MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MOORHEAD
mnstate.edu
2011
Great Grads We all benefit from the contributions of our outstanding graduates. President’s Message Welcome to our second edition of Great Grads! The primary purpose of universities is to prepare graduates to contribute to society and to the economy. As you read about our great grads, you will see that we fulfill our purpose and go beyond. We are proud to be known by our graduates. They illustrate the faculty-student engaged learning that is our brand. It is my pleasure to introduce this volume and to wish these graduates well in the next phase of their lives. It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to serve them. Best wishes,
Edna Mora Szymanski President, MSU Moorhead
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Great Grads 2011
College of Arts & Humanities Iraqi War Veteran to Study War & Society in Top U.S. Program
BFA Grad Designing for Sanford Health Skill and confidence lead to art director job with region’s largest healthcare provider
Outstanding academic credentials lead to full assistantship at Southern Mississippi
Heather Donarski, BFA, Graphic Design
E. Allan Branstiter III, History Magna Cum Laude, Spring 2011
Heather Donarski gained the tools and confidence she needed to turn an internship into a job as art director at Sanford Health Marketing, where she works on a team with other designers and a copywriter to bring ideas to life. “Basically I get paid to play. It doesn’t get any better than that!”
Allan Branstiter’s undergraduate credentials prepared him for the rigor of one of the country’s premier schools in military history. He says professors encourage students to “stick our necks out academically” by participating in academic conferences. He won the Society for Military History Prize for best paper by an undergraduate student, and the First Division Association Prize at the 2010 Northern Great Plains History Conference. He says the confidence gained from such experiences is critical to develop as an academic.
Cum Laude, Spring 2011
She embraced the creative design process through challenging coursework, Club Design and as a chosen designer for New Rivers Press, MSUM’s on-campus publishing house. She designed the 304-page American Fiction, Vol. 11 cover to cover, citing the amazing opportunity she was given and its tremendous value as a portfolio piece. “Tom Anstadt was a big factor in how I grew as a designer. He was a great motivator, and he instilled confidence so that I could discover my inner artist. He was a beacon in the dark, and I’m appreciative to have had him as a teacher.”
He also participated in two prestigious internships with the U.S. Department of State, including the American Embassy of London. “The small size of MSUM makes the learning environment very congenial. The faculty are dedicated and engage their students as much as possible. I am particularly indebted to Dr. Sankey for her guidance, mentorship and enthusiasm toward my development as a young scholar. She helped integrate my interests and studies with coursework, always being encouraging yet realistic.”
More About The College Of Arts & Humanities Facts
> The College provides cultural and academic events for the community, with more than 35,000 people annually attending concerts, plays, art exhibitions, lectures and readings. > The College promotes collaborative work among students that prepares them for business and graduate school. > The College develops future leaders through academic programs and extracurricular activities.
Achievements > Art student had his digital painting, The River, included in the Society of Illustrators 2011 Student Scholarship Competition. Only 205 entries out of 7,000 were chosen. > Four faculty-mentored jazz groups won four of seven major awards at the Eau Claire (Wis.) Jazz Festival, including Honor College Combo, Honor College Big Band and College Exemplary Soloist. > Theatre student participated in a highly selective summer program with the British American Drama Academy (BADA)—one of 200 applicants to audition worldwide. > Theatre major selected for nationals at the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. > MSUM’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter conducted the 6th largest campus book drive in the nation of all chapters in the national honorary society for English students.
More Great Grads Jordan Christianson, Music Performance-Jazz and Studio Music, won top honors as outstanding soloist at the 2010 Eau Claire (Wis.) Jazz Festival, and is continuing his jazz studies at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Mitch Biebighauser, Philosophy and Communication Studies, attends law school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Sarah Palm, Film Studies, is production coordinator at Moorhead Community Access Television. Danielle Olson, Graphic Design, received a scholarship to pursue her MFA in Collaborative Design at Pacific Northwest College of Art. Sarah Howell, Music Industry, is the events coordinator at the McPhail Center for Music. Jake Gysland, Philosophy, is a field organizer for TakeAction. Kellie Hames, BFA, Studio Art-Printmaking, is enrolled in the highly selective printer-training program at the Tamarind Institute, the only place in the U.S. that trains master printers. Trevor Christiansen, Communication Studies, is ticketing manager with the Fargo Force hockey team. Jessica Odegard, Music Industry, is the social media and communications manager at Rock the Cause. Dustin Young, Art, is in the MFA program at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Christina Jordan, Music Industry, turned an internship into a job at the Percussive Arts Society. Alec Koch, Music Industry, is a music business intern at the Elite Talent Agency in Nashville. Dustin DeTar, Music Industry, founded Diotic Records and Productions, to serve as a recording/production company and record label/artist management booking company. Great Grads 2011
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College of Business & Industry Transfer Student Gets Roadmap to Management Career
School of Business Accreditation Gives Competitive Advantage
Professors create integrated curriculum to support and encourage online student success
Graduate gets lucrative job with FDIC
Dallas Morin Jr., Operations Management, Spring 2011
Michael Russell, Finance & Business Administration
Dallas Morin earned his OM degree entirely online while living, working and raising a family in Iowa. The two-year grad easily transitioned to the 2+2 program because all of his technical credits transferred. He enjoyed the challenging coursework that built on concepts and foundation skills learned through his technical degree. “I had a solid plan and roadmap to achieve my goals.”
MSUM’s School of Business accreditation benefited Michael Russell in getting a job as a financial institution specialist with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “It was very competitive and any edge was helpful.”
Morin’s coursework and real-life classroom projects taught him the organizational, communication and critical thinking skills to land a management position as the site supply chain manager at Essentia Health. They recruited Morin because of his mastery of LEAN skills (creating more value for customers with fewer resources) and his grasp of the latest business decision methods. “This is a great field for technical graduates because it combines tactical thinking with strategic thinking. The technical degree provides a base of knowledge and skill set that complements the OM program very well to make you an effective manager.”
More About The College Of Business & Industry Facts > 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 1 of 74 in nation approved by the American Bar Association (one of two public universities in Minnesota and North Dakota to offer a B.S. degree) 80-85% of Paralegal graduates employed in law professions. Minnesota’s first American Council of Construction Education accredited Construction Management Program. Operations Management, accredited by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering, enjoys nearly 100% job placement for graduates.
Achievements > Inspired by Nature, a 2010 student-produced television documentary, was selected the best student television documentary by the Broadcast Education Association in the 2011 national competition. > Mass Communications students placed 15th in the National Student Advertising Competition of the American Advertising Federation. > Computer Science and Information Systems students placed 2nd out of 39 teams at the annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium.
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Great Grads 2011
Magna Cum Laude, Fall 2010
He added the finance degree to his portfolio to expand his career options and to highlight his capabilities. Russell said Olgun Sahin and Marsha Weber were great mentors who inspired him to achieve his best, and made “class interesting and worthwhile.” MSUM prepared him well for his career and equipped him to live independently. He says the transition from student to professional was smooth, with some classes preparing him for his career, and others for life. “MSUM is a great place to get an education. It’s a small campus with the opportunities of a larger university. I enjoyed the personal relationships I had with my professors, many of whom I’m still in contact with. Working for Admissions I shared my great experiences with future Dragons. I’m proud to have gone to MSUM.”
Companies who hired MSUM interns or graduates: American Crystal Sugar Bank of North Dakota Best Buy Bobcat Cargill Case New Holland Eide Bailly Enterprise Rental Car Fiebiger, Swanson, West and Co. Hinrichs & Associates
Hormel Integrity Windows Jenny-O Medtronic Microsoft Monsanto Molokai Nodak Mutual Insurance Northwest Mutual Insurance Phoenix International Polaris
RDO Equipment Sanford Health Scheels UPS US Bank Waddell & Reed Wells Fargo World Health Organization
More Great Grads Aaron Taggart, Computer Science, is a software engineer at Digi-Key Corporation, one of the largest electronic component distributors in the world. Kelsey Roseth, Mass Communications, worked with Campus News before joining WDAY-TV as a reporter and weekend anchor/producer. Lisa Wertman, Paralegal, was hired to create a new Domestic Violence Court in Clay County. Corey Bronczyk, Construction Management, is an assistant project manager at Cost, Planning and Management International. Danielle Lossing, Operations Management, is a senior principal process technician at Medtronic. Peter McCallum, Accounting, is an assurance associate with McGladrey & Pullen. Yuri Mikheev, Computer Science, joins the Microsoft team as a software development engineer working on the successful accounting product, ‘Cloud.’
College of Education & Human Services Double Major Gets Into Prestigious Mayo School of Health Sciences
Two-time Graduate Teaches College-Level Nursing
Exercise Science plus Biology prove excellent preparation for PT program
Nicaragua preceptorship inspires teaching nurse to return next year
Macailia Warner, Exercise Science, Biology
Summa Cum Laude , Distinction in Engagement, Spring 2011
A double major in Exercise Science and Biology helped Macailia Warner beat out 560 applicants to be one of only 28 students accepted into the prestigious Mayo School of Health Sciences Physical Therapy program. Not only did she master anatomy, biology and chemistry, but also the intricacies of biomechanics, kinesiology and motor control—all of which she’s currently studying in her Ph.D. program. She also credits a study abroad course to China for giving her a diverse educational experience, which she says looked “very good” on her application. If the double major wasn’t enough to get into PT school, then her experience as a special needs caregiver and an MSUM Wellness Educator probably clinched the deal, helping to finetune her relational skills. “I gained some great skills for a career in physical therapy by doing health promotion for three years and learning to interact with people about health-related issues.”
Lisa Leibke, MS, Nurse Educator, BSN Nursing, Spring 2011 Lisa Leibke worked full-time as a licensed school nurse while pursuing her master’s degree as a nurse educator. She valued her MSUM education greatly, which is why she completed both degrees here. She teaches in the practical nursing program at Rasmussen College in the Twin Cities. She cites the annual Jalapa, Nicaragua, nursing trip as being her most valuable and inspirational experience at MSUM and affirming her desire to teach future nurses. During her preceptorship, she supervised six undergraduate nursing students working with individuals from underserved populations. She ensured they provided excellent care and coordinated each day’s activities. She plans to return to Jalapa next year with a new group of undergraduate nursing students. “I’m ready to offer nursing students the same valuable, life-long learning instruction that my instructors at MSUM have always offered me. Being an MSUM graduate, I am completely confident in my abilities to teach no matter where I get a job.”
More About The College Of Education & Human Services Facts > 100% pass rate on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive >
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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 50 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 2011, 20 nursing students attended medical mission trips in Nicaragua and Guatemala to practice procedures without the benefit of modern medical equipment. Only MnSCU university offering an undergraduate degree in Health Services Administration.
More Great Grads Laura Greenwood, Early Childhood Special Education, is a behavior therapist at the Minnesota Autism Center School.
Corey Robinson, Nursing, was accepted into St. Scholastica’s highly competitive Family Nurse Practitioner program.
Ashley Rietz, Exercise Science, Biology (Health and Medical Sciences
emphasis), was accepted into Eastern Washington University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.
Travis Husen, Elementary Education, teaches 2nd grade at Robert Asp Elementary School.
Allyson Torstveit, M.S. Nursing, is a nurse educator in the practical nursing program at Rasmussen College.
Andrew Potter, Elementary Education, is a Title 1 teacher at Eastwood Elementary School.
Achievements
Emily Wright, Special Education, is a learner support services teacher at S.G.
> A Bush Foundation grant of $5.3 million is redefining teacher preparation with partner institutions to determine the best ways to impact student learning.
DeeRae Honl, M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, is a speech-language
> Four Speech-Language Pathology students accepted to present graduate projects at a national professional association convention. Topics presented included voice, stuttering and augmentative communication.
Reinertsen Elementary.
pathologist at RehabCare.
Ellen Whelihan, Nursing, was accepted into St. Scholastica’s highly competitive Family Nurse Practitioner program.
Great Grads 2011
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College of Social & Natural Sciences Graduate 1 of 12 Selected Nationally for Internship
MSUM Builds Strong Foundation for Advanced Study
Internship turns into full-time job
Fellowship reserved for outstanding applicants to pursue research
Sarah Butrum, Psychology
Erik Hanson, Economics, Social Studies Education
Sarah Butrum was one of 12 students nationally selected as a Native American Congressional Intern, a prestigious honor providing students with an insider’s view of the federal government.
Erik Hanson was accepted to several prestigious graduate schools but accepted a Jonathan Baldwin Turner Fellowship to study agricultural and applied economics at the nationally ranked University of Illinois. The fellowship provides a stipend and tuition waiver, but moreover, it gives him flexibility to do any type of research he wants and potentially to work with multiple faculty members.
Magna Cum Laude, Distinction in Engagement, Spring 2011
She completed an internship with Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), who sits on the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Her MSUM work experiences and student organizations honed her professional skills, leading to a successful internship and a fulltime position as a research assistant on Native American Affairs and Judiciary Issues in Johnson’s Washington, D.C., office. She will research, correspond and provide briefings on issues relating to Native American affairs, law enforcement, immigration, gun rights, religion, same sex marriage and women’s rights. “What I learned and experienced at MSUM has translated perfectly to what I am accomplishing now. I am truly grateful to be working in a field that I love and enjoy.”
Summa Cum Laude, 2011
At MSUM he built his confidence as a critical thinker, problem solver and communicator, but credits his department professors for being great mentors and “engaging me in the material and enhancing my excitement for studying economics.” Those close relationships provided great letters of recommendation that had a major impact on the U of I’s graduate admissions committee. He says their insight and advice was practical, genuine and thoughtful. “MSUM gave me a well-rounded undergraduate experience that allowed me to grow personally and intellectually. I can’t imagine a place where I would have had better relationships with professors and a higher level of engagement in the university community.”
More About Social & Natural Sciences Facts
> Launched the first-in-the-nation undergraduate academic minor in vaccinology, a collaboration with the Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC, Sanford Health, NDSU and Concordia College. > Only B.S. degree in Sustainability in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Achievements > A Biochemistry & Biotechnology student received 1st place honors in the undergraduate poster competition at the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology national meeting. > Three Biology students’ research findings received final acceptance for publication by the North American Journal of Fisheries Management. > A Geoscience major interned with the World Health Organization. > Six Bioscience students presented four posters of research data at the annual meeting of the Animal Behavior Society. > Model UN students earned 90% of the awards at the Arrowhead Model United Nations. > Two Psychology students presented at the Vision Sciences Society meeting, and another presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. > Two Biochemistry & Biotechnology students received 1st place honors in the undergraduate poster competition at the 78th annual meeting of the Minnesota Academy of Science. > Nine Psychology students presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference.
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Great Grads 2011
More Great Grads Tara Eichhorn, Biology, is pursuing a doctorate of veterinary medicine at the nationally ranked (9th) University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Jonathan Swart, Economics, turned his internship into a full-time job as transportation representative for C.H. Robinson Worldwide. Jena Thompson, Economics & Communication Studies, received a scholarship to Purdue University to pursue a graduate degree in agriculture and applied economics. Kristina Anderson, Biochemistry & Biotechnology, is a lab technician at the Center for Biopharmaceutical Research and Production at North Dakota State University. Natalie Petersen Menafee, Anthropology, is working toward a master’s degree in anthropology-organizational culture at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Jacob Vossler, Biology (Health and Medical Sciences), is working on a doctorate in physical therapy at University of North Dakota. Nick Pates, Mathematics, Economics & Finance, is studying public policy at Iowa State University, Ames. Clay Kramer, Economics, is a reseach assistant pursuing a graduate degree in applied economics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Brent Halverson, Criminal Justice, is a patrol-police officer with the Fargo Police Department. Mark Frenzel, Economics, is studying economics at Claremont Graduate University. Jonathan Rue, Mathematics, is a teaching assistant pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics at North Dakota State University. Brent Jaenicke, Legal Studies, attends law school at the University of North Dakota. Jeremiah Kaplan, Chemistry, is a 3M electronic materials technician. Brieanna Hoban, Economics, is a student at the William Mitchell College of Law.
Great Grads Total Graduates
1,384
Degrees Awarded
1,410
Men Women Minority International Baccalaureate Masters Specialist
Facts from 2011 Graduating Classes
536 848 87 76
1,287 118 5
32% Graduated with Honors
Summa Cum Laude Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude
128 136 172
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: Claremont Graduate School Colorado State University Creighton University School of Law Drake University Law School Harvard Law School Iowa State University Mayo Graduate School, College of Medicine Medical College of Georgia North Dakota State University Purdue University University of California Riverside 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 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: $30,036.68
At a Glance Total Enrollment: 7,254 (37 states & 57 countries) Student-to-Faculty ratio: 19:1 Average Class Size: 23 80% of classes have fewer than 30 students 100% of courses taught by professors 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. Number of Majors: 76, with more than 172 emphases & options
Great Grads 2011
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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
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 & 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).