Rodney Alan Castle. Jenison - Jacob Graham Hoggard. Newport - Daniel Poreda. Pinckney - David Alan Lobbestael. Sault Sainte Marie - David Scott DePlonty*. South Range - Steven Reed Juntunen. Vestaburg - Cornelius Wilbert Bornman*.

MINNESOTA: Bloomington - Nife Foli Koumodji. Bovey - Justin Richard Nelson. Breckenridge - Gavin Lee Amdahl*. Brooklyn Park - Ryan Michael Korb. Chanhassen - Craig Michael Shaffer*. Cottage Grove - Aaron Paul Branchaud*. Duluth - James Allen Daigle*. Esko - Kent A. Adkins*. Monticello - Mariah Sue Michaelis*. Moorhead - Craig Jason Shol*. Mounds View - Chelsey R. Seawell*. Redwood Falls - Aaron Lee Busack. Rosemount - Ansu Kourouma*. Two Harbors - Daniel Ripley. MISSISSIPPI: Braxton - Charles Ray Conerly. MISSOURI: Saint Louis - Nathan T. Murray. St. Robert - Chad Edwin Campbell.

MONTANA: Billings - Dallas Cody Fauth, Ambre K. Thingvold. Colstrip - Emily Kay Kautzman*. Ekalaka - Ryan Louis Bruski. Fairview - Ryder G. Peterson. Glendive - Matthew R. Keltgen. Kalispell - Shaina Lee Funke. Libby - Josiah Pruitt. Peerless - Melissa Lynne Dighans*. Sidney - Austin Levi Lantz*. NEBRASKA: Hastings - Edward Keith Mills. Kearney - Carsten James Mlady*. Lincoln - Jacob Peter Bordovsky. NEVADA: Pahrump - Gary Mitchel Bird*. Reno - Kimberly Ann Whetzel*. Wells - Jack Duane French. NEW HAMPSHIRE: Andover - Kenneth Johnson. Concord - Jason Matthew Barrett*. Manchester - Eric Lee Madson*. Nashua - Jeana Marie Delisle, Amy Sue Taylor. NEW YORK: Binghamton - Alonzo C. LaBarr*. Camillus - Michael Barrett*. Forestville - Nathan R. Cross*. Lockportn - Ivan Andrijevic. Massena - Robert P. Cunningham. Rochester - Latashia Sherelle Matthews. Wingdale - Brian Robert McKeever*. NORTH CAROLINA: China Grove - Scott Anderson*. Fayetteville - Jesus Guillermo Mora*. Greensboro - Laura Leonard Law*. Sanford - Scott E. Magiera. OHIO: East Liverpool - Lawrence Cline. Fairlawn - Casey Ryan Knoell*. Steubenville - Steven Gabriel Thomas*. OKLAHOMA: Anadarko - Joseph Isaac Haddon. Broken Arrow - Catherine Louise Sullivan*. Meeker - Trenton Scott Tipton*. Tulsa - Terry Lee Burton*, Julie Ann Grant. OREGON: Happy Valley - Scott Aaron Meeker. PENNSYLVANIA: Birdsboro - Eric Koch*. Danville - Lawrence Daniel James*. Northumberland - Keith David Price. Quarryville - Jason Alexander McCrory*. West Chester - Michael Handlin*. Whitehall - Jennifer Dawn Zamarripa. SOUTH CAROLINA: Moncks Corner - James Leemon Carner. Warrenville - Casey Grice.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Hermosa - Zachary Allen Wager. Huron - Hans Sickles*. McIntosh - Mitchell P. Chase. Mitchell - James Thomas Wold. Morristown - Sage E. Donner. Pollock - Cole L. Nieuwsma. Watertown - Bradley Kenneth Miles*. TENNESSEE: Birchwood - Jon Brady Sharp*. Hohenwald - Nathan Alan Wagner. TEXAS: Bellville - Juan Jose Olivares. Portland - Paul Antonio Ortiz. Richmond - Jeffrey Mahoney. San Antonio - Michael Raymond Leal*. UTAH: Brigham City - Jay Dylan Bywater*. Roosevelt - Brady Brotherson*. VIRGINIA: Chesapeake - Clayton Hanson. Fort Belvoir - Stephen Matthew Cooper*, Matthew Lee Grip. Rural Retreat - Mark Hayes. WASHINGTON: Castle Rock - Justin Todd Hartsoch. Enumclaw - Anthony Donald Wright. Ephrata - Jeffrey Robert Nelson. Gig Harbor - Samuel Drake Novak. Marysville - Eric Ryan Echols*. Sedro Woolley - John James Colvin*. Spokane - Philip Francis Messick. WEST VIRGINIA: Saint Albans - James David Fox*. WISCONSIN: Eau Claire - Benjamin James Schemensky*. Sparta - Jodie Ewert*. Superior - Kevin Martin Flaherty. WYOMING: Glenrock - Travis James Zagrabelny. Riverton - Kelly Gene Dugan.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

Bismarck State College Theatre is looking for up to 30 performers to appear in its spring musical April 2-6.

Auditions are Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 28-29, for "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade" by Peter Weiss.

Often shortened to "Marat/Sade," the Peter Brook production of this play was one of the most dynamic theatrical events of the 20th century.

Tryouts are 6-8 p.m. Jan. 28 and 3-5 p.m. Jan. 29 in BSC's Sidney J. Lee Auditorium. Callback auditions are 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30. Scripts are available at the BSC Library on a 24-hour checkout basis.

Described as "musical farce" by director Dan Rogers, the play uses all elements of theater and needs actors, singers, dancers and movement artists. People auditioning for singing roles should prepare 12 bars of a ballad song from a musical show. BSC will provide an accompanist.

For more information, contact Rogers at 224-5530, Daniel.Rogers@bismarckstate.edu; or choral director Andrew Miller, 224-5438, Andrew.J.Miller4@bismarckstate.edu.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

Academic advisors from area colleges are invited to attend an advising workshop on the Bismarck State College campus Feb. 24. Sponsored by National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

The workshop, "Common Ground: Connecting and Advising Today's Students for Tomorrow's Success," will feature Dr. Sonia Cowen, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the North Dakota University System as the keynote speaker. Breakout sessions will focus on advising transfer, diversity and distance education students and advising challenges.

Registration is $20 for NACADA members and $30 for non-members, and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Registration is open until February 21 at bismarckstate.edu/nacada.

For more information on the workshop, contact Mary J. Sennert at Mary.Sennert@bismarckstate.edu or 224-5798.

Bismarck State College presents its third event in the Conversations at BSC series Sunday, Jan. 26, with "The Mona Lisa, da Vinci, and Jackie Kennedy."

The program of discussions between former BSC President Larry Skogen and humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson begins at 3 p.m. in BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence Bavendick Stateroom. Comments and questions from the audience complete the conversation.

During President John F. Kennedy's administration in 1962, Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" painting came to the United States for the first time on special loan from France. This, together with the performance of cellist Pablo Casals at the White House, helped create the enduring myth of Camelot about John and Jacqueline Kennedy and the Kennedys as supportive of the arts.

The discussion will focus on three themes: the conditions under which the famous painting came to the United States, why the "Mona Lisa" is perhaps the world's most famous painting, and the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.

An additional resource is Margaret Leslie Davis' book, "Mona Lisa in Camelot: How Jacqueline Kennedy and Da Vinci's Masterpiece Charmed and Captivated a Nation."

The series presentations are unrehearsed and emphasize the 360-degree perspective of the humanities lens. Read more at bsctalk.com. Additional programs are set for March 30 and May 4. Funding is provided by Bismarck State College and the BSC Foundation.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

The 35th annual Energy Generation Conference runs tomorrow through Thursday filling the Bismarck Civic Center Exhibit Hall with more than 2,000 energy workers and 200+ manufacturers and service providers from across the United States.

Activities begin with pre-conference training sessions all day Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Bismarck Civic Center and Bismarck State College. Starting at 4:30 p.m., more than 200 exhibitors preview their product showcase until 6 p.m. in the Civic Center Exhibit Hall – the only conference event open to the public.

Keynote speaker Chad Hymas will speak both Wednesday and Thursday, setting the tone for professional sessions ranging from updates on the Bakken to wireless technologies and ethics in the workplace. Several industry-specific sessions also will be held, and high school students from western North Dakota will be taking part in three sessions all taking place Jan. 29 and 30 from 10:15-noon in the Karlgaard Room:

• Simulated operation of a Caterpillar 3-D mining truck (via computerized interface)
• Hands-on examination of the forces of magnetism
• Demonstration of the a power pedal bike created by BSC NECE curriculum developers

The bike will also be available for the general public during Tuesday's session.

Coordinated by Bismarck State College Continuing Education, Training and Innovation department (CETI), the conference offers professional development in all areas of energy production from operations and technology to environment and support services.

Each year, CETI receives planning assistance from an executive committee of 30 representatives from North Dakota energy-related businesses, cooperatives and agencies. For more information, visit info.bismarckstate.edu/ceti/energy/.

The Bismarck State College Gannon Gallery will display an all-media juried show by Century High School art students through Feb. 27.

Reception for the students in grades nine through 12 takes place Thursday, Jan. 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the BSC Library.

Approximately 160 pieces of artwork have been selected. They include paintings, drawings, ceramics and mixed media sculptures. Century High School art instructors Laurie Foerderer, Brad Lies and Jenna Jacobson worked with Andrea Fagerstrom, BSC gallery coordinator and art lecturer, to create the show.

Jacobson said the exhibition displays a variety of technical skills and creative concepts in several mediums and shows student growth from Art I through Art IV.

This is the second year CHS students have had pieces in Gannon Gallery. The relationship started after BSC presented an art exhibit of Jenna Jacobson's work a couple years ago. Fagerstrom then asked her to judge a BSC student exhibition. The CHS student exhibit seemed to be the next step based on the good quality and variety of the student artwork, she said.

"This exhibit brings many CHS students and their families onto our campus, which really strengthens the relationship between BSC and the community," Fagerstrom said. "Besides showing their work, students have the opportunity to meet and talk with BSC's visual art faculty, which could encourage them to consider BSC as the next step after graduating from high school."

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

The Bismarck State College Library hosts its second session of BookTalk Sunday, Feb. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the library.

Kimberly Crowley, BSC assistant professor of English, leads discussion of "People of the Book" by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks.

Inspired by a true story, "People of the Book" focuses on a single Hebrew text of traditional Jewish literature called the "Sarajevo Haggadah." It is a beautifully illumined manuscript created in Spain during the 14th century that continues to be shrouded in mystery today.

The fictional story involves Hanna Heath, a rare book expert doing conservation work on the priceless "Sarajevo Haggadah," who finds a series of tiny artifacts in the ancient binding. Brooks imagines the book's journey through five centuries and shows how it survives through the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, the Inquisition in Italy, WWII, and the bombings in Sarajevo during the 1992-95 war.

"People of the Book" earned the Literary Fiction Book of the Year award from the Australian Publishers Association in 2008, its publication year. Brooks was Middle East correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and began a freelance writing career in 1994. She is recipient of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Lifetime Achievement Award (2010). Her book, "March," won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

BookTalk presents the last selection in the "Light a Fire Within" series March 2. Discussion is open to all. For more information, call 224-5450 or email BSC.Library@bismarckstate.edu.

BookTalk at BSC is funded by the BSC Library and a grant from the BSC Foundation.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

Students in the Surgical Technology program at Bismarck State College achieved a 100 percent pass rate in the most recent Certified Surgical Technologist exam cycle.

BSC received national recognition and a merit award from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting in acknowledgement of student excellence. This is the fifth straight year the Surgical Technology program has earned a 100 percent pass rate.

The Certified Surgical Technologist designation is the foremost credential for surgical technologists in the nation and required for employment at many local, state and national health care organizations. Graduates obtaining national certification demonstrate basic competence for safe patient care in the operating room.

Besides Surgical Technology, BSC offers an array of health programs including Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technician, Paramedic Technology, and Phlebotomy Technician. For more information, visit bismarckstate.edu/academics.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

Author and educator Heid Erdrich returns to Bismarck State College for a residency with students and a public reading of her poetry Monday, Feb. 10. The reading starts at 7:30 p.m. in BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence, Basin Electric Auditorium (304) and concludes with a book signing.

Erdrich gives presentations in BSC English classes on Monday and Tuesday of that week. Her appearance is part of BSC's Visiting Writers Series and free to the public.

In addition, Erdrich is conducting a writers' workshop Sunday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in Room 116 of the BSC Library. Enrollment is limited and online preregistration is required at www.ndhumanities.org/spring-writers-workshops.html .

A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwa, Heid grew up in Wahpeton, N.D. She earned a degree from Dartmouth College and two master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University in poetry and fiction. With her sister and well-known author Louis Erdrich, she founded the Turtle Mountain Writing Workshop and later Birchbark House, a foundation that serves as a clearinghouse for indigenous language literature.

Erdrich writes, teaches, and collaborates with others across artistic mediums. She is author of four poetry collections, most recently "Cell Traffic: New and Selected Poems." Other collections are "National Monuments" ('08), "The Mother's Tongue" ('05), and "Fishing for Myth" ('97). She also co-edited "Sister Nations: Native American Women on Community" ('02) from the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Recipient of two Minnesota State Arts Board fellowships, Erdrich has received awards from The Loft Literary Center and the Archibald Bush Foundation, and a Minnesota Book Award in 2009 for "National Monuments." Erdrich taught at University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., before leaving in 2007 to focus on her writing and to work with Birchbark House. She is online at http://heiderdrich.com/.

Erdrich's appearance is sponsored by the English discipline of the Arts and Communication Department, with grant support from the Bismarck State College Foundation. Partial funding also comes from the North Dakota Humanities Council, a nonprofit, independent state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

Bismarck State College technical theater students returned with a near win in the Stage Crew Showdown Jan. 19-25 at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region V competition at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

BSC's five-member Ramrod team came in second among three other finalists, dominating the preliminary rounds in a stellar performance for "this Jack in a field of giants," said Dan Rogers, BSC Theatre director and instructor.

Ramrod members were Cody Schirado and Allyssa Cahoon of Bismarck, Josh Hannaman, Mandan, Heather Pearson, Wilton, and Cody Walker, Phoenix, Ariz. They were coached by Dean Bellin, BSC assistant professor of theatre.

Rogers and Bellin accompanied 13 students to the festival, where the students participated in a range of theater workshops and competitions. The group also saw five of the region's best college productions selected for presentation by ACTF judges.

Rogers led a workshop on The Paper Birds Theatre Company's BSC residency and community performances in April 2013. Part of the presentation included BSC's collaboration with local groups that deal with sexual violence.

Three students competed as ACTF selectees in the Irene Ryan Audition contest. Zack Watson and Savannah Bashus of Bismarck and Madison Singer of Mandan were chosen for their performances in "Proof" and/or "Circle Mirror Transformation," BSC's fall and winter plays. Assisting them as scene partners in Lincoln were Dallas Schaefer, Mary Armstrong, and Allison DeKrey, Bismarck. Other students attending the festival were Sierra White Bull and Samantha Lachenmeier.

Two BSC theatre graduates received recognition for work they completed in North Dakota State University productions. Chelsea Brown earned a Region V Honorable Mention for the National Stage Management Fellowship, and Jack Golden received the second place Region V National Scenic Design award.

The American College Theater Festival is comprised of eight regional festivals that offer theater craft training and present the best plays and talent in each region. The program, run by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., also recognizes excellence with awards and scholarships. Colleges in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa make up Region V.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

On Valentine's Day Feb. 14 Bismarck State College will show its love to the community with two events. Both events are tied to the college's 75-year celebration and are free and open to the public.

BSC Graphic Design 75-Year Display Open House
10-11 a.m.
Top floor, Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy
BSC Campus

BSC's graphic design students spent the fall semester designing and constructing two displays that leverage the college's 75 year celebration. One display focuses on the BSC logos over the years and the other on student activities and campus architecture. Students worked closely with the archives at BSC and the North Dakota State Historical Society.

The BSC Story: Celebrating 75 Years
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Basin Electric Auditorium, National Energy Center of Excellence
BSC Campus

The new documentary film, Celebrating 75 Years: The Story of Bismarck State College, tells the story of how Bismarck Junior College, established in 1939 as a Depression-era experiment on the third floor of Bismarck High School, has grown into Bismarck State College, the third largest college in the university system. The 90-minute film is a mix of archival footage, narrative and more than 50 interviews.

From 1975-1996, Bismarck State College hosted an annual Jazz Celebration festival nationally renowned for bringing the country's best jazz musicians and vocalists to North Dakota to perform and work with students at the college and public schools in the area.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. the college will premiere a 30-minute documentary film with rare footage of those musicians performing and interacting with students and the community. The event will be held in the Bavendick Stateroom on the fourth floor of the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College.

The film was written and produced by Bruce Wendt, president of Bruce Wendt Productions, and underwritten by Bismarck State College as part of its 75th Year Celebration.

The BSC faculty jazz combo will perform prior to the event, and the film will be bookended by performances by Big Al's Big Band. The band consists of several area musicians who either played with those jazz greats as students or worked with them as faculty. The event will be emceed by BSC history professor Michael McCormack.

In the 1970s, BSC offered a Visiting Scholars Series funded through the National Endowment for the Arts, BSC Foundation, and a Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education. In 1975, Dr. Lloyd Anderson, who administered the Visiting Scholars series, invited jazz pianist Jaki Byard to BSC; in 1976 he invited legendary trumpeter Clark Terry, launching the annual Jazz Celebration. Byard became a repeat performer and helped to bring in fellow musicians such as trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Doc Cheatham, and saxophonist Phil Woods among others.

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

A four-year option to study music on the Bismarck State College campus begins fall semester 2014 for students seeking a baccalaureate degree in music education or performance.

The State Board of Higher Education approved the arrangement between BSC and Dickinson State University in January.

BSC and DSU are now completing the Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the agreement. BSC is considering seeking accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music as a partner in the collaborative program . DSU's music program has association accreditation.

"It's a win-win for both schools," said John Darling, BSC associate professor of music and Music program coordinator. "For our part, BSC already has music students opting to stay four years because of this agreement."

Music now becomes one of several baccalaureate programs BSC provides through cooperative agreements with DSU, Minot State University, University of North Dakota, and University of Mary, which maintain offices on campus. After sophomore year, students enroll with these institutions but complete most coursework on BSC's campus.

Bruce Southard, DSU music chair, said the college is already broadcasting a pilot music history course to BSC via the Interactive Video Network to prepare for the fall launch. Five BSC students are participating.

"This is another opportunity to expand what we already do," Southard said. "We're entering an era where traditional school is not always possible. Being able to offer programs outside DSU opens options for students."

Under the agreement, some BSC music faculty will teach as DSU adjunct instructors. They will teach conducting and applied music for instrumental and choral majors. Students will fulfill their ensemble performance requirement at BSC.

"We can keep the skills in ensembles here," Darling said. "BSC has talented music students. It can be hard to see them go after nurturing them for two years. But now they can stay."

Darling has pushed for a four-year music option since he came, he said. BSC administrators began talks with DSU, Southard and BSC faculty in spring 2013. Everyone was very positive about the collaboration working, he said.

Spring semester enrollment at Bismarck State College is at 3,776 students, up 1 percent over last year's spring numbers and maintaining BSC's position as the third largest college in the North Dakota University System.

The semester enrollment report also showed a slight increase in the average number of credit hours students are taking.

"These are positive numbers considering the strong local economic conditions," Interim President David Clark said. "One role of a community college is to offer the flexibility that allows a wide range of students the ability to work and attend college. The credit hours along with the increase of distance learners this semester show that we are truly serving our community's needs."

The student census, taken on the 20th day of spring semester classes, also shows a 6.5 percent increase in freshman.

"That increase tells us that our community continues to see the worth of an education at BSC. They enroll here knowing that, as graduates, they can transfer on or fill one of the great jobs available in Bismarck-Mandan or in western North Dakota," Clark said.

BSC graduates have a 96 percent job placement rate and starting salaries up to $120,000 – bearing out the claims in a Feb. 19 Chronicle of Higher Ed article that noted "[c]ommunity-college graduates receive nearly $5 in benefits for every dollar they spend on their education."

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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.