BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY The publication for alumni and friends of Bemidji State University Spring/Summer 2007 A Chance to Advance Nursing Program to Provide New Supply of Practitioners Boosting Potential Alumni Help Strengthen BSU A Clear Leader Professor’s Research Forwards BSU’s Environmental Vision A ife of Conviction LDr. Annie B. Henry T H E L A K E , the L E A R N I N G , the MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Spring semester events are as varied as the weather patterns that heave-and-ho throughout the term when wintry, wind- swept days transition into sun-splashed spring. Sports and activities such as hock- ey, basketball, the Snow Ball, and skijor- ing lessons give way to baseball, softball, outdoor track and field, the spring musical, a multitude of concerts and conferences, and, of course, commencement. This year, more than 800 are expected to participate in a ceremony that celebrates not only the achievement of students, but also the realization of their dreams. As we honor these graduates and say our final good- byes, we know that, like the constancy of our seasons, a new crop of freshmen soon will emerge, coming to us full of excite- ment, anticipation, and dreams to fulfill. Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard, President Horizons Bemidji State University T H E L A K E , the L E A R N I N G , the COVER STORY: ife! Dr. Annie Henry has spent her life trying to better the lives of others L through education. Story on page 12. Contents 2 Campus Notes 5 A Chance to Advance 8 Seniors to Watch 0 Enduring Memories 2 A Life of Conviction 4 Educational Landscape 8 Boosting Potential 20 A Clear Leader 22 Hall of Fame 24 Class Notes 29 Calendar of Events Vol. 22, No. 2, Spring/Summer 2007 HORIZOns is produced by the Communications and Marketing Office, Alumni Association, and BSU Foundation at Bemidji State University. It is published three times per year and distributed free to BSU alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Universi- ty. Direct comments to [email protected] or -888-234-7794. Editor Rose Jones Alumni Director Marla Patrias Foundation Executive Director Rob Bollinger Designer Kathy Berglund Photography Director John Swartz Contributing Photographers Joel Butkowski, Grant Gartland, Steve Rossini Contributing Writers Carrie Cramer, Jody Grau, Al Nohner, Cindy Serratore Editorial Assistance Scott Hondl, Al Nohner, Peggy Nohner Production Assistance The Johnson Group Marketing, St. Cloud, Minnesota Editorial Board: Rob Bollinger, Joann Fredrickson, Maureen Gibbon, Rose Jones, Keith Marek, Al Nohner, Marla Patrias A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Bemidji State University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 1-800-475-2001 or 218-755-3883. Horizons BemidjiBSU State Marketing University & Communications 07-091 CampusCampus Notes Notes Evan B. Hazard Vertebrate BSU Recognized as Museum Dedicated Green Power Partner The Evan B. Hazard Vertebrate Mu- The U.S. Environmental Protection seum in Sattgast Hall was dedicated Agency has named Bemidji State as a this spring to recognize contributions Green Power Partner for its commitment the former faculty member made to to purchase renewable wind energy. Bemidji State University as a teacher, The University began purchasing wind researcher, and benefactor. energy through the Otter Tail Power Hazard and his wife, Elaine, contrib- Company’s TailWinds program in 2005, uted funds to the BSU Foundation and currently purchases about five per- that resulted in naming the museum, cent of its electricity as wind energy. which will house the 5,500 specimens MPCA Funds Clean The program aims to reduce reliance on in the University’s vertebrate collec- Lakes Study fossil fuels for electrical power and lessen tion. Hazard acquired many of the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute specimens, mostly birds and mammals, The Minnesota Pollution to climate change. which are used for both teaching and Control Agency and re- Students for the Environment, a BSU cam- display purposes. searchers at Bemidji State pus-based group, led the effort to begin A professor emeritus, Hazard retired in are launching a study to the student-fee funded purchase of wind 994 after 36 years at BSU. determine how much lake- energy, which first provided electricity to shore residents and others Hobson Memorial Student Union. are willing to pay to clean up Minnesota lakes. Exchange Signed with The MPCA awarded BSU Hebei University a $48,000 grant for an eco- Faculty and students at Bemidji State nomic analysis of property and Hebei University of Science and valuations and benefits, as Technology in China will benefit from well as a comprehensive an agreement that extends the current survey of what affected res- administrative exchange to encompass idents are willing to pay for more opportunities in both countries. restoration efforts. The relationship between the two The study focuses on two schools began through the American different lake regions in the Association of State Colleges and Uni- Upper Mississippi River Dr. Evan B. Hazard versities, which sponsored a leadership Basin of Minnesota - the training initiative in China. That ini- Sauk River Chain of Lakes, tiative led to the exploration of faculty Transition Help for southwest of St. Cloud, and and student exchanges. Students with Disabilities Lake Margaret, part of the Gull Lake Chain, north of Hebei University of Science and Tech- Bemidji State University will offer a Brainerd. Both are popular nology is one of the key, multi-disci- weeklong workshop in August to assist lake recreation areas with plinary universities in Hebei province. high school students with disabilities impaired waters caused by It is composed of four campuses with in their transition to postsecondary excessive nutrients. 6 colleges. Among its 45 undergradu- education, better preparing them for ate programs are specialties in engi- success in colleges and universities. Once completed, the study neering, science, liberal arts, manage- will include models for ment, law, and medicine. They offer Sessions will focus on critical skill ar- evaluating the economic master’s degrees in nine disciplines. eas needed for achievement: academic impact of management preparedness, independent living, and practices and rehabilitation management of disability needs. The alternatives for water qual- workshop will also help participants ity. Policy makers will be learn how their disability affects them able to use the findings to socially and in the classroom. For more determine the social ben- information, contact the Disabilities efits and the costs of vari- Services Office at 28-755-3883. ous water quality projects BSU President Jon E. Quistgaard (left) and Hebei across Minnesota. President Li Qiang sign the exchange agreement. 2 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 3 Campus Notes Grant Supports Special Education Initiative Bemidji State received a $25,000 grant to encourage Native American under- graduates to pursue careers as special education teachers in hopes that their tribal perspectives will enhance learn- ing for native and non-native students. Of the 35 Native American students enrolled in education programs at Be- midji State, less than one percent are currently enrolled in the special edu- Linden Hall Collaborative Degree Offered cation licensure program. Undergoing Suite Bemidji State University and Alexan- The grant will provide a minimum of Transformation dria Technical College are collabo- three scholarships for Native Ameri- rating to deliver courses required for can undergraduates willing to com- The transformation of students to earn an associate in arts plete an introductory course in special Linden Hall into residence (AA) degree in Alexandria. education and commit to an intern- hall suites has begun with The AA is a generalist degree that satis- ship or job shadow experience in a plans to open for students fies liberal arts education requirements special education classroom. as earlier as spring semes- and prepares students for work on a bachelor’s degree in almost any field. The Minnesota Department of Educa- ter 2008. tion awarded the grant through the Funded by the Minnesota Alexandria Tech will offer 40 of the 64 degree credits on its campus. Bemidji federal Special Education Improve- State Colleges and Uni- State will provide 24 credits in a vari- ment Grant for Children with Dis- versities, the $8.5 million ety of delivery methods, including on- abilities. Bemidji State was one of renovation calls for con- line, interactive television, self-direct- three Minnesota universities awarded verting the entire building ed study, and in-classroom instruction. a grant from a pool of $75,000. into two- and three-bed- The resulting degree will be conferred room suites, each with its by Bemidji State University. Gift Completes Sustainable own bathroom, increased Campus Endowment storage space, air condi- Microsoft Testing Offered A $5,000 gift from Otter Tail Power tioning, and additional Students and others proficient in vari- Company has fully endowed the Sus- technological amenities. ous Microsoft Office software may tainable Campus Endowment Fund, earn national certification to enhance bringing the balance to more than Plans also focus on im- their professional credentials by pass- $2,000. proved energy efficiency ing an exam or series of exams now of- through better insulated fered at Bemidji State. The endowment enables the University exterior walls, new insu- to use interest generated by the fund to The new Microsoft Office Testing lated glass at all openings support student projects that make the Center provides proficiency testing in campus more environmentally sustain- to the building, new high Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and able. These projects often lead to cam- efficiency mechanical sys- Outlook, as well as expert level testing pus change, such as the environmental tems, better temperature for Word and Excel. audit conducted in the mid-990s that sensors, and other features.