North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is excited about a new partnership with area coffee shops to support local organizations. This initiative aims to enhance connections while raising funds for community causes within the Wahpeton and Fargo areas.

Participating coffee shops include Dakota Coffee Co. in Wahpeton and Thunder Coffee in Fargo. Lee Schwartz, Director of Marketing at NDSCS, brought the partners together. “We’re always looking for ways to give back…we really wanted to do something bigger than advertising. We met with Skylar (Thunder Coffee) and Victoria (Dakota Coffee), and they generously agreed to distribute the sleeves and stickers to help support the communities we all call home. It might not bring them unprecedented funding, but with over 35,000 pieces being shared, it certainly will raise awareness for the missions of these great nonprofits.”

Customers are encouraged to enjoy their favorite brews and scan the QR code on their coffee cup or sleeve to contribute to the enrichment of their community. The selected organizations, Richland Wilkin Kinship and Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley, encompass a range of causes, including mentorship, empowerment, education and more. 

“At Farm in the Dell, we are so grateful to be a part of initiatives in the community, working alongside local leaders like NDSCS and Thunder Coffee. It is a wonderful thing when organizations can find alignment and lift each other up - in this case providing real-world experience for individuals looking to develop and grow,” shared Anna Sather, Executive Director of Farm in the Dell, about this partnership. 

Marie Miller, Assistant Director for Richland-Wilkin Kinship is excited about the partnership, sharing, “We greatly appreciate NDSCS and Dakota Coffee Co. for partnering with Richland-Wilkin Kinship over the years in efforts to amplify youth mentoring in our community. Partnerships like this help us recruit ordinary people, to do ordinary things, making an extraordinary difference in the lives of local youth.”

For more information about the organizations receiving funds, visit their websites at:
RWKinship.org and Farminthedellrrv.org.

On Friday, May 10, North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) will host its annual Commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. in the Ed Werre Arena, located in the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center. This year's ceremony honors approximately 657 students from the Wahpeton campus, NDSCS-Fargo location and online who are eligible to graduate.

Faculty Council President Brian Hagelstrom will lead the processional as the Stage Marshal, and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Lisa Karch, will preside over the event as the Master of Ceremonies.

The ceremony will include remarks from NDSCS President Dr. Rod Flanigan, who will also oversee the presentation of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Additional remarks will be delivered by Kevin Black, representing the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, and Katie Willprecht, the Student Senate President. In a display of the College's rich tradition and community spirit, the NDSCS Wildcat Singers will perform a musical piece during the event.

Tickets are not required to attend NDSCS Commencement. The South doors of the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center will open for guests at 1:45 p.m., closing promptly at 2:50 p.m. to ensure a timely start to the ceremony. Guests are encouraged to arrive with their entire party to secure seating, as seating is first-come, first-served – reserving seats will not be permitted.

For those who cannot attend in person, NDSCS extends our invitation to join the celebration virtually. The live stream link will be accessible on the day of the event at NDSCS.edu/Graduation. We welcome community members to join the broadcast to help celebrate the graduates’ success.

NDSCS is proud to uphold the tradition of recognizing the accomplishments of its students, and this year's graduation is set to be a memorable event for graduates, their families, and the college community alike.

Aiden Hoff, a 1st-year Construction Management Technology student at NDSCS is preparing to leave the state for an exclusive internship opportunity this summer — with Syncom Space Services (contractor for NASA)!

Aiden is a Fargo, ND native, graduating from high school in May, 2023. He has been involved with construction and construction management for 5+ years, where his hands-on experience and networking efforts in the Fargo region have not only honed his skills but have also affirmed his passion for leading in the construction industry.

Aiden chose to attend NDSCS because he liked the idea of a two-year college where he could learn things that were focused on helping him in his future career. He was happy that NDSCS in Wahpeton isn't too far from his family's home in Fargo, but is far enough that he can gain independence. After checking out some other colleges, Aiden felt that NDSCS had the best program for Construction Management, and was excited about the full college experience available to him at a smaller institution.

Aiden came to NDSCS in the Fall of 2023, and so far has had an exceptional experience as a student on the Wahpeton campus. During this academic year, Aiden has been involved on campus, participating in free student events and being part of leadership organizations like Student Senate and Construction and Design Technology (CDT) Club. Aiden also competed in the International Builders’ Show in Last Vegas this Spring, where he presented a project with his team at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, and placed 5th in the nation. Read more here.

As the academic year comes to a close on May 10th, Aiden's sights are set on a new adventure. Come May 20th, he will embark on his journey to the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Summer internships are required in the Construction Management program at NDSCS, and Aiden’s experience is sure to be unique. This prestigious summer internship is a testament to NDSCS's quality education and Aiden's exceptional skills.

At Stennis, a hub for NASA's most critical projects, Aiden’s role will extend beyond the average intern’s, taking charge as a Construction Manager on a Naval base, overseeing subcontractors on projects essential to both the Navy and NASA.

The competition for this internship was intense. Aiden stood out among applicants with four-year degrees and even higher education, including international applicants. It was his strong work ethic, drive for knowledge, and evident leadership skills that set him apart.

This opportunity is proof that a two-year degree can open as many doors as a four-year degree – and with less financial burden. Aiden credits the Construction faculty at NDSCS for giving him the education and confidence to pursue this opportunity, noting that the small class sizes and personalized attention at NDSCS have prepared him well.

When his internship ends in August of this year, Aiden will return to NDSCS for his 2nd year as a Construction Management student. He is on course to graduate in May, 2025. After graduation, Aiden is open to what his next career move will be. He has always dreamed of owning his own Construction Management business, but is open to more opportunities and wants to see where this S3 (NASA) internship will lead.

Aiden Hoff is not just a student; he is a leader in the making. With his commitment to excellence, his value of education, and his motivation for achievement, it’s clear that he will be extremely successful — wherever life takes him after NDSCS.

North Dakota State College of Science students, faculty and staff will celebrate their annual Agawasie Day event on Thursday, May 2. Events on the College’s Wahpeton campus will begin at 1:00 p.m., with inflatables, games, music, food and numerous attractions taking place throughout the afternoon, including a street dance in the evening.

The public is invited to participate in the Agawasie Day Car Show, which will take place from 1-4 p.m. Registration for the car show is free for all participants, including students, faculty, staff and the public. Trophies will be awarded for Best in Class for each category (cars, trucks, motorcycles), and one overall Best in Show. Additional information and registration are available online at NDSCS.edu/Agawasie or by calling 701-671-2401.

In 1914, the College published its first yearbook called the Agawasie. The arrival of the annual became a day for celebration, hence the start of the annual Agawasie Day picnic. While publishing an annual yearbook was discontinued in 2004, the day for celebration still lives on as Agawasie Day and is celebrated every year right before the start of finals.