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New Logo
 The executive team has approved a new logo for MSU-Northern. Fourteen logo designs were on display in the admissions office for most of the summer. After a considerable amount of input and discussion a final logo was selected. The logo was designed to put an emphasis on the word Northern and to utilize our traditional seal.
Northern Receives Continued Accreditation for Nursing Degrees
The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) officially extended the accreditation of MSU-Northern's baccalaureate degree nursing program for an additional eight years. The Commission also granted the associate degree nursing program continuing accreditation with the condition that they submit a focused report in two years. If the focused report is accepted by the Commission, the next evaluation for MSU-Northern's nursing degree programs will be spring 2013.
Montana State Board of Nursing Visit
This semester the State Board of Nursing visited our Havre, Great Falls and Lewistown campuses. They met with faculty, administrators and students. Their final report will be presented in January. During their exit interview, they noted the following strengths:
- The nursing administrator
- Conscientious and caring faculty and staff
- Library services, resources, and staff
- The curriculum and high NCLEX pass rates
- Community commitment for the program
- Our students ready and eager to learn
- The general education faculty -- they thought you were great!
METC Moves to the Havre Campus
The Montana Environmental Training Center (METC) has moved their office from our Great Falls campus to our Havre campus. With this transition we are pleased to announce Gary Hall as the new director of the METC. Hall replaces Jan Boyle who retired this summer. METC has a long history with MSU-Northern and has done an excellent job in providing valuable training 'opportunities in the area of community water and wastewater protection; watershed management; safety; process control; source water protection and training development programs.
New AAS Degree in Electrical Technology
Northern was given permission to start a new Associate of Applied Science Degree in Electrical Technology. This degree will follow the model established with our plumbing degree and will satisfy part of the instructional requirements of a traditional apprenticeship for electricians. The program was developed with the assistance of the Montana Department of Labor and an electrical advisory board made up of independent and union electricians throughout the State of Montana. Distance courses for apprentice candidates will also be developed.
Civic Organizations on Campus
Northern hosted most of the different Havre Civic orga nizations on campus. During their visit they received a meal and a VIP tour of the new Applied Technology Center. These visits gave us the opportunity to talk about the issues, accomplishments and challenges ahead for MSU-Northern.
Improvements to Deferred Maintenance
An update of our Facilities Condition Inventory (FCI) performed in the spring of 2005 indicates that our deferred maintenance backlog has been reduced substantially over the past two years. We have reduced this amount by approximately $3 million. We have done this by the following means:
- Capital Projects via Long Range Building Program
- Replaced or repaired on all but one roof on campus via a hail insurance claim
- Replaced heating systems in family housing with the help of MSU-Bozeman
- Student Academic Facilities Fees projects
- Continued commitment to providing the resources for both repair and replacement and deferred maintenance efforts
Grant for the New Applied Technology Center
Northern has received a Federal grant for $400,000 to help finish and equip our new Applied Technology Center. This grant will be helpful in getting our ATC fully equipped with instrumentation, trainers, and stateof the art communication and visual technologies that will greatly enhance the delivery of technology education.
Funding for New Construction Program
MSU-Northern was one of four schools in Montana to receive a portion of a 1.98 million dollar grant that will provide $318,000 over the next three years to help fund the startup costs associated with beginning a new construction program. The program will be a one year certificate program that will articulate into a two year associate's degree. This will help to make it possible for us to train construction workers. There is a major shortfall in construction workers projected. Advanced
Automotive Electronics Lab
Toyota gifted $25,000 to our College of Technical Sciences to start a new Advanced Automotive Electronics Lab. Our students will learn how to diagnose and fix complex computer based electronics systems.
Congratulations
Tom Reynolds, Executive Director of the MSU-Northern Foundation, received Crescendo Interactive's award for the 2005 eMarketer of the Year. The award was given at the second annual Practical Planned Giving Conference in San Diego, California, on September 20th. Over 300 Crescendo users attended the awards ceremony. The award was based on three factors, e mail contacts, web site content and emarketing coordination. Using the internet, Tom was able to increase gifts to Northern from $250,000 to over 2,000,000 in one year. With all the huge corporations and big schools present at the conference, it is truly an accomplishment for Reynolds and MSU-Northern to be recognized with an award based on the use of technology and donations.
The American Red Cross Montana Chapter awarded Pam Wilson, Instructor of Health and P.E. a 20 year award for her volunteer services. She has served her community and surrounding areas quietly making sure that people are safe in all aspects of life.
MSU-Northern received the American Red Cross' Good Neighbor Award for having made a significant humanitarian contribution to the local community in support of the Red Cross. MSU-Northern has donated their time and pool over the years for life guarding courses and Swimming & Water Safety courses. They also teach many different American Red Cross courses as part of their curriculum to their students to help reach others with information about safety.
Arlys Williams, Assistant Professor of Nursing, was awarded the 2005 Montana Nurses Association award for excellence as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse of the Year at its annual convention. Williams has displayed excellence in her specialty of pediatrics in the Havre community. Although Havre has several Family Practice physicians, it does not have a physician with a specialty in Pediatrics. Williams is a member of the MSU-Northern faculty and continues to have a small Pediatric Nurse Practitioner practice in Havre.
Larry Strizich, Professor of Electronics and Chair of Technical Sciences, was recently awarded Outstanding Branch Counselor for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branches. IEEE is the largest professional organization in the world. Strizich was nominated for this award by his Branch. The honor includes an embossed certificate and a cash award.
Thomas Welch, Professor of Ag Technology, and Bill Danley, Associate Professor of Ag Technology, received the Agricultural Advocates Award. This award is given to honor those members of our community who may not be actively involved in the day to day operations of farming and ranching, but have shown leadership in helping Agriculture remain the United States of America's top industry.
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