Campus roundup

Awards and recognitions

Fulbright recipients

Minnesota State University Moorhead Fulbright Scholars for 2004-2005 are Yahya Frederickson, assistant professor in the Department of Multidisciplinary Studies, who will lecture at Al-Ba'th University, Homs, Syria; Maureen Reed, assistant professor in the American Multicultural Studies and Humanities Department, lecturing at the University of Regensburg, Germany; and Patrick Walsh, assistant professor in the New Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, lecturing at the University of Passau, Germany.

Swinging for the Fences: Black Baseball in Minnesota book cover

Minnesota StateUniversity Moorhead history professor and lifelong baseball fan Steven Hoffbeck edited "Swinging for the Fences: Black Baseball in Minnesota," released in February by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. Written by nine historians, sports journalists and baseball experts, the book chronicles the development of black teams as early as the 1880s and the achievements and struggles of 16 black ballplayers over a 150-year span.

Faculty, staff honors

Central Lakes College natural resources instructor Doug Keran is the 2004 recipient of the Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society's Minnesota Award, which recognizes outstanding contribution to the state's wildlife and natural resources.

Hennepin Technical College culinary instructor David Eisenreich was awarded the Hans Gilgen Award in December. This award is given to a person who has contributed to the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Culinary Federation and is based on cumulative performance and involvement.

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College science instructor Michael "Mick" Gillespie received the Outstanding American Indian Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year Award from the Minnesota Indian Education Association at its annual meeting in October.

Inver Hills Community College photography instructor Martin Springborg's photos and essay are featured in "North: Stories and Photographs," a work of eight writers and photographers with stories about the northern Midwest. Springborg's chapter consists of an essay about his grandfather, who was born and raised on the Iron Range, and photographs made while searching for moose in northern Minnesota.

Minnesota State University Moorhead humanities professor Konrad Czynski was chosen to narrate a CD series that introduces children to symphony music, produced by Stephen Simon and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Riverland Community College instructor Paul Goodnature received a grant from the Minnesota Humanities Commission "We the People" program for an educational forum, Traditions of Nonviolence and Themes of Peacemaking in American History.

The project is a partnership with Paths to Peace in Freeborn County, with members from the Albert Lea Public Library, Albert Lea Community Education, Albert Lea Schools, Glenville-Emmons Schools, Minnesota Extension Service, Albert Lea Mayo Medical System and others. The forum will be April 21 at Riverland's Albert Lea campus.

Rochester Community and Technical College English instructor Fan Shen wrote "Gang of One," listed by the American Library Association Booklist Editors books for youth, media and reference. The honor constitutes one of the year's best readings for teenagers among adult books published in 2004.

The book chronicles Fan as a young man swimming against the tides of the Cultural Revolution in China.

South Central Technical College student Aric Holicky pictured with a motorcycle built as part of students' training in the computer integrated machining program

South Central College students including Aric Holicky now build a motorcycle as part of their training in the computer integrated machining program. While putting a fresh spin on recruiting students into the program, the custom construction also helps students understand the manufacturing process from start to finish, using state-of-the-art software and equipment.

Student, alumni honors

Alexandria Technical College students Matt Lindemann and Dan Reese, sophomores studying in the Center for Automation and Motion Control, will represent the United States at the International Vocational Training Organization WorldSkills competition May 26 to 29 in Helsinki, Finland. They have won regional and national competitions.

Central Lakes College Law Enforcement Club members captured 33 trophies in regional competition held in Chicago against college chapters from Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. The club, a chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, claimed 10 firsts, 13 seconds and nine thirds. Club co-adviser Dave Stumpf, in the professional division, earned the Top Gun Award in firearms competition.

Minnesota State University, Mankato, anthropology student Elizabeth Kolbe is studying in Thailand this semester with support from the Freeman-ASIA Award from the Institute of International Study.

St. Cloud State University campus television program UTVS News was one of three programs nationwide to be named semifinalists for a Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, presented to the college or university station with the best student-produced television news nationwide. UTVS competed for the top honor against the University of Maryland and the title winner, Kent State University.

The cast of "People Like Us: A Celebration of Diversity," a production by Central Lakes College, gathers on stage in St. Louis, Mo., after performing its play about disabilities at the January Region V Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. The cast of 22 presented two performances. The only other Minnesota institution accepted into the festival in the seven-state region was Minnesota State University Moorhead. Director Dennis Lamberson said Central Lakes was the first two-year college in Minnesota to be invited. In April, the production will be staged in St. Paul for legislators after playing to audiences in Moorhead, Willmar, Brainerd and East Gull Lake.

Presidents Phil Davis, left, of Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Wilson Bradshaw of Metropolitan State University pictured on tandem bicycle

Presidents Phil Davis, left, of Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Wilson Bradshaw of Metropolitan State University wheeled around together during Jan. 10 festivities celebrating the co-location of their Minneapolis facilities on one campus.

Recognitions

Alexandria Technical College has been awarded a certificate of Recognition of Excellence from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration for its Bridging Distances in Healthcare project, initiated through the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council in Marshall to address the shortage of nurses in rural Minnesota. Twenty-two students from the original cohort will graduate in May. They have been training at hospitals in Alexandria, Albany, Glenwood, Long Prairie, Melrose, Paynesville, Sauk Centre and St. Cloud.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College showcased its new patient simulator to regional health care facilities in February. "SimMan" is a mannequin-based simulation-teaching tool that provides simulation education for clinical and decision-making skills. The SimMan prepares students with the necessary skills to respond and handle critical events.

Riverland Community College automotive service technology program has been named national runner-up in the Automotive Industry Planning Council's Award of Excellence.

St. Cloud State University and its geriatric nursing program have been recognized as a nationwide "model of excellence." The new nursing program received the 2004 Clinical Settings in Geriatric Nursing Award, presented by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in collaboration with the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing.