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BSC documentary premieres on TV Sept. 4, online now

August 24, 2014, 5:00 pm
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Bismarck State College's documentary film, Celebrating 75 Years: The Story of Bismarck State College premieres on Dakota Media Access (DMA) Channel 12 beginning Sept. 4. It also is available to stream online. A link can be found at bismarckstate.edu and on the BSC YouTube channel.

The first day of class for Bismarck Junior College was Sept. 4, 1939.

The documentary was produced as part of BSC's yearlong celebration of 75 years of education and community which culminated at the 75 LIVE celebration on campus last weekend. The documentary first premiered on the BSC campus in January.

"The documentary really showcases how BSC has always been about the students. You learn about the college's hardscrabble early years, the great employees, the good times, changes, growth and the people who have made BSC the valuable asset it is to the community today," said Interim President Dave Clark.

The BSC production team interviewed 57 employees, alumni and friends of the college over the course of nine months collecting 40+ hours of footage that was edited down to 108 minutes. The documentary tells the story of how Bismarck Junior College, established in 1939 on the third floor of Bismarck High School, has grown into Bismarck State College, the third largest college in the North Dakota University System offering high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.

DMA has scheduled the documentary showings at the following dates and times in September:

Sept. 4 at 6 and 7:45 p.m.
Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.

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One-woman play explores gender roles, sexuality and spirituality

September 7, 2014, 5:00 pm
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Award-winning solo artist, Jessica Lynn Johnson, will perform ZE: A Thirty Year Old Virgin's Quest for Healthy Sexuality from A to Ze! on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sidney J. Lee Auditorium at Bismarck State College. The play is free and open to the public.

Johnson plays 15 different characters in this solo dramedy exploring gender construction, sexuality and spirituality along with a number of other issues facing the LGBTQ community. The show centers on Tessa, a 30-year-old virgin in love with her transgender best friend, in turmoil over her feelings due to her religious upbringing.

The program is sponsored by the Bismarck State College Embracing Diversity Committee and Dakota Outright.

Johnson's solo work has been seen in the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, the New York City Samuel French Playwright Festival, the Kansas City Fringe Festival, the New York City International Fringe Festival, the Sola Voce Festival, the Monodrama Thespis Festival in Germany, the Black Magic Women's Theatre Festival in Amsterdam, and has enjoyed an extended run at New York's prestigious Theatre Row on 42nd Street. She was awarded Best National Solo Artist by the Dialogue One Festival.

For more information about Johnson, visit jessicalynnjohnson.com.



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BSC ranked 5th nationally for granting engineering-related degrees

September 18, 2014, 5:00 pm
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Bismarck State College was ranked fifth among two and four-year institutions granting associate degrees in engineering technologies and engineering related fields in the August 18 issue of Community College Week, an independent, national publication covering community, technical and junior colleges. The ranking included BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence programs and other engineering-related degree programs.

Data from the U.S. Department of Education was analyzed and compiled by Community College Week to determine the top degree producing community colleges across the nation.

"It is exciting for BSC to receive recognition for having one of the highest number of graduates in energy and other engineering-related programs in the U.S." says Kari Knudson, vice president, BSC National Energy Center of Excellence. "The results reflect our focus on student completion and the quality of our programs."

BSC was ranked sixth in this same category last year. For more information about the rankings, see the August 18 archived issue of Community College Week at ccweek.com.
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National Guard, BSC to host free community wellness event

September 23, 2014, 5:00 pm
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The North Dakota Army National Guard and BSC will host a Community Fit Fair at 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Sertoma Club Community Center.

The event is designed to promote a culture of total fitness - physical, mental and emotional - within the community and is free to the public. The Community Fit Fair coincides with the closing of this month's nationally-observed Suicide Prevention Month and also the beginning of October, which is recognized as Substance Abuse Prevention Month.

Attendees will have the opportunity to visit an array of resource booths, which will offer information about health and wellness, suicide prevention and intervention and available local health and wellness support services. The booths will be staffed by representatives from more than 30 military and community organizations, businesses and fitness facilities, including: Abused Adult Resource Center, Bismarck Fire Department, Bismarck Vet Center, Morton Mandan Library Bookmobile, North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services, Job Service of North Dakota, North Dakota Department of Human Services, North Dakota Veterans Affairs, North Dakota National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, Sanford Health, St. Alexius and Service Dogs for America.

Additionally, Community Fit Fair participants are invited to take the U.S. Army's Physical Fitness Test (APFT), which is comprised of three consecutive events: 2 minutes of push-ups, 2 minutes of sit-ups and a 2-mile run or a 2.5-mile walk.

While the Community Fit Fair is free and open to the public, attendees participating in the APFT are encouraged to pre-register at bismarckstate.edu/community/fitfair. The first 350 registered APFT participants will be provided a 2014 Community Fit Fair T-shirt.

WHAT: Community Fit Fair

WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30

WHERE: Sertoma Club Community Center (near the Bismarck-Mandan SuperSlide Amusement Park) at Riverside Park Road and West Arbor Ave., Bismarck, N.D

News release originally posted by ND National Guard.
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Bismarck State College completes smart grid laboratory project

September 24, 2014, 5:00 pm
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Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence recently finished a four-year project to demonstrate smart grid technology. The smart grid combines different sources of power generation, storage, and automation in order to provide the most reliable and efficient source of energy to the consumer.

Through the smart grid project, faculty and staff built a lab for students and industry to see how technologies like solar power, wind power, micro-grids and more operate in a smart grid.

"This online lab is the first of its kind to demonstrate new technologies to industry partners and students that they otherwise wouldn't have access to," says Kari Knudson, Vice President of the National Energy Center of Excellence. "The smart grid project is an excellent example of innovation and collaboration to leverage technology for the benefit of students and others."

The $800,000 Department of Energy (DOE) grant incorporates several buildings on the BSC campus and monitors more than 800 points of energy use and generation. Those data points are used to show the energy usage and generation of the lab systems on campus. The lab is accessed online and provides real time and historical data for all lab sources for students, industry and the general public to view at any time.

Through the web-based lab, BSC energy students will explore smart grid technology and control concepts. Faculty members will be able to incorporate the lab into existing coursework.

"We are proud to be able to provide students and stakeholders with access to cutting-edge smart grid technology," says system designer Zachery Allen. "We're excited to see how the lab is utilized as smart grid technology evolves and changes in the future."

The public can view the lab online at bscnecelabs.net/gridlab. The project was funded by DOE ARRA Smart Grid Grant DE-OE0000459. For more information contact Retha Mattern at 701-224-2445 or retha.mattern@bismarckstate.edu.
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Energy resource added to ND student curriculum

October 28, 2014, 5:00 pm
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An in-depth look at North Dakota's energy resources has recently been added to the North Dakota Studies curriculum for students in fourth and eighth grade.

The "Energy: Powered by North Dakota" curriculum was developed through a partnership between the North Dakota EmPower Commission and Bismarck State College's Great Plains Energy Corridor. The curriculum is Web-based and covers various sectors of North Dakota's energy economy, including coal, petroleum, biofuels and other renewable energy sources.

"The energy industry is already an interesting topic, but using an online platform gives us the chance to incorporate videos, photos, maps and graphics that make the material interactive and really interesting for students," said Emily McKay, energy curriculum project manager. "Students will be able to watch a time-lapse video of drilling an oil well, zoom in on a US map of solar energy potential, and click through an animation of how water through a hydro dam produces electricity."

The Energy Curriculum Project idea sprouted more than two years ago in the Workforce Subcommittee of the EmPower North Dakota Commission. The commissioners, appointed by North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple, represent all the state's energy industries and were aware of the need to get young students interested in energy.

"North Dakota is changing the landscape of energy production in the United States," said Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. "We are a state rich in natural resources and innovation, and it's surprising how few students have an understanding of how important the energy economy is to our state. This curriculum highlights how each sector impacts North Dakota – from all energy sources including ethanol, wind, oil, and coal and the potential to produce value added energy products from our energy resources that can benefit our citizens across the state."

John Weeda, director of North Dakota Generation for Great River Energy, backed the energy curriculum project with a particular goal in mind – workforce.

"Our homegrown, North Dakota employees are the best of the bunch. If we can get our young people interested in energy at an earlier age, they'll be aware of career potential in an almost endless variety of energy jobs," Weeda said. "It helps our local youth prepare to land jobs in stable, high-wage industries and grow as our future leaders."

Weeda and Ness were the driving force on the Workforce Subcommittee that rallied support and brought all energy sectors to the table to fund the energy curriculum. The result was online modules, which include interactive content, course activities, career information, and teacher resources. The curriculum was just launched the week of Nov. 3, 2014 at NDStudies.gov.

Curriculum funding came through the North Dakota Industrial Commission's Lignite Research and Oil and Gas Research Council programs and donations from energy industry stakeholders. Grants were made via matching dollars from 12 energy companies totaling $250,000. More than 30 organizations contributed over $150,000 of in-kind resources.

Contact: Emily McKay, Great Plains Energy Corridor
701-224-2410 ● emily.mckay@bismarckstate.edu
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BSC BookTalk selections and theme announced

November 23, 2014, 4:00 pm
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The Bismarck State College BookTalk series begins Jan. 4 with community discussions of three notable books on selected Sundays from 1-3 p.m. in the BSC Library.

This year BookTalk will explore the theme, "Road Trip," inspired by a quote from T.S. Eliot – "The journey not the arrival matters."

The selection for Jan. 4 is Blue Highways: a Journey into America by William Least Heat-Moon. BSC Distinguished Scholar of the Humanities Clay Jenkinson will lead the discussion.

BookTalk will continue Feb. 1 with Wild: from Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. The discussion will be led by Dr. Janelle Masters.

The third and final book is On the Road by Jack Kerouac. The discussion will be led by Dr. Brian Palecek on March 1.

Books for the series are available at local libraries and booksellers. Discussions are 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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BSC Alumni Association seeks nominations

November 23, 2014, 4:00 pm
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The Bismarck State College National Alumni Association seeks nominations for the 2015 Alumni of the Year and the Rising Star awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is Dec. 1.

These awards honor alumni for distinguished service, career success and/or leadership. All nominees must be BJC/BSC graduates.

The Alumni of the Year Award is the most prestigious honor and highest accolade BSC bestows on its alumni. Recipients have demonstrated unusual success and received local, state, national or international recognition.

Rising Star nominees must be age 40 or under and demonstrated exceptional achievement.

An awards committee will review nominations and forward finalist names to the alumni board for selection. Recipients will be honored May 14, 2015, during the Alumni Recognition Dinner.

Nomination forms are available online at bismarckstate.edu/alumni or by contacting Rita.Nodland@bismarckstate.edu.
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Higher ed, TrainND collaborate to offer training in Dickinson

December 2, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Bismarck State College (BSC) is working in collaboration with Dickinson State University (DSU), Williston State College (WSC) and TrainND to offer professional development and workforce training classes in Dickinson.

Classes range from computer skills to leadership and OSHA training. The offerings are both online and face-to-face and will be taught on the DSU campus by TrainND instructors from BSC and WSC.

"The demand for training in the Dickinson business community is strong, and we wanted to make sure that we delivered the best offerings available," said Dave Clark, BSC interim president. "By coordinating the services of TrainND with three colleges, we have established a rich resource for the Dickinson area business community."

TrainND works with community colleges to provide worker training to meet employer-defined needs.

"We hear frequently from employers that training is valuable to employees, raises productivity and ensures customer satisfaction. Our goal is to make sure that any business in North Dakota that needs training can access it," said Carla Hixon, Southwest TrainND lead and BSC associate vice president for Continuing Education, Training and Innovation.

In addition to the single class offerings, employers can work with TrainND to provide training on site at the company's convenience. Dozens of classes, as well as individualized training, are offered to employers at their workplace.

For more information, go to trainnd.com.
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Dec. 8 BSC listening meeting for new chancellor moved to Basin Auditorium in NECE

December 2, 2014, 4:00 pm
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A message from NDUS SYSTEM OFFICE

The State Board of Higher Education is beginning its search for the next Chancellor of the North Dakota University System. Dr. Larry C. Skogen has been serving as interim chancellor and will return to his position as president of Bismarck State College next summer. The Chancellor position is expected to be filled by July 1, 2015.

"It's critical that we find the right person to lead our state's university system," said Kirsten Diederich, Board chair. "We want to hear what's important to our stakeholders as we shape the profile and determine the desired attributes of the next Chancellor. So in addition to our normal search process, we are adding listening meetings and an email address resource for those who cannot attend the meetings."

A meeting at BSC is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Basin Electric Auditorium in the National Energy Center of Excellence on campus. State Board members Kirsten Diederich and Kevin Melicher will be there to facilitate the meeting. All are welcome to attend.

Schedule:

Monday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
Mayville State University
Campus Center (330 3rd St. NE, Mayville)
Luckasen Room

Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Minot State University
Student Center (500 University Avenue West, Minot)
Westlie Room, located on the 3rd floor

Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
North Dakota State University
Alumni Center (1241 N. University Drive, Fargo)
Reimers Room

Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
University of North Dakota
Gorecki Alumni Center (3501 University Avenue, Grand Forks)
Hyslop Alumni Lounge
*Parking is available in the lot south of the building*

Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.
Bismarck State College
National Energy Center of Excellence (1200 Schafer Street, Bismarck)
Basin Electric Auditorium

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. CST/7 p.m. MST
Dickinson State University
Student Center (291 Campus Drive, Dickinson)
Ballroom

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
North Dakota State College of Science
Student Center (800 6th Street N, Wahpeton)
Plains Room

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
Dakota College at Bottineau
Centennial Alumni Center (105 Simrall Boulevard, Bottineau)
Thatcher Hall

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
Williston State College
Teton Lounge (1410 University Avenue, Williston)

Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Valley City State University
Student Center (101 College Street SW, Valley City)
Skoal Room

Monday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Lake Region State College
Chautauqua Galley (1801 College Drive N, Devils Lake)

For those who cannot attend, please send ideas on the characteristics that are important for the next NDUS Chancellor profile to Chancellor.search@ndus.edu.
For more information, contact:
Linda Donlin
Director of Communications and Media Relations
North Dakota University System
701.328.2962
linda.donlin@ndus.edu
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BSC and partners receive $9.9 million grant

December 3, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Bismarck State College and consortium partners have received a $9.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support job-driven technical programs related to energy, transportation and construction.

BSC will lead the Training for Regional Energy in North Dakota (TREND) Consortium, including three additional North Dakota colleges. The award provides funding to develop and expand innovative training programs to address skilled labor shortages primarily in the energy sector in partnership with local employers.

The TREND Consortium grant recipients are BSC - $4.1 million, Williston State College - $2.0 million, Sitting Bull College - $1.7 million, and Turtle Mountain Community College - $2.1 million. The TREND Consortium received its first grant of $14.6 million from the Department of Labor grant in 2012. The grant funding will be used to develop new certificate programs, enhance career navigation services, expand current programs, and design technology-based learning for students. Options include short-term classes and career planning aimed toward high skill and high wage jobs for people who are unemployed, underemployed, and working but trying to get a better job.

"BSC's target programs include energy programs that are already established. The grant provides an opportunity to expand and enhance lab equipment and simulation and attract more students to energy programs," said Emily McKay, TREND consortium director.

"We appreciate the support of our North Dakota Congressional Delegation with this grant award and to be able to build upon the successful foundation that has been established with our first Department of Labor grant," said Kari Knudson, Vice President of the National Energy Center of Excellence. "This funding provides the consortium with more capacity to support students' attainment of industry-recognized certificates and degrees through enhanced student support and retention."

Primary TREND industry partners include the North Dakota Petroleum Council, Tesoro, WBI Energy, Inc., Murex Petroleum, Bakken Safety Training, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Montana Dakota Utilities, and a number of construction and equipment businesses.

Source of the money derives from a $2 billion U.S. government commitment over four years to fund the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant program. This is the fourth and final award year of grants offered nationwide through the Department of Labor, which implements the TAACCCT program in partnership with the Department of Education.


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.
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BSC employees honored for years of service

January 13, 2015, 4:00 pm
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The Bismarck State College Foundation honored 74 employees for their years of service during the college's Winter Celebration in the National Energy Center of Excellence Bavendick Stateroom.

BSC Foundation Executive Director Gordon Binek spoke about the foundation's year and introduced the award recipients. Other speakers were BSC Foundation Vice President Paul Sandness and BSC Interim President David Clark.

Recognized with the longest tenure were Robert Arso with 40 years and Elmer Weigel and Richard Malsam with 35 years.

Arso has taught all Electronics program courses and has developed telecommunications and avionics courses, as well as curriculum for Instrumentation and Control Technology. Most of his teaching years were spent as a department chair, currently the Career and Technology Department. He has served on virtually every planning and governance committee. Arso was BSC's first Interactive Video Network coordinator and co-planner for online learning. He helped initiate Explore BSC, an annual showcase of BSC's programs.

Elmer Weigel, chief information officer, does all things IT for BSC, including planning, oversight, network design, security, projects and equipment. He is chair of the Technology Advisory and Coordinating Committee and serves on the Operations Council and Computer Use Steering Committee. He created BSC's first computer network in 1981 and wrote the current interactive system for student registration. Weigel led the first computer laptop initiative in 1998 and other firsts to make BSC a virtual campus.

Richard Malsam, associate professor of Auto Collision Technology, is a certified master Automotive Service Excellence technician. Malsam initiated the national certification process for the Auto Collision program. He has served on numerous BSC committees including Faculty Senate, Faculty Rights, safety, academics and general education. His longtime work advising USA Skills competitions has yielded many state winners.

25 YEARS – Greg Achtenberg, custodial lead worker; Patrick Bjork, Web manager; Perry Hornbacher, professor of American history.

20 YEARS - Stephanie Borud, career and technical curriculum librarian; James Eggert, maintenance; Randy Meissner, computer science lecturer; Evelyn Morrell, instruction assistant.

15 YEARS – Wes Braun, associate professor, NECE; Lisa Hoynes, associate professor of human services; Lane Huber, chief distance learning and military affairs officer; Tim Kramer, math learning assistant – Student Success Center; Jay Meier, director of Counseling and Advising Services; Carol Nitschke, criminal justice lecturer; Todd Reidman, associate professor of automotive technology; Michele Stockert, English lecturer.

10 YEARS – Mark Abramovitz, nuclear power technology lecturer; Zachery Allen, project manager, NECE; Clyde Bauman, music lecturer; Doren Billingsley, electric power technology lecturer; Liz Braunagel, assistant professor of mathematics; Ryan Caya, program manager, NECE; Carol Dukart-Cartledge, human services lecturer; Teresa Felderman, associate professor of psychology; Darvin Fitzgerald, application development manager; Christopher Focke, chemistry lecturer; Angie Friez, human resources specialist; Marla Hagemeister, alternative learning coordinator; Wayne Heckaman, physical education lecturer; Scott Helphrey, instructional technology manager; Ethel Keeley, English lecturer; Michael Kubisiak, institutional research analyst; Jason Matthews, political science lecturer; Martin Nielsen, OSHA safety and health consultant; David Oakland, electric power/energy technology lecturer; David Peterson, assistant professor of mathematics; Nicholas Rahrich, English lecturer; Gregory Ross, interim associate vice president for Finance and Operations; Jessica Santini Levenhagen, English lecturer; Colin Schmidt, energy technology programs lecturer; Cathy Schweitzer, criminal justice lecturer; Ron Starck, digital media developer/lead application specialist, NECE; Tammy Staudinger, textbook associate; Jolene Thiel, business and office technology lecturer; Alicia Uhde, training and program manager, NECE.

5 YEARS – Stacey Ahmann, medical laboratory technician lecturer; Aimee Bachmeier, assistant professor of nursing; Tayo Basquiat, assistant professor of philosophy; Jayson Brunette, surgical technology clinical lecturer; Gregory Carlson, history lecturer; Terri Connell, speech communications lecturer; Brandt Dick, mathematics lecturer; Becky Fischer, catering coordinator/Food Service supervisor; Mike Gayette, technology support specialist; Robert Grawe, electric power technology lecturer; Gary Hager, process plant technology lecturer; Andrew Heinle, energy technology programs lecturer; Wayne Hoff, energy technology programs lecturer; Valerie Kling, philosophy lecturer; Jason Lueder, assistant professor of graphic design and communications; Kim Luptak, information technology data analyst; David Moum, assistant professor of instrumentation and control technology; Michael Noone, geographic information systems lecturer; John Olsrud, philosophy lecturer; Richard Opoien, electronics lecturer; Rob Peske, music lecturer; Duane Pool, geographic information systems lecturer; Tyler Schau, assistant professor of agriculture, technology and natural resources; Charles Schmidt, energy technology programs lecturer; Rachelle Smith, campus scheduling assistant; Vance Vesey, assistant professor of instrumentation and control technology; Nancy Weisbeck, operations manager, Continuing Education, Training and Innovation.


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.
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Energy Generation Conference set for Jan. 27-29

January 14, 2015, 4:00 pm
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The 36th annual Energy Generation Conference (EGC) fills the Bismarck Event Center Jan. 27-29 with an expanded exhibitor showcase and training for more than 2,000 energy workers from across the U.S. and Canada.

One of the premier energy industry conferences in North America, the EGC offers professional development in all areas of energy production from engineering and environment to safety and support services.

Coordinated by Bismarck State College Continuing Education, Training and Innovation, the conference begins with pre-conference training all day Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Exhibit Hall and on the BSC campus. The Exhibitor Showcase, the only event open to the public, runs 4:30 to 6 p.m. and features more than 300 vendors.

Concurrent information sessions are scheduled Jan. 28-29 in key areas such as engineering, electrical, environmental, instrumentation, mechanical, operations, safety, support services and professional development.

Topics to be addressed include carbon management options for coal-fired plants and reducing CO² intensity in power plants. Several sessions address current and proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulations on stack emissions, carbon reduction and regional power grid transmissions. Other sessions address new generation resources using wind and natural gas, and the unique design of the Spiritwood Station, North Dakota's newest coal-fired facility.

Keynote speaker Gen. Russel Honoré, a global preparedness authority and commander of Joint Force Katrina, speaks from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Jan. 28 and Jan. 29 on "The New Normal: Leadership and Preparedness in the 21st Century."

Online registration is available on the EGC website at bismarckstate.edu/ceti/energy. For more information or help with registration, call CETI at 701-224-5600 or 877-846-9387.


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.
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BSC receives NEH Challenge Grant

January 22, 2015, 4:00 pm
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A grant writing team from Bismarck State College led by philosophy professor Tayo Basquiat has landed a highly competitive $500,000 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Challenge grant, and the BSC Foundation has already identified the 2:1 match required by the grant.

The resulting $1.5 million BSC endowment will fund Bringing Humanities to Life – a project designed to meet the identified need in North Dakota for humanities-based workforce skills and lifelong learning. BSC faculty will have the opportunity to do research, try interdisciplinary collaboration, and incentivize their ongoing professional development as they deliver the program to the business community.

NEH Challenge Grants strengthen the humanities by encouraging non-federal sources of support and helping institutions secure long-term improvements in and support for their humanities programs and resources. Recipients are required to match NEH funds on a three-to-one or, in some cases, two-to-one basis.

According to Gordon Binek, Executive Director of the BSC Foundation, meeting the 2:1 match proved not too challenging thanks to the generosity of Frank and Joanne Bavendick. The Bavendicks donated mineral rights that were designated for the humanities. Their intention, the grant and the need for humanities programming created a perfect match.

"In the past several years our donors have focused more on funding various technical programs in order to build the workforce," Binek said. "The humanities have not had the same level of support. The Bavendicks' generosity and this challenge grant gives us a great opportunity to promote the humanities."

Basquiat, who will serve as the coordinator of the project, says employers are becoming more and more aware of how humanities matter in the workplace.

"We know that we do a great job training people technically, but often employees need more training in people skills and decision making – that's where the humanities make a difference," he said.

In the first year, the endowment will provide about $15,000 toward the program. Binek expects the $1.5 million endowment to generate 7.5 percent interest per year by 2018. Basquiat says 2015 will be a building year to identify the first offerings.

"We'll start small," he says.

According to NEH Chairman William Adams, "NEH grants play a critical role in making the insights afforded by the humanities available to all to help us better understand ourselves, our culture, our society."

BSC's grant was part of $17.9 million in grants for 233 humanities projects awarded across the nation in December. The grants will support a wide variety of projects, including research fellowships and awards for faculty, traveling exhibitions, the preservation of humanities collections at smaller institutions, and training programs to prepare libraries, museums, and archives to preserve and enhance access to their collections.
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BSC ensemble selling songs for Valentine's Day

February 5, 2015, 4:00 pm
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Music warms hearts and Valentine's Day when the Bismarck State College Men's Ensemble serenades that special someone on Friday, Feb. 13, on campus or somewhere in the Bismarck community.

For $20, the tuxedo-clad ensemble will sing a love song and provide the recipient with a fresh, long-stemmed red rose. For an additional $5, the group will sing two songs.

Both song choices, "My Girl" by The Temptations, and "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole, are sung a cappella.

The ensemble performs on campus until 2 p.m., and then director Dawn Hagerott takes them into the Bismarck community to serenade those special someones between 2 and 6 p.m.

Serenades can be booked by contacting Hagerott at 224-5768, or Dawn.Hagerott@bismarckstate.edu.

All proceeds go toward BSC music scholarships.
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Commerce awards grant for BSC workforce training program

February 26, 2015, 4:00 pm
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Reprinted with permission from the ND Department of Commerce.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced a workforce enhancement grants for Bismarck State College (BSC) totaling $406,129. Workforce enhancement grants enable two-year colleges to apply for funds to help create or enhance training programs that address workforce needs of North Dakota's private-sector employers. Projects require a dollar-for-dollar match of all state money with private funds.

"The Department of Commerce workforce enhancement grants are a great example of industry and education collaborating to provide a high quality educational experience for our students," Bismarck State College Interim President Dave Clark said. "BSC will utilize the funds to enhance curriculum through simulation and hands-on equipment."

BSC received this grant to provide program enhancements and equipment funding for the following programs; welding, renewable generation, mechanical maintenance, power plant technology and the lineworker program. The grant will impact a total of 124 students on an annual basis.

"The workforce enhancement grants help increase the capacity of our higher education institutions like BSC to provide a consistent stream of qualified workers educated right here in North Dakota," said Wayde Sick, Workforce Development Director at the North Dakota Department of Commerce. "The partnership of industry, education, and state and local governments is needed to meet the developing workforce needs of North Dakota."

Grant funding may be used for curriculum development, equipment, recruiting participants, and training and certifying instructors. Funds may not be used to supplant funding for current operations.

The Workforce Enhancement Council reviews all proposals and provides funding recommendations to the commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The council consists of the private-sector membership of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, the state director of the Department of Career & Technical Education, and the division director of the Workforce Development Division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, who serves as the chair.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce works to improve the quality of life for North Dakota citizens by leading efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth. Commerce serves businesses and communities statewide through committed people and partners who offer valuable programs and dynamic services.

For more North Dakota news and information subscribe to the Commerce News RSS Feed or go to www.NDCommerce.com.



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BSC VP Kari Knudson named one of Top 25 Women in Business by Prairie Business magazine

February 26, 2015, 4:00 pm
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Portions of this news story were reprinted with permission from Prairie Business magazine.

Kari Knudson, vice president NECE, has been name one the top 25 women in business in the northern Plains by Prairie Business magazine.

Results are included in the March issue of the magazine, available online at prairiebizmag.com.

The contest was created to draw attention to the many creative, successful businesswomen in North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota. While only in its second year, the contest has already become a popular annual feature of the magazine and inclusion on the list is considered a prestigious honor in the region's business community.

"Women play a vital role in this region's business community and we are proud to shine a light on some of the most inspirational and successful women in the region," said Kris Bevill, editor of Prairie Business magazine. "We continue to be blown away by the depth of talent in our region and it was an extremely difficult task selecting just 25 women for this list. Our sincere congratulations go out to the selected recipients as well as all of the nominees."

Honorees were selected through a nomination process that emphasized professional achievement and community contributions. In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must live and work in the Dakotas or western Minnesota and must not have received the award previously.

For more information, visit prairiebizmag.com.

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BSC Library holding last hurrah in old building

April 12, 2015, 5:00 pm
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The Bismarck State College Library will be celebrating National Library Week, April 12-18 with an open house on Wednesday. The event will be the "last hurrah" for the Library as it is scheduled for demolition in late summer 2015. The campus and public are invited to attend this free event.

The BSC Library as well as the English faculty housed in the current library building, will move to the new BSC Communications and Creative Arts Center in late July.

Wednesday's activities will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and include:

• A tabletop display of library scrapbooks and articles about the original construction of this building
• A running slide show featuring the people who have worked in this building, as well as events that have taken place in the library over the years. The slide show will also include photos of the construction and remodeling of the current building.
• Cookies and lemonade will be available.

Learn more about National Library Week here.

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BSC Concert to feature original student compositions

April 12, 2015, 5:00 pm
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The BSC Spring Choral Concert will be held Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sidney J. Lee Auditorium on the BSC campus, and will include premier performances of original compositions by student composers Sarah Bauman and Andrew Wickenheiser, and faculty composer Michael Langer.

In addition to those new pieces, BSC's choral groups will perform music ranging from a vocal jazz piece about making chili to French music about wives discussing their husbands to a Renaissance piece.

Student Paul Nagel will have solo performance as part of a spiritual depicting a missionary's experience in a children's hospital in war torn Bosnia-Herzegovina in the late 1980s.

For more information about BSC's music department click here. .

For more information about Dickinson State University music degrees on the BSC campus, call 701-224-5631.
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BSC Carpentry program highlights student work at open houses

April 29, 2015, 5:00 pm
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The BSC Carpentry students will be showcasing both their cabinetry and their home building skills over the next week:

BSC Cabinetry Class Open House
Friday, May 1 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Room 248 BSC Technical Center

From wooden toilet seats to pallet furniture, students will show their individual projects. Also on display will be a hoosier cabinet – a historic reproduction built by the students -- being donated to Cross Ranch State Park.

BSC House Open House
May 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days
231 Live Oak Drive, Bismarck

Every year BSC's carpentry students build a home to sell. Proceeds of the sale of the house help sustain the program.

Learn more about BSC's Carpentry Program here.
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