In This Issue
- Minn. Sesquicentennial Celebration Kick-off at U of M, Crookston
- Homecoming 2007 "Let the Good Times Roll"
- Five Honored with Torch & Shield Award
- Enrollment Jumps 8.5% for Degree-Seeking Students
- Regents Approve Urban Forestry Program for U of M, Crookston
- Alumni Association Announces Raffle Winners
Professor Benoit Kicks off Minnesota Sesquicentennial Celebration at U of M, Crookston
 More than 300 students, faculty and staff filled Kiehle Auditorium on October 24 for fall convocation at the University of Minnesota, Crookston and the kick-off for the campus' recogniton of the Minnesota Sesquicentenial celebration. A regional historian, Virgil Benoit, Ph.D., spoke on the history behind the auditorium's murals, painted by John Martin Socha. The murals depict scenes of area history from the 1800s to the 1940s, including the Old Crossing Treating signing ceremony. Benoit, a professor of French at the University of North Dakota, also talked about the rich heritage we share with all people on the earth, the wealth of our collective experiences and the challenges we face together. We invite you to learn more about the Kiehle Auditorium murals.
Homecoming 2007 "Let the Good Times Roll"
 Alumni and friends joined University of Minnesota, Crookston students, faculty and staff for homecoming activities in early October. Congratulations to outstanding alumni Doug Aretz '75 and Richard Magnusson '81 and athletic hall of fame inductees Janice (Gubbels) Milliard '84, Steele Senske, ex. '90 and Chancellor Emeritus Donald Sargeant. All were honored at the Friday evening banquet, rode in the homecoming parade Saturday and were recognized during the football game's halftime show.| more
We invite you to check out the homecoming photo album and encourage you to mark your calendars and make plans to attend the festivities September 26-27, 2008. UMC's Class of 1968 are well into the planning for their 40th reunion celebration!
Five Individuals Honored with Torch & Shield Award
 The Torch & Shield Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the University of Minnesota, Crookston, was presented to Cindy Bigger, Jon Evert, Robert Jones, Ph.D., Ardell Knudsvig and Senator Keith Langseth, during a special recognition on Oct. 23, 2007, in Bede Ballroom on the campus.
The Torch & Shield Award recognizes individuals who have provided leadership and who have aided in the development of UMC, the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) and University of Minnesota Extension.
"Each one of these committed individuals has invested in the success of our students, our campus and our mission of education, research, outreach and public engagement in northwestern Minnesota," UMC Chancellor Charles H. Casey said. "Over the years, they have put community ahead of personal recognition and have served as exemplary leaders. They are very deserving of this honor, as seen by their dedication, collaboration and unique contributions." | more
Enrollment Jumps 8.5 Percent for Degree-Seeking Students
Fall 2007 enrollment for degree-seeking students is on the upswing at the University of Minnesota, Crookston showing significant increases in new freshman, international and online student numbers. Enrollment has increased more than 8.5 percent compared with fall 2006.
Total enrollment for degree-seeking students reached 1,142 this fall, marking the first time the Crookston campus has recorded a rise since 2003. The freshman class netted the largest increase at 35 percent, going from 299 to 406 students. The number of international and online students has also shown steady growth. International enrollment has gone from 30 students in 2005 to more than 90 students this semester. Online credit hours have increased by 30 percent. | more
Regents Approve Urban Forestry Program for U of M, Crookston
 A University of Minnesota, Crookston program in urban forestry was approved recently by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents at their monthly meeting. This will be a new emphasis within the horticulture program along with existing programs in production horticulture and environmental landscaping.
"One of the priorities at the U of M, Crookston is to provide undergraduate programs that lead to applied careers in the industry. At the present time, municipalities and agencies are asking for employees who have knowledge of urban forestry or arboriculture and we are delighted to gain approval to meet this need," according to Dan Svedarsky, head of the Natural Resources Department which will offer the program. Tree care and related landscape practices have changed extensively within the last 20 years along with the demand for knowledgeable tree care specialists. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) are leading the way in worker safety and industry education.
Both have student organizations and support students with scholarships, intercollegiate competitions, school clubs and networking with employers at annual conferences.
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Alumni Association Scholarship Raffle Winners
- 1st - Dr. Colin Fennell - Terry Redlin print
- 2nd- Jeff Bigger - two all-event athletic passes
- 3rd - Mike Vivion - Crookston Daily Times newspaper subscription
- 4th - Mark Torell - one night stay at AmericInn, Crookston
- 5th - Ed Odland - one night stay at Northland Inn, Crookston
- 6th - Mike Christopherson - UMC gift basket
Congratulations winners and thanks to everyone for supporting scholarships for U of M, Crookston students.
Do you know of others who might want to subscribe to this e-newsletter? Send their names and e-mail addresses to Sue Dwyer (sdwyer@umn.edu).
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Charles "Chuck" Holmquist graduated in 1952 from the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA), and currently serves as the alumni association president. He also served as president of the board in 1956, the year the NWSA celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.
Nicky Overgaard, '96, instructor in equine industries management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, was recently named the 2007 Horsewoman of the Year by the Great Midwestern International Horse Show. 