In June 2019, Bemidji State University’s Office of Communications and Marketing won a Circle of Excellence award for a poster design from the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). This poster was illustrated by 2017 BSU alumna Hope Wall.

Wall was asked to design the poster after she served as a student worker for Mike Lee, graphic design and publications coordinator, in the Office of Communications and Marketing.

“Working with Mike as a student worker was the best thing for me,” she remembers. “I got to design a lot of posters for the school. Sometimes I did simple illustrations for the posters, other times I designed a whole planner.”

Looking for inspiration for the Centennial poster, Wall gathered both historic and present day photos of Bemidji State. She then began sketching the photos to piece together her vision.

“I remember that this was probably one of the most difficult illustrations I’ve ever done,” Wall said. “I incorporated all different eras and subjects, from sports to iconic things about Bemidji. I didn’t want it to look boring like a timeline.”

Wall was excited to design the signature Centennial piece as she has an eye for the artistic and holds a bachelor’s degree in art & design with an emphasis in graphic design and studio arts from BSU.

BSU’s design program, housed within the School of Technology, Art & Design, offers students the core knowledge of art and design. Courses provide a breadth of knowledge and skills in the elements and principles of art and design, drawing foundations, 2D and 3D design software, design history and color theory. Because BSU’s design program is so broad, this allows students to choose from one or more pathways to specialize in, including graphic design, exhibit design and studio arts emphases.

“In the design program, you learn about composition, balance and color theory. That all plays into illustration,” Wall said. “I learned how to compose a satisfying image. For the Centennial image, I had to learn how to balance so many elements and not make it overloaded.”

When she first enrolled in the design program at BSU, Wall immediately felt she had found her place.

“I remember thinking ‘this is where I belong,’’” she said. “All the teachers I had were super helpful, nice and knowledgeable.”

Now, Wall resides in Big Lake, Minn. and works for Lab Zero doing animation work for video games. In response to winning the CASE award, she is grateful and honored.

“I wasn’t expecting anything from CASE for my poster,” she said. “I’m just excited and it feels good to recognized.”

Contact

• Dr. Bonnie Higgins, department chair and professor of technology, art & design; (218) 755-3732, bonnie.higgins@bemidjistate.edu

Links

• BSU School of Technology, Art & Design

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2020-B-011

More than 350 music students ranging from fifth grade to recently graduated high school seniors are attending MusiCamp on the Bemidji State University campus this week.

MusiCamp, which began in 1948 and is now one of the oldest music camps in the country, has been operated as an independent nonprofit organization since 2014. The camp draws participants from across Minnesota and neighboring states, with some international participants as well.

Historically a band-only camp, MusiCamp expanded to offer both band and choir camps in 2017. Campers can participate in both camps if they choose.

The week-long MusiCamp, which began with registration and pre-camp activities on July 21 and runs through July 27, includes individual instrumental instruction, chamber ensembles and large-group performances. Campers also participate in classes covering topics including music theory, electronic instruments, conducting and music technology. The week also features a band director’s workshop on Friday.

PUBLIC CONCERT SCHEDULE

MusiCamp participants will conclude the week with a performance series scheduled for Friday and Saturday. All concerts are free and open to the public and will be held in Bemidji State’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex unless otherwise noted.

Friday, July 26
6 p.m. – Middle school small ensembles concert
6 p.m. – Middle school jazz bands concert
7:15 p.m. – High school small ensembles concert
7:15 p.m. – High school jazz band concert

Saturday, July 27
10 a.m. – Middle school concert band performance; Beaux Arts Ballroom, BSU campus
10 a.m. – High school choir concert
10 a.m. – Middle school choir/piano, high school choir/piano concert
11:15 a.m. – High school concert bands performance; Beaux Arts Ballroom, BSU campus
11:15 a.m. – Middle school choir concert
11:15 a.m. – Middle school choir/piano, high school choir/piano and piano only concert

Contact

• Jeff Sand, assistant camp director, info@bemidjimusicamp.org

Links

• Bemidji State University Department of Music
• Bemidji MusiCamp Facebook Page
• Bemidji MusiCamp Website

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2020-B-012

The Division of Academic Affairs at Bemidji State University announces that 681 students earned Dean’s List honors at the conclusion of the Spring 2019 semester.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, BSU students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits and earn a 3.5 GPA during the semester. An additional 351 students earned President’s List honors for earning perfect 4.0 GPAs.

The Office of the President at Bemidji State University congratulates 351 students who were recognized as members of the President’s Honor Roll at the conclusion of the Spring 2019 semester.

To be eligible for the President’s Honor Roll, BSU students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits and earn a perfect 4.0 GPA during the semester. An additional 681 students earned Dean’s List honors for earning GPAs between 3.50 and 3.99.

On July 25, 2019, the Bemidji Pioneer reported inappropriate behavior by a former Bemidji State University softball coach in a story that referenced lack of action by the university. I assure you that as the President of Bemidji State University, the safety and well-being of our students is my top priority.

Sexual harassment is prohibited. Bemidji State University is committed to eliminating sexual harassment and will take appropriate action against any individual found responsible for such acts. When we receive a complaint or concern from a student, faculty, or staff member, we take swift action. At the time that an allegation of inappropriate behavior is first reported, we conduct an investigation to ensure we understand the details of the allegation. Once the investigation is complete, the university decides whether or not there is a violation of a Minnesota State policy. If there is a violation of policy, then appropriate disciplinary action is taken.

Our policies are clear.  To help ensure that everyone is aware of our policies and procedures, BSU students, faculty and staff are provided with information in multiple ways so they understand how to report a concern. Processes for submitting complaints related to sexual harassment are communicated broadly, including on the university website.

Related to any individual investigations, the university is required to follow the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This law limits the information that can be shared to only public data as defined in the Act.

I recognize that it takes great courage to report concerns regarding inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment. We take these situations seriously, and I want to ensure that our students feel confident and safe when they make the brave decision to share a concern. I encourage any individuals with complaints or concerns regarding situations that occur at Bemidji State to follow the reporting process outlined on our website. If you see it, or if you experience it, report it — and know that your university will support you.

You can read more about Bemidji State’s policies and procedures related to sexual harassment reporting, as well as resources available for our students, on our website at: https://www.bemidjistate.edu/offices/affirmative-action/discrimination-and-harassment/

Dr. Faith C.Hensrud
President
Bemidji State University & Northwest Technical College

Bemidji State University held the sixth annual Ojibwemowin Niibinishi Gabeshi Ojibwe Summer Camp, from July 13–19. This program is designed for high school students who have the desire to learn more about the first people of Minnesota.

Students participated in an intensive Ojibwe language program, created artwork, attended workshops and discussed the Ojibwe culture and communications. Bemidji State students served as camp counselors and chaperoned students to daily actives and facilitated evening programs.

Contact

• Angie Gora, summer program director; (218) 755-2851, agora@bemidjistate.edu

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2020-B-013

Travis Greene has been named the associate vice president for student life and success at Bemidji State University.

Greene joins BSU from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California where he served as the vice provost and dean of student affairs. In this position, he built and sustained relationships with students while collaborating with facilities, campus safety and other administrative teams to continue improving the quality of student life.

Green has worked in higher education for over 20 years. He has held student services positions at Iowa State University, University of Puget Sound, the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Maryland, Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon and Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.

“As someone who was born and raised in Minnesota, I have long been impressed with Bemidji State University’s reputation for providing quality and accessible education to students,” Greene said. “After spending the last two decades providing progressively responsible Student Affairs leadership at a variety of institutions throughout the country, I recently made the decision to return to Minnesota and am thrilled to now call Bemidji home.”

Greene will lead a variety of student affairs functions including the Gillett Wellness Center, Hobson Memorial Union, Housing and Residential Life and the Student Center for Health and Counseling.

“Travis’s considerable experience in higher education and deep commitment to student success mesh perfectly with our values and strategic priorities,” Tony Peffer, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, said. “I look forward to the energy and enthusiasm he will bring to our students and to our campuses.”

“I look forward to joining the Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College community and partnering with the dedicated and caring faculty, staff and administrative leadership to think creatively and strategically on how best to enhance the student experience while building upon the impressive foundation to support students and their success,” Greene said.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech theatre communication from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs administration from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Greene’s role at BSU will begin Aug. 5.

About Student Life & Success

The Office of Student Life and Success (SLS) works to care for the entire student body. They aim to assist students and families throughout their college experience, while preparing them for the future.

SLS encourages students to have healthy minds, bodies and spirits through individual support. They work towards ensuring that students have opportunities to become citizens to connect with their purpose. Available resources on campus support students in distress and crisis, providing resource referrals, sending academic notifications on behalf of students experiencing emergencies and engaging family members in student support.

SLS can help students navigate BSU, keeping them on track towards earning their degree and achieving their higher education goals.

Contact

• Tony Peffer, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs; tony.peffer@bemidjistate.edu, (218) 755-3999

Links

• Student Life & Success

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2020-B-017

Bemidji State University, in partnership withMinnesota State University, Mankato’s American Indigenous Studies Program, has been awarded a $64,208 multicampus collaboration grant through the Minnesota State system for an Ojibwe Language Consortium.

The grant will support an ongoing collaboration with Minnesota State Mankato, which offers Ojibwe language courses to students at BSU and Minnesota State Mankato, as well as expand the existing partnership to include experiential learning opportunities and community engagement for students enrolled in the courses.

Currently, Ojibwe language courses are taught by Dr. Anton Treuer, professor of language, ethnic and indigenous studies, in Bemidjivia telepresence. At Minnesota State Mankato, Chelsea Mead, associate professor of anthropology and American indigenous studies, serves as the faculty coordinator and provides in-class support for the courses. Last year, the universities collaborated to offer the two 100-level classes in the language. This year, the universities will again partner to offer the 100-level introductory classes, as well as 200-level courses.

Mead, who authored and submitted the grant proposal, looks forward to the enhanced opportunities for Ojibwe language students from Mankato to connect with and build a richer relationship with the students in Bemidji. Through the grant, students from both universities will be able to complement their telepresence studies with in-person interactions and experiences. The grant will provide student and faculty member travel to language conferences and bring students from both campuses together during the academic year for cultural activities and gatherings.

“Native American student success is linked to strong connections and ties to identity and community,” Mead said. “Language is a critical component of that. This grant gives students the financial support needed to attend big language conferences and engage community members in the language and participate in cultural opportunities.”

Treuer said the grant’s benefits would go beyond the grant itself.

“We are delighted to receive this grant,” Treuer said. “The collaboration between Bemidji State and Minnesota State Mankato will deepen and broaden through the grant activities. And I am personally honored to help build more Ojibwe speakers in both places.”

The Ojibwe language courses benefit students by increasing cultural experiences and competencies. The courses expand opportunities for students to learn and explore indigenous languages and cultures, while helping to improve retention and recruitment of Native American students. In addition, for non-Native American students, the courses increase awareness and experience with indigenous cultures and languages.

Bemidji State University is home to the first collegiate Ojibwe language programin the United States, starting with adjunct classes in 1969 and a full three-year sequence of language courses starting in 1971.

Contact

• Anton Treuer, professor of language, ethnic and indigenous studies; 218-755-3968, anton.treuer@bemidjistate.edu
• Chelsea Mead, Minnesota State Mankato, associate professor of anthropology and American indigenous studies; 507-389-1302, chelsea.mead@mnsu.edu

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.Minnesota State University, Mankato and Bemidji State University are part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 30 colleges and seven universities.

2020-B-018

With more than 30 years of history, Bemidji State’s unique RN to BSN program allows students to take their Registered Nurse (RN) associate’s degree and pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in a way that accommodates their needs and provides the opportunity to complete their degree in as little as one year.

While you can work as an RN with an associate’s degree, enrolling in an RN to BSN program is the next step for nurses looking for career advancement.

For BSU students like Rainy Allery ‘19, from Rolla, North Dakota, and Naomi Conley, a senior from Barnum, Minn., the opportunity to pursue their BSN degree opened many doors into their futures.

Conley came to Bemidji State not only to further her education, but to gain access to more options for her future.

“With a four year BSN degree, public health nursing will open up to me. Managerial positions will also open up to me. Having this degree is going to help out with my future, whatever I decide to do,” she said. “All of the professors have been excellent. They get back to me right away. There are a lot of RN to BSN online programs out there, and this one is quality.”

Classes in the RN to BSN program are offered online or as a hybrid model including both on-campus and online classes, with on-campus sites in Bemidji, Duluth, Cambridge, Coon Rapids, White Bear Lake and East Grand Forks. The flexibility allowed Allery, a mother of four, to make her own schedule that accommodated her needs.

“I’ve only been on campus three times, but I feel like I know the instructors so well because of all the communication that we’ve had online,“ Allery said. “I’ve even contacted a few of my instructors by phone when I’ve had questions and they were always so kind and helpful. I felt lucky that I received that kind of attention.”

Flexibility in scheduling and class delivery allows students to create full-time or part-time schedules as needed. As part of the program requirements, practicum learning opportunities include a variety of experiences, including a community health service learning project. These experiences are arranged between the faculty and the student which allows students to complete much of their practicum learning experiences as close to home as possible.

For students who are looking to get their BSN or are considering the program, Allery offers her advice.

“Don’t give up. Reach out to other students and your instructors because they’re here to support you. They want you to succeed,” she said.

To be eligible, students must be a graduate of an associate degree or diploma nursing program, have a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.5 or higher and be licensed to practice as a registered nurse, or be within one semester of licensure.

How to Apply

Learn more about how to apply here.

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty provide insight to students about the relationship between the theory of classroom and the reality of nursing practice. Each faculty member is committed to providing leadership in nursing, premier healthcare, innovation and cutting-edge science.

Contact

• Dr. Marci Maple, associate professor nursing; (218) 755-4240, marci.maple@bemidjistate.edu
• Department of Nursing; (218) 755-3860, NursingDept@bemidjistate.edu

Links

• Nursing Department

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2020-B-021