North Dakota State College of Science has received The College of Tomorrow award from the John Deere Company. The award, which was presented during the College’s John Deere Tech Advisory Committee Meeting, serves as a ranking system for the 16 colleges in the United States that offer a John Deere Tech program. 

NDSCS received the highest ranking of Platinum for the second consecutive year. In 2014, the College received the second highest ranking of Gold. The ranking system consists of four levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

“To achieve the Platinum level College of Tomorrow Award it takes a commitment to excellence from everyone involved,” said Joe Plymale, John Deere Manager of College Partnerships. “The entire NDSCS John Deere Tech department and administration have continually shown a commitment to the success of the program and the graduates.”

Among other criteria, rankings are based upon a college’s program image and professionalism, students, instructor development, facility, safety and most importantly, student learning.

“It truly is an honor for the John Deere Tech program to be recognized in this way,” said Larry Ascheman, NDSCS John Deere Tech Program Coordinator. “We are very pleased to have received a Platinum ranking from John Deere, and we continue to strive to produce some of today’s best graduates – fully equipped to meet the workforce needs of the region and state of 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.

“The success of the John Deere Tech program continues to grow,” said Dr. John Richman, NDSCS President. “This growth is due to our dedicated and focused faculty and staff, students, and business and industry partners making it one of the most well-known and high demand programs in the country. We are honored to receive such a rare designation."

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 the John Deere Tech Center and Bisek Hall located in Wahpeton, N.D. Graduates of the program earn an Associate in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.). Prospective students can learn more about the John Deere Tech program 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 Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Technology program recently received reaccreditation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

To achieve this coveted recognition, the College’s Auto Body Repair & Refinishing Technology program underwent rigorous evaluation by NATEF. Nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities and equipment were used.

“This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents,” said Donald Seyfer, former NATEF Chair. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that NDSCS graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by NDSCS, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the work force.”

Upon completion of the evaluation, the College became reaccredited by NATEF, a non-profit, independent organization that evaluates and accredits entry-level technician training programs against standards developed by the automotive industry.

“During the past few months, we have worked closely with NATEF to make certain that our program would meet strict industry standards and we are pleased to once again join the ranks of the NATEF accredited training programs,” said James Erdahl, NDSCS Automotive Repair & Refinishing Technology Program Chair and Associate Professor. “NDSCS students are guaranteed to receive a quality education while shop owners can be confident of obtaining quality job applicants.”

To learn more about the NDSCS Automotive Repair & Refinishing Technology program, including certificate and A.A.S. degree options, visit www.ndscs.edu/autobody or call 1-800-342-4325 ext. 2521.

Eight North Dakota State College of Science faculty and staff members have been chosen and named recipients of the College’s Excellence in Teaching Award and Excellence in Service Award for the 2015-2016 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 the selection committee. This year’s recipients were chosen by a selection committee comprised of faculty members, students, academic deans and staff members from a group of 70 nominees.

The honorees are:
• Rhonda Edwardson: Allied Dental Education Associate Professor
• E. B. Floersch: Diesel Technology Assistant Professor
• Jeff Hart: Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate Professor
• Kathy Marquette: Business Administration and Management Associate Professor

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, clerical, trades and service positions that are not on probationary status with recipients chosen by Human Resources and the Rewards and Recognition Committee.

The honorees are:
• Kijia Homes: Student Success Office Manager
• Kerri Kava: Student Life Assistant Director
• Lynnette Krack: Automotive Technology Assistant
• Ryan Meisch: Facilities Management Campus Plumber

The North Dakota State College of Science recently awarded academic scholarships to an additional 18 incoming 2016 NDSCS freshmen from three states.

The scholarships recognize and reward students for academic achievement, test scores and participation in extracurricular and other volunteer activities. The scholarships – awarded for $1,000 or $500 – are applicable during the 2016-2017 academic year. The honorees include:

MINNESOTA
Battle Lake: Wes Olson, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00; Katlyn Rilla, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00
Breckenridge: Max Glueckert, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00; Amanda Ronan, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00
Inver Grove Heights: Gabriela Alicea, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00
Kensington: Colden Helberg, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00
Kent: Katie Tschakert, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00

NORTH DAKOTA
Anamoose: Lee Reinowski, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00
Cayuga: Shalyn Murack, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00
Devils Lake: Braydi Hoime, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00
Fargo: Devon Redden, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00
Forman: Taylor Chapin, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00 
Grand Forks: Christopher Helmoski, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00
Lisbon: Linsey Leadbetter, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00
Mohall: Becca Schoenberg, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000.00
Thompson: Colton Luck, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00
Watford City: Cody Kirkland, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00

SOUTH DAKOTA
New Effington: Kellie Hansen, NDSCS Foundation Scholarship - $500.00

Thirty-two North Dakota State College of Science Collegiate DECA members recently competed at the North Dakota Career Development Conference in Fargo, N.D. NDSCS Chapter members participated in 16 separate events, ending up with a finalist in 11 events.

One-hundred-twenty students representing both two and four-year colleges and universities from across the state competed against one another in a variety of simulations, case studies and prepared events.     

The 11 NDSCS finalists include:

• Nate Wier – Accounting (Finalist); Business Ethics (2nd Place)
• Marcus Karsky – Accounting (Finalist)
• Ali Schoneman – Banking and Financial Services (Finalist)
• Thia Uhren – Fashion Merchandising (Finalist)
• Rowdy Borman – Restaurant Management (3rd Place); Human Resource Management (3rd Place)
• Noah Dobmeier – Retail Management (3rd Place); Business Ethics (2nd Place)
• Amy Stevens – Travel and Tourism (Finalist)
• Katlyn Hilbrand – Marketing Management (1st Place)
• Ian Uhrich – Sales Manager Meeting (3rd Place)

In addition, Ian Uhrich was elected to serve as the 2016-2017 State Association President while Dana Anderson was elected to serve as next year’s State Vice President.

NDSCS will now be sending a delegation to the International Career Development Conference to be held in Washington D.C. this April.

Collegiate DECA at NDSCS prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Nationwide, Collegiate DECA includes over 15,000 members in 275 colleges and universities.