As the year comes to a close, we wanted to reflect on the expansions and accomplishments at NDSU over the last decade.
Here are 10 noteworthy happenings from 2010-2019:
1. A. Glenn Hill Center
· Opened January 2016.
· A student-focused environment made up entirely of classrooms, labs and study areas, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
· Designed for hands-on learning that is a differentiator in the educational environment at NDSU.
2. West Dining Center Remodel
· Opened summer 2019.
· Fully remodeled dining center on campus featuring International cuisine, a bakery, food free of top eight allergens, a stone hearth pizza oven, a DIY smoothie bar, homestyle classics, grill, salad/panini/deli, the grill, cooking classes, fireplace with soft seating and charging stations.
3. Cater Hall
· Opened summer 2019.
· From modern architectural planning to innovative residence hall design, the 148,000 square foot Cater Hall provides a state-of-the-art living environment for NDSU’s students with eight community lounges, 10 conversation nooks and 10 study spaces with floor-to-ceiling views.
· Cater Hall offers two suite options, co-ed floors, central air and tunnel access to the WDC.
4. Aquatics Addition to Wallman Wellness Center
· Opened September 2016.
· The $11 million project includes a leisure pool, lap pool, sauna, fire pit, a “wet classroom” for activities such as scuba instruction, gender-neutral locker rooms and additional women’s and men’s locker rooms.
5. Nursing in Bismarck
· Acquired the Sanford College of Nursing in June 2014, now known as NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health.
· Since the acquisition, 352 NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health students have graduated from the program.
6. Sanford Health Athletic Complex
· Opened November 2016.
· Houses the NDSU athletic department offices, equipment room, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and the Bison Ticket Office.
· There is an academic center, student-athlete lounge and a fueling station within the weight room offers nutritious snacks for before and after workouts.
7. Doosan Bobcat and McGovern Scholarships were introduced
· 2015: Doosan and Bobcat Company announced their continued support of innovation in education by donating $3 million to NDSU to fund a STEM-related scholarship program. The State of North Dakota committed to a matching donation, adding $1.5 million. The combined gift of $4.5 million is the single largest gift to establish a scholarship endowment in NDSU history.
· 2016: Harry D. McGovern, a 1966 civil engineering graduate who grew up in Erie, North Dakota, committed current gifts and estate planning of more than $13.5 million to establish the Harry D. McGovern Scholarship. A portion of the current gift has been matched by $1.2 million from the State of North Dakota Challenge Grant program, resulting in a total investment in students of more than $14.7 million.
8. Career Center Success Rates
· Every year for the last 10 years, our success rates have consistently been between 74– 94 percent.
· Success rate is defined by post-graduation percentage of students who are employed plus percentage continuing education.
9. Gifts to NDSU
· NDSU had a record-setting Giving Day in 2019 when 1,088 alumni and friends of the university made gifts in support of scholarships, faculty, facilities and programs totaling $931,278.
· Benefactors gifted $36,058,778 in scholarships and established 684 new scholarships for NDSU students in the past decade.
· Benefactors gifted $76,616,448 for buildings and equipment across campus in the past decade.
10. Three Minute Thesis Competition
· On February 4, 2015, the NDSU Graduate School hosted its first Three Minute Thesis competition. The Three Minute Thesis Competition challenges students to present their work clearly and concisely. Graduate students compete to be the best presenter of their research and its significance, in terms anyone can understand and in only three minutes.
· NDSU Three Minute Thesis is now held every year in February.