Six recipients were chosen from 50 nominations for this year's Faculty and Staff Award for Excellence: Dr. Noah Kover, assistant professor of anatomy/physiology and biology; Karen Bauer, journalism instructor and Mystician advisor; JoDe Knutson-Person, chemistry laboratory coordinator; Marlene Seaworth, disability support services coordinator; Eddie Collins, assistant men's basketball coach; and Diane Eichhorst, music lecturer. They were honored at the annual Recognition Ceremony April 23.
The awards recognize significant or meritorious achievement in performance of professional roles. Representatives of the BSC Foundation Programs committee, student Board of Governors, faculty, staff and the NDUS office selected recipients. Excerpts from the nominations follow below:
FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE Karen Bauer, at BSC eight years, is instructor-adviser for "Figments of Imagination" and College Readership liaison. She serves on the Campus Read and ArtsQuest committees and initiated the yearbook project last year. Students praise her for her diligence and eternal optimism. From student comments: "She plays a huge role at BSC and goes above and beyond her job as a teacher." "She adopts every student as her own and sees to it that no matter what, they excel. She recognizes their unique individuality, embraces it, and pushes us to new levels. Any student that has worked with Karen recognizes the irreplaceable difference she has made in their life."
Dr. Noah Kover, a faculty member for three years, serves on the AQIP and General Education committees. Students find him an extraordinary mentor and adviser. Their comments: "He is a wonderful and patient teacher. He loves to teach and it shows." "I love to go to his classes and be engaged. Noah makes learning fun and is able to keep students motivated to learn." "His teaching method emphasizes the big picture and makes topics applicable to real life situations." "I feel very privileged to have such a great instructor who has helped me out and given me such appreciation for the human body."
STAFF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE JoDe Knutson-Person has been at BSC 7½ years. She is an adjunct instructor, regional Science Olympiad coordinator, Environmental Festival presenter, and recipient of the ACS National Chemistry Week activity director award. A nominator wrote: "She does an amazing job coordinating things in the Chemistry department and always has ideas to better the campus. A true asset to BSC, she puts the words Engage, Connect and Deliver into action. Students directly and indirectly benefit from JoDe's dedication." "JoDe is a wonderful, fun and energetic employee and goes above and beyond to help all departments at BSC."
Marlene Seaworth assists in several Student Services areas. She has worked at BSC for five years and serves on the BSC Drug and Alcohol Team and UTTC Disability Services Advisory Board. She is past president of N.D. Colleges and Universities Disabilities Services Council and a B-M Chamber of Commerce Leadership participant. A nominator said: "Marlene is a professional in every area of her life. Being disabilities coordinator is a very time consuming job, and she always goes above and beyond what is expected of her. She is very compassionate and wants students to succeed. But she talks candidly to them about the reality of their situation to help them make realistic decisions about the time and work needed to get a degree."
ADJUNCT FACULTY/PART-TIME STAFF AWARD Eddie Collins, at BSC five years, assists with BSC Youth Basketball tournaments, helps supervise Bismarck Community Bowl cleanup as requested, and supervises Bismarck FolkFest Street Fair setup/takedown. Students wrote: "He brings joy to the surroundings. Coach Collins is caring and kind and recruits diversity for the campus." "Eddie Collins is always there when you need him." "Excellent on and off the court. Good father, good leader, role model. He never gives up when times get tough. Always dependable. Always on time." "He is a hero to others coming from nothing to something. He is a humble man, who is willing to help others in need."
Diane Eichhorst has national certification from the N.D. Music Teachers Association and National Music Teachers Association. She is a professional accompanist (BSC, area schools, Dakota Summer Chorale) and has been at BSC 6 ½ years. A nominator said: "Outstanding educator and extremely dedicated to her work at BSC and home music studio. Available and accessible, patient and supportive, she makes every effort to assist students toward their next level of competence. Diane is fervent in her interest in student success, giving 100 percent attentiveness to her students at BSC each day."
The Award for Excellence Committee coordinates the nomination and selection process. Recipients receive cash gifts from the BSC Foundation of $1,000 for full-time employees and $250 for part-time employees.
Boekes receives recognition from BSC library staff
On April 17, the BSC Library held an open house during National Library Week to unveil the refurbished card catalog display.
Staff also honored Dr. Wayne Boekes, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who helped secure funding to preserve the cards signed by famous authors. Boekes received a handmade book from library staff called "The Little Book of Answers: a Collection of Quotations About Why Libraries, Books, and Reading Matter."
It contains hand-written quotations chosen by the library staff and personal notes to Dr. Boekes. In addition, they created a standard catalog card describing the book, gave it a call number and labels, and then autographed the card. The framed card was presented along with the book.
Special guests were Lois Engler, BSC's first director of library services, employed 30 years, and Colleen Nelson, cataloguer, who worked with Engler for 12 years.
BSC Energy Technology programs featured in NSF book
Two of BSC's Energy Technology programs are featured in a National Science Foundation book titled "ATE Projects Impact: Partners with Industry for a New American Workforce." ATE stands for Advanced Technological Education Projects.
The Electrical Transmission Systems Technology (ETST) and Nuclear Power Technology programs are included in this first "ATE Projects Impact" book. Both programs received NSF ATE grants that assisted with their development.
Julie Erickson, director of resource development, said that getting these stories published was the result of collaboration of many departments across campus, including marketing and energy technology, as well as assistance from industry partners.
Copies of the book are available from Bruce Emmil, associate vice president for energy technology programs.
Renovation on first floor of Schafer Hall and the need for additional space for staff is one reason that Business Office employees will divide into two groups when renovation is completed. The names of the groups will be Student Finance Services and Accounting Services.
Students are familiar with the term "Student Finance" from its use for student monetary issues in CampusConnection. The change will also help staff and faculty in understanding whom to contact for various services as the new names differentiate between student services and campus services, says Tamara Barber, associate vice president for finance and operations.
While renovation is taking place, both groups will work in Schafer Hall Rooms 219 and 220, beginning about May 9, with the exception of mail services, which will be temporarily located in the Armory.
Mary Eisenbraun, student finance manager, supervises staff who assist students with payment of tuition, fees, and other types of payments. They are Kevin Kyes, assistant student finance manager; Jenny Gisinger and Leah Diehl, student finance associates.
Greg Ross, controller, will head the Accounting Services and will continue to supervise Kate Olson, accounts payable associate; Elwood Hines, mail/delivery clerk; and Susan Stockert, part-time accounting tech. Barber supervises Ross, Eisenbraun, and Taunia Welch, grants/financial accountant.
When renovation is complete and the 2nd floor of the Horizon Building is vacated because of employees moving to the National Energy Center of Excellence, the Student Finance Services staff will return to first floor of Schafer, and Accounting Services staff will move to the 2nd floor of Horizon. A permanent location for mail services is yet to be determined.
BSC Foundation approves grants
The BSC Foundation Programs Committee recently awarded $43,910 in grants for projects headed by faculty, staff, and student organizations in 2007-08. The Foundation received 25 requests to fund campus events, leadership training, equipment, and student development and recruitment. Twenty-one projects were funded with distributions between $200 and $5,000.
Carpentry program - $5,000, purchase new job shack for on-site construction projects.
Phi Beta Lambda - $5,000, student costs for National Leadership Conference, June, Atlanta, Ga.
English program/Literary Publications Class - $4,000, publication of "Figments of Imagination" Vol. 16.
Music program - $3,500, ChoirFest guest conductor/educator and other expenses.
Rock the Lawn - $3,000, student organized outdoor music festival, May 2.
Agriculture, Technology and Natural Resources - $2,700, Introductory Agriculture Data Collection Regional Development regional workshop at BSC for Ag and science teachers.
BSC Drama Club - $2,680, student attendance at U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology national conference in Houston.
Continuing Education, Training and Innovation - $2,500, BSC's Lifelong Learning Network for older adults.
Visiting Scientist Series Committee - $2,000, speaker and demonstrator Robert Becker.
Music program - $1,700, Monster Concert for piano ensembles, October 2008.
Surgical Technology Club - $1,600, student attendance at Association of Surgical Technologists national conference in May.
Chemistry program - $1,600, National Chemistry Week student activities, October 2008.
Dean of Faculty - $1,500, Bulgaria Sister School project and student exchange.
English program - $1,500, Visiting Writers Series, author fees.
Board of Governors/Mystician - $1,500, float for Fourth of July parade in Mandan.
Music faculty - $1,100, Summer Music Institute at St. Thomas University, June, St. Paul, Minn.
Certified Nursing Assistant program - $1,000, purchase training videos.
Multicultural Club - $800, educational Cultural Learning Retreat, Rapid City, S.D.
Staff Senate - $550, Team Jeopardy and chili cook-off, spring break speaker.
Mathematics program - $480, faculty attendance at N.D. Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, Carrington, fall 2008.
Library - $200, Learning 2.0, Web technology instruction for staff.
The BSC Foundation emphasizes proposals that involve innovative teaching and learning projects. For more information, call 224-5730.
Professional development grants awarded
The Programs Committee of the BSC Foundation Board of Trustees has awarded nine professional development grants to faculty and staff totaling $8,250. Recipients are Karen Bauer, journalism/English instructor, Mystician advisor; Bill Cossette, automotive technology instructor; Craig Dolbeare, mechanical maintenance technology instructor; Julie Erickson, director of resource development; Tanya Fuher, bookstore manager; JoDe Knutson-Person, chemistry lab coordinator; Sarah Olson, advisor coordinator; Gregory Ross, controller; and Bonnie Weisz, testing and assessment coordinator.
The award may be used for but not limited to conference attendance, such as professional and creative workshops, tuition and fees for educational coursework not covered by BSC employee tuition wavers, or purchase of software or books required for a conference or training seminar. Professional development funds are awarded twice a year. Closing dates for proposals are the first Wednesday in October and last Wednesday in March.
BSC hosts renowned author at state arts summit next fall
Sherman Alexie will appear as key presenter at the North Dakota Arts and Humanities Summit sponsored by Bismarck State College Oct. 9-10. Held every two years, the summit is an educational creative arts showcase, where students and faculty from North Dakota's colleges and universities share their work with each other and the public.
Alexie, an award-winning author, poet and filmmaker, was the headliner guest artist for BSC's ArtsQuest in 2002. He has written novels, screenplays, short stories, and 11 collections of poetry. Scholars and literary and film critics have lauded his work with countless awards, including the 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the Pushcart Prize for poetry, PEN/Malamud Award, Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, and many others. He displays his exceptional humor and performance ability at poetry readings and comedy venues.
The arts summit will include a visual arts exhibit, musical performances, readings, and presentations by scholars and students.
Concert Choir and Men's Ensemble perform in community
The BSC Concert Choir and Men's Ensemble performed at the Burleigh County Senior Center on April 23, and for residents of Waterford on April 25 and Primrose on April 28.
NDUS Chancellor explains system budget request
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
As we begin discussion of the North Dakota University System's 2009-11 budget request, I believe it is especially important to establish a dialogue with you, the people who make our University System strong.
North Dakota's 11 public colleges and universities are widely recognized for providing high-quality education and preparing students for personal and professional success.
While state funding for higher education has increased in recent years, additional financial responsibility has been placed on students and the institutions, resulting in higher tuition costs and re-prioritization of campus needs.
The good news is that our state is now in a strong financial position, making it possible to increase state funding for higher education and to address the unmet needs of our students and our colleges and universities. The 2009-11 budget request approved by the State Board of Higher Education focuses on these priorities. If funded, this budget will help the NDUS make significant progress in a number of key areas, including:
Affordability: More than 75 percent of North Dakota students apply for financial aid. While the majority receive some assistance, an increasingly larger portion comes in the form of loans, rather than grants. About $14 million more than the current appropriation for needs-based financial aid is included in the budget request as is a proposal to limit university tuition increases (DSU, MaSU, MiSU, NDSU, UND and VCSU) to no more than 4 percent and to hold community college tuition rates (BSC, LRSC, MiSU-B, NDSCS and WSC) at the 2008-09 levels.
Faculty and Staff Salaries: Although progress was made on faculty and staff salaries during the 2007-09 biennium, North Dakota faculty salaries rank 50th in the nation, while the state ranks 31st in the cost-of-living and 31st in average per capita income. To make additional progress on faculty and staff salaries, the NDUS budget request includes 7 percent average annual salary increases, plus full medical insurance coverage at no premium cost to NDUS employees.
Campus Security: Providing a safe environment on NDUS campuses is a high priority. The 2009-11 budget request includes funding to develop plans and responses to ensure safety and continuity of operations in the event of an emergency as well as investments in security infrastructure needs.
Deferred Maintenance: Older campus buildings create maintenance and upgrading challenges. These facilities contribute to a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $110 million, underscoring the importance of this budget priority.
Technology: To remain competitive in today's educational environment, it will be necessary to expand the technological infrastructure that supports research, enhances student learning in the classroom and expands delivery methods to students. The state funding requested in the 2009-11 budget would leverage additional federal funding, maintain North Dakota's electronic communication infrastructure and upgrade teaching and research laboratories.
Workforce Needs: A college education empowers the student to make career choices, and opportunities to live and work in North Dakota are growing at an unprecedented rate.
All areas of the state and nearly every industry are reporting workforce or skill shortages. The 2009-11 budget request includes resources for NDUS institutions to collaborate on the delivery of academic programming that will help connect students with the workforce needs of North Dakota's employers.
The complete 2009-11 NDUS budget request includes more funding priorities; some ask for one-time spending, while others would require increased base funding, which then would become part of the University System's ongoing operating budget. The 2009-11 NDUS budget request includes a base funding increase of 25 percent or $110 million. We realize this is an aggressive budget plan, but we also understand that an investment in the North Dakota University System is an investment in the future of our state. NDUS colleges and universities are a cornerstone of North Dakota's economy. In fact, the University System generates about $3 for every $1 invested by the state.
I hope you agree that the budget proposal outlined above is a strategic investment plan for the people and state of North Dakota. I also hope we can build upon this dialogue as the 2009 Legislative Session approaches. Whether you are a student or a member of our faculty and staff, you are integral to our success. I thank you for your contributions, and I wish you a safe and enjoyable summer!
Sincerely,
Bill Goetz, Chancellor
North Dakota University System
Faculty and Staff News
Karen Arlien, assistant professor of computer science, attended the Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium in Lacrosse, Wis., April 11-12.
Dr. Larry C. Skogen, president; Dr. Drake Carter, associate vice president for academic affairs; and Michael Kubisiak, institutional research analyst, attended the13th Annual Meeting of the Higher Learning Commission in Chicago April 11-15. Dr. Skogen, Kubisiak and Marsha Krotseng, NDUS vice chancellor for strategic planning & executive director/College Technical Education Council, presented a session titled "Organization Structure and Strategic Planning: Seven-Minute Strategic Planning in a Flat Organization."
Jason Rosdahl, OSHA safety and health consultant, traveled to Arlington Heights, Ill., April 14-18 for the Applied Spray Finishing Training Seminar.
Dr. Jane Schulz, dean of instruction, and Dr. Amy Juhala, assistant professor of English, attended the Midwest Institute for International/Intercultural Education Annual Conference in Elyria, Ohio, April 17-20. Dr. Schulz was elected to the board of directors of the association.
Chere Allard, assistant professor of power/process plant technology, and Joan Kleven, energy technology programs advisor, gave a presentation on BSC's energy programs to members of Ottertail Power Company Partnership in Milbank, S.D. April 17-18.
Greta Knoll, nursing instructor, traveled to Indianapolis April 26-28 for a seminar on "Rebuilding Your Nursing Curriculum to Reflect Today's Practice Reality."
Albert Koch, OSHA consultation program manager, attended the Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Managers Conference/Annual Convention in Seattle April 25-May 2.
E-Mail:Jordis
Conrad, Director of Communications, Or Call:
701-224-5699
