Prairie Portraits Online
Pictures of Life in the Red River Valley
Spring/Summer 1996
Thank you for your interest in Prairie Portraits Online. This World Wide Web
version of Prairie Portraits magazine was created entirely by design class students at
North Dakota State University, Fargo. It is the third
annual testament to the power of cooperative learning in North Dakota. That is, cooperation
between four classes at two institutions of higher education. Each year advanced writing,
photography and design students at NDSU in Fargo gather their work into some 32 magazine
pages. The result travels to Wahpeton, where advanced printing students at North Dakota State
College of Science lay ink to paper for a free and attractive package of stories highlighting Red
River Valley folk. (These magazines are available at the university library and other locations
around Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota. Or contact me for a copy.)
This year students directed their pens and lenses to the valley's history and businesses. Residents
who love pioneer lore will enjoy reading about two towering pioneers who left not only a legacy
of civic building, but two mighty fine historic homes. And on campus, you might be amazed to
learn the heritage of a real log cabin upstairs in Old Main.
Business in the valley continues to grow almost as fast as it did during pioneer days, but what's
hot today certainly has changed. Mr. Comstock and Mr. Roberts wouldn't have recognized
bagels, but nowadays everybody in town seems to love 'em. An old NDSU ag econ major loves
his rocks, and other valley residents offer their knowledge of ice cream, ballet, martial arts and
Clydesdale horses. Burgeoning in business as well are the area's new pro sports teams. We're
growing decidedly more cosmopolitan.
If you like Prairie Portraits Online (or perhaps if you don't), why not drop us a
line? We're at Box 5075 University Station, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105-5075, or (decidedly more
cosmopolitan), e-mail, rcollins@badlands.nodak.edu
--Ross Collins
Table of contents
Editorial Board
- Ross Collins, assistant professor of communication, NDSU.
- Elizabeth Blanks Hindman, assistant professor of communication, NDSU.
- Arlyn Nelson, department of graphic arts technology, NDSCS.
- Jaime Penuel, lecturer in communication, NDSU.