A newsletter for Bismarck State College alumni, contributors and friends. Volume 13. No 2 July 2009

bismarckstate.edu

Continued on page 3

North Dakota Commerce Commis-sioner Shane Goettle presented a check for $196,959 to Bismarck State College July 7 to support the school’s efforts to train new workers for North Dakota’s energy sec-

tor. The funding will support the electrical lineworker program and the process plant technology program.

“Our state’s energy sector continues to experience high demand for skilled work-ers, and we want to encourage and support this growth,” Goettle said. “These Work-force Enhancement Grants help increase the capacity of our higher ed institutions like BSC to provide a consistent pipeline of well-trained workers to meet the needs of growing industries in our state.”

A grant for $52,770 will enhance the lineworker program by funding the pur-chase of a new trencher to replace the existing aging trencher. Energy industry employers are providing a cash match.

BSC receives workforce grantsPrivate sector partners are Montana Dako-

ta Utilities Co., Otter Tail Power Co., Aerial Contractors Inc. of Moorhead, Cass County Electric Cooperative, Cavalier Rural Elec-tric Cooperative, and Duratel. In addition, Basin Electric Power Cooperative is match-ing donations from these member coopera-tives: Capital Electric, Mountrail-Williams Electric, Verendrye Electric, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric, Roughrider Electric, Slope Electric, McLean Electric, McKenzie Electric, KEM Electric, and Central Power.

The second grant supports the process plant technology program with an additional $144,189 to acquire a biodiesel process trainer with materials and supplies. This modification increases the original grant of $496,826 presented in May 2008 to a total of $641,015.

Major private sector partners for this grant are Tesoro, Challenger Industries, Bobcat, and Great River Energy.

The original grant provided funding for state-of-the-art equipment, curriculum devel-opment and other critical needs for BSC’s power plant technology, process plant tech-nology, mechanical maintenance, and the new instrumentation and control technology programs.

Both projects are industry driven and guided by recommendations from the energy industry.

BSC President Larry C. Skogen said the Workforce Enhancement Grant program helps the two-year colleges meet the needs of North Dakota industries and students. “The state funds, along with matching funds from our industry partners, allow BSC to deliver these very expensive education and training programs to meet the needs of the energy industry. We appreciate the ongoing support of Governor Hoeven, the Legislature, the Department of Commerce, and our industry partners,” Skogen said.

From left, Basin Electric CEO Ron Harper, BSC President Larry C. Skogen, and N.D. Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle. Harper spoke during the news conference, representing the energy industry.

BSC Connections is published quarterly at Bismarck State College, Bismarck, North DakotaVice President for College Advancement and Executive Director, BSC Foundation Gordon BinekBSC Foundation Staff Christina Burns Janet Decker Julie Erickson Justin Forde Deb Kraft Darcy Makeeff Rita NodlandBSC Foundation (800) 272-2586 or (701) 224-5700BSC Connections Staff Jordis Conrad, Editor Crystal Forster Vicki VoskuilConnections on the Web Patrick BjorkBSC Foundation President David LudwigBSC National Alumni As-sociation President Mike LaLondeSend alumni notes to: Jordis Conrad BSC, P.O. Box 5587 Bismarck, ND 58506 or e-mail to: Jordis.Conrad@bsc. nodak.eduSend address changes to: Rita Nodland Alumni Coordinator BSC, P.O. Box 5587 Bismarck, ND 58506 or e-mail to: Rita.Nodland@bsc. nodak.edu or call: 1-800-BSC-ALUMBSC’s World Wide Web site address is bismarckstate.edu

BSC revises brand identity, logoBSC has a new brand identity and logo.

President Larry C. Skogen and BSC Board of Governors President Kristine Weippert re-vealed the new concept during a news confer-ence in April.

Using the word BEYOND, the college is revising its communication materials to focus

on this concept. “BSC has

experienced evolutionary growth since we were established in 1939,” Presi-dent Skogen said during the news conference. “We have evolved with the needs of

the communities we serve and in response to an ever-changing, competitive educational environment. Our new brand identity, BE-YOND and all it encompasses, represents who we are and what we do today and in the years to come.”

The planning process for the new brand de-velopment began in 2008. A team of staff and faculty realized that the new brand identity also would require an updated logo in order to make a mark on BSC’s new and current markets.

BSC Marketing Director Mary Friesz is leading the initiative. Friesz said, “BSC has become a truly innovative learning institu-tion, meeting the education needs of our area and beyond. We’ve expanded online courses, built partnerships with the energy industry and with the military, while continuing to of-fer an outstanding and affordable education. All of this has shown the college’s ability to serve beyond.”

She said partnerships with Minot State University and Dickinson State University to provide four-year degrees on campus have established BSC’s movement beyond the role of a traditional two-year college.

The new brand identity and marketing strategy were developed partly in response to a benchmark position study and a long-term enrollment management plan. Together, these findings indicated an opportunity and need for BSC to more clearly communicate the vast and diverse offerings available at BSC.

“Our new brand shows we are thinking beyond mainstream with programs and op-portunities for every stage of education,” said Dr. Skogen. “We want all those who encoun-ter BSC to move BEYOND their current place in life and become whoever they want to be. I believe we have created something that not only shows our forward motion but will contribute to it in the years to come.”

BSC President Larry C. Skogen presented Ed Schafer with an honorary associate in ap-plied science degree in agriculture industry and technology at BSC’s 69th commence-ment ceremony May 15. Schafer also was guest speaker.

Skogen said the honorary degree acknowl-edges Schafer’s support of the college and the state in his official capacities as North Dakota’s governor (1992-2000) and during his term as the 29th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The class of 2009 consisted of 885 students receiving 1,004 associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and bachelor’s degrees.

Six graduates completed requirements for the first bachelor of applied science in energy management degrees to be awarded by BSC. See story on page 3.

Ed Schafer given honorary degree

Ed Schafer, left, with President Skogen. The framed honorary degree includes an aerial view of the campus.

View more photos from the 2009 commencement at bismarckstate.edu/connections/grad09

Funds add value to BSC education Continued from page 1

Two graduates in the processional at com-mencement May 15 were among the first six students to receive BSC’s bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree.

Judy Ring of Eau Claire, Wis., and Bruce Ogden of Mandan led the other graduates to their seats, where they would await the capstone moment of their education at BSC. For Ring and Ogden, this degree – the BAS in energy management – was coming mid-career. What made earning the BAS possible while they continued working was employer support and the fact the program is offered online.

Ring works for Xcel Energy as an asso-ciate in Service Policy, reviewing statutes of Wisconsin and Michigan, and how they apply to Xcel’s services in their service ter-ritories. This is a new position for her, lead-ing towards management, and one for which Ring could not have applied without a four-year degree. She spent 25 years in radio, but decided to seek a different profession and more education.

“I really enjoyed the online learning – it was fantastic for someone like me,” said Ring. “Some semesters I took a lot of classes. That was possible because of the flexibility of my bosses.”

Xcel paid 80 percent of Ring’s tuition costs. “They really support Bismarck State College, and especially in the utilities group. They want employees to prepare for manage-ment positions where people will be retir-ing,” said Ring.

Ring said she was happy with her classes, adding that the government relations, safety, managing energy facilities, and HR manage-ment classes were a perfect fit for her new position.

Ogden has 26 years of experience in the energy industry. He was among the first students to enroll in BSC’s process plant technology program. Because the demand for workers was great, he was hired after six months of classes, and finished the program by correspondence with BSC. He stayed 20 years with his first employer, Dakota Gasifi-cation Co. near Beulah, with seven of those years in management.

Ogden is now the operations supervisor at Great River Energy’s Stanton Station at Stanton, N.D. He said his plant manager en-couraged him to pursue the BAS degree “ to

First BAS grads attend ceremonygive him a chance to be in the game for those competing to become a plant manager.”

BSC’s management program is the only one Ogden found that was applicable to the energy industry. “Most online programs are general business degrees,” he said. “BSC is perfectly suited to offer this program. Hope-fully this will open some doors for others.”

Ogden said there are so many graduates out there with the associate in applied science degree in power plant or process plant technology, and this bachelor’s degree pro-gram gives them another opportunity to advance. “You can get to a supervi-sor level, but not to the management level with-out a four-year degree,” Ogden said.

As an industry expert, Ogden previously taught online classes to students working on the associate in applied science degree in power plant technol-ogy. Now that he’s completed his bachelor’s degree, he would like to teach again as an adjunct instructor for BSC.

The other BAS graduates are Jacalynn Bentz, Big Lake, Minn.; Shawn Neidhardt, Gillette, Wyo.; Johnny Peterson, North Little Rock, Ark., and Andrew Slager, Westfield, Ind.

Judy Ring and Bruce Ogden received BAS de-grees. Nearly 120 students from throughout the U.S. are enrolled in the BAS program.

Ron Harper, CEO and general manager of Basin Electric, represented industry at the presentation. He said the funds for equipment bring additional value to what BSC is doing to train workers for the energy industry.

Workforce Enhancement Grants are a tool for two-year institutions of higher education to apply for funds to help create or enhance training programs that address workforce needs of private sector employers.

The Foundation welcomes new and renewing President’s Club members for April 1 through June 30, 2009.

The Foundation welcomes new and re-newing Executive Club members for April 1 through June 30, 2009.

Donors are generous to collegeGordon Binek

American Bank CenterAssociated BuildersBank of North DakotaBasin Electric Power CooperativeFrank and Joanne BavendickBlack Ridge BankBNC National BankBNI Coal, Ltd.Bobcat of MandanBrock White CompanyCapital Credit UnionCaptain Jack’s Liquor LandCloverdale Foods CompanyBill CondonConnecting PointCoteau Properties CompanyCumulus Broadcasting Inc.Dakota Bumper & Body SupplyDakota CaulkingDakota Community BankBill and Bonnie DanielEvelyn DendingerGordon DietrichDitch Witch of NDEAPC Architects & EngineersEdward Jones – Troy M. NelsonEide Bailly LLPJudith Ekberg JohnsonFalkirk Mining CompanyGate City BankGateway HealthMart PharmacyDr. Kevin GilchristGreat River EnergyTerry HarrisKadrmas, Lee & JacksonKramer AgencyL & H Manufacturing Co.McDonald’s – Dennis SotebeerMDU Resources Group Inc.Roy and Patricia Mindt

Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.Missouri River ContractingDave MyersND Guaranty & Title Northern ImprovementNorthwest Contracting Inc.Presort PlusQuizno’sQwestRDO Equipment Co.John SakariassenSheila SchaferScheels SportsSchmidt Insurance/SIA MarketingMichael T. SchmitzSkeels ElectricSpecialized Cleaning & RestorationSt. Alexius Medical CenterStarion FinancialTroy Group Inc.United Energy CorporationScott WegnerTony WelderWells Fargo Financial Wells Fargo FoundationCyndy Welken-Place, AFLAC Regional Sales Coordinator

Amvets Post #9Conlin’s FurnitureMiles EllisonEd HascheLance HendricksonHootersKelly Services, Inc.Ev MillerPeacock Alley Bar & GrillStan Puklich ChevroletLogan Unterseher

Gordon Binek, BSC Foundation executive director, was honored for his leadership in a statewide nonprofit organization on June 3 in Fargo.

Binek received the N.D. Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ (NDANO) Walt Odegaard Leadership Award during the An-nual Nonprofit Leadership Conference. Binek has a 25-year history in the nonprofit sector and is active in fundraising and nonprofit management. He has served as a mentor to the BSC Foundation office staff and has participated on several nonprofit and com-munity boards. Under his leadership, grants

Binek receives leadership awardto BSC have increased, professional develop-ment grants for faculty and staff have been added, and scholarship support to students has increased.

His other activities included testifying on issues that affected nonprofits statewide dur-ing North Dakota’s 61st Legislative Assem-bly.

“Binek has upheld the highest standards in directing the BSC Foundation and in being a leader in the community,” said NDANO President Mitch Monson. “He has set a great example for nonprofit leadership in North Dakota.”

Faculty, staff receive awards

Rita Nodland

Deb Shipman

Jeanette Rehberg

Jane Schreck

Jason MatthewsMary Friesz

BSC honored six employees with excel-lence awards during the spring Recognition Ceremony.

Recipients of the Faculty Award for Excel-lence were Jane Schreck, associate professor of English, for her skills as teacher, mentor, administrator and planner, and her dedication to advancing the English program; and Deb Shipman, assistant professor of microbiol-ogy, for being an inspiration in the classroom and a mentor to her students by going beyond her duties to help with career planning.

The Staff Award for Excellence went to Mary Friesz, director of marketing, for major contributions to three major objectives of BSC’s strategic plan and leading the search to choose an advertising agency and develop a new brand; and Rita Nodland, alumni coordinator, for excellent customer service, dedication to BSC’s mission and promotion of the college and its activities on and off campus.

Jason Matthews, political science instruc-tor, and Jeanette Rehberg, music instructor, received the Adjunct Faculty Award for

Excellence. Matthews earned the award for his extensive knowledge and high quality of his classes and dedication to student learn-ing. Rehberg was cited for her rapport with students, teaching ability and active partici-

pation in Bismarck’s music community.The awards recognize significant or meri-

torious performance in professional roles. Full-time employees received $1,000 and part-time employees received $250 from the BSC Foundation.

Contributions were made to the Founda-tion in memory of: Given by:

Donations received in memoriam

Yvonne DeLeeuw ................BSC EmployeesBob Delzer ............................BSC EmployeesLeland Gross........................BSC EmployeesJerry Gusaas ............Marcia A. Myers OlsonGeraldine Heinsohn ............BSC EmployeesFrances Kautzman ..............BSC EmployeesFlorence Lenhardt ...................Lonna MeierDonald Lindemann .............BSC Employees Doris Orr ......Dr. Lloyd and Susan Anderson

Leeila and Clarence BinaBSC Employees

BSC Retired Employees GroupLois Engler

Lois ErickstadArdyce L. Miller

Paul SwansonKay Perry .....Dr. Lloyd and Susan Anderson

BSC EmployeesBSC Retired Employees Group

Lois EnglerViola Rolfson .......................BSC Employees

Jane SchulzGerald and Marilyn Skogley

Aldeen Taylor .............................Jane SchulzSharon Urness .... Bismarck-Mandan Retired

Teachers Assn.Corrine Van Berkom .......... BSC Employees

Dr. Kermit and Patty LidstromRalph Werner ...................... BSC Employees

BSC Retired Employees GroupJordis and Marc Conrad

Evelyn DendingerAllen Dockter

Lu DunnLois EnglerEd Hasche

Mary Jane LowGerald and Marilyn Skogley

Students honored for excellence

Outstanding Students*Kelsey Backhaus ...............Administrative Assistant - LegalAdam Balk ...Agriculture, Technology, & Natural Resources*Megan Bergquist .............................Introductory ChemistryAmanda Bittner ................ Information Processing SpecialistTravis Booke ...................................FM Ambulance Program*Dustin Braaten ....................................Music (Instrumental)Gregory Bromley ......... Nuclear Power Technology (Online)*Samantha Buckeye .................................Foreign LanguagesBrandon Checketts ............................ Environmental ScienceJonathan Dees .................................................. Microbiology*Holly Dietz ..................................................Commercial ArtMicah Dralle ................................................Political ScienceMatthew Duncan .........................................................SpeechMatthew Duncan ......................................Organic ChemistryColin Entringer ........ Process Plant Technology (On campus)*Cody Erhardt ....................................................MathematicsSherri Erhardt ................................... Anatomy & PhysiologyAdam Evensvold .................................................... CarpentryMatthew Fischer ................ Geographic Information Systems

Technician*Kim Fredricks ......................................................... Theatre*Riley Frerking ..........................................................Biology*Josh Gendron .................................Automotive TechnologyPaul Grahl .................................................... Human ServicesRobin Grossman..................................................Social WorkKevin Gutman ...........................................................ReligionJon Hamlin ................................................................. HistoryMichael Handlin ................. Electrical Transmission Systems

Technology (Online)*Jake Hein ...........................................................Engineering*Bradley Henke ....................................................Economics*Andrea Hetzel ..........................................Technical TheatreTyler Howe ..................................... Mechanical Maintenance*Jessica Hruby ............................................. Criminal Justice*Reuben Hushagen ..........................................Music (Vocal)*Reuben Hushagen .................................................... Theatre*Alexandra Jelleberg.............................................Art: VisualKyle Kearns ................. Electric Power Technology (Online)Jeremy Kelly .............................................Computer ScienceMatt Kelpis ......................Process Plant Technology (Online)Kayla Kilzer ....................Administrative Assistant - General

All-USA Academic Team NomineesChadrick Keller

Phi Beta Lambda National Conference QualifiersAngela Erhardt*Sarah GellnerStephanie HojianNick Kramer

Dan LincolnFelipe MartynSteve Rahrich

Alexandra Jelleberg

Levi Rue

Emily Lasher

Joe Odermann

*BSC Foundation scholarship recipients

*Kristine Weippert

Bismarck State College honored its schol-ars and outstanding students at the college’s Recognition Ceremony April 22.

Students were honored for selection as the Outstanding Student in more than 60 disciplines and programs; for nomination to Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges; for selection to the 2008-09 edition of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges”; as qualifiers for Phi Beta Lambda National Conference; for outstanding level of involve-ment in the BSC Board of Governors; and for being nominated to the All-USA Academic Team.

The BSC Foundation sponsors the awards program, which includes certificates and a

$100 cash award or paid induction fees for each honor.

Guest speaker was Al Jaeger, N.D. Sec-retary of State. Master of ceremonies was Gordon Binek, Vice President for College Advancement and Executive Director, BSC Foundation.

Officers of Phi Theta Kappa accepted the 2008-09 Minn-Wi-Kota Region 3-Star Chap-ter Award. The Phi Theta Kappa chapter also received recognition for its upcoming honor to name the vice president of the Minn-Wi-Kota Regional Officer Team of the North District.

*Laura Knudsen ....................................................Journalism*Logan Lang .............................................................Welding*Jason Lawrence ........................................................ EnglishClaymore LeBeau .............................Phlebotomy Technician*Lindsey Lennick ................................................... EducationMary Link ............................................................ PhilosophyRachel Lorentzen .................................................AccountingEric Marcure .....................Power Plant Technology (Online)Rani Metz ................................................. General Chemistry*James Miller ..................... Electronics/Telecommunications

TechnologyCody Nelson.............. Power Plant Technology (On campus)Josiah James (JJ) Nelson .............................................BotanyJoseph Odermann ..........Agriculture, Industry & TechnologyRonica Privratsky ............................. Clinical Lab TechnicianSteve Rahrich ................Web Page Development and DesignClancy Rangen .................Automotive Collision Technology*Tyler Reich ........ Heating, Ventilation and Air ConditioningAdam Rondeau ................... Nursing, Associate Degree (RN)Levi Rue ....................................Farm & Ranch ManagementJennifer Saueressig ......................... Nursing, Certificate (PN)Perry Schiele ............................ Computer Support Specialist*Eric Sjursen .............................................................. PhysicsMichael Starck ................................. Engineering TechnicianWendy Ternes .......................................................Psychology*Amanda Weber ...................................................Humanities*Kristine Weippert .......................... Business AdministrationChelsey Wetch ........................................................ SociologyErica Young ........................................................Management

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor SocietyMary AlbrechtChere AllardBrandon Alveshere* Abby AndersonJoan BahmBritny Baker*Lindsey BarriosAmanda Berger*Megan BergquistStephen BlyBen BoehmAmanda Bosch*Gwen BosworthMarkus BrownRichard Brown IICasey Brunner*Samantha Buckeye*Sarah BuschKarla BuzickChantelle Charging*Jason ChmielewskiAudrey CodyRebecca CooperWilliam Cossette*Nancy DarlingJacinta DavidSamantha DavisSteven DeiszTracey Derrickson*Holly DietzDerek DillmanThomas DillmanElizabeth DuframeMatthew DuncanVincent DzirkoJames Earickson*Julianne EberleGerald Ellis*Ruth Erdahl*Cody Erhardt*Travis EvensonJamie FeistAmber FeySandra FibigerJeff Frazier*Kimberly FredricksRebecca FrickeJackie Gabel*Sarah Gellner*Jason GlasserKayla GlattStanley GreerRobin GrossmanCassandra GullicksonSteven HansonJoshua Hausauer*Kayla Helgeson*Shana Hengel*Bradley HenkeAnna HjelmstadLisa HolzwarthChelsay HornerSteve Hulm*Reuben Hushagen*Lacey JacobchickJeffery Jarrell*Alexandra Jelleberg

*Brianne JohnsonKylah Johnson*Talia JohnsonTina Judd*Aaron KaipLester KawasakiChadrick KellerAlexa KellerLindsey KershawValerie KindsvogelLanna KingsburyCalle KleingartnerEllen Knudsen*Laura Knudsen*Eric KoppyCasey Kottenbrock*Jarred KowalskiFaune KraftEd Kramer*Kelsey Kuntz*Logan LangShannon LangSarah LarsenJeanne Lau*Erin LohTyler LuraasBriana MagrumKatie Mahon*Bree Malingen*Joshua MaliskeFelipe MartynMark MasonAshley Mathias*Megan McCallumShawn McNallyChet McWhorter*Kayla Messer*Tiffani MeyhoffJeremy Micholson*Kendra MillerPaul MooreAmber MorrellAndrew MorrisCody NelsonBrenda NottestadTwayab NurmohamedBruce Ogden*Nicholas Opdahl*Brittney Opp*Kellie OstJulie Page*Aubrie Patchen*Kayla Pazdernik*Kayla PenningtonTony PetersonRobert PiekutowskiLucas PippengerElyce PrestangenRonica Privratsky*Marisa Rauhauser*Tyler Reich*Raelynn Renke*Crystal RennerFrancis RileyJudy RingWendy RiordanClay Robson

Ismael RodriguezJoseph RoederSarah RollerRosanna RonsbergAndrew RoseShawn SanfordKarmen SanfordJennifer Saueressig*Dale ScherbenskeShaLee Schoch*Brittany Schock*Desaray SchuhNoelle Schwarz*Andrea ShaferPaul ShumanFelix SisonWilliam SmithTed SolemShannon SorensonAmy SorgeJessie Splichal

*Aaron Steckler*Paul SteffenCandice Steidler*Paul Swanson*Tiffany ThrasherColeen TierneyChristopher Tompkins*Kayla Tripp*Andrew Tweet*Ashley UrlacherJoseph VetterClinton Volk*Kristine Weippert*Caree WeiszJonas WhiteheadChristopher Williams*Tiffany WoodworthSarah YagerKristy ZahnLacie Zander

Board of GovernorsTiffany AuneAmanda BertilsCharmaine Boehler*Brock BrosiousCullan GoresJohn Kreitinger*Emily Lasher

Joe Odermann*Raelynn RenkeBerta SauvageauDesiree Schneider*Kristine WeippertJoseph Yankton

Who’s WhoVictoria Ferderer*Samantha L. Foley*Riley Frerking

*Jessica Marie Hruby*Amanda KriegerAdam Rondeau

Kristine Weippert and Jessica Hruby

Jarred Kowalski

Jacinta David

Ellen and Laura Knudsen Felipe Martyn

Jake Hein

Corporate and Hole Sponsors4 Bears Casino and LodgeAssociated BuildersBank of North DakotaBasin Electric Power CooperativeBNC National BankCentral MarketClear Channel RadioCloverdale Foods CompanyCumulus BroadcastingDakota Community BankDan’s Super MarketEAPC Architects EngineersEide Bailly, LLPGateway HealthMart PharmacyGilchrist DentistryGilchrist & Fettig FinancialI Keating Flooring AmericaJerome DistributingKFYR TV KNDX FOX 26KXMB CBS 12McQuade Distributing Co., Inc.Prairie Knights Casino & LodgePresort PlusScheels SportsStarion FinancialUnited Printing/Spit’n ImageWells Fargo Wealth Management GroupWilliston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co.

Prize DonationsAmerican Bank CenterBank of North DakotaBasin Electric Bismarck Aero CenterBlack Ridge Bank BNCBuffalo Wild WingsCapital Credit UnionCapital TrophyCedric Theel Toyota DodgeCumulus BroadcastingDakota AwardsGate City Bank Gilchrist DentistryHooters Jerome’s DistributingKFYRMissouri Valley Petroleum NDARECNorthern ImprovementPepsiAmericaRDO EquipmentScheels SportsSchwan GM Auto CenterTexas RoadhouseThe WalrusSpace AliensState Farm Renee FordeUnited Printing/Spit’n Image

Golfers help fund scholarships BSC athletic scholarships get a boost from

proceeds of the BSC President’s Cup Golf Classic each year. June 19 brought near-per-fect weather for the 152 golfers.

First place net team prize went to Dave Clark, Randy Kleinjan, Brian Kleinjan and Dave Thompson. A two-way tie for first place gross team was scored by the team of Dave Blair, Craig Larson, Dave Glaser and Arthur Jerome, and the team of Kevin Gil-christ, Kevin Bjork, Jon Anderson and Jon Joersz.

Inducted into the BSC Athletic Hall of Fame during the 19th hole social were Dar-rell Anderson, Susie Ekberg Risher and Ed Hasche.

Darrell Anderson of Bismarck, a stand-out cross country and track athlete from 1973-75, was a two-time NJCAA national cross coun-try and track qualifier, while twice earning

All-Region XIII and All-Mon-Dak Conference honors in cross country. He set school records in the indoor

mile (4:20.5), the 3000 meter steeplechase (9:36.0) and the 5000 meter run (15:30.7). He was head cross country and track coach at BSC from 1983-85, and won many college and high school coaching awards.

Susie Ekberg Risher of Bismarck, now of Fargo, was an outstanding scorer and rebounder for the Mystic women’s basket-ball team in 1979-80. She was named to the NJCAA All-Region XIII and NDJC All-State Teams while averaging 24.1 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. Susie was selected to play in the 1980 NJCAA East-West All-Star Game in Hutchinson, Kan. She was named the Bismarck Quarterback Club’s Outstand-ing College Female Athlete in 1980.

Ed Hasche, Bismarck, was an integral part of BSC’s athletic programs from 1968-79, coaching track, cross country, wrestling and football, while teaching in the Physi-cal Education and Health Department. He coached the track team to six straight Mon-Dak Conference Championships and three NJCAA Region XIII Championships, and the cross country team to two Mon-Dak Confer-ence Championships. He received a number of coaching awards.

Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Darrell Anderson, Susie Ekberg Risher and Ed Hasche

First place net team, from left, Dave Clark, Dave Thomp-son, Randy Kleinjan and Brian Kleinjan

Photos by Michael McCormack. More photos online at bismarckstate.edu/connections/golf.

Prize Donations

When it comes to hiring new power plant workers, companies want experience. For Madison Gas & Electric, the first source has been Bismarck State College. The relation-ship between the Wisconsin utility and BSC goes back to 1981.

“BSC is THE main source for our em-ployees and really the only school that trains boiler and turbine operators,” said Debra Loeks, senior employment consultant for Madison Gas & Electric (MG&E). “Hiring BSC grads takes some of the guesswork out of who’s interested and saves training time.”

The company has employed at least 80 graduates and student interns over the years, including Holly Burch, an assistant profes-sor of Energy Technology Programs at BSC. Burch earned an AAS in power plant tech-nology from BSC in 1988 and worked for MG&E through the early 1990s. She left to teach when the company began indicating it would cut back energy production at its Blount station.

“It meant BSC was getting a good instruc-tor and we had someone who knew our plant – a plus for all of us,” Loeks said.

Wisconsin utility hires BSC gradsThe company recently interviewed 27

energy students for summer internships at Madison’s coal-fired Blount station, where 65 percent of the operations workers are BSC grads.

MG&E can choose up to four summer interns and has hired three to start work May 20.

“The lucky students who go to Madison will get terrific hands-on experience because the plant is old and much of the equipment operation is done manually,” Burch said.

Summer internships between MG&E and BSC began in 1997. An average of two interns a year are hired from the summer program.

“If there is an opening, interns are the people we turn to because they know the Blount plant,” Loeks said. “The past 20 years most of those positions have been filled by BSC grads.”

In 2005, MG&E built a new gas turbine plant on the University of Wisconsin cam-pus. Eight of the nine auxiliary and control operators at the Co-Gen facility are BSC grads.

Holly Burch

Young professionals like working at BSC. That became apparent in May when the col-lege received recognition as one of the “Top 10 Best Places to Work for Young Profes-

sionals.” The designa-tion was made by the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber Young Pro-fessionals Network. BSC received the same award two years ago.

These were comments from the nomina-tors: “Young professionals are encouraged to become involved with the many committees on campus. Young professionals have the op-portunity to voice their opinions to a campus-wide audience and have prominent roles on both our Staff Senate and Faculty Senate.”

Also receiving the recognition this year are Aetna, American Bank Center, Applied En-gineering Inc., Barr Engineering Co., Capi-tal Credit Union, Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), N.D. Department of Transportation,

BSC among ‘Top 10 Best Places to Work’and Odney Communications Group.

They were selected from more than 30 nominations through anonymous evalua-tion by a committee of six individuals from diverse backgrounds, according to the YPN news release.

Five BSC students won national awards at the Phi Beta Lambda National Conference and Competition in Anaheim, Calif. in June.

Winning third place in E-Business were Steve Rahrich and Dan Lincoln, both of Bismarck, and Felipe Martyn of Mandan. This team also won sixth place in Web Site Development.

Angela Erhardt and Stephanie Hojian, both of Bismarck, won fifth place in Desktop Publishing.

Assistant professor of Computer Informa-tion Systems Yvonne Peters accompanied the students to the conference.

Students win at nationals

class Connections

Name: __________________ Class: ______Address _____________________________City _________ State _______ Zip ________❏ Check here if new address❏ Check here if your name has changedPrevious name _______________________BSC Degree & Major ___________________Employer name _______________________Your Position _________________________Phone (Home) _________ (Work) _________Recent achievement ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Let us know what’s new in your life by submitting updated information to:

BSC Alumni AssociationP.O. Box 5587Bismarck, ND 58506-5587

1980s1970sDr. Michael Stoy, ’73, was named president of Middle Georgia College in Cochran last July. Stoy taught biology at BSC first as an assistant and then associate professor from 1978-89. Before assuming his new position, Stoy was a professor of biology, vice presi-dent for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Gainesville State College in Gainesville, Ga. From 1989-99, he held various adminis-trative and faculty positions at Darton Col-lege in Albany, Ga. Middle Georgia College is a two-year college with selective baccalau-reate degrees. Stoy oversees three campuses, one in Eastman, where one of the few avia-tion programs in the country is offered.

Dr. Morgan R. Olsen, -78, Tempe, Ariz., became the executive vice president, trea-surer and chief financial officer of Arizona State University - Tempe in November 2008. He previously was executive vice president and treasurer at Purdue University. Before he joined Purdue, Olsen served as the business and financial vice president at three other universities, Southern Methodist University, Eastern Illinois University and Emporia State University in Kansas.

1990sKelly Gunsch, ’91, Lincoln, recently joined Ruth Meiers Hospitality House in Bismarck as director of development. She looks for-ward to helping the homeless and low-in-come individuals in the community achieve self-sufficiency.

Jill Wiese, -78, -87, Washburn, is the bass player for Cotton Wood, a bluegrass band. The four-member band is a local favorite and performs in many bluegrass festivals in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana playing a variety of music using traditional bluegrass instruments. Jill works as a nurse for Medcenter One of Bismarck and she and her husband, Bob, have two daughters. For a schedule of Cotton Wood’s concerts, go to www.cottonwoodbluegrass.com.

Dr. Michael Stoy

Dr. Morgan R. Olsen

Doris Orr

Viola Rolfson

Former BSC faculty members Doris Orr and Viola Rolfson died recently in Bismarck.

Doris Orr died May 23 at age 104. She ended a long teaching career at BSC, teach-ing English and literature from 1957-68, and also serving as head of the English depart-ment. A graduate of Jamestown College, she taught high school English in several states. Over a 12-year period, Orr either coached or played basketball in the communities where she taught.

Viola Bohn Rolfson, 95, died June 20. She started teaching at rural schools in south-western North Dakota and in Mott. In 1944 she moved to Bismarck and for 22 years she taught geography at the junior and senior high level and at BSC. A graduate of Valley City State University, she was active in state and national geographic associations and was involved with special education.

Former instructors die

Darcy (Roberts) Makeeff recently joined the BSC Foundation staff as administrative assistant. A 2007 graduate of BSC, she pre-viously was an Admissions Office assistant. She holds an associate in applied science degree in information processing specialist, and has master’s certification in Office 2003. Makeeff was raised in Lodi, Calif., and grad-uated from Napoleon (N.D.) High School. Darcy and her husband, Travis, enjoy barbe-cuing, watching movies, and spending time with friends.

Makeeff joins Foundation

Documents related to BSC’s history can be found at Digital Horizons – A Plains Media Resource, through the efforts of librarian Carolyn Twingley, ’68, who manages the BSC Archives.

Twingley was successful in her grant ap-plication to the State Historical Society for a state digitization project, underway this summer. BSC’s Archives is the only college archives in the group of 10 grant recipients. The reason for this, says Twingley, is that North Dakota’s colleges, other than the research universities, likely don’t have an archives as extensive as BSC’s.

Included in 100 BSC items that were digitized are photos, printed pieces and sound recordings. Some of the images are ground breaking at the Boulevard campus, the first graduates, the bagpipe band, scenes from mu-sicals, and athletic groups.

“This is a beginning for the BSC Library Archives to share some of our treasures with the public who are not able to visit our library,” said Twingley. “I am hoping that we can continue to add images at some point in the future to keep our college connected to our students, faculty, staff and our com-munity.”

Historical documents are digitizedDigital Horizons was established in 2007

by a consortium of colleges, Prairie Public Broadcasting, and the State Historical So-ciety of North Dakota. Digital Horizons is dedicated to creating a digital collection of the region’s unique and historical resources. It supports education, scholarship, and enrichment through Internet access to these collections at digitalhorizonsonline.org

Once on that Web site, to find the BJC and BSC images, click on Collection, then click on State Historical Society of North Dakota, and then choose Dakota Mosaic from the drop down menu.

Darcy Makeeff

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu came to BSC’s National Energy Center of Excellence July 1 to announce that Basin Electric Power Cooperative would receive up to $100 million in federal stimulus funds for a clean coal technology project. Chu was accompanied by N.D. Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, and N.D. Governor John Hoeven. The project selected is the Antelope Valley Sta-tion near Beulah, N.D.

“Today’s announcement repre-sents a major step forward in the fight to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-based power plants. These new technologies will not only help fight climate change, they will also create new jobs and position the United States as a leader in carbon capture and storage technologies for many years, ” said Secretary Chu.

Energy Secretary Chu visits BSC

From left, Basin Electric CEO Ron Harper, Gov. Hoeven, Secre-tary Chu, Sen. Conrad, and Sen. Dorgan

Before the announcement, Secretary Chu gave a presentation on climate change in the NECE auditorium to an audience of industry representatives, the public, and BSC employ-ees. Chu also toured some of the energy labs in the new NECE.

Photos courtesy of Basin Electric Power Cooperative

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BSC to offer welding in HallidayBSC is adding an instructional site for

its welding technology program in Halli-day through an affiliation with the Halliday Public Schools. Students can earn a program certificate or an associate in applied science degree.

“BSC saw this as a unique opportunity to partner with a public school district in rural North Dakota to meet the needs of students and industry,” said Dr. Drake Carter, BSC provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The demand for welders in the oil fields and the rest of the energy industry remains strong despite a weaker national economy.”

The BSC program begins this fall; how-ever, the workforce-training component that the Halliday Public Schools system has conducted for three years will be ongoing this summer.

Ron Biberdorf, program administrator for Halliday Public Schools, says the school has 27 welding stations. Over the past three years, 125 welders who received training there have been placed in jobs, he said.

BSC received approval to provide the welding technology program in Halliday from the N.D. State Board of Higher Educa-tion and the Higher Learning Commission

of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

BSC’s new Instrumentation and Control Technology program begins its second year this fall with offerings of online classes.

Students interested in this high demand field can take the first year of electronics theory and lab courses entirely online. Sec-ond year, the six Instrumentation and Control Technology (I&C) theory courses will be available online.

“It’s important for online students to know that the second year of Instrumentation and Control laboratory classes must be com-pleted on campus,” said Robert Arso, chair of BSC’s Industrial Technology Department.

The I&C program, the only one in the North Dakota University System, was devel-oped at the request of regional energy plant managers. Automation has increased the need for highly trained technicians to operate the increasingly complicated machinery and computerized controls in plants and manufac-turing industries of all kinds.

New I&C Tech program goes online

Bismarck State CollegeP.O. Box 5587 Bismarck, ND 58506-5587