Dr. Stephen Carlson, professor of music and chair of the Department of Music, at the Steinway reception.
The Steinway is here
The Department of Music welcomed a new Steinway Model B grand piano into the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex on Feb. 27. The seven-foot grand, donated by Marilyn Vogel ’71 and Leland Wilkinson, replaced an aging Model L which had served the Bangsberg Main Theatre for six decades.
Dr. Stephen Carlson, professor of music and chair of the BSU music department, said the Model B will create new opportunities for BSU’s Main Theater to host chamber and vocal recitals and will dramatically improve the quality of the department’s regular performances.
The piano made its public debut at a March 29 recital.
Renovated Frederick P. Baker training center gives BSU year-round practice facility
A crowd of nearly 200 student-athletes, staff and friends gathered Feb. 15 in the John S. Glas Fieldhouse to formally unveil the Frederick P. Baker Training Center. The renovation project, funded by a gift from 1961 graduate Frederick Baker, converted the former home of Beaver Hockey into an artificial turf-covered, multi-sport indoor practice facility. Beaver Athletics now has a year-round practice facility that creates new flexibility for teams and coaches when scheduling practices.
Aquatic biology unveils Hardwater Ice Lab
Bemidji State University faculty, staff, alumni and donors braved the cold on frozen Lake Bemidji to dedicate the aquatic biology Hardwater Lab on Feb. 15. Built on an ice-fishing house frame, the portable lab gives students the opportunity to conduct field research on Minnesota’s water resources year-round. State-of-the-art solar panels and a solar furnace provide energy and heat to the lab without the need for external fuel sources. The Hardwater Lab was made possible by support from Dr. Darby and Geri Nelson, the Minnesota State Leveraged Equipment Grant and corporate partners including Glacier Fish Houses, RREAL, Ardisam, Innovative Office Solutions, MarCum, Ross Lewis Signs and LePier’s Shoreline & Outdoors.
2019 TAD Talks challenge students to change their perspectives
The School of Technology, Art & Design’s fifth annual TAD Talks featured “America’s Got Talent” juggler Charles Peachock, two-time world champion fancy dancer Larry Yazzie, chief marketing officer and co-owner of Steelhead Rhiannon Anderson (pictured, right), and other experts in the desing field. The student-run TAD Talks presentation series is modeled after the famed TED Talks and brings together presenters representing a broad range of creative disciplines. TAD Talks is meant to help audiences find meaning in technology, art, design, creativity and innovation.
Celebrating excellence, BSU recognizes faculty & staff outstanding achievements
Bemidji State celebrated 66 employees with 755 combined years of service, five faculty members who have been granted emeriti status, five retiring staff members and winners of the university’s Awards of Excellence at its annual Employee Recognition Celebration on May 2. BSU’s Awards of Excellence include the Spirit of BSU Awards, Outstanding Contribution Award, Excellence in Teaching Award and Distinguished Service Award.
Wind Ensemble debuts centennial fanfare at 2019 MMEA Mid-winter clinic
In celebration of the university’s 100-year anniversary, the Wind Ensemble debuted “Ningabii’anose,” a fanfare composed by Robert Thurston, at the 2019 Minnesota Music Educators Association’s Midwinter Clinic. It was the group’s first performance at the clinic since 2005.
Scott Guidry, assistant professor of music and BSU’s director of bands, commissioned Thurston to compose the piece, originally titled “Bemidji State University Centennial Fanfare,” after receiving the invitation to perform. While rehearsing the piece, Wind Ensemble students told Guidry it reminded them of ice crystals in mid-air. Guidry worked with Dr. Anton Treuer, BSU professor of indigenous studies, and the American Indian Resource Center to translate “icicles in mid-air” into the Ojibwe language — giving the piece its name.
Nitaawichigewag Gikinoo’amaaganag, Congratulations!
Senior Andrea Goodwin was named Outstanding American Indian Student of the Year and 44 graduating Native American students were honored April 18 at BSU’s 39th Annual American Indian Students Recognition Banquet. In addition, more than 100 students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement, including a record 29 Native American President’s List honorees who posted perfect 4.0 grade-point averages during the spring, summer or fall semesters in 2018.
Other students recognized during the banquet included:
• Earl Nyholm Culture and Language Award winner Serena Graves, a sophomore indigenous studies major from Redby,
• Jacqueline Allen, a freshman nursing major from Flandreau, S.D., who won the AIRC Community Leadership Award, and
• Chelsey Jourdain, a junior elementary education major from Bemidji, who received the Roger Aitken Leadership Award.
BSU, NTC students share financial aid experience with U.S. Senator Tina Smith
BSU and Northwest Technical College students, faculty and administrators share stories about their own experiences with the cost of higher education with U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) during a Feb. 22 roundtable conversation at the American Indian Resource Center (pictured, below). Smith, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said her goal at the roundtable, one of several stops on a tour of Northern Minnesota, was to learn more about the challenges students face when paying for their educations. Students from both campuses spoke to the financial challenges that go hand-in-hand with the pursuit of a college education, and the obstacles they each have overcome to remain in school.
BSU ranked among nation’s best universities for non-traditional students and online programs
Bemidji State was named one of the nation’s best schools for non-traditional students in a 2019 report by College Factual, an online college data analytics and insights service. Non-traditional students are any who fall outside the typical first-time, full-time student under the age of 25. College Factual ranked BSU 164th on its list of 1,159 colleges and universities that provide quality education to non-traditional students.
This spring, BSU is also ranked 2nd on the list “Best Online Elementary Education Programs 2018-2019” by AC Online, 49th on the list “Best Online Masters in Special Education Programs” by Online Masters and 31st on the list “Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice 2019” by Best Value Schools.
“World’s Largest Hockey Stick Salute” draws 100 people in honor of Hockey Day Minnesota
Exactly 100 people braved sub-zero temperatures to gather under Bemidji State’s Alumni Arch and show their Hockey Day Minnesota pride Jan. 18 for an event the university called the “World’s Largest Hockey Stick Salute.” During the salute, participants raised hockey sticks in the air and tapped them to the ground in support and celebration of the three-day Hockey Day Minnesota event.
Chancellor Malhotra at his
Oct. 5 Partnership Tour stop at Bemidji’s Mayflower Building.
Minnesota State extends contract for Chancellor Malhotra
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend its employment agreement with Chancellor Devinder Malhotra until July 31, 2023, a two-year extension of his current contract. Michael Vekich, chair of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, said “Devinder
has proven himself in this role as a gifted, inspirational and effective leader.”
New Administrators
Marilyn Yoder, dean of business, mathematics & science
Dr. Marilyn D. Yoder was named dean of the College of Business, Mathematics & Science in May. Yoder comes to BSU from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she was an associate professor and head of the Division of Cellular Biology. She joined the faculty there in 1994 as an assistant professor in its Division of Cell Biology & Biophysics.
Andy Bartlett, executive director of communications & marketing
Andy Bartlett was named executive director of communications and marketing for BSU and NTC in December. He has been at BSU since 2001, first as sports information director and since 2007 as associate director of communications and marketing. Before coming to Bemidji, he held several roles in the sports information office at Kansas State University.
Allen Bedford, associate vice president of academic affairs
Dr. Allen Bedford was named associate vice president of academic affairs in May. Bedford comes to BSU from Bryn Athyn College in Bry Athyn, Pa., where he was dean of academics & chief academic officer. His other roles there included chair of mathematics and science, director of institutional outcomes and assessment, associate dean of academic affairs and director of institutional effectiveness.
Dr. Ye “Solar” Hong, coordinator of the Center for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Dr. Ye “Solar” Hong was named coordinator of the Center for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in January. Hong previously served as coordinator for graduate students and international students at Ohio University. She also served in the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, helping Chinese students transition to campus life in the U.S.
Patrick Liu, director of international recruiting and the International Program Center
Patrick Liu was named director of international recruiting and the International Program Center in January. Liu has previous experience at Lakeland University, the University of North Texas and Castleton University. He has more than 20 years of experience in international recruitment and admissions and has established university partnerships in multiple countries.