Monthly Archives: August 2011

Promising starts for Wildcat volleyball, football

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The NDSCS Wildcats have started their seasons with momentum. Last Saturday, the Wildcat football team started the season with a big win over Dakota College at Bottineau, 37-6. The Wildcat volleyball team split 1-1 at the Ridgewater College Classic in Willmar, Minn., but made a statement with their 3-0 home opener win over Dawson Community College last night.

Football has a week off to prepare for their home opener on September 10 against Grand Rapids Community College (Michigan). Volleyball hopes to continues their success tomorrow night on the road as they take on MSCTC and Anoka Ramsey in a triangular match at Fergus Falls, Minn. Games are set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

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New signage at NDSCS-Fargo

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In an effort to re-brand the Skills and Technology Training Center to NDSCS-Fargo, new exterior signage has been installed at NDSCS-Fargo during the last few weeks. One signage monument has been installed on 19th Ave. N. and another went up on University Drive late last week (pictured).

In addition, the front of NDSCS-Fargo also received new logos.

Kuykendall welcomed as men’s basketball assistant

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Photo of Connor Kuykendall
North Dakota State College of Science welcomes a new face to the Wildcat men’s basketball team.  Scott Schumacher, head NDSCS men’s basketball coach has announced the addition of Connor Kuykendall, the new men’s basketball assistant coach for the 2011-12 season.

Kuykendall spent the last two years as a graduate assistant coach at Angelo State University (ASU), a Division II school in San Angelo, Texas.  Previously, he spent two seasons on Ken DeWeese’s staff at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) out of Belton, Texas.

Some of his coaching achievements include helping the ASU Rams to the Lone Star Conference Tournament, coaching former Ram Division II All-American LaMarshall Corbett and guiding the UMHB Crusaders to both the American Southwest Conference championship in 2008 and the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship tournament.

A native of Midlothian, Texas, Kuykendall played at Midlothian High School under Glenn Hartson and holds single-season records for made three-pointers (93), made free throws (135) and free-throw percentage (84.0). He’s also the Panthers’ career record holder for three-pointers made (267).  In his post-secondary career, he spent four seasons as a UMHB Crusader, helping the team to four consecutive conference tournaments and a trip to the NCAA D-III tournament during his senior season.

“I am excited to further my coaching career with the Wildcats and learn from such a successful college coach,” says Kuykendall. “I’m looking forward to the season and am grateful to be a part of the Wildcat tradition.”

Kuykendall earned his bachelor’s degree from UMHB in sports management and earned his master’s degree in sports administration from ASU. In addition to coaching at NDSCS, he will be teaching courses in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department.

NDSCS begins 109th academic year on August 22

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New students to participate in technology rich orientation

North Dakota State College of Science fall semester classes will begin Monday, August 22 at 4 p.m. Earlier in the day, new and transfer students will participate in orientation activities featuring a high-tech scavenger hunt of campus, using an iPod® touch and quick response (QR) codes on the Wahpeton campus.

New student orientation, an annual event held to introduce students to campus, begins with a welcome message at 9 a.m. at Frank Vertin Athletic Field. Students will break into academic divisions and attend two sessions: department orientation and the new scavenger hunt. During the scavenger hunt, students will get the opportunity to tour campus, interact with other new students and learn a few fun facts about NDSCS, using only an iPod touch and quick response (QR) codes. When the code is scanned with the iPod, students receive a clue about their next destination. Students have 90 minutes to make as many stops on the scavenger hunt as possible. Prizes will be distributed for winners and participants throughout the day.

“Our interactive, digital scavenger hunt will allow students to explore NDSCS in an exciting new way,” said Taya Spelhaug, orientation co-chair and director of student success and career services. “Potentially, we could provide over 700 students the opportunity to orient themselves to campus and learn about student services using the traditional concept of a scavenger hunt, but with a fun new twist.”

Students will get a chance to visit with area businesses during the business expo held on The Oval during the lunch hour. Orientation will conclude with a pizza party on The Oval, beginning at 5 p.m. Classes resume regular hours on Tuesday, August 23.

Any student who is not already registered for classes can do so either online or in person at NDSCS’ Enrollment Services – 800 6th St. N, Wahpeton, N.D., 58075. NDSCS offers open registration. For more information, contact Enrollment Services at 701-671-2521 or go to ndscs.edu/apply.

Wildcat softball signs top N.D. softball recruit

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North Dakota State College of Science head softball coach Mark Mattson has announced the signing of a top North Dakota softball recruit. Kacie Johnson of West Fargo, N.D., has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at NDSCS.

Johnson graduated last spring from West Fargo High School. A four-year letterwinner, she was also a four-time All-Eastern Dakota Conference pick and was named to the all-state team four times in her prep career. Johnson received the North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year and North Dakota Powerade Player of the Year for her 2010-11 season; both awards recognize not only outstanding athletes, but also those who have a high standard of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated off the field. The center fielder was also a standout on the ice, as she was named to the all-state and all-conference hockey teams three consecutive years. During her senior year, West Fargo H.S. named Johnson female athlete of the year.

“Kacie is a welcome addition to this program and we are excited to sign a player of her caliber,” Mattson said. “She is an outstanding athlete and student, and we are looking forward to her having a successful career as a Wildcat.”

Johnson was also a three-year member of the National Honor Society and student council and sat on the National DARE Youth Advisory Board for two years. She is planning to pursue nursing when she arrives in the fall.

NDSCS softball finished the 2011 season with a Mon-Dak Conference Championship and a 15-17 record overall.

NDSCS Nursing program lives up to No. 1 ranking

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Photo of NDSCS RN Nurses100 percent of 2011 graduates pass NCLEX- RN exam on first attempt

The North Dakota State College of Science Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN-registered nursing) students are living up to their number one status. The RN Program was awarded a 100 percent pass rate for the National Council of Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN). All 2011 NDSCS ASN-RN graduates passed the exam on the first attempt earlier this spring.

This is the second consecutive year in which the NDSCS ASN-RN program has had a 100 percent, first attempt pass rate. NDSCS attributes the programs’ continual success to the dedicated, hard working students and the committed faculty and support staff. The programs clinical sites and preceptors also play a vital role in the students continued success.

“Congratulations to our students – a 100 percent pass rate is a significant accomplishment,” commented Ruth Gladen, ASN-RN Program Coordinator. “Most of our graduates are continuing their education and we wish them continued success in their professional careers.”
In early 2010, the NDSCS ASN-RN program was ranked number one out of 1,686 other registered nursing programs in the United States, as reported by Mountain Measurements, Inc. This ranking is determined by NCLEX-RN results.

2011 marks the seventh year NDSCS will offer a registered nursing program. Students in the program graduate with an Associate in Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam after graduation.

For further information on the NDSCS nursing programs, visit www.ndscs.edu/nursing.

Milless returns to NDSCS

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Accepts position as Sports Information Director and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach

Liza Milless, a native of Motley, Minn., has made her way back to her Alma Mater, North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D., but this time as the assistant women’s basketball coach. The experience and success of playing under head coach Paulette Stein brought her back for the assistant coaching position. Milless was a member of the 2007 Lady Wildcat basketball team and played a key role to their Mon-Dak Championship and to their National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Region XIII Championship.

Milless went on to finish her athletic career at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minn., where she found continued success in shooting from the three point line for head coach Gary Rusvold and his Lady Wildcat team. Milless earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science, along with a minor in coaching.

Having a lifelong love for basketball, those who know Milless are well aware of her competitive background in all the sports she was involved in through her high school years at Staples-Motley. For four consecutive years, Milless helped her cross country and track teams to state competition. In cross country, the Cardinals took first, second twice and third. Milless also qualified for the state track and field team in the two mile run. In softball, as well as in basketball, Milless was also part of state competition. Under Head Coach Arden Beachy, she led her team to an outstanding record of 46-6 her junior and senior year. The senior point guard was honored with the Most Valuable Player award, most assists, most steals and the highest three point and two point field goal percentages. Most recently, Milless returned to Staples-Motley where she began her coaching career.

Milless will also serve the NDSCS Athletic department as sports information director.

NDSCS Wildcat Women’s Basketball

Lacher accepts Roy Kemp Award

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Barb Lacher, Pharmacy Technician Associate Professor at the North Dakota State College of Science, has been awarded the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council (PTEC) Roy Kemp Award. This nationwide award honors one pharmacy technician educator who has distinguised themselves through significant contributions in the field of pharmacy technician education, as recognized by the PTEC.

Nominees must be a current, active member of the PTEC, demostrate a valued contribution to the education of pharmacy technicians, attent at least one annual meeting within a three year time span and participate in PTEC activities through contributions to the newsletter, joining PTEC committees and/or speaking at PTEC annual meetings.

“We are very proud of Barb and her contributions to the pharmacy technician field, both as a PTEC member and an NDSCS educator – preparing our students to become leaders themselves,” said Harvey Link, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.