Great Grads One of the most telling indicators of a university is measured by the success of its graduates. President’s Message You can measure a university’s stature in many ways. Here are some broad characteristics that define MSUM: ▸ the highest number of CASE professors in the region, ▸ great graduates with excellent jobs, superb graduate and medical school acceptances, and great futures, ▸ highly engaged students who win national and regional competitions in their fields and obtain prestigious internships, ▸ high levels of student engagement for our seniors compared with peer institutions. In the following pages, we’ll look at some of these concepts in greater detail. You see, I believe one of the most telling indicators of a university is measured by the success of its graduates, and we’ve got some really great grads with really great stories to tell. Best wishes,
Edna Mora Szymanksi President, MSU Moorhead
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Great Grads 2012
College of Arts & Humanities Alum Receives Scholarship to NYU’s Elite Grad Program
Alum Works with World’s Largest Ad Agency Network
Culture, Education and Human Development School is ranked #17 by U.S. News & World Report
Freelance work with McCann Erickson fits this alum’s career goals
Matthew Lech, Communication Studies & English, Spring 2012
Jenny Christen, Art & Design, Summer 2012
Matthew’s freshman year was a little “wayward and directionless,” until he connected with the Communication Studies program. “I like composing and speaking so communication studies was appealing. The professors took a genuine interest in me.”
Eurospring gave Jenny the confidence to pursue a career outside of Minnesota. But the excellent training she received propelled her to a rewarding role as full-time freelance designer in the most creative and competitive city in the world—New York City.
He developed relationships and skills as an award-winning editor and columnist for The Advocate student newspaper and later perfected those skills through an American Institute for Foreign Study internship/study abroad program. He worked for fullfact.org in London, a non-partisan fact check organization.
She was anxious about classroom design critiques as a student but credits them for preparing her for real-world professional situations. “The aim was to learn how to convey a concept with articulation, comprehension and confidence, and to grow from both giving and receiving constructive criticism.” Elective classes such as creative writing, media, journalism and photography made her a more versatile creative.
He did extensive research for independent study on 9/11 conspiracy theory and presented at the Student Academic Conference. He credits this work for receiving a two-year scholarship at New York University’s competitive Media Culture and Communications Program. “That project strengthened my resume, but the relationships I developed with the faculty is what turned things around for me. They wrote wonderful reference letters and spoke to my strengths in a very personal way. The relationships students develop with faculty here are very important.”
More About The College Of Arts & Humanities Facts ▸ Students in the College have extraordinary opportunities to present
research and creative work, and travel nationally to conferences to engage in the critical process with their peers. More than 35,000 people annually attend the College’s plays, concerts, readings and exhibitions. ▸ The newly approved Media Arts minor fosters interdisciplinary and collaborative work among students in Film Studies, Graphic Communications, Music Industry and Technical Theatre.
Achievements ▸ Graphic design students Katie Hamness and Amber Power were cowinners of the “Student Best of Show” in the American Advertising Federation-North Dakota Addy Awards. ▸ Five student films featuring more than 30 Film Studies students were screened at the 2012 Fargo Film Festival. ▸ Japan Club won the “Community Award” from Fargo’s Cultural Diversity Resources, a nonprofit focusing on cultural and ethnic diversity. ▸ MFA student and graduate English teaching instructor Jamee Larson received a $2,000 scholarship from Sigma Tau Delta International. ▸ Six Music students won awards at this year’s North Dakota National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions. ▸ Amanda Heidt, BFA Printmaking, received a prestigious summer internship at the Robert Blackburn Print Making Workshop, a renowned Manhattan print studio that works with celebrated artists worldwide.
Sculptor and Professor Chris Walla inspired her with new techniques and materials and pushed her to define her work. English Professor Thom Tammaro imparted this practical advice: ‘Do what you love, the money will follow’—a mantra she embraces in her career. “The attention and feedback I received in the BFA program, along with the freedom to explore my interest in design, helped me gain confidence and refine my skills. There is a distinct camaraderie among students and faculty in the Department of Art and Design. We come together to create, discuss and learn. I am particularly indebted to my professors and peers, whose feedback and motivation helped drive me to become a better artist and designer.”
More Great Grads Dom Rolando, Communication Studies, was accepted into the master’s of public policy program at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Aaron Lund, Communication Studies, was one of 87 student-athlete men to receive the prestigious 2011-12 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He is working toward a master’s degree in educational leadership at MSUM. Delaram Rostami, BFA Graphic Design, interned in New York City with the public relations agency Illuminant Partners, working with clients in Australia and Dubai. She moved there permanently and is a graphic designer and photographer at Rosami and a freelance graphic designer at Wuttsup.com. Daniel Determan, History, joined the staff of the West Fargo Pioneer and its subsidiary publications as news/sports editor. Ryan Christiansen, MFA Creative Writing, graduated with his thesis in hand and a novel titled Boy Wanted. He started his own literary press dubbed Knuckledown Press, and credits MSUM’s Certificate in Publishing program for informing his decision. Whitney Lunn, Art & Deisgn, is a designer with Anthem Branding, Boulder, Colo. English graduates Matthew Pullen and Vanessa Perkins were awarded teaching assistantships to the English master’s program at South Dakota State University. Corrine Edgerton, History, is pursuing a master’s in library science and information at St. Catherine University, St. Paul. Bethany Hill, Communication Studies, is director of College Ministries and associate director of Children’s Ministries at Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo. Nallely Urbano, Spanish & Communication Studies, is an assistant activity coordinator at Eventide Senior Living Communities and serves on the board of Centro Cultural, Moorhead. Great Grads 2012
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College of Business & Industry Programmer Hired by Worldwide Database Software Leader
Photographer Attending Top Ohio University Program
Employment, competitions and hardhitting internship pave the way
Amassed student portfolio rivaling professionals
Andrew Dahl, Computer Science, Winter 2011
Chris Franz, Mass Communications, Winter 2011
What amounted to a four-year internship as an assistant systems administrator in MSUM’s Computer Science Department and a software engineer internship at a local law firm (with continuing contract work!) landed Andrew a fantastic job long before graduating. He is an applications developer with Oracle in Minneapolis.
Professor Wayne Gudmundson fueled Chris’ love for photography. “He hired me as a teaching assistant, which was an incredible experience because he is a fantastic photographer. I learned so much from him.”
Andrew says working with other students in computer programming contests fine-tuned his teamwork and analytical skills, taking 2nd place twice and scoring in the top 12% of three prestigious collegiate programming contests. “These contests teach us how to think outside the box and demonstrate that there are no obvious solutions to most problems.” Andrew’s campus job was invaluable to his professional preparation. “It put me on a first-name basis with everyone in the department, and I learned things that I never could have learned in class. “MSUM prepared me exceptionally well with high-quality professors, rigorous courses, and excellent opportunities that gave me real-world experience. Without that, I wouldn’t have been as qualified to do what I’m doing.”
More About The College Of Business & Industry Facts ▸ Graduating Construction Management seniors at both MSUM and
North Hennepin locations passed the Associate Constructor exam and exceeded the national average score of 210. MSU Moorhead averaged 221 and North Hennepin averaged 218. ▸ School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, among the top 5% of business schools. Student ranking in national ETS Major Field Test in Business: Accounting & Finance students—top 10% ▸ Four-year Paralegal program is 1 of 74 in the nation approved by the American Bar Association (one of two public universities in Minnesota and North Dakota to offer a B.S. degree), with 80-85% of graduates employed in law professions.
Achievements ▸ Finance students placed 2nd, a narrow margin behind the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, in the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute Research Challenge sponsored by the CFA Society of Minnesota. ▸ Horizonlines.org was a national finalist in the 2011 EPPY™ Awards, presented by Editor & Publisher magazine, the authoritative journal covering all aspects of the newspaper industry. ▸ Two Construction Management teams placed 2nd and 5th in the 30-team Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) competition (including 12 large CM programs such as Iowa State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State University and Missouri State University). ▸ Advertising students won the Advertising Federation District 8 competition (MN, WI, ND, SD) for the second straight year (a first for the program) and once again finished 15th in the national student advertising competition.
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Great Grads 2012
Chris polished his skills as photo editor at The Advocate; two-time intern for The Forum; a Documentary Photography class spending months photographing the West Fargo Packers football team; and a touching Hospice project resulting in Witness to Life. Numerous photography awards include Minnesota News Photographers Association’s College Photographer of the Year three years in a row. Personal relationships with the faculty provided Chris with genuine letters of recommendation that spoke to his character and professional aptitude. That, plus a wide-ranging and impressive portfolio, landed Chris an $18,000 graduate scholarship to one of the country’s top schools of Visual Communications at Ohio University, Athens. “Reggie (Radniecki) and Wayne gave me so many opportunities professionally, and I am a better person because of them. They are paramount to my success in life and photography, and through them I discovered I have a passion for teaching.”
More Great Grads Darren Dell, Construction Management, received three job offers before he graduated, accepting a position as project manager for I-Kota Construction, Inc., Denver. Noah Hanson, Operations Management, interned at Border States Electric and then was hired full time as a database support project associate. He is now the SAP system administrator. Jarred Chamberlain, Finance, joined HRK Investments LLP in St. Paul as an investment analyst. Dillon Hoover, Finance & Business Administration, joined an elite group of professionals who passed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program Level I exam in December. Only 38% of 49,380 candidates worldwide passed the exam. He is an investment research intern at Disciplined Growth Investors. Local ad agency Flint Communications hired three Mass Communication graduates: Carli Collins and Chris Lubarski as account representatives and Lacey Nygard as public relations coordinator. Logan Werlinger, Mass Communications, was accepted at the School of Visual Communications at Ohio University, Athens, where he received an $18,000 graduate assistantship scholarship. Kayla Halvorson, Finance, had two job offers before she graduated, but as a junior accepted a financial institution specialist position with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Gary Knutson, Operations Management (online program), is pursuing a graduate degree in environmental management-hydroecology at Bemidji State University. Kim Kressin, Mass Communications, is a television news reporter at KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls, S.D. Hannah Sargent, Mass Communications, turned a marketing internship at Evolution 1 into a full-time position as marketing coordinator.
College of Education & Human Services Prestigious National Scholarship Leads to Doctoral Study
Second Start Inspires Passion and Teaching Success
University of Minnesota’s nursing program is ranked 21st in the country
Accepts full-time K-12 teaching position in Medina, N.D.
Amy LaValla, Nursing, Community Health
Jeremy Newman, Physical Education, Spring 2012
Amy attends the University of Minnesota’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program to advance her skills working with marginalized populations. She is also psychiatric nurse at Prairie St. John’s, Fargo.
Jeremy graduated from an area college with a fitness administration degree, but couldn’t find the right job. He believed reaching kids in a broader fitness context might be a better fit. “Moorhead was the best school in the area to give me that.”
Amy was one of only 15 undergraduate scholars nationally to receive an all-expense paid trip to the American Psychiatric Nursing Association conference, where she met a U of M professor who recommended the highly regarded DNP program. She, along with other scholarship winners, will present a paper on workplace violence at this year’s national conference.
Student organizations and regional and national conventions cemented his career choice. Classroom teaching experiences in elementary, middle and high schools fine-tuned his teaching style. “The first time I taught young students I bombed. It was a huge learning experience that made me more reflective. If one approach doesn’t work you need to find a different way.”
Amy polished her presentation skills as a multiple presenter at local and state conferences; a leader in the student nurses association; and a medical mission team member to Guatemala. Amy loved the campus because she really got to know her teachers. They guided and supported her throughout her college career.
He also volunteered to teach a K-2 dance class, where he developed his own lesson plans and class management strategies. “It was a valuable learning experience.”
Summa Cum Laude, Distinction in Engagement, Spring 2012
“I am leaving MSUM with a love for my career choice, partially because of the professors I’ve worked with. They bend over backwards to help you “The nursing skills I’ve learned include thinking critically about patients, inter- pass a class or find a job. There’s something about Moorhead that inspires actions and communications. The caliber and standards we are held to here passion and builds you up for success.” is very high, which helped me when I took the GRE and scored really well.”
More About The College Of Education & Human Services Facts ▸ 94% pass rate on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive
Examination by Counseling and Student Affairs graduates. ▸ 90.5% pass rate by Social Work graduates on the licensure exam. National average is 78% (Association of Social Work Boards, 2010) ▸ Over the last three years, graduates of our speech-language pathology program have enjoyed 100% job placement. ▸ Over 55 alumni have been named Teacher of the Year in their state or district. MSUM has more awardees than any other North Dakota or Minnesota university. ▸ In 2012, a dozen nursing students and faculty attended medical mission trips in Nicaragua and Guatemala to practice procedures without the benefit of modern medical equipment. ▸ Only Minnesota state university offering an undergraduate degree in Health Services Administration.
Achievements ▸ MSUM has the highest placement rate of individuals working within their administrative licensure field of any state or private higher education institution in Minnesota (of Minnesota’s nine school administrative licensure preparation institutions that prepared at least 10 individuals between 2008-11.) ▸ New records were set for admission to the Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction graduate programs in 2011-12. More than 100 individuals were admitted to these programs seeking M.S. or educational specialist degrees or licensure as school administrators.
More Great Grads Melinda Thompson, Nursing, was one of two students in the country to receive the Student Leadership Award from the National Gerontological Nursing Association. She works at Sanford Health. Sarah Kahl, Elementary Education, accepted a 6th grade science and social studies teaching position at Trailview Elementary School in Mora. Heidi Narimani, Social Work, works at Grant County in Child Protection Services. Allyson Torstveit, MS Nursing, was selected one of 16 MS nurses to join the Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy (NFLA) through Sigma Theta Tau international. She is the dean of Nursing at Rasmussen College, Moorhead. Rose Agbor, Nursing, has been admitted into the Adult-Gerontological nurse practitioner program at the University of North Dakota. Kasey Greff, MS Speech-Language Pathology, is a speech-language pathologist with Onward Healthcare, Crane, Texas. Kristi Fabre, RN-to-BSN, was named by Forum Communications the July 2012 Beautiful Woman, a multimedia effort that celebrates the stories of inspiring women in our area. Christine (Condon) Hamre, MS Speech-Language Pathology, is a speech-language pathologist at Aegis Therapies, Clara City. Jamie Anderson, RN-to-BSN, was accepted into Tennessee State University’s Family Nurse Practitioner program. Maria Lendobeja, Speech-Language Hearing Science, received a graduate assistantship to MSUM’s Speech-Language Pathology program. Nursing graduates Evan Dyce and Matt Lutjens are both nurses at Sanford Health.
Great Grads 2012
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College of Social & Natural Sciences Research Experience Preps Grad for M.D./ Ph.D. Program
Future Economist Secures Full Scholarship to Purdue
Receives $70,000 annual scholarship & stipend to Medical College of Wisconsin
1 of 20 students accepted for Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics
Ismael (Jean) Banla, Biochemistry Biotechnology
Tanner McCarty, Economics
Togo native Ismael (Jean) chose MSUM because of the Midwest culture, cold weather and outstanding science program. His experience didn’t disappoint. He completed four years of research with three distinguished professors—studying inorganic chemistry, plant biochemistry and cancer biology—and presented his research at regional and national science meetings. “It definitely confirmed my passion for science and research.”
Tanner chose top-ranked Purdue University because of its solid reputation. “They looked at the whole package: grades, test scores, statement of purpose and faculty recommendations.”
Summa Cum Laude, Spring 2012
He says MSUM students are privileged. “We are small enough to develop close connections with teachers, plus we offer great research opportunities. Faculty were central to my growth, my maturity and my learning—definitely the pillar of my education.” He received a generous offer to attend his top choice of Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), a highly competitive program where Jean will train to become a physician-scientist. “My classes, teachers and research are the foundation of my thinking as a scientist. More importantly, the amount and variety of research I did showed the Medical College I would be a good fit for their program.”
Summa Cum Laude, Spring 2012
Professors assisted him throughout the graduate school process. “They built me up every step of the way. They really knew the person they were writing about for my reference letters. That was a huge reason for me being accepted into the program.” Tanner tutored students in economics, algebra and business calculus, helping him decide on a teaching career; served on the dean’s advisory board; evaluated papers for journal publication; interned with Prairie Business magazine; and met a Nobel Prize winner at a conference. “Meeting major players in the economics industry helped me take what I learned in class and connect it to the real world.” “MSUM is a great school with good teachers across all programs. It was especially nice having smaller classes during the last two years of rigorous courses. I got everything I needed to compete with students from bigger and more prestigious schools.”
More About Social & Natural Sciences Facts
▸ Anthropology and Earth Sciences launched an initiative to strengthen the department’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offerings by hosting a GIS expert to train faculty and students on the use of GIS software. ▸ The first annual Social and Natural Sciences Research Social provided opportunities for more than 100 students to learn how they can participate in research within the college.
Achievements ▸ In the past three years, six economics majors have been offered major financial awards from Big Ten Universities, including the University of Minnesota School of Law. ▸ Economics major Nick Enger received 1 of only 3 competitive finance internships from State Farm Insurance Company’s regional office in Greeley, Colo. ▸ A team of math and physics students received Honorable Mention in the 2012 Mathematical Contest in Modeling organized by COMAP. The contest engaged 3,697 teams from 16 countries. ▸ Two Biology graduates and one current major received final acceptance for publication in the international, peer-reviewed journal Behaviour for their research paper, “Maternal effects and exploratoryboldness behavioural syndrome in zebrafish.” ▸ MSUM received more awards than any other university at the 2012 Arrowhead Model United Nations Conference, including 6 individual honors and Best Delegation.
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Great Grads 2012
More Great Grads Christopher Mehl, Mathematics, received a graduate teaching fellowship at the University of Oregon to pursue a Ph.D. in topology. The Mathematics Department admits about 15 Ph.D. students each year. Chris Moore, Physics, attends the University of Rhode Island, where he received full tuition and fees and a graduate teaching/research assistantship for the Ph.D. program. Greg Burris, Political Science, was accepted to the MA history program at Florida State University, where he will work at FSU’s Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution. Shaneabbas Shabbir Raza, Biology & Chemistry, received a full scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at the University of North Dakota. Marissa Peterson, Political Science, is studying in the master’s of public administration program at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Policy. Kegan Reiswig, Economics, received a renewable tuition waiver and assistantship for graduate study in natural resource economics at the University of Illinois. Christopher Kettering, Political Science, received full funding valued at more than $40,000 for tuition and teaching assistantship to the Ph.D. program in political science and international relations at the University of Delaware. Sara Kram, Anthropology, was selected for the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program to study Turkish in Turkey during summer 2012. Heidi Anwiler, Psychology, received graduate support for studies in the social cognition program at Ball State University. Erin Geissler, Biochemistry & Biotechnology, was accepted into the interdisciplinary program in the biomedical sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Carson Starkey, Political Science, received a renewable $10,000 annual scholarship to the John Marshall Law School, Chicago.
Great Grads
Total Graduates
Facts from 2012 Graduating Classes
1,532
Men 578 Women 954 Minority 76 International 71
Degrees Awarded
Baccalaureate Masters Specialist
1,565 1,418 133 14
32% Graduated with Honors
Summa Cum Laude Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude
149 157 177
Graduate School Acceptance 90% student applicants accepted into medical school of their choice 85% student applicants accepted into professional programs in health related areas 75% student applicants accepted to graduate school programs or law school
A snapshot of where some graduates attend: Ball State University Central Washington University Claremont Graduate School Clarion University Colorado State University Creighton University School of Law Drake University Law School Florida State University Harvard Law School Iowa State University John Marshall Law School Mayo Graduate School, College of Medicine Medical College of Georgia
Medical College of Wisconsin North Dakota State University Ohio University Purdue University Tennessee State University University of California Riverside University of Delaware University of Georgia University of Illinois University of Iowa, Physician Assistant Program University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Minnesota Law School, Medical School
University of Nebraska College of Medicine University of New Orleans University of North Dakota, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Law University of Oregon University of Rhode Island University of South Carolina, School of Medicine University of St. Thomas School of Law University of Utah William Mitchell College of Law
Average amount of debt for graduates: $30,037
At a Glance Total Enrollment: 7,254 (2011-12) (38 states & 60 countries) Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1 Average Class Size: 23
Distinction: More Carnegie Foundation Professors of the Year (9) than any college or university, public or private, in the Dakotas, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the 2010 Outstanding U.S. Master’s Universities and Colleges Professor.
At a Glance 80% of classes have fewer than 30 students 100% of courses taught by professors
Number of Majors: 76, with more than 172 emphases & options
Great Grads 2012
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Education impacts lifetime earning potential. College graduates with bachelor’s degrees earn nearly twice that of high school graduates. – U.S. Census Bureau Some Companies who hire our graduates: American Crystal Sugar Bank of North Dakota Best Buy Bobcat Cargill Case New Holland Digi-Key Eide Bailly Elite Talent Agency Enterprise Rental Car Fiebiger, Swanson, West and Co. Hinrichs & Associates Hormel Integrity Windows Jenny-O McGladrey & Pullen Medtronic Microsoft Monsanto Molokai Nodak Mutual Insurance Northwest Mutual Insurance Percussive Arts Society Phoenix International Polaris RDO Equipment Sanford Health Scheels UPS US Bank Waddell & Reed Wells Fargo World Health Organization
Minnesota State University Moorhead • 1104 7th Avenue South • Moorhead, Minnesota 56563 Information: 218.477.4000 • www.mnstate.edu Minnesota State University Moorhead is a caring community promising all students the opportunity to discover their passions, the rigor to develop intellectually, and the versatility to shape a changing world. Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. This information will be made available in alternate format upon request by contacting Disability Services at 218.477.4318 (voice) or 1.800.627.3529 (MRS/TTY).