By Red River Farm Network

Last fall, the North Dakota State College of Science Agriculture Program received nearly 100 acres of land. With support from several businesses and organizations, corn, soybeans and wheat are now growing at the college’s Ag Land Lab. NDSCS Agriculture Program Chair Craig Zimprich says students will return this summer for spraying, scouting and precision agriculture training. “They’ll learn from experts in sprayer technology about why different nozzles are used and new technologies,” says Zimprich. “Agronomists will be on hand, helping students scout crops. Also, we know there are salinity issues in the fields. So, the students will look at variability in the different crops, weed pressures and make recommendations.” Students in the program come from a variety of backgrounds. About half plan to return to the family farm, while others will go into agribusiness careers such as agronomy or marketing. Hear more about the Ag Land Lab from Zimprich in the interview below.

Listen to the interview online at www.rrfn.com. 

The NDSCS Practical Nursing Southeast North Dakota cohort achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The students graduated from NDSCS in December 2017 with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Practical Nursing.

The students in this cohort, from Lisbon, Ellendale, Oakes and surrounding areas in North Dakota, completed their studies over a three-year period in Oakes, N.D. The program consisted of evening classes and clinical experience based in southeast North Dakota, allowing students to continue with their current employment and maintain other responsibilities.

Community businesses and organizations in southeast North Dakota donated dollars to help fund the program offered in Oakes, N.D. These area donors include:

• City of Lisbon Star Fund, Lisbon, N.D.
• Ransom County Economic Development, Lisbon, N.D.
• Dickey County, Ellendale, N.D.
• Good Samaritan Society, Oakes, N.D.
• Oakes Enhancement Initiatives, Oakes, N.D.
• Sanford Oakes Clinic, Oakes, N.D.

NDSCS offers three academic options for Nursing students. The Practical Nursing program is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or wish to transfer to an associate or bachelor’s program for nursing. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available to applicants wishing to become a Registered Nurse. The Associate in Science for Nursing program is available to Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to continue their nursing education and become a Registered Nurse. In addition to its regular cohorts, NDSCS has conducted more than 30 satellite nursing programs as part of its commitment to meeting the workforce needs of rural North Dakota and the region.

For further information on the NDSCS nursing programs visit ndscs.edu/nursing or email alliedhealthcareers@ndscs.edu.

North Dakota State College of Science honored numerous employees at the annual Employee Recognition Program on April 27, 2018. Faculty and staff members were named recipients of the College’s Excellence in Teaching Award and Excellence in Service Award as well as the College’s annual LIFE and Steeple awards for the 2017-2018 academic year.

The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes instructors who, among other outstanding characteristics, demonstrate competence and sincere interest in their subjects, present material in a suitable, well-integrated fashion and encourage participation from students. Selection criteria include student evaluations, feedback and deliberations by a selection committee comprised of faculty members and students. This year’s recipients were chosen from a group of more than 40 nominees. The honorees are:

• Larissa Gilbertson: Associate Professor, Academic Services Center
• Char Schuler: Assistant Professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Jane Krump: Professor/Department Chair, Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Jeri Christiansen: Associate Professor, Nursing

The Excellence in Service Award recognizes employees who consistently go above and beyond every day and exemplify the College’s values of learning, integrity, flexibility and excellence. Nominations are open to those serving in the professional, office support, technical, paraprofessional, trades and service positions that are not on probationary status with recipients chosen by the President and Vice Presidents. The honorees are:

• Billie Jo Hendrickson: Building Services Supervisor, Facilities Management
• John Lesch: ITS Service Desk Specialist, Information Technology Services
• Shannon Dyrness: Administrative Secretary, Distance Education
• Vince Plummer: Personal Counselor, Student Health and Counseling Services

This year’s LIFE award recognized Network and Information Technology Security Coordinator Chris Kelsen. The award is presented to an individual, employee group or committee for developing and implementing an action plan for Strategic Planning or Academic Quality Improvement Project goals. Kelsen was recognized for his work in a number of important Information Technology Services efforts that have significantly improved the technology services that support the success of NDSCS students and employees. Chris led an extensive upgrade of the College's data network, including upgrading network hardware and implementing network routing. This was completed on a live network and Kelsen handled unexpected challenges with flexibility, professionalism and creative thinking.

This year’s Steeple award was presented to the NSF ATE North Dakota Weld Grant. The recipients included Welding Technology faculty Clint Gilbertson, Joel Johnson, Vance Harthun, Lee Larson and Mitch Van Vleet. The Steeple award stands for “Climbing New Heights” and is presented to an individual, employee group or committee for new and innovative methods to accomplish their role on campus. With the grant, NDSCS will prepare pathways for North Dakota secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools to articulate Welding education at NDSCS, and ultimately increase the number of skilled welding employees in the industry. NDSCS will develop common curriculum, teacher training, assessment and industry credentials for participating North Dakota CTE welding programs.

North Dakota State College of Science will hold its commencement ceremony on Friday, May 11 at 3 p.m. in the Ed Werre Arena located in the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center in Wahpeton, N.D. Six hundred ninety students from the Wahpeton campus, NDSCS-Fargo location and online are scheduled to graduate. Two hundred eight of these graduates will be recognized with a Scholastic Achievement Award.

Faculty Senate President Barry Frank will serve as the Grand Marshal, Vice President for Academic Affairs Harvey Link will preside as the Master of Ceremonies and NDSCS President John Richman will give remarks and recognitions as well as the presentation of degrees, diplomas and certificates. Addison Helgaas, Student Senate President, will share his remarks. The NDSCS Performing Arts department will also perform musical selections.

April is Occupational Therapy Month, recognizing those who work in the industry that helps people perform everyday activities through therapeutic techniques. The NDSCS Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is celebrating Occupational Therapy Month by bringing awareness to the occupation.

Occupational Therapy Assistants provide treatment under a physician’s order and are supervised by an Occupational Therapist. Occupational therapy might be required for a variety of reasons, including a traumatic accident, mental health issues, a stroke or a lifelong condition such as cerebral palsy. Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients live as independently as possible by teaching them ways to perform daily tasks and routines.

The NDSCS Occupational Therapy Assistant program offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree. Students complete three semesters of academic coursework and one semester of full-time clinical experience in various facilities. The program has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association since 1972. Occupational Therapy Assistant students participate in a number of activities that provide hands-on experience during their time at NDSCS, including teaching handwriting to elementary school students and working with residents in nursing homes. Students also recently hosted a CarFit event, where they completed a 12-point checklist to ensure that individuals fit their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety.

According to the June 2017 U.S. News and World Report, OTAs rank number one of the 19 Best Jobs for Community College Graduates. The demand for Occupational Therapy services is great as baby boomers are aging, medical advances are prolonging life and health reform is driving more patients into the helping arms of OTAs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the profession will grow by 29 percent by 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. 

Individuals interested in the NDSCS Occupational Therapy Assistant program can learn more online at ndscs.edu/ota. The program is still accepting applications for the Fall 2018 semester. To learn more about Occupational Therapy, visit aota.org or join in the conversation on social media by using #OccupationalTherapyMonth.