MSUM alum, Moorhead educator named Teacher of the Year

Moorhead teacher Ronda Buysse has an unusual gig. She works with the district’s youngest pupils, usually ages 3 or 4. Those are also the youngsters poised to face some of the steepest hurdles in their school careers, and it’s Buysse’s job to give them an early momentum. Buysse, Moorhead’s latest Teacher of the Year, is a veteran of Moorhead’s Early Intervention Services, the district’s team fulfilling a state mandate to educate children with disabilities starting at birth. Read Mila Koumpilova’s full story at http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/269862/

Alumni, Friends Basketball Night Feb. 12

Dragon Alumni and Friends Basketball Night is Friday, Feb. 12. Everyone
wearing RED or a Go Pink T-shirt will be admitted for $1. Children 12 and under are free. There will be door prizes, and free Dragon cookies and tattoos. Join other Dragon alumni and cheer on the Dragons!

MSUM Art & Design Grad Named Artist in Residence

The North Dakota Council on the Arts announces five (5) new Artist in Residence rostered artists including Jescia Hoffman of Mandan, North Dakota. Hoffman is a recent graduate of the MSUM Department of Art & Design. Artists represented on the Artist-in-Residence Roster have successfully undergone a peer panel review process that evaluates their artistic and instructional abilities as they relate to artists working in a school residency program. Click headline to read more.

Growing on the Grovers: Former MSUM star Bledsoe makes impact as first-year head coach

Jared Bledsoe is in his first season as the head girls basketball coach at Fargo Oak Grove, but it’s clear he’s already had an impact. The Grovers are passionate, composed and bring a positive attitude to every game. Just like Bledsoe did when he was a star guard at Minnesota State University Moorhead from 2001 to 2003. Bledsoe, who grew up in Memphis, said he never had aspirations of one day becoming a coach. He was much more focused on getting to the NBA. Read Heath Hotzler’s full story at INFORUM: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/262296/

450 Expected to Graduate from MSUM Dec. 18

The Fall Semester commencement ceremony will take place next Friday, December 18th, at 2:00 p.m. in Nemzek Fieldhouse. 453 students have applied for graduation. More than half are expected to participate in the ceremony. Alumna Tammy Miller will be the commencement speaker. She has a BS in accounting (1982) and an MBA (1996) from MSU Moorhead. She has received two distinguished alumna awards from her alma mater. Miller is leading MSUM’s Major Gifts Initiative to fund scholarships and the new campus wellness center. Click the headline to read more.