A Message from the President
Boozhoo!
Welcome to another issue of Bemidji State University magazine, where you will get a sense for the incredible work that continues to be done on this campus by our students, faculty and staff. Our cover story this month focuses on a remarkable partnership between BSU and a university in Colombia. This partnership is being driven by Dr. Miriam Rios-Sanchez in our geology program, who identified an opportunity for Bemidji State University’s expertise in measuring and studying groundwater to provide vital training that will support her home community of Manizales. With this exchange of people, ideas and talent, BSU is helping a community a half a world away manage their most precious resource — water. There are few better examples of the global impact our students and programs can have.
I’m thrilled to share with you that this issue also includes more examples of the recent successes in Beaver Athletics. You’ll see a feature on fan favorite Zach Whitecloud, whose remarkable post-season play helped the Vegas Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup — which Whitecloud brought to Bemidji for a visit this summer. You’ll also read about Nakomis Mitchell, a golfer from Red Lake, who came to BSU this fall with a silver medal from this summer’s North American Indigenous Games. We also are excited that the football and soccer programs continued their recent traditions of excellence and made return trips to their respective NCAA playoffs.
This fall semester has gone quickly. It seems like just yesterday that I met with our gathered faculty and staff at our traditional fall startup breakfast, and as I write this we have seen the leaves change, experienced the first snowflakes of winter and are just weeks away from final exams. Like many of you, Joy and Jackson and I are looking forward to time with family over the upcoming holiday season to recharge, to reflect on what this past semester has brought us, to plan for the semester ahead and to express my gratitude for you, our alumni and friends. Our work to advance holistic student success with an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is only possible because we have your support. However you celebrate, I hope you and your families have a safe, joyous and restorative holiday season.
Go Beavers!
Read the Fall/Winter 2023 issue.