CORNERSTONEA N e w s l e t t e r f o r f r i e N d s A N d A l u m N i o f u N d ’ s C o l l e g e o f A r t s A N d s C i e N C e s

President Kelley unveils Presidential Portfolio

Page 9

Burgum endowed Chair NamedPage 10

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3 outstANdiNg studeNts & fACultY

6 degrees iN ACtioN

feAtures 9 Presidential Portfolio 10 Burgum Endowed Chair

11 ArouNd CAmPus

12 A&s iN tHe CommuNitY

14 AlumNi CoNNeCtioNs

Theater Arts Celebrates 100 Years (7)

Outstanding Book of the Year (9)

UND Concert Choir Travels Abroad (11)

Biology Department Welcomes US Fish & Wildlife Services Biologist (13)

CORNERSTONE 2011Dr. Robert O. Kelley, President, University of North DakotaDr. Kathleen Tiemann, Dean, College of Arts & SciencesMichael Meyer, Development Officer, College of Arts & SciencesAimee Abentroth, Editor and Alumni Relations Assistant, College of Arts & Sciences

CORNERSTONE is published by the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of North Dakota. Please send comments and address changes to Aimee Abentroth at aimee.abentroth@as.und.edu or (701) 777-6268. All articles published in CORNERSTONE (except photos) may be reproduced without prior permission from the editor.

UND College of Arts & Sciences Montgomery Hall, Room 125290 Centennial Dr. Stop 8038Grand Forks, ND 58202

aimee.abentroth@as.und.eduund.edu/arts-sciencesfacebook.com – search UND Arts & Sciences

FROM THE DEANDean Kathleen Tiemann

I am pleased to bring you greetings from the College of Arts & Sciences. This is my first “From the Dean column” and my first opportunity to let you all

know how honored I am to lead the college that has been, and is today, the cornerstone of UND.

If you have not heard, there has been a transition in leadership in the College. Martha Potvin who served as the Dean of Arts & Sciences for over ten years accepted an opportunity to become Provost at Montana State University. We wish her and her campus well…except when we play their athletic squads in the Big Sky conference.

Before becoming dean, I served as Dean Potvin’s Associate Dean. Taking over my role is Dr. Harmon Abrahamson, a long-time faculty member in our Department of Chemistry. Tom Rand remains as our Associate Dean providing continuity and guidance for our students.

If I look familiar, you may recognize me from my over twenty years on cam-pus as a faculty member in the UND Department of Sociology. Many of those years I spent as chair of the department. Or, you may have seen me in an issue of the Cornerstone a couple of years ago when I was named as a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor. I am honored and humbled to be among those on our campus that have been so recognized.

Chester Fritz recognized the importance of supporting the University he loved. As you may know, we are in the middle of our first campus-wide campaign to generate support for all areas of campus. This issue of Cornerstone highlights many of the exceptional activities of our students, faculty and alumni. These successes are made possible because of alumni and friends like Chester Fritz who know the importance of giving back to UND. (Speaking of giving, make sure you check out Mike’s news on page 15 about a great giving opportunity for North Dakota taxpayers.)

Of course your financial gifts are always appreciated, but there are many other ways to support the college and UND. Some examples include: hosting alumni events, creating internship opportunities for students, and donating your time or talents to assist us with special projects. I assure you we will be good stewards of your support. For more details on some of our campaign objectives, please visit our website at http://arts-sciences.und.edu.

I look forward to meeting you, hearing your stories, and sharing with you the exceptional stories of our College and University.

Respectfully,Kathleen (Kathy) Tiemann

INSIDE

The UND Founder’s Day banquet rec-ognized outstanding faculty for teach-ing, service and research. The College of Arts & Sciences nearly swept the awards, held on February 24.

Individual Excellence in Teaching, Kanishka Marasinghe , Associate Professor, Physics and Astrophysics; Melissa Gjellstad , Assistant Profes-sor, Languages (see more information on Melissa on page 4.)

Excellence in Teaching, Research or Creative Activity, and Service: James Mochoruk , Professor, History

Faculty Achievement Award for Ex-cellence in Research: Sandra Donald -son, Professor, English

Outstanding Faculty Development and Service: Michael Blake , Professor, Music

Departmental Excellence in Service: Department of Communication Sci -ences and Disorders

Departmental Excellence in Teaching: The Honors Program

Thomas J. Cli�ord Faculty Award for Graduate or Professional Teaching Excellence: Rebecca Weaver-

Hightower , associate Professor, Eng-lish.

Several Arts & Sciences faculty members received the North Dakota Spirit Achievement Award which recognizes top achievers throughout the University. Award winners include; Je�rey Carmichael , Associate Pro-fessor, Biology; Emily Cherry , Assis -tant Professor, Theatre Arts; Kimberly Cowden, Assistant Professor, Indian Studies; Bruce Dearden , Profes-sor, Mathematics; Kathleen Dixon , Professor, English; Birgit Hans , Chester Fritz Distinguished Profes-sor, chair, Indian Studies; Andrew Knight , Assistant Professor, Music; Ralph Koprince , Associate Professor, Languages; Susan Koprince , Profes-sor, English; Krista Lynn Minnotte , Assistant Professor, Sociology; James Mochoruk , Professor, History; Sheryl O’Donnell , Professor, chair, English; Nuri Oncel , Assistant Professor, Physics and Astrophysics; Daphne Pedersen, Associate Professor, Sociol-ogy; Joelle Ruthig , Assistant Profes-sor, Psychology; Isaac Schlosser , Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, chair, Biology; Paul Todhunter , Pro-fessor, Geography.

C O R N E R S T O N E 3

ARTS & SCIENCES RECOGNIZED FOR CAMPUS EXCELLENCE

FACULTY AWARDSCari Campbell , Assistant Professor of History, has won an NEH Summer Stipend Award for 2011-2012. Summer stipends support individuals pursuing advanced research that is of value to humanities scholars, general audiences, or both. Cari is in her second year in the UND History Department.

Norwegian Program Lecturer Steven Finney has won the 2010 American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prize for his translation of a short story by Norwegian author Ingvar Ambjørnsen, titled “Into the Mountain.” The American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation

or literary prose written by a Scandinavian author born after 1800.

President Kelley photographed with Kanishka Marasinghe.

President Kelley photographed with Melissa Gjellstad.

President Kelley photographed with James Mochoruk.

President Kelley photographed with Sandra Donaldson.

President Kelley photographed with Michael Blake.

Photo credit, Jackie Lorenz.

4 J U LY 2 0 1 1

Ønsker du å lære norsk på nettet?*

This spring, the UND Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures launched an online Norwegian language program.

These beginner Norwegian courses are the only university-based, online, for-credit classes available in North America. Consequently, current enrollment in NORW 101 has attracted students from across the United States and Canada.

These online offerings are a great opportunity to set the UND Norwegian program apart from other universities in the country. Our goal is to “bridge Norwegian-American heritage to contemporary Norway within the community and campus,” said Dr. Melissa Gjellstad, Assistant Professor of Languages – Norwegian. “Our program enables UND to reach broadly outside the Red River Valley and allows North Dakotans and others the opportunity to connect Norwegian heritage with the language, culture, and society of Scandinavia today.”

For more information or to enroll in the 2011-12 Norwegian online courses, please visit http://arts-sciences.und.edu/languages/norwegian.

Are you a graduate of the UND Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact 701.777.3813 or languages@und.edu.

*Do you want to learn Norwegian online?

UND Writer’s Conference Named Event of the YearThe University of North Dakota Writers Conference was named 2011 “Event of the Year” at the Grand Forks Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Hometown Hero’s event. The annual conference, started in 1970 by the late UND English professor, John Little, has drawn great literary artists to the Red River Valley for more than 40 years.

The 41st annual conference attracted more than 2,000 enthusiasts to campus for panel discussions, readings, a film festival and workshops hosted by nationally and internationally recognized authors who are known for innovative digital work. Highlighted authors included Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novelist Art Spiegelman, Time Magazine 100 Innovator nominee Mark Amerika, Deena Larsen, Nick Monfort, Stuart Mouthrop and poets Saul Williams and Frank X. Walker.

The ‘Mind the Gap: Print, New Media, Art’ conference offered approximately 40 hours of programming that was completely free and open to the public. “We were happy to have the opportunity to introduce UND and the surrounding communities to the emerging world of electronic literature, while also exploring traditional print texts, art and musical exhibitions,” said Crystal Alberts, event co-director. “There were many highlights during the course of the week, including listening to renowned novelist Art Spiegelman discuss the history of comic books. However, by far a personal and student favorite was the Friday night Multicultural Awareness Committee Performance by Grand Slam poetry champion Saul Williams.”

The Greater Grand Forks CVB celebration, held at the Empire Arts Center, recognized “heroes” in local tourism and entertainment organizations. The CVB honors and supports hardworking individuals who support local tourism and events.

for those who missed the 2010 uNd writers Conference, most conference video recordings will be available online in the near future through the Chester fritz library digital Collections website.

Dr. Melissa Gjellstad took her first Norwegian class in college to fulfill an undergraduate language requirement. A subsequent study abroad program at the University of Oslo ignited her passion for Norwegian literature, culture, and society. Her curiosity became a career trajectory, and she completed a Ph.D. in Scandinavian Languages & Literatures at the University of Washington in 2004. After teaching at Indiana University and researching at the University of Agder in Norway, Gjellstad returned to her native North Dakota in 2008 as a professor, in order to grow the Norwegian program at UND. The program impacts communities beyond the Red River Valley as well; Gjellstad recently addressed members of the Scandinavian Heritage Association in Minot during their annual banquet and silent auction.

COLLEGE UPDATES

C O R N E R S T O N E 5

Biology Student Awarded Prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

The UND Wildlife Society is a campus Biology organization that provides students with career-related skills, establishes connections with professionals in the wildlife field and gives students the chance to share their skills with the Grand Forks community.

If you would like to make a donation to the UND Biology Program or Wildlife Society, contact Mike Meyer at Michael.meyer@cs.und.edu

Outstanding Communication Student RecognizedSenior Communication student Theresa Rerick has been awarded the 2011 Larry S. Schlasinger Memorial Award for her work as an outstanding overall Communication Program graduate. The annual award given by the Communication Program is named after an exceptional UND graduate of the early 1940’s. Larry S. Schlasinger, a Phi Beta Kappa alumnus, was wounded in battle in 1944. Mr. Schlasinger’s family created the Larry S. Schlasinger Memorial Award in his honor.

Theresa Rerick and Associate Professor Steve Rendahl at the annual Communication Banquet on April 27.

Junior Biology student Jessica Greer has been awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year. The Goldwater Scholarship, honoring Senator Barry M. Goldwater, is the premier undergraduate scholarship awarded to students

natural sciences, and engineering. Jessica is one of 275 recipients in the nation to receive this respected award and the only 2011 student selected from the state of North Dakota.

“Jessica was an exceptionally rewarding student to work with,” said Joan Hawthorne, UND Academic A�airs. “Not only because of her talent and work ethic, but also because she came from a background where no one was

pushing her or expecting her to go to college, let alone achieve at this level. Her personal motivation and dedication

concrete career aims served to make her a great candidate for the award.”

The outstanding College of Arts & Sciences student is passionate about wildlife and the outdoors. She thrives on science, research and gaining the skills necessary for sustainable management of the environment. “Conservation is very important to me,”

Greer said. “I chose to study Biology because I cared about animals. That developed into a broader concern for ecosystem health and sustainability. I guess I want to make sure that the diversity of wildlife will still be around in the future.”

Jessica is a member of the UND Wildlife Society and works in UND Assistant Professor Steven Ralph’s biology research lab. The Grand Forks native plans to continue her education and earn her Ph. D. in environmental science.

Biology UpdateRandy Kreil presented the Alven Kreil Memorial Scholarship to Fish and Wildlife Biology student Eric Smith. Randy is the Chief of the Wildlife Division at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and a UND Fish and Wildlife Biology program alumnus. The Alven Kreil Memorial Scholarship was established in 1993 in memory of Mr. Alven Kreil. The award is presented to a student who shows outstanding potential in Field Biology.

The award was presented at the UND Biology Department Glenn A. Paur Memorial Lecture, held at Leonard Hall. (For more information on the 2011 Glenn A. Paur Memorial Lecture, see page 13).

OUTSTANDING STUDENTS

Jessica Greer

Alum Randy Kreil presents student, Eric Smith, with scholarship.

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DEGREES IN ACTION

Alum’s Artwork Displayed in Offices of the GovernorViewing Robert Bykonen’s artwork, you get a real sense of his

passions: North Dakota wildlife and aviation. His “out west” themed paintings displayed perfectly at the North Dakota capital this spring. Fifteen paintings were hung throughout the space, including the offices of the Governor, First Lady and Attorney General. The paintings were on display from January to March and Bykonen made sure to hand-deliver each piece.

Bykonen is a UND Art alumnus who graduated with honors in 1963. After graduation, he dedicated thirteen years to teaching art at South Junior High in Grand Forks. While teaching, Robert received his Commercial Flying and Flight Instructor ratings. After 45 years of agricultural aviation, he plans to retire and devote his time to painting. His paintings are currently on display at the Fargo Air Museum.

For more information or to view displayed artwork, visit http://bykonenart.com.

Language Student Awarded Fulbright Award to Teach in Korea

Senior student Andy Tanem has been presented the Fulbright Award, sending him to South

Korea to teach English for one year. Tanem is an outstanding German and International Studies double major who has previously studied in South Korea and Germany. He was awarded the Critical Language Scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State for Summer 2010, when he had the opportunity to live in Jeonju, South Korea. “Of the many students with whom I’ve worked, there is no one who has been more passionately interested in languages and cultures than Andy, “ said Joan Hawthorne, UND Academic Affairs. “It has been a great pleasure to watch him achieve these opportunities for international experiences which will be so important for his professional development.” The Fulbright Award is a US government flagship program focusing on international educational exchange. Most countries around the world have an existing partnership and are government funded. Andy was one of approximately 250 international students to apply for the Korean research and teaching award. Several recipients from around the world were selected for the impressive scholarship, sending them to South Korea to work or study. This July, Tanem will be teaching English to elementary or middle school children in South Korea.After achieving his undergrad diploma and spending the 2011/2012 academic year in South Korea, Tanem plans to pursue his Ph. D in Political Science, focusing on comparative politics and reunification studies of both Germany and North/South Korea.

Student RecognitionErin Barta was an applicant for a Fulbright Summer Fellowship; she was also an applicant for and a winner of the Truman Scholarship, an award recognizing a commitment to and excellence in public service. The scholarship provides support for graduate study related to a public policy and service career. Her long-term goal is to work in the area of international human rights. Erin is a junior majoring in Political Science, Honors and English. She is from Langdon, ND.

John Persson, from Mandan, North Dakota, was a candidate for the AMGEN Scholars Program and was selected for a summer position at John Hopkins University, where he will study rock samples as part of a NASA research project examining the geologic history of Mercury. A junior, he is majoring in Chemistry and Honors with a minor in Biology. His aim is to combine his research interests in molecular Biology with the study and practice of dentistry. John is a volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and a participant in triathlons.

Andy Tanem

C O R N E R S T O N E 7

“Theatre at UND is historically grounded in the liberal arts traditions and has always served and enjoyed the work of majors and non-majors from across campus,” said Kathleen McLennan, UND Theatre Arts chair. “While we can boast about successful graduates, we warmly acknowledge all of the students whose time and effort continues to contribute to this exciting program.”

The year-long celebration included an October 21 alumni reunion featuring the university-sponsored

“Great Conversation” with actor, UND graduate and Wahpeton native, Sam Anderson. Anderson is known for several prominent TV roles: as mailroom supervisor Mr. Gorpley on “Perfect Strangers”; the lawyer Holland Manners on “Angel”; the cardiologist Dr. Jack Kayson on the television series “ER”; and as Bernard on “Lost.”

Anderson has been in more than 125 TV movies and series episodes during his career and remains active in live theatre for the stage. He is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and

won the 2002 Ovation Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

McLennan said theatre at UND began 100 years ago when English professor Frederick Koch founded the “Sock and Buskin Society” with a goal “to prepare the way for a New American Theatre.” As a “laboratory of dramatic literature,” the society is one of the earliest organizations dedicated to teaching, performance and playwriting on a university campus.

Theatre Arts Celebrates 100 YearsBy: Peter Johnson, University Relations

Celebrating 100 years at the University of North Dakota, the 2010-2011 season at Burtness Theatre covers the breadth and depth of American theatre with musical

comedy and serious drama.

Musical Homecoming UND alumnus Terry Schlenker performed with the Grand Forks Master Chorale and

UND Concert Choir in Grand Forks, April 29. Schlenker performed original works and presented the world premiere of his piece, De Profundis. An Ashley, ND native, he welcomed many North Dakota friends and family to attend his concert.

Schlenker attended the University of North Dakota where he studied music composition. He currently lives in Denver where he practices music and works part-time at his fertility clinic, which he opened in 1987.

Alumnus Terry Schlenker posed for a photo with Dean Kathleen Tiemann at the concert reception, April 29 at Dakota Harvest Bakery.

Half-Century of Making Music2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the UND Concert Choir. The choir was started in 1961 by Dr. James T. Fudge and has grown into a highly recognized program. The current director of Choral Studies is Dr. Josh Bronfman, who has been at UND for five years.

Alumnus Sam Anderson photographed on campus at the 2010 “Great Conversation.”

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UND English Alum Writes 50 Western NovelsBy: Aimee Abentroth

By the time I spoke to Peter Brandvold, he had already written two and a half pages for his

current project, a western novel under the pen name, Frank Leslie. Brandvold, an accomplished novelist, has written over 50 westerns and dabbled throughout his career in comic books, screen plays and magazine work. His hard work and devotion to writing is traced back to his North Dakota roots.

Born and raised in North Dakota, Peter and his family spent their time watching westerns in the 60’s and 70’s. “TV and books fed my imagination as a child and I enjoy writing about what entertains me,” Brandvold said. Peter started writing when he was about twelve years old and wrote his first novel, Once a Marshal, in his early thirties.

Since his first novel, Peter has written several novel series, including Rogue Lawman and Lou Prophet. He wrote his successful ‘45 Caliber Revenge’ into a screen play and it is currently in consideration for a movie by the Canadian Film Commission. He hopes they will start shooting in Canada sometime this year.

Brandvold is a UND Arts & Sciences ’85 alumnus with a degree in English. He has since continued his education at the University of Arizona graduate writing program. “I love being able to make a living by writing and using my imagination,” Brandvold stated. Peter currently lives in Fort Collins, Colorado where he enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with his two dogs. SUMMER READS BY UND AUTHORS:

richard J. Johnson When Cinderella Wore Spikes The Odyssey of North Dakota’s Magical 1958 Kid Baseball Team

dr. Vernon Keel ’63 Journalism The Murdered Family Based on a true crime—the 1920 murders of the

Wolf family and their hired hand on their farm near Turtle Lake, ND.

Keep in touch with A&s!send your updates to:aimee.abentroth@as.und.edu701.777.4296

Breakthrough for Music Therapy

The State of North Dakota has recently passed a bill allowing music therapy to be licensed under the North Dakota Board of Integrative Health. Beginning

in January 2012, the state will recognize the credentials MT-BC (music therapist-board certified) that individuals earn by completing the music therapy major at universities like UND as well as a comprehensive board certification exam. Although a handful of other states are lobbying to have legislation in place, the North Dakota SB 2271 bill is the first license for Music Therapy in the nation.

Music therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses.

A handful of UND alums and faculty visited the capitol to testify on the importance of music therapy to the state of North Dakota. The music therapy state task force was made up of Therese Costes, Founder and Director of UND Music Therapy, Natasha Thomas (Yearwood), ’08, Emily Wangen (Banish), ’04, Andrew Knight, Assistant Professor, UND Music Therapy, Judy Simpson, Government Relations Officer for the American Music Therapy Association, and Kimberly Sena Moore and Dena Register, both from the Certification Board for Music Therapists. The state task force extends a special thank you to Rep. Lois Delmore (D-Grand Forks) for supporting this groundbreaking legislation from its inception.

Peter Brandvold

C O R N E R S T O N E 9

See article by Arthur Jones in Community Connect: The Journal of Civic Voices, published by the University of North Dakota Center for Community Engagement, Vol. 3 Number 1, Spring 2011.

Until recently, the extensive art collections at the University

of North Dakota have been largely neglected. Numerous artworks were widely scattered in offices, classrooms and buildings throughout campus. Art was often at risk of being stolen or damaged and the pieces were rarely used for educational purposes. Furthermore, these impressive art collections have lacked a functional gallery. To rectify some of these problems, UND Art Collections was initiated in 2005. Their campus mission is to facilitate the use of the University’s art for education, research, and community cultural enrichment.

UND Art Collections has recently embarked on a “living museum” plan that involves placing satellite galleries at various locations across the campus. Some of these displays (developed with funding provided by the Myers Foundations) have already been put into operation, such as the satellite gallery in the Department of Indian Studies in O’Kelly Hall. More will open in fall 2011, including installations in the newly renovated and expanded Education building, the Chester Fritz library, and several other UND locations. Some works in the University’s Art Collections have been “home grown” including works made at UND by artists who were brought to campus through the annual Writer’s Conference or the Department of Art & Design’s Visiting Artists program. Other pieces were donated to the University or to the UND

Foundation. Some of the strongest areas of the collections relate to the history and culture of the region including Native American art, with focus on tribes of the Upper Northern Plains.

Included within the “living museum” is an impressive portfolio of prints prepared for the President’s Office in Twamley Hall. The 2010 UND Presidential Portfolio (which was conceived as a portable art gallery) contains 13 matted prints created at UND by nationally and regionally prominent artists. Since receiving the portfolio, a permanent display case has also been constructed in the President’s Office, where prints can be displayed one at a time on a rotating basis.

Display frame in President’s Office in Twamley Hall on the UND campus, where prints from the Presidential Portfolio can be exhibited one at a time. On display above is the following print: Duane Penske, A Time for Beauty, lithograph, 2007 (photo credit: Meghan Duda).

At left: Lucy Ganje and Arthur Jones, faculty in the UND Department of Art & Design, were co-editors of the award winning book.

(Visit amazon.com to purchase this UND award winning book.)

UND Book Garners Top National AwardBy: University Relations

The 2011 Independent Publisher Book Awards selected Storytelling Time: Native North American Art from the Collections at the Univer-sity of North Dakota, published and distributed through Hudson Hills Press, as one of 13 Outstanding Books of the Year (out of nearly 4,000 competition entries). A gold medal was awarded on May 23 in New York City. Storytelling Times examines how the University’s collection of Native American art is understood and appreciated within its campus setting.

The book was written and co-edited by UND faculty members Art Jones and Lucy Ganje, along with nationally known Native American artist and UND alum Nelda Schrupp. Leigh Jeanotte, direc-tor of the UND American Indian Student Services and the American Indian Center, wrote the book’s Introduction. The book also includes poetry by Native American poet Denise Lajimodiere. Several UND students, faculty and staff helped with research and production.

The UND Art Collections Presidential Portfolio

Presidential Portfolio 2010 list of Artist

1. Art spiegelmanRemember Childhood?

four-color CMYK lithograph, 2010

2. Audrey flack I-Aye-Eye

two-color photolithograph, 2007

3. Audrey flackDaphne Speaks

two-color photolithograph

4. dan Attoe Passing Through

hand-tinted lithograph, 2010

5. Arturo Alonzo sandoval Motherboard

silkscreen on Mylar and paper, 2009

6. Kim Abeles Self Portrait with Filesphotolithograph, 2008

7. Nancy friese River

etching, individual print (of five etchings) from the suite:

Tumbling Time, 2010

8. david madzo Alas

Lithograph and Chine collé, 2007

9. Peter Kuper This is Not a Pipesilkscreen, 2009

10. walter PiehlUntitled

lithograph, 2008

11. duane Penske A Time for Beautylithograph, 2007

12. doug Kinsey Family in a Stormlithograph, 2008

13. daniel HeymanPortrait of Osob

etching & hand tinting, 2008

10 J U L Y 2 0 1 1

T he University of North Dakota Department of Music is pleased

to announce Simona Barbu as the new Assistant Professor of Music and Burgum Endowed Chair of Cello. Next fall, Barbu will join the UND Strings Department, focusing her talents on recruitment, cello lessons, orchestra sectional coaching and instructing Masters classes.

Simona is a decorated musician who has performed as a soloist through-out the United States and her native Romania. She became recognized in the strings industry as a member of the leading quartet of the Conservatory of Timisoara in Romania. Simona began her musical studies in violin at the age of seven. As a child, she attended the Conservatory of Music in Timisoara and continued on to the Music Con-servatory at Lynn University, in Boca Raton, Florida. Under the guidance of renowned American cellists, Nathanel Rosen and Christopher Adkins, Barbu continued her education by pursuing a

Masters Degree at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas. Simona is cur -rently completing her DMA program at the University of Memphis where she also instructs.

-tion appointed in the Burgum Strings Endowment. An endowed teaching po-sition honors not just the faculty holder and the university, but also the donor. The Burgums, Rick, ’68 and Jody, ’74, appreciate the education they received at UND and understand that the arts play a critical role in education.

“Having a full-time faculty member in low strings enables the department to actively seek and attract talented students from the region, nation, and world to round out the Strings Depart-ment,” said Michael Wittgraf, UND Music Chair. “The generous endow-ment from the Burgums gives the UND orchestra program the resources it needs to move from great to excep-tional.”

Under the direction of Dr. Alejandro Drago, the UND String Quartet’s season has been a year of exciting progress. Often featured at Chamber Orchestra performances, the Strings’ music stands out in the eyes of many.

Featuring four artists from around the world, the quartet infuses fresh excitement into their music resulting in heartfelt and masterful work. The quartet members include violinist, Iam Andrew Martin (Texas), violinist, Joel Tosta Alarcon (Honduras), violinist Lihue Czackis (Argentina) and cellist, Austin Soderstrom (Minot, ND).

The UND String Quartet performed at the campus Hopper-Danley Memorial Chapel, April 10.

Department of Music Announces Burgum Endowed Chair

The quartet members include violinist, Iam Andrew Martin (Texas), violinist, Joel Tosta Alarcon (Honduras), violinist, Lihue Czackis (Argentina) and cellist, Austin Soderstrom (Minot, ND).

Simona Barbu

Jody & Rick Burgum

C O R N E R S T O N E 11

UND Concert Choir Travels Abroad

In March, the UND Concert Choir embarked on 10-day, international

adventure. Led by Assistant Professor Josh Bronfman, the choral group had the opportunity to perform at beautifully historic venues in the Netherlands and Belgium. Bronfman regarding the tour, “Our choral group has grown in all areas: culturally, socially and musically. This trip broadened our minds and allowed us to find new ways of expressing ourselves as musicians.”

Arts & Sciences would like to thank everyone who supported the international tour, sending 45 students abroad and creating music and memories to last a lifetime.

The group had the opportunity to learn and expand their talents with internationally-recognized musical directors. Their experiences have expanded UND’s efforts on world-perspective experiential learning.

To follow the UND Concert Choir’s travel, visit undconcertchoir.wordpress.com. If you would like to make a donation to the UND Choral program, please contact Michael Meyer at 701-777-3669 or Michael.meyer@as.und.edu.

Zarqa Nawaz photographed with event presenters: (left to right, front row: Courtney Selstad, Zarqa Nawaz, Christine Davis, back row: Dr. Jim Mochoruk, Dr. Timothy Pasch, Dr. Virgil Benoit, Dr. Kyle Conway).

francophone studies is defined as courses focusing on “french speaking”. the term is used to designate literatures written in french, emanating from writers and scholars in former french colonies around the globe. the uNd francophone studies department established the initiatives in french midwest Heritage Collection, displayed at the Chester fritz library. the if midwest Collection was established by dr. Benoit (photograph above) to document the french presence in the midwest.

AROUND CAMPUS

UND Canadian Studies Welcomes CBC Star

Zarqa Nawaz, creator of the popular CBC sitcom, Little Mosque on the Prairie, visited UND for a presentation and discussion on April 8. Little

Mosque is a Canadian sitcom where Muslims and Christians attempt to live in harmony with each other in small town Saskatchewan.

Nawaz is a talented and respected writer who spoke about her experience growing up Canadian and how the innovative and successful show deals with controversial issues through humor. The event was presented by the UND Program for Canadian, Quebec and North American Francophone Studies, IF Midwest, Consulate General of Canada and the UND College of Arts & Sciences.

Top: Group with guest clinician, Dr. André Thomas, in the Hague, Netherlands. Above: Choir photographed with host families in Beek Netherlands.

UND Hosts State Science FairThe next generation of North Dakota

scientists and engineers competed in the 61st Annual North Dakota State Science and Engineering Fair (ND SSEF) at UND, April 7–8. This marks the first time in fourteen years that the event has been held at the University of North Dakota.The fair, housed in the Memorial Union Ballroom, hosted 160 presenters and 19 alternate presenters from around the state. Over 90 UND faculty, graduate students and Grand Forks industry representatives served as judges for the competition. This year, student participation fees to compete in the fair were paid by a joint UND and North Dakota State University program: the North Dakota IDeA (Institutional Development Award) Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).

Science Team Nets Major NSF Education Grant By: University Relations

A team of University of North Dakota faculty members led by chemist Alena Kubatova recently was awarded a $598,110

National Science Foundation education grant aimed at providing scholarships to talented undergraduate students with interests in environmental sciences.

“I’m very excited for Dr. Kubatova and her team because receiving this grant reflects UND’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching,” said Steven Light, professor of political science and associate provost for undergraduate education.

Kubatova, a chromatography expert, is the principal investigator (PI) on the grant that includes several other faculty members in the UND College of Arts & Sciences. Kubatova, along with Co-PIs Rebecca Simmons (Biology), Brett Goodwin (Biology), Gregory Vandeberg (Geography ) and Ryan Zerr (Mathematics) focused the grant on topics meant to increase student environmental awareness.

“Dr. Kubatova and her colleagues have a true passion for educating the next generation of scientists here at UND. Their students in this project will have a wonderful opportunity to see how tough problems are being solved through the intersection of math and the sciences,” Light said.

The scholarships funded by this NSF grant will provide students not only with financial support but also will place a premium on intensive advising and student engagement activities, such as an environmental issues seminar series and research involvement.

This grant furthers UND’s mission of enhancing the undergraduate learning opportunities of its students, with special focus on American Indian students.

“The advantage of this grant is on both sides: the students obtaining the support as well as UND bringing in more talented students who have a positive impact on their peer colleagues and improvement in quality of our education programs,” Kubatova said.

If you would like to learn more about the National Science Foundation education grant, please visit www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5257.

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the uNd math & science program includes the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, geography, mathematics and Physics & Astrophysics. the program had approximately 1,500 undergraduate students enrolled in the 2010-11 academic year.

A&S IN THE COMMUNITY

summer language Camp

The UND Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic is dedicated to providing supervised academic and clinical services to individuals, groups and

agencies within the University and greater Grand Forks area.

The Summer Language Camp will provide instruction to children with processing disorders. Upon completion, child participants will improve their language processing skills, preparing them for a classroom setting. Children, 7-12 years of age are invited to attend the camp.

For payment, details and registration, please call 701-777-3232.

C O R N E R S T O N E 13

Over 200 dazzling dresses and accessories were donated to

the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association (NLSA) Affordable Formal Wear Sale, raising money and awareness for St. Vincent® of Grand Forks. Prom dress donations were received from students on campus as well as area residents.

“The event provides affordable prom attire to area adolescents that may otherwise not be able to attend the event due to costs,” explains Program Coordinator, Heather Helgeson. “The event really collaborates with the community on recycling attire that is otherwise sitting in closets.”

The February dress sale drew hundreds of Grand Forks and surrounding area high school students to campus seeking fabulous prom dresses at a thrifty price. An estimated 75 dresses were purchased in the two-day sale hosted at the Hugh’s Fine Arts Center. Dresses that were not sold were donated to the Grand Forks Public Library and their Dress Swap event promoting affordable

prom attire for the community.

In addition to supporting NLSA, each year a local non-profit organization is chosen to receive event proceeds. This year, half of the proceeds will be donated to St. Vincent of Grand Forks, a non-profit organization founded after the flood of 1997 as a means of coordinating and unifying services among the city’s Roman Catholic parishes. St. Vincent provides crisis assistance to those in need of rent, utilities and food, as well as housing a thrift store for community members.

NLSA is a campus organization affiliated with the UND College of Arts and Sciences Nonprofit Leadership Program that affords participating students the opportunity to apply learned classroom competencies as a future nonprofit professional. The UND Nonprofit Leadership Program offers both an 18 credit Certificate Program and a 21 credit minor. This program is accredited by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formally American Humanics), a national organization

that establishes competencies and is affiliated with nonprofit leadership programs in colleges and universities.

“We have been hosting the event for the past three years and plan to continue next year. The event is a very important one to the student organization and Grand Forks community on many levels” Helgeson confirms.

UND alumni are invited to donate dresses for the event. Please contact program coordinator, Heather Helgeson at 701-777-3741.

Nonprofit Leadership Student Association Prom Dress Drive benefits St. Vincent®

UND Biology department welcomed alumna, Karen Kreil, as the 2011 Glenn A. Paur Memorial Lecture presenter.

The lecture series, held on April 8, focused on Karen’s outstanding experience and career in Wildlife Service.

Karen received her B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife in 1982 and her M.S. in Biology in 1986, both from UND, where she was the first recipient of UND’s Glenn Allen Paur Award in 1980. Karen worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist from 1986 to 2003 where she led recovery efforts for Northern Great Plains population of piping plover, and served as the Field Office senior endangered species biologist by advising and assisting other staff biologists on all aspects of the Endangered Species Act.

Since 2006 Karen has worked as North American Wetlands Conservation Council Staff, State Coordinator of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and Biologist for the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. Karen’s lecture will cover natural resources policy, including a history and overview of the ND Natural Resources Trust, her experiences working for the Trust, and more.

Biology Department welcomes US Fish & Wildlife Services Biologist

the glenn Allen Paur lecture series honors glenn Allen Paur, a Pisek, Nd native and uNd alumnus. He was a member of the fisheries and wildlife Biology Club, where he served as president, and a member of the wildlife society. Paur drowned while assisting a uNd professor with his research on leech lake, minn. the lecture series and the glenn Allen Paur memorial scholarship were established by his family in his honor and memory.

Are you interested in hosting a uNd alumni event in your area?

We’d love to hear from you!

Keep in touch with A&sSend your updates to:Aimee AbentrothCollege of Arts & Sciences290 Centennial Dr. Stop 8038Grand Forks, ND 58202Don’t forget to register your email address!Please email Aimee at aimee.abentroth@as.und.edu to receive Arts & Sciences information via email.

Follow us online at facebook.com – search UND Arts & Sciences.

@UNDArtSci

www.und.edu/arts-sciences

14 J U LY 2 0 1 1

merrifield gnomeThe “Merrifield Gnome” has become an unofficial symbol of the College of Arts & Sciences. He can be found in the stairwells of Merrifield Hall. As you sit on the window seat of each landing, glance up and you will see him. He has been keeping an eye on UND students since Merrifield Hall was built in 1928. The hall is named after the third UND president, Webster Merrifield.

C O R N E R S T O N E 15

If you have been thinking about establishing an endowment to support your favorite UND department or program, or would like to contribute to an existing program…now is the time.

North Dakota legislators continue to move the state to the cutting edge of state charitable income tax credits with legislation providing tax credits for gifts made to qualified North Dakota endowments. Giving to endowments is a great way to support the long-term strength of UND.

example of Benefits to the donor and uNd

An individual may receive a 40 percent tax credit for contributions of $5,000 or more (lump sum or aggregate in one year) to a qualified North Dakota endowment*. If a donor is in a 28 percent federal tax bracket, the tax benefit may look like this:

Gift Amount: $5,000 $25,000 $50,000Federal Tax savings -$1,400 -$7,000 -$14,000N.D. state income tax credit -$2,000 -$10,000 -$20,000Net Cost of Gift $1,600 $8,000 $16,000

* A “qualified North Dakota endowment” is defined as an “irrevocable fund held by a North Dakota incorporated or established organization that is a qualified non-profit organization; or a bank or trust company holding the fund on behalf of a qualified non-profit organization.” An endowment is a fund held by a tax-exempt organization where the principal of the fund is not wholly expendable. Only the interest and appreciation earned in an endowment fund can be used for current operations.

North Dakota is one of just a few states that currently offer this type of charitable tax credit. This tax credit makes it possible for individuals and financial institutions to give more and through their contributions and to have a greater impact on the state’s quality of life.

Businesses and financial institutions

Businesses and financial institutions (C corporations, S corporations, estates, limited liability companies and trusts) which make gifts to qualified endowments may qualify for a state income tax credit which amounts to 40% of the value of the gift, up to a maximum credit of $10,000 per year. Any unused credit may be carried forward for up to three taxable years.

individuals

Planned gifts by individuals qualify for an income tax credit of 40% for gifts up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 for a married couple with any excess unused credit to carry forward 3 years. This tax credit for planned gifts is also unique to North Dakota and gives North Dakotans a remarkable opportunity to make meaningful gifts to their favored charities and get significant reduction in their income tax bills.

For more information on making a qualifying gift, please contact me at michael.meyer@as.und.edu or the UND Foundation at giftplanning@undfoundation.org or 800.543.8764.

North Dakota Taxpayers to Receive Credit for Gifts to Endowments in 2011

mike meyerMontgomery Hall Room 125290 Centennial Drive Stop 8038Grand Forks, ND 58202-8038(701) 777-3669michael.meyer@as.und.edu

How Can You support uNd Arts & sciences?

gifts can be given online at und.edu/arts-sciences or by mail: uNd College of Arts & sciences

montgomery Hall room 125 290 Centennial drive stop 8038 grand forks, Nd 58202-8038

do you have questions about giving to uNd? Please contact mike meyer at (701) 777-3669 or michael.meyer@as.und.edu.

P.O. Box 8038Grand Forks, ND 58202

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDGrand Forks, ND

58201Permit #10

Dave St. PeterMinnesota Twins PresidentB.A. in Communication The University of North Dakota

BE THERE!SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 at 12:10 PM

TARGET FIELD

Join students, faculty, sta�, alumni and friends of the University of North Dakota as we cheer the Minnesota Twins on to a victory against the Cleveland Indians.

Be there to:• See who's throwing out the �rst pitch • Hear the Varsity Bards sing the national anthem

and lead the seventh-inning stretch• Join in on other great game day events

Who’s throwing the �rst pitch

For more information UND.edu/twins

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

sePtemBer 17

uNd oN tArget field witH tHe twiNs

oCtoBer 21-22

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