Bismarck State College faculty members David Sitte, Lynn Warnke and Linda Tonolli, and communications director Jordis Conrad have chosen to retire.
The last day for faculty was BSC's spring commencement in mid-May. Conrad will leave June 30 after 37 years of service.
Conrad, Sitte and Warnke share memories of 30 plus years of sweeping change at BSC. All were hired when BSC was still attached to the Bismarck School District before governance was transferred to the State Board of Higher Education in 1984.
Sitte, associate professor of political science, began in 1967 - the year ground was broken for the library, the third building on campus. He first taught U.S. history, later adding political science, sociology, ethics and philosophy. Sitte chaired the Social Science, Humanities & Education Department three times during his 44 years at the college. His extensive involvement in BSC governance includes the strategic planning teams of two BSC presidents, president of All Campus Senate, dean of instructional services, chair of the Dual Credit Committee and first faculty chair of the Academic Standards Committee.
News has always been Conrad's focus. Hired in 1974, she had dual duty as public information officer for the school district and BSC and taught journalism at the college. After four years, she went full time at BSC, where she taught seven more years and advised The Mystician. Conrad assumed her public information officer position full time in 1985 and was named director of communications in 2000. Besides media relations, she edited BSC Connections, newsletters and the BSC catalog and chaired several professional organizations.
Warnke, associate professor of English and a BSC graduate, came to BSC in 1983 as adjunct English faculty. By 1987, she was full time and an active change agent on numerous campus and state education committees, including the State Council of College Faculties. She later helped found initiatives for ArtsQuest and Campus Read and became a guiding organizer and BSC representative for two state Arts and Humanities Summits. Warnke taught 28 years, focusing on literacy and writing. She also taught American literature and journalism and advised The Mystician.
Tonolli, associate professor of mathematics, had a 21-year teaching career at BSC. First hired in 1989, she went full time in 1998, continuing to teach pre-requisite algebra courses, trigonometry and math for elementary school teachers. Her service includes BSC's Assessment, Academic Standards and Faculty Development committees, leadership roles in state mathematical associations, and an editorial panel member for the American Mathematical Association's journal.
The last day for faculty was BSC's spring commencement in mid-May. Conrad will leave June 30 after 37 years of service.
Conrad, Sitte and Warnke share memories of 30 plus years of sweeping change at BSC. All were hired when BSC was still attached to the Bismarck School District before governance was transferred to the State Board of Higher Education in 1984.
Sitte, associate professor of political science, began in 1967 - the year ground was broken for the library, the third building on campus. He first taught U.S. history, later adding political science, sociology, ethics and philosophy. Sitte chaired the Social Science, Humanities & Education Department three times during his 44 years at the college. His extensive involvement in BSC governance includes the strategic planning teams of two BSC presidents, president of All Campus Senate, dean of instructional services, chair of the Dual Credit Committee and first faculty chair of the Academic Standards Committee.
News has always been Conrad's focus. Hired in 1974, she had dual duty as public information officer for the school district and BSC and taught journalism at the college. After four years, she went full time at BSC, where she taught seven more years and advised The Mystician. Conrad assumed her public information officer position full time in 1985 and was named director of communications in 2000. Besides media relations, she edited BSC Connections, newsletters and the BSC catalog and chaired several professional organizations.
Warnke, associate professor of English and a BSC graduate, came to BSC in 1983 as adjunct English faculty. By 1987, she was full time and an active change agent on numerous campus and state education committees, including the State Council of College Faculties. She later helped found initiatives for ArtsQuest and Campus Read and became a guiding organizer and BSC representative for two state Arts and Humanities Summits. Warnke taught 28 years, focusing on literacy and writing. She also taught American literature and journalism and advised The Mystician.
Tonolli, associate professor of mathematics, had a 21-year teaching career at BSC. First hired in 1989, she went full time in 1998, continuing to teach pre-requisite algebra courses, trigonometry and math for elementary school teachers. Her service includes BSC's Assessment, Academic Standards and Faculty Development committees, leadership roles in state mathematical associations, and an editorial panel member for the American Mathematical Association's journal.