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BSC approved to offer online degrees to Coast Guard
Bismarck State College was recently approved to provide online education to military personnel serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, including active duty, reservists and civilians. BSC will provide instruction in five online National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) programs and in criminal justice as an approved Servicemembers Opportunity College. The NECE programs that are part of the agreement are Power Plant, Process Plant, Electric Power, Electrical Transmission Systems, and Nuclear Power technologies.
The agreement with the Coast Guard is similar to partnerships BSC has had with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army since 2009. BSC is part of the Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership, which allows Navy and Marine personnel to enroll in BSC's online NECE programs leading to an associate in applied science degree (AAS), or the online Criminal Justice program leading to an AAS.
A similar partnership is in place with the Army for BSC to provide the AAS degree in Power Plant Technology.
Kari Knudson, vice president, NECE, and Bruce Emmil, associate vice president, NECE, presented information about BSC's online offerings and expertise to the Coast Guard Institute in Oklahoma City in April.
"We were pleased to be selected by the Coast Guard to offer BSC's online energy programs and the criminal justice program," said Knudson. "It is an honor to support the educational needs of the Coast Guard."
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Family of first BSC dean donates personal papers
Personal papers of Bismarck State College's first dean, Dr. Walter J. Swensen, were given to the college at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the BSC Library. BSC President Larry C. Skogen accepted the papers on behalf of the college from Norma (Swensen) Groethe, a daughter of Dr. Swensen.
Mrs. Groethe, now of Minneapolis, is a 1943 graduate of BSC, and also worked for a time as her father's administrative assistant.
The papers, which are bound into a book, document the earliest board and administration meetings, faculty, class schedules, students, and college events. Also included are many photographs and newspaper clippings related to the college, the staff, and the students. The papers will be housed in the BSC Archives in the Library.
Carolyn Twingley, archives librarian, said these personal papers could include some of the early records that she and others working on BSC's history and archives collection have been unable to locate.
Dr. Swensen, for whom Swensen Hall is named, was born in Jackson, Minn. He became the college's first dean, or chief administrator, in 1939, the year Bismarck Junior College was established. He also taught American history, orientation, history of England, and an evening psychology class for local teachers. He held a doctorate in psychology and economics from the University of North Dakota.
During his nine years as dean, enrollment grew from 71 students to 216 students in the fall of 1947.
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Community connections fair moves to NECE
Students can take advantage of special promotions, employment opportunities, and free food at the BSC Community-Campus Connection Fair Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the fourth floor of the National Energy Center of Excellence.
This event is new to campus and will let students know what businesses in the Bismarck-Mandan community have to offer.
Some of the businesses and campus clubs that will be represented at the event are Verizon, Anime Club, BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center/Capital Racquet & Fitness Center, Target, Wells Fargo, United Blood Services, Capital Credit Union, Biolife Plasma Services, BSC Agriculture, Technology and Natural Resources Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Buffalo Wild Wings, Tech 24, Evangel Assembly of God, BSC Board of Governors, BSC Intramurals, Sykes Enterprises, Scheels Sports, Sam's Club, Sanctuary Church and Yankee Candle
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Electronics Tech certificate available online
Bismarck State College now offers a one-year certificate program in Electronics Technology, beginning in the fall semester. The program, available on campus and online, is appropriate for incumbent workers who need electronics credentials, and for those beginning a new career.
The Electronics Technology program provides a basic electronics background directly applicable to the job market. Coursework contains two semesters of digital electronics, and classes in alternating current and direct current analysis, solid state devices and active devices.
On-campus students will attend classes in the Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy on the BSC campus. The new facility will be shared by the Bismarck Public School District and BSC. On-campus courses will start only in the fall.
Online students can begin either semester. Lab experiences for online students will be the same as for on-campus students, as all students purchase a training kit for their hands-on lab work.
BSC has offered a two-year program in Electronics/Telecommunications Technology for many years. Once students complete the one-year program in Electronics Technology, they may also choose to continue their education toward an associate in applied science degree in Electronics/Telecommunications, or in Instrumentation & Control Technology.
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BSC one of 10 best places to work
BSC has again earned status as one of the "Top Ten Best Places to Work" for young professionals in the Bismarck-Mandan area, according to the Young Professionals Network.
Nominated companies are judged on innovation in terms of the development of young professionals (those under 40), quality and type of benefits, and inclusion of younger employees in the workplace.
Companies named to the list this year are Aetna; Bismarck State College; Coventry Health Care; HIT Inc.; Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson; Medcenter One; N.D. Department of Transportation; National Information Solutions Cooperative; Odney; and Ressler Chevrolet.
BSC also was included in 2007 and 2009.
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Renewable Generation program begins in fall
Bismarck State College (BSC) will offer a new program in Renewable Generation Technology beginning in August. The program, available on campus and online, is designed to provide students with a broad background in the electrical generation industry and prepare them for high paying positions in emerging generation areas.
Kari Knudson, vice president of BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE), said the Renewable Generation program is a natural extension of the Power Plant Technology program, which has been serving the energy industry for over 30 years.
"Students will learn about the fundamentals of power generation and then will expand into the renewable generation aspect," said Knudson.
The program builds on a foundation of courses already in place at BSC by adding specialized courses in biomass, hydro, wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, and fuel cell generation of electricity.
Dan Schmidt, program manager, NECE, said the college is working with industry to develop the curriculum for the second year of classes. "We are also forming an advisory committee of leaders from the renewable generation field to continue with curriculum development in this evolving field," he said.
Students can earn a certificate or an associate in applied science degree. The program will be located within BSC's NECE, where it joins five established energy technology programs and the Energy Management bachelor's degree program.
For information, contact Dan Schmidt at 701-224-5735 or Daniel.J.Schmidt@bsc.nodak.edu.
Visit the Renewable Generation technology website at: http://www.bismarckstate.edu/energy/students/renewable/
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