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The North Dakota State College of Science John Deere Tech program has received The College of Tomorrow award from the John Deere Company and a Platinum ranking for the third consecutive year.

The award serves as a ranking system for the 16 colleges in the United States that offer a John Deere Tech program. The four levels are Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Among other criteria, rankings are based upon a college’s program image and professionalism, students, instructor development, facility, safety and most importantly, student learning.

“We are truly honored to receive this Platinum designation,” said Larry Ascheman, NDSCS associate professor and John Deere Tech program coordinator.  “It’s important for students who are considering college options to understand the significance that this premiere John Deere Tech program is offered right here in North Dakota.”

The NDSCS John Deere Tech program is designed to develop technically competent, professional ag equipment service technicians. The John Deere Company sponsors the program and NDSCS administers and operates the program. This unique and innovative program combines state-of-the-art, on-campus learning experiences with supervised occupational experiences at sponsoring John Deere dealerships. Students receive technical training on John Deere equipment and related products through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experiences. Classroom and laboratory instruction at NDSCS covers the basics of each subject plus the latest developments in John Deere’s agricultural equipment. Work experience at the dealership reinforces on-campus training and exposes the student to real life failures and repairs as they occur on the equipment.

The John Deere Tech program is taught in Bisek Hall, a state-of-the-art diesel training facility which spans 125,000 sq.ft., and is located in Wahpeton, N.D. Graduates of the program earn an Associate in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.).

Prospective students can learn more by visiting www.ndscs.edu/johndeere or by contacting the John Deere Tech department (701-671-2213), Diesel Technology department (701-671-2330) or Enrollment Services in Wahpeton (1-800-342-4325).

The North Dakota State College of Science Concert Band and Concert Choir will perform in the College’s spring concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 6 in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton. The concert is free and open to the public.

Following the concert, the performance groups will embark on a tour in New York City from April 7-12. Funding for the trip is provided by the students and by private donations. No college dollars will be used, and donations are still being accepted to help students pay for meals during the tour.

“This is a big step for NDSCS,” said Poyzer. “We strive to offer the four-year college experience in a two-year setting, and this is part of that complete education.”

On the tour, the Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Adam Hollingsworth, will play on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid, which is now docked in the Hudson River and includes the Space Shuttle Enterprise on its deck. The band will also perform in a combined event with the Concert Choir at Thomas Paine Park. The choir, under the direction of Bryan Poyzer, will have the opportunity to sing at the Statue of Liberty and tour Ellis Island.

The April 6 concert at NDSCS will feature many of the songs the Concert Band and Concert Choir will perform while on tour. The music selections will have a patriotic theme.

“These are still the kids of the September 11th era and they need a chance to view the memorials and see first-hand how music helps in the healing process and brings people together,” said Poyzer.

Other sites on the tour will include the newly constructed Freedom Towers, Broadway shows, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Plaza, St. Paul’s and St. Patrick’s Cathedrals, and attempting to be seen on TV during filming of NBC’s Today Show on the morning of April 11.

By Frank Stanko

Jared Wick knows the pressures of competing and setting the best example for his teammates. His playing field just happens to be the kitchen.

Wick, a second year at North Dakota State College of Science, was one of eight culinary arts students who led the school to seventh place at the 2017 Central Regional Culinary Salon Competition. Not only did he represent NDSCS, but North Dakota itself.

“Every knife cut, you want it to be good, just to justify your being captain. It’s a pressure, but it’s a good pressure,” he said. “It taught me to strive more, to work harder and to be a leader.”

Held by the American Culinary Federation from Friday, Feb. 3-Saturday, Feb. 4, the 2017 competition took place in Joliet, Illinois. Thanks to the event’s point system, NDSCS qualified as a bronze-level winner.

Read the full article online at wahpetondailynews.com.

Fifteen students at the North Dakota State College of Science are participating in the College’s Science of Leadership program during the Spring 2017 semester.

The students, along with their hometowns and program of study, are:
• Lane Berger; Bismarck, N.D.; Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology
• Lizzie Brown; Wahpeton, N.D.; Liberal Arts
• Breanda Bursheim; Buffalo, Minn.; Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Georges Creve-Coeur; Stamford, Conn.; Diesel Technology
• Sami Hasbargen; Wahpeton, N.D.; Liberal Arts
• Shanda Hayden; Fargo, N.D.; Dental Hygiene
• Cynthia Heinis; Plankinton, S.D.; Liberal Arts
• Addison Helgaas; Jamestown, N.D.; Liberal Arts
• Heather Heyerman; St. Michael, Minn.; Business Management
• Kody Lohse; Fergus Falls, Minn.; Business Management
• Logan Meyer; Wahpeton, N.D.; Liberal Arts
• Mason Rademacher; Sauk Rapids, Minn.; Liberal Arts
• Lee Reinowski; Anamoose, N.D.; Architectural Drafting and Estimating Technology
• Riley Thoma; Bagley, Minn.; Dental Hygiene
• Megan Wilt; Wheaton, Minn.; Dental Hygiene

The Science of Leadership program, in its fourth year, engages students in existing leadership roles to further develop the skills necessary to become life-long leaders. The program seeks to foster students’ skills related to critical thinking, problem solving, communication, planning and organization.

Any student who serves as an officer in an official NDSCS student organization is eligible to apply and, if selected, participate in the Science of Leadership program and receive a $3,000 scholarship. The scholarships were made possible through a generous gift from Edson and Margaret Larson foundation, the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Grant and the NDSCS Alumni/Foundation.

The program develops students’ leadership skills through an interactive and engaging leadership curriculum, provides experiential leadership learning opportunities and provides small-group mentoring from NDSCS professional staff members.