Latest news with #BemidjiStateUniversity
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bemidji State aims to raise $25 million through 'For the North' campaign
Aug. 7—BEMIDJI — As part of the second fundraising campaign in its 106-year history, Bemidji State University is well underway in meeting a $25 million goal for its "For the North" campaign. Kicking off the "public phase" of the campaign on Tuesday, BSU administration revealed that $19 million had already been raised throughout the "leadership phase" that started in July 2023. Allyssa Joseph, BSU Alumni and Foundation Executive Director and Vice President of University Advancement, notes the leadership phase as a chance to rally together the top donors for BSU and set the pulse once the public phase rolls around. "We want to be largely silent within (the leadership phase) to ensure that we can get to a 65 to 75% closure rate of our campaign goal," Joseph said. "Early on, we're asking for those transformational gifts — those million-dollar-plus gifts. Now, we've created an on-ramp for donors to give gifts of all sizes during the public phase." The "For the North" campaign includes three main pillars: student success, facility upgrades and faculty excellence, and enrollment and recruitment. Boasting the largest share of the campaign goal is student success with an allotted $20 million. With 95% of BSU students receiving some type of financial aid, this pillar aims to provide greater support in terms of scholarships and other student services. "What we're about as an institution is taking care of our students," BSU and Northwest Technical College President John Hoffman said. "Investments in scholarships and in student success programs can help make sure that our students are successful while they're here and that they have opportunities to prosper after they graduate." Student success also encompasses students' opportunities beyond classroom walls. "Student success is mainly about scholarships and that's largely where our donors want to give, leave a legacy whether it's through an annual scholarship or endowment," Joseph added, "but the other part is ensuring that students have experiential learning opportunities through internships, co-ops, postgraduate studies, travel abroad. We want to make sure that we support their breadth of experience while here at BSU." Facility upgrades and faculty excellence comprises $3 million of the campaign, aiming for modern, well-equipped facilities as well as top-tier instruction and mentorship. "You look around at our buildings and they're named mainly after administrators and folks who have done a lot for this campus," Joseph said. "When you walk through the halls, there are so many opportunities for us to see facilities named after donors and alumni who have gone on to do great things that will inspire current students." The remaining $2 million is reserved for enrollment and recruitment, with emphasis on greater storytelling and digital marketing presence to reach prospective students. Further investment in this category could continue BSU's student body trajectory, according to Hoffman. "Right now, we're on track for two years in a row with incoming pre-pandemic enrollment numbers," Hoffman mentioned. "Building and solidifying our enrollment streams is just critical for who we are as an institution, for our capacity and our ability to meet the workforce needs of northern Minnesota." BSU's previous fundraising campaign "Imagine Tomorrow" — which ran from 2011 to 2016 — raked in over $36 million. It's anticipated that "For the North" will reach its $25 million goal in less than half the time. "We're trying to compress this broader campaign, overarching framework into three years to accelerate the process," Hoffman said, "and infuse these dollars into student success, facility upgrades and faculty excellence, and recruitment and enrollment." With the 2025-2026 academic year quickly approaching, an official campaign launch event will take place during Homecoming Week on Thursday, Oct. 2. Though funds raised are not specifically a Band-Aid for BSU's ongoing budgetary issues, Joseph expressed optimism that the campaign will instill a greater support system for BSU's future. "It'll be an opportunity for us to celebrate as a campus together," Joseph left off. "We are ready to heal and I hope this campaign will be a good rallying point for our campus." Those interested in donating can visit Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
From the Archives: May 24 in the Pioneer
May 24—May 24, 2015 — A year after the Minnesota State High School League recognized trapshooting as a sport, Bemidji's team has more than 50 participants. BHS has two male shooters listed in the top 10 of the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League: Chase Todavich, ranked third, and Donny Letson, ranked sixth. May 24, 2000 — A Welfare to Work program at Bemidji State University's Center for Research and Innovation is giving participants training to upgrade their job skills. When members complete the week-long training, they leave the center with a certificate, $50 and a guaranteed manufacturing job. May 24, 1975 — Minnesota's Basic Homes program may be limited to the construction of just 30 of what was to be 100 homes in the five-county Headwaters Region, which includes Beltrami and Clearwater counties. The region is the pilot area for the program and, if successful, homes will be built throughout the state. May 24, 1925 — Bemidji is asked to raise $2,200 toward the five-million-dollar American Legion Endowment Fund in the short space of one hour. Every home and professional office will be visited by a representative of the Legion and Auxiliary, who will leave a large envelope for donations toward rehabilitating ex-service members.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
From the Archives: May 17 in the Pioneer
May 17—May 17, 2015 — A dozen names have been added to the Freedom Defenders Veterans Memorial in Bemidji, just in time for Memorial Day. In honor of the additions, members of the memorial board hosted an open-house-style installation event to honor U.S. military servicemen and women, their families and site donors. May 17, 2000 — Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College had sought $9.74 million from the state as the first phase of a co-location project on the BSU campus but lost $2 million in potential funding. In a bonding conference, agreement was sought at $7 million but when the bill came together, it only provided $5 million. May 17, 1975 — Eight of the nine candidates seeking positions on the Bemidji School Board in the upcoming election responded to more than 30 questions fielded by a special four-person panel. Questions included topics such as girls' sports, special education, classroom size, driver's education, a potential referendum and more. May 17, 1925 — Jubilant over the success of their dawn-to-dusk run from Winnipeg to Minneapolis made last Friday, a Winnipeg delegation of autoists, headed by Mayor Webb, made a night stop in Bemidji Sunday night on their return trip. The cars made the trip down in about 12 hours, averaging 45 miles per hour.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bemidji State, Northwest Tech students leave a legacy upon graduation
May 9—BEMIDJI — In the words of 2025 Distinguished Minnesotan Robert Anderson, one doesn't need a perfect plan to lead a meaningful life. What they need is purpose. Such a message expanded beyond the walls of the Sanford Center on Friday as the Class of 2025 was celebrated from Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. The day's festivities kicked off with a commencement ceremony for the College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place in the morning, followed by a program for the College of Science and Health in the afternoon, as well as a ceremony for NTC to conclude the day. Being recognized in the span of one single day, BSU and NTC President John Hoffman encouraged graduates to reflect on their respective times at their respective institutions. "There's a saying, 'If these walls could talk, oh, the stories they would tell.' Class of 2025, tell me. Think back on your last three or four years," Hoffman said. "What would the walls and halls of Bemidji State have to say? What are the stories, late nights and study sessions, friendships, learning, learning something about yourself. What would the stories be?" Hoffman noted that the class of 2025 will be joining more than 50,000 alumni, all sharing a similarity in their decision to attend BSU. "They share your story. Overcame amazing odds and hurdles to get to this space," Hoffman said. "What ties every BSU story together is this. BSU changes the lives of people who change lives." Sharing some notable stats, Hoffman noted that half of the 2025 graduating class are first-generation college students, 92% relied on financial aid to attend, one-third were adult learners returning to college and 70% arrived with transfer credits from other institutions. Additionally, the 2025 class clocked in the largest number of American Indian graduates in any class since BSU's inception. "You are rural, you are urban. You are from Minnesota and surrounding states across the country and across the globe," Hoffman added. "You are the full breadth of political views and world views. And you've all come together here." Reflecting on his own story, graduate and Student Senate President Darby Bersie addressed the College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place — detailing his journey at BSU since starting in fall 2022 after two years of online high school. "I hadn't stepped into a classroom in years. I didn't know anyone and I was starting from scratch," Bersie said. "But then came the bricks. Countless hours spent in Hobson Memorial Union, a late night in Oak Hall, an early morning in the Student Senate office or playing rugby at the field house. "Eventually, I realized I wasn't just building a resume or a career, but I was building a life and I wasn't doing it alone. The most important lessons I've learned here didn't come from a textbook or in the classroom, but it came from the people." As a motivating factor in building his life, Bersie pointed to a piece of advice from a close friend. "She once told me, 'To be cringe is to be free.' Over time, I've come to believe it," he added. "To be cringe is to be free because when you're not performing — when you're not trying to impress anyone — you are laying bricks that last. Bricks made of truth, bricks made of courage and bricks made of you." During his address, Anderson detailed his own path since graduating from BSU in 1980. Selected as the 2025 Distinguished Minnesotan, Anderson is a professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Law, where he taught courses in American Indian law, public lands, water and property. He was also nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as Solicitor of the Department of the Interior in 2021, a position he held until January 2025. "As a child, my dad had instilled in me the belief that an education was something that could never be taken away from you. He was right," Anderson said. "That belief in an education as a general matter and the fact that I had gotten a high-quality education here at BSU stuck with me through all of my nights in law school." Emphasizing his prior comment on the power of purpose, Anderson touched on the impact of community throughout each person's professional pursuits. "You need a community that believes in you and you need the courage to keep showing up day after day especially when the road is long, the weather is cold and you feel like no one's ever going to stop to give you a ride," Anderson mentioned. "Work with integrity." Prior to the graduates crossing the stage and claiming their well-earned diplomas, George Soule, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, recognized the class for their success as well as their challenges along the way. "I know this hasn't been easy for some of you. Some have had to overcome barriers to enter college and to stay in college," Soule said. "Some are the first in your families to graduate from college. Many of you balanced school with a job and family. "Today, your hard work has paid off. You are and will be living proof of the value of higher education, not just in dollars and cents. But think about the friends that you've made, the experiences you've had, the learning and growth that you've experienced inside and outside the classroom. Those will last for a lifetime." After officially becoming alumni, Foundation Board Member Jacob Richmann welcomed the 2025 graduating class into the legacy of the BSU Alumni and Foundation, and provided three pieces of advice. "No. 1, build something that outlives you, whether it's a business, a family, a nonprofit, a great reputation. Make sure your legacy serves others," Richmann said. "No. 2, people over everything. The relationships you invest in will be the greatest return for your life. Never forget that people are true measures of success. No. 3, give back. Whether it's time, talent or treasure, generosity fuels purpose and purpose outlasts ambition every time." Richmann further pressed on the matter of legacy, leaving off, "We live in a world that measures success in followers, in titles, in likes. But let me tell you something from the real world: legacy isn't what you keep. It's what you leave." All ceremony recordings can be viewed on BSU and NTC's Facebook pages.
Ottawa Citizen
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Headrick heads East: Garden River forward commits to UNB Reds
Mya Headrick of Garden River First Nation is taking the next stride in her hockey and academic career—committing to the University of New Brunswick for the 2025-2026 women's hockey season. Article content The 20-year-old forward, who spent the past three years playing NCAA Division I hockey at Bemidji State University in Minnesota, is following in the footsteps of her biggest inspiration, her older sister, who spent two seasons at the Fredericton university. Article content Article content Mya is currently studying kinesiology, with hopes of going to medical school to become a doctor. She told the Sault Star she thinks that going to UNB will support her aspirations in hockey and academics. Article content Article content But, no matter how far Mya's hockey career takes her from Garden River, her ultimate goal is to return to her community. Article content 'If I do end up getting into med school, I'd want to come back and give back to my community, make it more accessible,' said Mya. Her 'big picture goal' is to open a doctor's office in Garden River. Article content Her path has taken her from Northern Ontario to Toronto, the U.S., and now the Maritimes. At just 14, she moved from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury to join a travel team and gain more game experience. She later played for the Etobicoke Junior Dolphins, helping them win Ontario's Provincial Women's Hockey League title in 2022, then earned gold with Team Ontario U16 at the 2018 Ontario Summer Games. Article content In Grade 11, she committed to Bemidji State University (NCAA Div. 1), where she has played for the last three years. Article content Article content This past season, Headrick scored one goal and one assist as the Beavers went 6-30-1 (W-L-T) in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Article content The year prior, she served as one of the Beavers' alternate captains and was named to the WCHA's All-Academic Team for a second straight season. Article content Mya describes herself on the ice as a power forward who goes to the hard areas and can score goals. Article content 'I always give my 110%. I'm a very hard worker. I'm very dedicated and passionate. I also think I bring a good, positive attitude, and I'm a pretty good teammate,' said Mya. Article content Moving away at a young age was the catalyst to Mya's success, but also her biggest challenge. Article content 'I had a dream, and that's what had to be done,' said Mya about leaving her friends and family in Garden River and Sault Ste. Marie to pursue hockey at a higher level. Article content Now, Mya looks to the East Coast of Canada to see what she can accomplish next. Article content 'I just felt like UNB was the right fit for me,' she said. 'It's a great academic school. I'm studying kinesiology and I want to go to med school in the future. I think it's a better fit for me to increase my odds of getting in.'
