Minnesota State University Moorhead
Encyclopedia
Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is a four-year, public university
located in Moorhead, Minnesota
. The school has an enrollment of nearly 7,500 students and 337 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. MSUM is located on the western border of Minnesota on the Red River of the North
in Moorhead; across the river lies Fargo, North Dakota
. The combined metropolitan area has a population of more than 174,000. The MSUM athletic teams are called the Dragons.
The plans for what would become MSUM were laid down in 1885, when the Minnesota State Legislature passed a bill declaring the need for a new state normal school
in the Red River Valley
, with an eye on Moorhead. The State Senator who proposed the bill, State Senator Solomon Comstock, donated 6 acres (2.4 ha) and appropriated the funds that would go to form the campus which opened in 1888. In 1921, the State authorized the school to offer the four-year Bachelor of Science
degree in Education and the school became Moorhead State Teachers College.
With the entrance of World War II
, the college entered into a contract with the Army Air Corps
to train aviation students. After World War II, enrollment swelled to more than 700 students and the school diversified and broadened into both a liberal arts and professional curriculum. The school began offering a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1946 and graduate programs by 1953. As a result of the broadened offerings, by 1957 the name was changed to Moorhead State College. In 1969, the school joined a cooperative cross-registration exchange with neighboring Concordia College
and North Dakota State University
, creating the Tri-College University. The school continued to increase its number of programs and by 1975, the State Legislature that year permitted the institution to change its name to Moorhead State University. In 1995, Moorhead State
became part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. On July 1, 2000, the school officially became Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Minnesota State University Moorhead was rated the 18th top liberal arts college in the midwest by TIME
magazine in 2008.
MSUM is accredited by 14 national accrediting and certification agencies
, including the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
. The MSUM School of Business is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
International (AACSB).
, a nonprofit literary press founded in 1968.
The campus newspaper is The Advocate, formerlyThe MiSTiC. The MiSTiC was closed by university administration in 1970.
The school also publishes a literary magazine, Red Weather, with the support of the English Department. The yearly publication is a journal of prose, poetry, interviews, photography and art by current undergraduates and graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Students produce a weekly open-submission literary journal entitled The Yellow Bicycle, a collection of poetry, prose, essays, and reviews.
MSUM produces a weekly faculty/staff newsletter called Continews and a quarterly publication for its alumni titled Alumnews.
, which airs on AM 1500. KMSC is a student organization that has been set up to run as a Non-profit Educational radio station and serves as an in-house learning facility.
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Professors of the Year designations than any college or university, public or private, in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa, or Wisconsin. One professor has earned CASE Carnegie
United States Professor of the Year designation and eight professors have earned designation as CASE Carnegie
Minnesota Professor of the Year.
Public university
A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities. A national university may or may not be considered a public university, depending on regions...
located in Moorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Clay County....
. The school has an enrollment of nearly 7,500 students and 337 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. MSUM is located on the western border of Minnesota on the Red River of the North
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
in Moorhead; across the river lies Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
. The combined metropolitan area has a population of more than 174,000. The MSUM athletic teams are called the Dragons.
History
Normal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
in the Red River Valley
Red River Valley
The Red River Valley is a region in central North America that is drained by the Red River of the North. It is significant in the geography of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba for its relatively fertile lands and the population centers of Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Winnipeg...
, with an eye on Moorhead. The State Senator who proposed the bill, State Senator Solomon Comstock, donated 6 acres (2.4 ha) and appropriated the funds that would go to form the campus which opened in 1888. In 1921, the State authorized the school to offer the four-year Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Education and the school became Moorhead State Teachers College.
With the entrance of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the college entered into a contract with the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
to train aviation students. After World War II, enrollment swelled to more than 700 students and the school diversified and broadened into both a liberal arts and professional curriculum. The school began offering a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in 1946 and graduate programs by 1953. As a result of the broadened offerings, by 1957 the name was changed to Moorhead State College. In 1969, the school joined a cooperative cross-registration exchange with neighboring Concordia College
Concordia College, Moorhead
Concordia College is a private liberal arts school located in Moorhead, Minnesota, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and offers bachelors' degrees in the arts and music, as well as a master's degree in education. The college was founded by Norwegian...
and North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
, creating the Tri-College University. The school continued to increase its number of programs and by 1975, the State Legislature that year permitted the institution to change its name to Moorhead State University. In 1995, Moorhead State
became part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. On July 1, 2000, the school officially became Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Minnesota State University Moorhead was rated the 18th top liberal arts college in the midwest by TIME
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine in 2008.
Name Changes
- Moorhead Normal School (1887)
- Moorhead State Teachers College (1921)
- Moorhead State College (1957)
- Moorhead State University (1975)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead (2000)
Presidents of MSUM
- 1888-1899 Livingston C. Lord
- 1899-1919 Frank A. Weld
- 1919-1923 Oliver Dickerson
- 1923-1941 Ray MacLean
- 1941-1955 Otto W. Snarr
- 1955-1958 A.L. Knoblauch
- 1958-1968 John Neumaier
- 1968-1994 Roland Dille
- 1994-2008 Roland Barden
- 2008–present Edna Mora Szymanski
Facts
- Enrollment: approximately 7,800 students
- Top Majors: Music, Elementary Education, Mass Communications, Computer Science, Business Administration, Art, Biology, Accounting, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Special education, and Graphic Communications.
- Student/Faculty Ratio: 19:1
- Average Scholarship: $950
- Alumni: Over 46,000
- MSUM offers in-state tuition for most students.
- 16% of freshman participate in intercollegiate athletics.
- More than 1,600 students live in campus residence halls.
- MSUM offers more than 120 Student Organizations.
- In 2008, MSUM formally banned smoking on all University property.
- Each student attending MSUM pays a .43 cent per credit fee to fund the Minnesota State University Student AssociationMinnesota State University Student AssociationThe Minnesota State University Student Association is an independent, non-profit organization funded and operated by students. MSUSA serves nearly 70,000 students attending Minnesota's seven state universities: Bemidji State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Metropolitan State...
, a student lead non-profit that advocates on behalf of all Minnesota state university students.
Mission
"Minnesota State University Moorhead is a caring community promising all students the opportunity to discover their passions, the rigor to develop intellectually and the versatility to shape a changing world."Academic programs
MSUM offers more than 135 majors and 19 areas of pre-professional studies with 32 academic departments in its four Colleges: Arts & Humanities, Business & Industry, Education and Human Services, and Social & Natural Sciences. Graduate degree programs are offered in 15 academic areas.MSUM is accredited by 14 national accrediting and certification agencies
Higher education accreditation
Higher education accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of post-secondary educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
, including the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
. The MSUM School of Business is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business was founded in 1916 to accredit schools of business worldwide. The first accreditations took place in 1919. The stated mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation and thought leadership. It is regarded...
International (AACSB).
Study Abroad Programs
MSUM maintains a large number of study abroad programs throughout the world. Programs organic to MSUM include the following:Asia
- Nankai UniversityNankai UniversityNankai University , commonly known as Nankai, is a public research university based in Tianjin on mainland China. Founded in 1919 by educators Zhang Boling and Yan Fansun , Nankai University is a member of the Nankai serial schools. It is the alma mater of former Chinese Premier and key historical...
in TianjinTianjin' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
China - Kanda University of International StudiesKanda University of International Studiesor KUIS is a private university located in Makuhari, Mihama-ku, Chiba, Japan. The university was founded in 1987 as an extension of Kanda Institute of Foreign Languages in Tokyo. KUIS is a research university specializing in learner autonomy...
in ChibaChiba, Chibais the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000....
Japan - Kanto Gakuin in YokohamaYokohamais the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
Japan - Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific UniversityRitsumeikan Asia Pacific University, or APU, is a private institution inaugurated April 2000 in Beppu, Ōita, Japan. APU was made possible through the collaboration of three parties from the public and private sectors: Ōita Prefecture, Beppu City and the Ritsumeikan Academy. APU has an enrollment of over 6,000 students...
in Beppu Japan - Chung-Ang UniversityChung-Ang UniversityThe Chung-Ang University is a private comprehensive institution in South Korea, located over two campuses in Seoul and Anseong. It was founded subsequent to liberation from Japanese colonial rule for the benefit of the nation and advancement of civilization, with the educational philosophy of...
in SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea - Ming Chuan UniversityMing Chuan UniversityMing Chuan University is a selective private university founded by Pao Teh-Ming and her husband Lee Ying-Chao. Named after the famous progressive Qing Dynasty governor of Taiwan Liu Mingchuan, it is known for its communication and business programs.-History:The institution was founded as a three...
in Taiwan
Europe
- University of PortsmouthUniversity of PortsmouthThe University of Portsmouth is a university in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The University was ranked 60th out of 122 in The Sunday Times University Guide...
on England's's southern coast - Keele UniversityKeele UniversityKeele University is a campus university near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1949 as an experimental college dedicated to a broad curriculum and interdisciplinary study, Keele is most notable for pioneering the dual honours degree in Britain...
located between Liverpool and Birmingham England - Lincoln UniversityUniversity of LincolnThe University of Lincoln is an English university founded in 1992, with origins tracing back to the foundation and association with the Hull School of Art 1861....
located in northeast England - Centre for Medieval and Renaissance StudiesCentre for Medieval and Renaissance StudiesThe Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Oxford, England, is a programme for international students to study in Oxford. It was founded by Dr John Feneley in 1975. For the first thirty years of its existence, until 2006, the Centre was affiliated to Keble College, Oxford. CMRS currently...
in Oxford, England - Hedmark University CollegeHedmark University CollegeHedmark University College is a høgskole, a Norwegian state institution of higher education, in the county of Hedmark, Norway. The college's four campuses are located in Hamar, Elverum, Åmot and Stor-Elvdal...
in southeast Norway
Publications
MSUM operates the New Rivers PressNew Rivers Press
New Rivers Press is an American non-profit poetry press located in Moorhead, Minnesota and affiliated with the Minnesota State University Moorhead.-History & Mission:...
, a nonprofit literary press founded in 1968.
The campus newspaper is The Advocate, formerlyThe MiSTiC. The MiSTiC was closed by university administration in 1970.
The school also publishes a literary magazine, Red Weather, with the support of the English Department. The yearly publication is a journal of prose, poetry, interviews, photography and art by current undergraduates and graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Students produce a weekly open-submission literary journal entitled The Yellow Bicycle, a collection of poetry, prose, essays, and reviews.
MSUM produces a weekly faculty/staff newsletter called Continews and a quarterly publication for its alumni titled Alumnews.
Dragon Radio
The school's college radio station is KMSCKMSC (AM)
KMSC is a student run unlicensed college radio station located on the campus of Minnesota State University Moorhead. The station, branded as Dragon Radio, airs on AM 1500.KMSC has been in existence in one form or another since the 1950s...
, which airs on AM 1500. KMSC is a student organization that has been set up to run as a Non-profit Educational radio station and serves as an in-house learning facility.
Notable Events
MSUM sponsors a Student Academic Conference annually. The Student Academic Conference provides student researchers from each of its colleges with the opportunity to present their work to faculty, administration, peers, and the general public in a formal academic setting. The conference was first offered in 1998.Notable alumni
- Collin PetersonCollin PetersonCollin Clark Peterson , is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991, and the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and is the dean of the Minnesota congressional delegation.The district, Minnesota's largest and most rural...
, US Congressman - Ed SchultzEd SchultzEdward Andrew "Ed" Schultz Is an American television and radio host and a liberal political commentator . He is the host of The Ed Show, a daily news talk program on MSNBC, and The Ed Schultz Show, a talk radio show, nationally syndicated by Dial Global, promising "straight talk."-Early...
, political pundit - Kevin SorboKevin SorboKevin David Sorbo is an American actor best known for the roles of Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Captain Dylan Hunt in Andromeda and Kull in Kull the Conqueror.-Early life:...
, actor - Jan MaxwellJan MaxwellJan Maxwell is an American stage and television actress. She is a four-time Tony Award nominee.-Biography:She is the daughter of former First District Judge Ralph B. Maxwell and Elizabeth Maxwell, a lawyer for the EPA. She attended West Fargo High School, West Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead...
, actor - Jerry verDorn, actor
- Patrick VolkerdingPatrick VolkerdingPatrick Volkerding is the founder and maintainer of the Slackware Linux distribution. He is the "Slackware Benevolent Dictator for Life." Volkerding earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1993.For a short while, Chris Lumens and others assisted...
, Slackware Linux distribution founder - Leif EngerLeif EngerLeif Enger is an American author who wrote the novel Peace Like a River.Enger was born in 1961 and raised in Osakis, Minnesota. Since his teens, he wanted to write fiction. He worked as a reporter and producer for Minnesota Public Radio from 1984 until the sale of Peace Like a River to publisher...
, author - Nikita KoloffNikita KoloffNikita Koloff is a retired American professional wrestler,. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he wrestled as "The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff, which was a play on the nickname of fan favorite "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes .Nikita was brought into the National...
, professional wrestler - Todd Brandt, co-host of The Todd and Tyler Radio Empire
- Matthew Von Pinnon, journalist
- Lee Morris, journalist
- Curt Gudmundson, finances & investment
- Mark Vinz, poet
- Richard Gruchalla, artist
Notable faculty
- Thomas McGrathThomas McGrath (poet)Thomas Matthew McGrath, was a celebrated American poet....
(1916-1990) celebrated North Dakota poet, Rhodes scholar, and Professor of English - James Wright (poet)
CASE Carnegie Foundation Award Winners
Minnesota State University Moorhead professors have been recognized with more CASECouncil for Advancement and Support of Education
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is a nonprofit association of educational institutions. It serves professionals in the field of educational advancement...
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Professors of the Year designations than any college or university, public or private, in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa, or Wisconsin. One professor has earned CASE Carnegie
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is a nonprofit association of educational institutions. It serves professionals in the field of educational advancement...
United States Professor of the Year designation and eight professors have earned designation as CASE Carnegie
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is a nonprofit association of educational institutions. It serves professionals in the field of educational advancement...
Minnesota Professor of the Year.
| Russ Colson | 2010 | United States Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| Martin Grindeland | 2008 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| Ellen Brisch | 2007 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| Mark Wallert | 2005 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| Jim Bartruff | 2001 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| Andrew Conteh | 1999 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| David Mason | 1994 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| Evelyn C. Lynch | 1992 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
| Delmar J. Hansen (deceased) | 1987 | Minnesota Outstanding Professor of the Year |
See also
- :Category:Minnesota State University Moorhead alumni