Hankinson High School proudly announces that four of its students have achieved a significant milestone by earning a college certificate while still in high school. These remarkable young women were honored at the school's Academic Recognition Program on May 8^th, where their outstanding achievements were celebrated.

The students took advantage of the dual credit opportunities offered by North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), allowing them to complete the Liberal Arts General Education Transfer Certificate this spring. This program, championed by Career and Development Counselor Danielle Luebke, provides students with a valuable credential that can be transferred to any institution within the North Dakota University System (NDUS) or the state's five tribal colleges. Ms. Luebke's dedication to advocating for her students and guiding them in their post-graduation paths has been instrumental in their success.

The Liberal Arts General Education Transfer Certificate is designed for high school students aiming to earn college credits that are transferable within the NDUS. Based on the General Education Transfer Agreement (GERTA), this certificate ensures a smooth transition for students continuing their education at NDSCS or other institutions. The students who earned this prestigious certificate are Kylee Falk, Ashlynn Foertsch, Hannah Lingen, and Rylee Steffens. Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they serve as an inspiration to their peers.

Missy DeHaan, Director of Dual Credit at NDSCS, was excited for the Hankinson graduates, sharing, “Earning a college credential while in high school is quite an achievement. It demonstrates not only the academic excellence but also strong dedication, time management skills, and a clear vision for their future. The energy, enthusiasm and persistence in their educational goals are powerful indicators of their potential for success beyond high school. Congratulations!”

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.

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.

The NDSCS Performing Arts Department will present its final concert on Tuesday April 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Jazz Band and Wildcat Singers will be returning from their North Dakota tour and will be performing music from the trip. There will be rock, pop, jazz and country music at this very family-friendly event, which will also include a special appearance by Wildcat Willie.

The event will include free admission, a family-friendly, upbeat musical program, and an opportunity to support the arts through a free will donation. Come and enjoy the talent of our NDSCS musicians for the final time until Fall!