Milestones
Length of Service Awards reflect the successes of the past year

President Jon E. Quistgaard

Last week we honored faculty and staff who are marking milestone years of service or retiring. What remarkable career junctures to celebrate! In total, the group has contributed over 1,250 years of service to Bemidji State University. Of all the events we plan and activities we pursue each year, I believe that recognizing our colleagues’ service to the University is one of the most important. It is through the dedication and commitment of faculty and staff that we are able to achieve our goals and advance our vision of shaping potential, shaping worlds. I extend my gratitude to each of you for your contributions in advancing the vibrancy and vitality of this educational enterprise we call Bemidji State University.

During this academic year, we have continued making significant strides on many different fronts, including professional accreditations, enhanced external funding sources and new programs, facilities and services.

This year, the industrial technology program received accreditation from the National Association of Industrial Technology and the baccalaureate in social work was re-accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education awarded national accreditation to both the RN-to-BS program and the four-year track for an impressive 10 years, which is the maximum number of years the commission grants. An external review brought high praise to the geography program, commending the program for its educational goals and objectives, especially as they address the signature themes of global citizenship, environmental stewardship and service. Such accreditation and external review achievements help us assure prospective students, current students, alumni and employers that our programs meet or exceed industry or professional standards.

In responding to the global economy and the need for a workforce strong in science, engineering and technology, the University will offer three new majors this fall in engineering technology, management information systems and applied engineering. New emphases areas in wildlife management and international businesses as well as general, applied and actuarial math emphases also are being added. Beginning fall semester, new opportunities will be available to students who wish to pursue paths in pre-osteopathic medicine and pre-podiatric medicine. This is the first time these options have been available at Bemidji State.

Our efforts to recruit and retain students continued to build momentum as the new division of student development and enrollment, under the leadership of Dr. Lisa Erwin, set upon a strategically planned path of enhancing services for prospective and current students. Early success indicators include increased attendance at our Academic Advisement and Registration days; the arrival of a coordinator for the Advising Success Center and two retention counselors, one of whom is located in the American Indian Resource Center; a Campus Compact grant to create the Center for Leadership and Service; and data gathering through the Profile of the American College Student that will enable us to understand and serve our students better.

Earlier this month Governor Pawlenty signed a capital bonding bill that will have a lasting impact on our campus facilities. Our area and state legislative leaders, community members, business leaders, University students and campus colleagues worked diligently to garner support for Bemidji State’s bonding requests. As a result of their efforts, the state bonding bill included $20 million for the Bemidji Regional Events Center, with a new home for our Division I hockey programs included in the center’s plans. An additional $12 million directly funds campus projects, with $8.9 million allotted for a Sattgast Hall renovation, $525,000 to create clinical labs and classrooms in Memorial Hall for the nursing program and over $2 million for maintenance projects. These are in addition to the Linden Hall transformation that now provides a 21st century living and learning community for its residents.

On the funding front, faculty and staff have also been successful in securing nearly $2.6 million in grants this year. These funds support such diverse activities as accreditation training for the area’s Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center, outreach services to the area’s underserved secondary students, environmental research, the publishing of the Oshkaabewis Native Journal and, as mentioned earlier, the creation of a student leadership center.

Whether securing a new funding source or helping students discover new pathways to reach their dreams, Bemidji State’s faculty and staff are the energy source that fuels our success. As we say “good-bye” to our retirees and “thank you” to those with milestone service years, let us pause to recognize the daily dedication of the entire University community. Through the collective energy of faculty and staff, we have made significant progress toward our goal of becoming the Midwest’s premier student-centered state university.