SPPPPPRRRRIRIR NG/SUMMER 2021 - Bemidji State University
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A ma
maga
gazine for alumni and friendds
SP
PRI
RING/SUMMER 2021
PRESIDENT
FAITH C. HENSRUD
Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2021 edition of the Bemidji State University Magazine. What a year this has been.
In March of 2020, our world was shaken in a way many of us thought we would never see in our lifetimes. Not only did
we survive the peaks of a global pandemic that took the lives of millions across the world, but we witnessed outcries
against injustice and inequity when George Floyd was murdered on the streets of Minneapolis. We also saw our
communities divided in what was arguably the most emotionally charged election of our lives.
Throughout this year, there was one unwavering truth that guided — and continues to guide — Bemidji State
University: regardless of the situation, the safety, security and well-being of our students is and has always been
our highest priority.
In this edition of the BSU magazine, you’ll learn how we came together to overcome every obstacle with momentum
and courage. You’ll read about how our Department of Nursing used their strong community partnerships to shape the
student experience, how our students stayed resilient in the face of the pandemic and the ways our alumni are leading
compassionate and inspired lives by responding positively to crises around the world.
Additionally, you will read about how our Office of Communications and Marketing worked with a Minnesota-based
marketing agency to capture the essence of Bemidji State in a new brand campaign. This refreshed brand firmly poises
BSU — our home away from home — as Minnesota’s premier north woods university.
Now, as COVID-19 restrictions loosen and we are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, we are thrilled to
announce that we will be returning to normal operations in Fall 2021. It’s time to come together once again and I
couldn’t be more excited. Enclosed is information about our upcoming alumni events, our plans for Homecoming
2021 and the many opportunities to reconnect with your Beaver family.
We have learned a lot about our community and capabilities this past year, and through it all we learned that the
spirit of BSU cannot be broken. Now, with grace and ferocity, we prepare for another academic year together, in
person, on campus, stronger than ever.
Go Beavers!
Dr. Faith C. Hensrud
2 | BEMIDJI ST
STATE
TAT
ATE UN
UNIV
UNIVERSITY
IVER
IV ER
RSSIITY
T
Features
4-7 Cover Story — Bemidji State’s close relationship
with Sanford Health of Bemidji created unique
opportunities for nursing students during the
pandemic.
8-9 Two BSU alumna use “Hands of Action”
to encourage access to education, opportunity
and health care in Uganda.
HANDS OF ACTION Departments
10 The Great Beaver Get-Together — 11-12 Campus News
In September, Homecoming is back.
13 Faculty Achievements
16 Head athletic trainer Eric Sand spearheaded
BSU’s contact tracing effort, helping to limit 14-15 Students to Watch
COVID-19’s spread on campus.
17 BSU Athletics News
18-19 Alumni Profile — Ashley Parrott ’17 and her
20-21 Campus Happenings
family defied the pandemic and opened a candy
store in northeast Minnesota. 22-23 Alumni News
ERIC SAND
29-30 A refreshed visual identity has BSU ready
24-28 Class Notes
for its second century.
31 Alumni & Foundation
Calendar
SWEETLY KISMET
VOLUME 36, NO. 1
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
EDITOR: Andy Bartlett
UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR : Josh Christianson
ART DIRECTOR, DESIGNER: Mike Lee
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY Magazine
PHOTOGRAPHY: Andy Bartlet, John Swartz and Eric Sorenson
is produced by the Office of Communications &
Marketing and BSU Alumni & Foundation. It is STAFF WRITERS: Carissa Menefee, Rachel Munson,
published twice per year and distributed free to Brad Folkestad and Eric Sorenson
BSU alumni and friends. Direct comments to STUDENT WRITERS: Casey Johnson,
andy.bartlett@bemidjistate.edu or (888) 234-7794. BreAnnene Willson and
Christopher Shepherd
A member of the colleges and universities of Minnesota State,
Bemidji State University is an affirmative-action, equal-oppor-
tunity educator and employer.
ww
www
www.BemidjiState.edu
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u | 3
Nursing students gain valuable
real-world experience during
pandemic response
By Rachel Munson
When the onset of COVID-19
OVID
OVID-119 sh
sshocked
o ke
ockedd
communities around the g globe,
lobe
lo leaders
be, le
lead
ader
errs
turned to those trained to
o ssupport
upppoort tthe
he
health and well-being of o
ourur ccommunities
ommu
om muni
mu niti
ni ties
ties
— scientists, doctors, nurses
rsees an other
and othe
her
heer
health care professionals..
While the pandemic response
pons
po nsee created d
challenges across all parts
ts of ccampus,
ampu
am puss,
pu s, ffor
orr
Bemidji State's Department
ent Nursing
nt off Nu
N urs
r inng it
also created opportunities
ess to expand
to ex
expapand
pa nd o onn it
itss
already strong partnerships
ip
ps wi
with
th bboth
oth
ot h
Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
Cent
Ce er aand
nter nd tthehe
Minnesota Department o off He
Health.
Healalth
al th.. Wi
th Withthh
guidance from local, statee aand
d ffederal
nd edder
e al
agencies continually evolving,
ving, nursing
faculty and students tookk advantage of the
opportunity to learn by engaging
ngaging directly
with the pandemic response.
nse.
Dr. Marci Maple, professoror and chair of
nursing at Bemidji State, collaborates closely
with Kelly Hagen, vice president
esident of nursing
and clinical services at Sanford
anford Health of
Northern Minnesota, to ensure the partnership
not only provides BSU students
udents with the
experiential learning theyy need, but also that Kelly Hagen (left)
Sanford Health of Bemidjii has additional
Dr. Marci Maple (right)
resources to call upon in times of need.
4 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
In addition, Maple supports Sanford “Nursing is at the foundation of patient
as a member of its nursing residency care,” she said. “It has been for hundreds
board, and Hagen sits on BSU’s nursing of years and will be into the foreseeable
advisory board. future. So supporting and advancing the
“Taking the time to build the relationship profession of nursing and the
is really what it's about,” Maple said “We connections it has to care today and in
need to be in a partnership. Sanford the future is ever so important.”
Health employs our Sanford also created
students, and we're additional capstone
providing the experiences for BSU
educational basis for “MDH appreciates all of students through an
our student nurses to be
up to par for their career the students, faculty and
extended internship
program. Previously
FFREE
REE C
COVID-19
OVID 19
and practice.”
staff who worked with us only offered during TESTING ON
Hagen says the
partnership works to support our community
the spring semester,
Sanford worked with CAMPUS
because, at the end of Dr. Jessica LeTexier,
the day, BSU nursing response to COVID-19” an associate Throughout the academic year, Bemidji State
and Sanford Health professor of nursing held three free COVID-19 testing events for all
have the same goals. who teaches BSU and Northwest Technical College students.
– KRISTEN EHRESMANN,
DIRECTOR OF THE INFECTIOUS
courses related to These events took place around key university
“One of the strengths
DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY, the internships, to breaks, when students were expected to be
that we have in
PREVENTION & CONTROL extend the traveling to and from campus, and allowed
common is that we're
DIVISION, MINNESOTA internship program students to “know before you go.”
focused on the same DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH to a full year. Events were held at the Gilllett Wellness Center
things — patients, staff
and community,” she The extended on the Bemidji State campus on November 17,
said. “Our health care internships allow December 9 and March 15. Approximately
worker pipeline is dependent on our senior nursing students who are enrolled 1,200 free tests were administered to students,
academic partnerships. If we are in an accredited nursing program and and Minnesota Department of Heath delivered
here to care for our community have already completed a summer confidential results directly to students in 24 to
and our patients, one of the internship at Sanford Health to apply for 48 hours. Students were encouraged to
most important things that an extended position. self-report their results to BSU’s student
we do is to continue to “Students have this amazing summer COVID-19 hotline. The free testing event was
foster that pipeline.” internship opportunity where they are part of a broader strategy to help students learn
completing over 200 hours on various if they were an asymptomatic carrier of the virus,
floors and then they come back to school which aimed to contain COVID-19 spread.
BUILDING CAREERS
and want to continue in this enriched
While many hospitals closed clinical environment,” LeTexier said.
their doors to students as part
As a result of Sanford’s pandemic
of their pandemic response,
response, Bemidji State’s nursing
strong partnerships allowed
students were able to work in a variety of
BSU students to continue their
settings including COVID-19 vaccination
experiential learning. The
sites and long-term care facilities.
partnership not only helped
ensure that BSU students “Our students were able to boost their
stayed on track in pursuit of skills while also seeing the bigger,
their nursing degrees, but also broader picture of where we're at with
ensured that Sanford had the our science and health care, and trying
personnel it needed during to protect those frontline workers,”
the pandemic. LeTexier said.
Hagen said the partnership During the extended internship,
with BSU is what allows students work alongside current nurses
Sanford Health’s nursing corps at Sanford which allows them to continue
to grow both in their clinical skills and One of 63 students offi cially welcomed into
to continue evolving. BSU's four-year track nursing program during its
professional attributes.
February 2021 induction ceremony.
{ continued on next page } www.BemidjiState.edu | 5
“We thought it was a great
opportunity for our students to help
with the prevention of COVID”
– DR. MARY FAIRBANKS,
PROFESSOR OF NURSING
“It’s a learning environment on both
ends,” Hagen said.“We continue to information in a database which
learn as our students continue to Department of Health staff could
gain experience.” analyze to determine whether additional
In addition, students and faculty both contacts were needed or to identify
were able to participate in COVID-19 potential viral outbreak locations.
vaccinations, which also provided “We were responsible for documenting
opportunities for students and faculty to
SANFORD HEALTH receive their own vaccinations early in
possible exposure and who the people
we were contacting may have exposed
COVID-19 UNIT the spring.
Some BSU nursing faculty also picked
to the virus,” DeGeorge said. “We also
discussed the importance of isolation for
up shifts on Sanford Bemidji’s medical- the client and what it entailed. We
The nursing departments at both Bemidji State surgical floor to relieve the stress on determined if the case would need any
and Northwest Technical College loaned 23 nurses who were reassigned to further assistance and what to do in the
patient beds to help Sanford Health of Bemidji COVID-19 units. case of an emergency.”
deploy a Special Care Unit for COVID-19 Kristen Ehresmann, director of the
patients who required inpatient care. Infectious Disease Epidemiology,
NURSING STUDENTS BECOME
Following an inpatient surge plan in response Prevention & Control Division at the
COVID-19 CASE INVESTIGATORS
to the coronavirus pandemic, the temporary, Minnesota Department of Health, said
negative-pressure unit provided additional As the Minnesota Department of Health
the partnership with student volunteers
space in the event that the hospital’s sought to expand its contact tracing
was mutually beneficial and hopes
permanent negative pressure rooms were efforts during the fall of 2020, they
participating in pandemic response
occupied by COVID-19 patients. Using some of turned to BSU nursing students for
activities will encourage students to
the donated beds, Sanford also converted support. With many clinics limiting
consider a future in public health.
non-patient rooms in unit into additional student access at the height of the
pandemic, serving on a contact “MDH appreciates all of the students,
patient rooms. faculty and staff who worked with us to
tracing team afforded BSU students
“We are immensely grateful for the patient bed support our community response to
another avenue to fulfill their clinical
donations from BSU and NTC,” said Hagen COVID-19,” she said. "The strong
experience requirements.
said. “Our partnerships with their nursing support from higher education has
departments and leadership are all the more Dr. Mary Fairbanks, professor of nursing,
been invaluable.”
important as we continue to face this worked with the Minnesota Department
of Health to provide opportunities for Cherish Jarvi ‘21, a nursing graduate from
pandemic as a community.” Babbit, was grateful for the experience
nursing students to earn clinical hours as
case investigators. and the opportunity to see and
experience a side of health care
“We thought it was a great opportunity
— something she normally wouldn’t
for our students to help with the
have done with an in-person clinical.
prevention of COVID-19,” she said. “Our
students could use the experience as “I learned the importance of different
their clinical hours, because it’s what agencies and health care workers
nurses do in the workplace. It fit the coming together during a global health
course objectives and it was safe.” crisis, and the importance of early
intervention and contact tracing to
Nursing grad Clair DeGeorge ’21 of
further prevent the spread of an
Anchorage, Alaska, was among the more
infectious disease,” Jarvi said. “It showed
than 130 BSU students who participated
the importance of proper hygiene and
in the contact tracing operation. She and
infection prevention like wearing a mask,
other contact tracers recorded
social distancing and quarantining when
6 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
“We were responsible for
documenting possible exposure and
who the people we were contacting
may have exposed to the virus”
–CLAIR DEGEORGE ’21
BSU NURSING GRAD
not feeling well.” Both DeGeorge and the stage for other long-term goals
Jarvi said the experience helped them — such as advancement of Sanford’s
foster a crucial skill necessary for
success in the nursing world — the
nursing residency program.
“Once a registered nurse has
EXTENDED
ability to stay calm during the storm. completed their academic education, INTERNSHIPS
“This experience involved having education doesn't stop,” Hagen said.
conversations with many people who “You don't stop being a student one Sarah Lagos, a spring ’21 graduate from
may still be processing the fact that day and become a professional nurse Newport, Minnesota, was one participant in
they tested positive for COVID-19,” the next day without bridging some of the extended internship opportunity at
DeGeorge said. “This was a great the needs that you have in that Sanford Health. A former president of BSU’s
platform to practice therapeutic process.” Student Nurses Association and a tutor in the
communication. It is very difficult to She said Maple and BSU have been nursing department, Lagos sought to gain as
show empathy when talking to instrumental in Sanford’s development much experience as she could during the
someone over the phone. Yet, every of the residency program. pandemic.
time you made a new call it got easier
“They and other academic partners in “I began my internship at Sanford Medical
to communicate and help clients
our region were present at the table as Center Fargo to spend five weeks in the
express or identify their emotions. I
we put that structure together,” she Cardiac Catheterization Lab and five weeks
will forever be grateful to have been
said. “They were able to inform us, on their Admissions Recovery Unit over the
given the opportunity to focus on such
from an academic perspective, as to summer,” Lagos said. “Then, I extended my
a crucial aspect of nursing while being
some of the things we needed to internship and transferred it to Sanford
able to make a difference in
consider in that residency program and Bemidji Medical Center and spent 40 hours a
unprecedented times.”
how their students might transition month interning on the Telemetry Unit.”
into a residency program as they Reflecting on her time spent at BSU and the
FUTURE PARTNERSHIP become a novice nurse.” nursing department, Lagos gives her thanks
OPPORTUNITIES Looking forward, Maple says the to professors that helped her along the way.
Finding opportunity in crisis, the collaboration between Bemidji State “All of my professors have been positive
relationship between Bemidji State’s and Sanford is just getting started. influences and have helped me succeed and
nursing program and Sanford Health “I can't say how powerful it's been, get to where I am. The person that
not only provided impossible-to- and we're only touching the tip of the contributed to my success the most is Dr.
replicate experiences for BSU nursing iceberg,” she said. Jessica LeTexier. She is constantly cheering
students, but also demonstrated the me on and I am extremely grateful for her
strength of the partnership and sets guidance and ‘free mom hugs’.”
“I learned the importance of different
agencies and health care workers
coming together during a global
health crisis”
–CHERISH JARVI ‘21
BSU NURSING GRAD
www.BemidjiState.edu | 7
HANDS OF
bdujpo
From a small business in Bemidji, social work
alumnae are empowering change in Uganda
By Rachel Munson & Casey Johnson
Bemidji State University social work graduates Jennifer Kovach ‘93 and
Jennifer Anderson ’94 carry a passion for international service and helping
others. Through a small storefront and international office in Bemidji,
the duo is fighting extreme poverty in Uganda by championing access to
educational, economic and health care resources.
Anderson
A
An d rs
de o aand
rson
on Kovach
nd K ovac
ov ach
ac recently
h reece n llyy rreceived
cent e ei
ec e ved
veed thtthe 2020 Northern Minnesota
Achievement
A
Ac hiev
hi e em
evemen
en Award
nt Awward ffrom
arrd fr om
o mP President
resi
re side
si dent
de ntt FFaith
n aith
ai t C. Hensrud, acknowledging their
work
wo r as
rk as consistent
cons
co nssiste
isste
tent
n w
nt with Bemidji
itth Be
ith em djii State’s
miidj Sttat mission, vision and values.
n 2011,
In 0 1, high
201 gh in the
hig he rural
the rur a mountains
u al mount
ount of eastern Uganda’s
Bududa
Budu
Bu dud
du daa ddistrict,
isstr
t ic
i t,
t AAnderson
n errso
nd sonn founded the non-profit ministry
organization
o
or gaaniiza
g z ti
to on
nH Hands
aan
nd off Action International.
dss o
“My hope is to inspire others to use their time, talents
and passions for making our community and the
world a better place for us all.”
– JENNIFER ANDERSON ’94
8 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
That same year, Hands of Action alll students. Hands for others to walk
opened The Shikhuyu Needy off Action also alongside us, to kneel
Care School for children at risk of supports
upports the delivery of down with us, to hold our
human trafficking, early childhood sanitary
anitary supplies, life-saving hands, to laugh with us and cry
marriage and child labor. In 2012, medication, surgeries and dental with us — all while not judging us
Kovach joined Anderson at Hands care in Bududa. just because our story is different
of Action as a co-founder after than theirs. I feel blessed to serve
“Most importantly, all students
working together as social workers both communities.”
who attend the schools are fed,”
at Bemidji’s Evergreen Youth and Kovach said. “Children in Bududa With their board of directors,
Family Services. often only eat once a day, and mission teams, donors and
Since opening, the Needy Care often that meal is only a banana. countless volunteers, Hands of
School has grown from just under Having a daily meal is a critical Action is also in the process of
200 students to more than 900, component of the school system raising funds to build a sustainable,
and from one teacher to a staff and is transforming the health of permanent structure to replace
of 50 including a headmaster, a the community." their current mud and tin school
librarian and a security guard. building.
In addition to its work developing
Students who have aged out of educational and safety resources Funds for Hands of Action are
the Needy Care School can now for students, Hands of Action also secured through donations and
seamlessly enter the Shikhuyu offers programing specifically for The Hope Studio, a gift shop in
Secondary School of Excellence, women and girls empowerment downtown Bemidji that sells fair
another Hands of Action initiative and various lifestyle projects for trade and handmade items from
that opened in 2019. gardening, farming and worship. local and international artists.
“The children who were the first The studio also serves as the
A sewing center was started
students at our school 10 years international headquarters for
to provide the community an
ago are now teenagers in our high Hands of Action.
additional opportunity to earn an
school,” Anderson said. “One income. Now, the oldest students “The shop is not only a store
student told me she plans to in the schools will learn to sew, but also a place where people
become a member of parliament and Hands of Action will transform can come to be inspired, have
and work hard for the people of the center into an economic deep discussions, pray and learn
her village at the national level. development opportunity for more about serving locally and
Another student told me that she students. internationally,” Anderson said.
is training to be our first school “My hope is to inspire others to
nurse. My heart is exploding with Despite the differences between
use their time, talents and passions
excitement and I am so proud of Bemidji and Bududa, Kovach uses
her experience to ground herself for making our community and
these kids.”
and her work to address basic the world a better place for
Soon after the nonprofit was human needs. us all.”
founded, Anderson and Kovach
looked to provide additional “In all my years as a social worker,
resources for students. A water whether in Bemidji or Bududa,
collection and purification system I have learned that everyone
was established to provide safe has a story,” she said. “Whether
drinking water for students we are experiencing poverty,
and, through a partnership hunger, mental health obstacles,
with Steelys Drinkware, Hands addiction, trauma, unemployment,
of Action was able to provide shame, guilt, the desire to be a
stainless steel drinking cups for better parent, we all have a need
www
www.BemidjiState.edu
BemidjiState edu | 9
The Great Beaver
Get-Together
HOMECOMING 2021
Homecoming returns to Bemidji State Class of 2020 & 2021 Celebration
SATURDAY, SEPT. 25 TBD
University in-person September 24- A social to honor the BSU Class of 2020 & 2021.
26, 2021. Bemidji State is excited to Beaver Block Party
welcome alumni and friends like you Downtown Bemidji
8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
back to campus. View the tentative
More events and details to be announced.
schedule of events below, and visit
bsualumni.org for more information
Homecoming Parade
THURSDAY, SEPT. 23 BSU Campus
Lighting of the Homecoming Hearth 11 a.m.
Lakeside Fireplace The annual Homecoming parade features
7 p.m. floats created by student organizations,
An annual ceremony that marks the beginning athletic teams, faculty, staff and community
of Homecoming, a flame will remain burning members traveling from the Bangsberg Fine
Arts Complex north on Birchmont Drive NE
throughout Homecoming weekend.
toward Diamond Point Park. SUNDAY, SEPT. 26
Pregame Tailgate Party Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert
Diamond Point Park Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex
12 p.m. 3 p.m.
Share your Beaver Pride before the game. Bemidji State University’s Department of
Homecoming Game Music will hold its annual Carl O. Thompson
BSU vs Augustana Memorial Concert as a wrap-up to
Chet Anderson Stadium Homecoming weekend.
2 p.m.
Cheer the Beavers to victory.
FRIDAY, SEPT
FRIDAY SEPT. 24 Marion Christianson Memorial
Dance Studio Dedication
Honors Gala Gillett Wellness Center
Sanford Center's Neilson Convention Center TBD
Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner & program at 6:30 p.m. Following the football game, be a part of the
A celebration of this year’s five Outstanding Alumni official dedication of the newly-named Marion
honorees and the donors who make a quality Christianson Memorial Dance Studio.
education accessible for all BSU students.
Hotel blocks are available at the following Bemidji hotels: AmericInn (block closes Aug. 24), DoubleTree (block closes Aug. 24)
and Hampton Inn & Suites (block closes Sept. 1). All Homecoming events will be held in accordance with current COVID-19
guidelines. All event details and times are subject to change. Visit BSUALUMNI.ORG for the latest Homecoming information.
AT E U N
ST IV
I
J
ER
BEMID
SITY
10 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITYMinneapolis Artist Creates Tribute to
BSU
Class of 2020 in New Hagg-Sauer Hall
As part of BSU's project to replace Hagg-Sauer spent nearly three days unloading, staging and
Hall, Minneapolis-based artist Stacia Goodman installing the mosaic in September 2021. The
was commissioned to install a mosaic mosaic, meant to represent life at Bemidji State,
surrounding the entrance to the new lecture is dedicated to the graduating class of 2020
hall. After months of hand-cutting thousands to embody their perseverance throughout the
of pieces of material, Goodman and her team COVID-19 pandemic.
Bemidji State Design Professor
Builds Virtual World for Campus
At the onset of COVID-19, Dr. Sachel Josefson, associate
professor of technology, art and design, longed for a
virtual space where he could interact with his colleagues
and students. It was not long before he set out to do so
with the help of assistant TAD professors Mitch Blessing
and Eric Carlson. Now nestled within an online platform
called Virbela, there is a virtual world where students,
faculty and staff can meet virtually and connect. The
space, called The Fourth Floor, is fully equipped with a classroom, faculty offices, a computer lab
and “bored” room. Adapting to the landscape of higher education in COVID-19, Josefson wanted to
present students with a connection to their home building on campus.
Celebrating More Than 1,000 Graduates
During BSU’s 102nd Commencement
On May 7, students, family members, faculty and staff
joined to celebrate Bemidji State’s Class of 2021. This
year, the university acknowledged graduates’ commitment
to their education and the campus community in three
in-person ceremonies — one for each of the university’s
colleges. The ceremony to honor the graduates from the
College of Arts, Education and Humanities began at 9
a.m. and was followed by the ceremony for the College of
Business, Mathematics and Science graduates at noon.
The College of Individual and Community Health graduates
closed the day with a 3 p.m. ceremony.
www.BemidjiState.edu | 11BSU Honors the Indigenous Land
Where Campus Rests
BSU unveiled the following acknowledgment in March 2020, which recognizes the
Indigenous peoples dispossessed from the land occupied by its lakeshore campus.
“We acknowledge that Bemidji State University is located on land and water that is
the current and ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe and Dakota. We acknowledge the
painful history of genocide, forced assimilation, and efforts to alienate the Indigenous
inhabitants from their territory here. We honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous
peoples still connected to this land, retained tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and cultural
resilience. Indigenous people are spiritual and physical caretakers of this land to which
we all belong. Bemidji State University respects these sacred lands, stands with the
community members from these Nations, and will fight injustice in all its forms.”
BSU
Parker Hired as
Campus Diversity Officer
Steven Parker has been named Bemidji
State’s new campus diversity officer.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in social
work with minors in human relations
and psychology from St. Cloud State
University and a master’s degree in
leadership with a specialization in student
affairs in higher education from the
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.
Bemidji State Hosts Nationwide
Indigenous Nursing Conference
Bemidji State’s Niganawenimaanaanig — an Ojibwe word State and Federal Grant
meaning “we take care of them” — program held a free, virtual Funding Provides Crucial
Indigenous nursing conference in May. The conference, "Strong Support for Students
Tribal Nations During Trying Times," welcomed health care During COVID-19
professionals from across the nation who provided lectures on In September 2021, Bemidji State
a range of health care issues affecting Indigenous communities, and Northwest Technical College
including cancer and missing and murdered Indigenous women. distributed laptops to students
Nursing Graduates Earn Highest Recorded with funding from Governor's
NCLEX-RN Exam Pass Rates since 2012 Emergency Educational Relief
grants. The nearly $500,000 grant
Graduates from Bemidji State’s Department of Nursing class of
was used to purchase and provide
2020 have earned the highest recorded pass rates since 2012 on the
distance-learning technology to
National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses. All
students affected by the pandemic.
2020 nursing graduates have completed their first attempt at the
exam, with 94 percent passing on their first attempt. Bemidji State students who
were financially impacted by the
Bemidji State Brings the Stage to COVID-19 also received much-
the Big Screen in Opera Film needed relief through funding
Every year, the Bemidji State Department of Music works across provided by the U.S. Government’s
disciplines to produce a full opera production for the Bemidji Coronavirus Response and Relief
community. This year, with COVID-19 guiding in-person activities, Supplemental Appropriations Act
the production took to the big screen with a movie production of (CRRSAA). Students who met
selected scenes from popular operas. Under the direction of Dr. Cory eligibility requirements received aid
sic, students worked
Renbarger, associate professor of music, packages between $175-$665.
onal audio,
closely with Bemidji’s NLFX Professional In addition, students could apply
video, lighting and editing company for COVID-related emergency
to produce a 60-minute feature film funds, up to $500, during the
called “Things lost, Things Found.” spring and summer.
12 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITYBSU FACULTY
Dr. Shaun Duke,
assistant professor
of English, recently
received a Hugo
Award nomination
ACHIEVEMENT
for his podcast,
“The Skiffy and
Fanty Show.” With over 400 episodes, the Dr. Hamdan Alabsi, assistant professor of Monika Lawrence, adjunct
science fiction, fantasy and horror podcast business administration, was published instructor in the Department
that features reviews of films, interviews in “Institute of Electrical and Electronics of Integrated Media,
with authors and discussions with creators Engineers.” The co-authored paper, “An exhibited photographs at
in the genre. Upward Compatible Ethernet Device Driver the MacRostie Art Center in
for Bare PC Applications” looks at designing Grand Rapids. The collection
Dr. Anton Treuer, an upward compatible gigabit Ethernet Intel “Beyond Whiteness”
professor of network interface controller device driver for showcases winter life in the
languages and machine computing applications. Minnesota north woods.
Indigenous studies,
has been appointed Dr. Zhe Li, assistant Dr. Eric Forsyth, professor of human
to the United professor of business performance, sport and health, authored
Nations’ Technical administration, “Contemporary Issues Within High
Working Group co-authored “Cash School Sports: Ethics & Parents Issues,”
for the High-Level Flow Volatility an article that was published in the
Dialogue on Energy and Trade Credit Spring 2021 Interscholastic Athletic
that will promote inAsia," exploring the Administration journal.
the implementation of global goals for relationship between
sustainable development and inclusive cash and credit in Dr. Veronica Veaux, assistant professor
energy transitions. developing Asian of business administration, Dr. Angie
economies. The paper Kovarik, associate professor of business
Brenda Mack, assistant professor of was awarded a 2020 Emerald Literati administration and Debra Sea, associate
social work and a National Rural Health Award of Excellence. professor of integrated media, won
Association fellow, has spent the last year the Small Business Institute’s “Best
working with educators and professionals Dr. Tricia Cowan, assistant professor Practices Award for Innovative Teaching
across the country to improve rural of nursing, has been selected by the and Pedagogy” for their interactive
health care. She is currently working on a American Association of Colleges of presentation “Add Some Zip, Zest and
behavioral health care policy that will be Nursing to serve in its first Diversity Zing to Your Zoom.”
completed by February 2022. Leadership Institute cohort. She was
nominated by the Niganawenimaanaanig Dr. Miriam Webber, assistant professor of
Dr. Rucha Ambikar, Indigenous nursing program for her music, discussed her efforts to uplift the
assistant professor dedication to equality. work of female composers in the industry
of sociology and during a 2020-2021 Honors Program
anthropology, has Dr. Marty Wolf, lecture titled “Silent Voices: Women
been appointed professor and Composers in Their Own Words.” The
BSU’s Faculty chair in the lecture also featured a performance of a
Fellow for Inclusive Department of commissioned piece written by a West
Pedagogy and Math and Computer coast composer, Lisa Neher.
Curriculum. Science, was
Her appointment, recently published Dr. Sarah Cronin, assistant
which began in in “Computer,” professor of psychology, co-
September 2020, continues through an innovative authored a research paper
Summer 2022. technology with four BSU students and
magazine for alumni that was accepted
Dr. Veronica Veaux, Assistant Professor of computer science professionals. His article for publication in the College
Business Administration, was featured “AI Ethics: A Long History and a Recent Student Affairs Journal.
in the 2019 Native Governance Center’s Burst of Attention,” co-written with four Their paper, “Counseling
Impact Report. The publication celebrates of his colleagues in the field, discusses is Great But Not for Me:
the work of more than 175 indigenous artificial intelligence ethics in media and Student Perspectives of
change-makers from 22 native nations. scholarly writing. College Counseling,” used
focus groups to gather BSU student
Dr. Lukas Szrot, assistant professor of Dr. Mahmoud Al-Odeh, associate professor perspectives on college counseling.
sociology, authored a research article of technology, art & design, received
titled “From Stewardship to Creation innovation funding from the Minnesota Dr. Dean Frost, professor of business
Spirituality: The Evolving Ecological Ethos State system of colleges and universities administration, recently published a new
of the Catholic Church." Szrot’s research to develop multimedia teaching resources textbook titled “Strategic Management.”
analyzes official Catholic doctrine during the COVID-19 pandemic. His His textbook shows how modern
from 1961-2015 and demonstrates how project, “Using D2L Brightspace HTML organizations manage their current
attitudes towards the environment have Templates,” helps faculty make better use businesses and how they plan to meet
shifted within the church over time. of the Brightspace Desire2Learn platform. future demands and opportunities.
www.BemidjiState.edu | 13A Life in Emergency Services: A Bemidji State University nursing
Lindahl Finds Support at student is leading the charge as Sanford
Bemidji State While Facing Health of Bemidji races to distribute
the Pandemic COVID-19 vaccinations.
In addition to her role as Sanford’s
immunization coordinator, Heather
Eichstadt is completing her bachelor’s
degree in nursing at BSU. She began
developing Sanford’s vaccine distribution
process in August 2020. With the
addition of an ultra-cold freezer
required to store the Pfizer-BioTech
vaccine, Bemidji became a regional
distribution hub.
“At first, we began looking at distribution
options like we would for the flu vaccine,
and explored drive-up and blitz options,”
Eichstadt said. “Depending on the
vaccine there are a lot of things that you
have to consider. Among other things, we
made plans to offer vaccination clinics in
a central location and then provided the
proper training to vaccine administrators.
WALTER LINDAHL Putting it all together was very exciting
and we have been able to vaccinate about
1500 of our staff.”
Walter Lindahl didn’t always know Nursing Program and the support The first vaccination clinic was held for
Sanford employees on Dec. 17, 2020, with
nursing was his calling. But when he left a offered to Indigenous students looking
successful career in construction and to become registered nurses. He hospital volunteers, including a number
discovered his passion for emergency started classes in Spring 2019. of Bemidji State’s nursing students and
services, something clicked. professors, following shortly thereafter.
“I don’t know that I would have made
After graduating high school, Lindahl it as far as I have without the Niga-
followed in his father’s footsteps and
started his own construction company
nawenimaanaanig program,” Lindahl
said. “The support that you get is not
HEATHER
serving the Twin Cities area. He later
returned to Bemidji to be closer to his
only financial but also emotional and
inspirational.”
EICHSTADT
family, where he began his journey in The shift from on-campus learning to RN to BS Student Heather
crisis service. He joined the Bemidji Fire online instruction at the onset of
Department as a firefighter and eventu- Eichstadt is Leading
COVID-19 has been a challenge, but
ally became its captain. Sanford Bemidji’s COVID-19
Lindahl says students and professors
alike are making the best out of this
Vaccination Plans
“I started out getting my first responder
degree inside the fire department,” the new experience. Lindahl also appreci-
senior nursing major from Bemidji said. “I ates knowing he has a support system
went to car accidents, house fires and within the Indigenous nursing
major medical runs. I thought it was cool, program.
so I got my emergency medical technician “I was afraid I would fail, but the
license and worked ambulance — I knew instructors have been amazing and
this is where I needed to be.” creative with their lab assignments,”
During one of his EMT shifts, a nurse Lindahl said. “We’ve definitely had to
practitioner encouraged Lindahl to be resilient in the face of the
register for nursing classes at Northwest pandemic.”
Technical College. He enrolled shortly On track to graduate in the spring of
thereafter and became a certified nursing 2022, Lindahl hopes to one day
assistant and licensed practical nurse. become bilingual and continue on his
Lindahl was then drawn to Bemidji State’s path of helping others in crisis.
Niganawenimaanaanig Indigenous
14 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
Y
SA Star Athlete and
Future Nurse: DeGeorge
Accomplishes Athletic and
By the end of January, the rollout contin- Career Goals at Bemidji State
ued to high-risk community members.
After completing her bachelor’s degree,
Eichstadt intends to pursue a master's
degree in nursing, making the transition
from a managing role to one focused on
directly helping patients.
“I love leadership, but I really identify with
patient care,” Eichstadt said. “I love
implementing change, but I want to get
back into patient care. That’s what led me
to become a nurse in the first place.”
As a student and practicing nurse during
the pandemic, the mother of four from
Bemidji says the community has helped
her stay positive and get through the
challenges presented by COVID-19. CLAIR DEGEORGE
“I’m thankful for the community we live in
and for everything I have,” she said, “We
have experienced trying times this year
Clair DeGeorge, a 2021 nursing graduate “We were supposed to have clinicals,
from Anchorage, Alaska, has always been which is where I’d get most of my
and it has taken a toll on everyone, but I’m passionate about two things — science and hands-on experience,” DeGeorge said.
doing well. What gave me a huge boost hockey. “Instead, we did simulations and I learned
was being able to see the light at the a lot through this program.”
As a freshman in high school, DeGeorge left
end of the tunnel with the vaccination
home to play hockey at the Shattuck-St. After graduating in May, DeGeorge
and knowing that we are going to beat
Mary preparatory school in Fairbault, where admits there are days when she feels
this pandemic.”
she helped guide the school to three overwhelmed by the future, but is grateful
In addition to her role as immunization consecutive national championships. She for the support system she has found with
coordinator, Eichstadt also manages also was a member of the 2016 U.S. Bemidji State’s Dr. Julie Curtis, assistant
Sanford’s obstetric, pediatric and medi- Women's Under-18 Select Team at the professor of nursing, and Dr. Jessica
cated therapy clinics. Under-18 Series versus Canada, participated LeTexier, associate professor of nursing.
in USA Hockey's 2016 Women's National “Dr. Curtis was always available to talk. I
Festival and attended the 2016 Girls Select know that if I had a question the night
U18 Player Development Camp. before class she’d answer right away,”
DeGeorge’s experience in Shattuck-St. DeGeorge said. “Dr. LeTexier was my
Mary’s BioScience Center of Excellence led advisor and has helped a lot with manag-
to her interest in nursing. When Bemidji ing hockey and classes.”
State offered her the chance to continue her Prepared to enter the nursing world during
pursuit of hockey while obtaining a nursing a pandemic, DeGeorge recognized the
degree, she couldn’t refuse. importance of getting as much experience
“Most schools don’t allow you to do that, as she could during her senior year, even if
but both programs have done an amazing that meant making mistakes along the
job working together to ensure I can way.
accomplish both my career and athletic “We aren’t going to know everything, but
goals,” the hockey forward said. we practiced and learned every chance we
In the 2019-2020 Beaver Hockey season, got,” she said. “It’s on us to realize what we
DeGeorge appeared in 35 of 37 games, was need to do and be proactive in getting
named a WCHA Scholar Athlete and experience.”
selected to the WCHA All-Academic Team Even though the pandemic has adjusted
for the second time in her career. her academic experience, DeGeorge
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, appreciates the learning curve and is
DeGeorge said the nursing program was excited by the potential she sees in those
quick to adapt and transition in-person around her. The challenges have equipped
classes to online or hyflex layouts despite her to better handle crises as a profes-
the fact that many included a lab sional nurse, she said.
component.
t t h
S Stories by Rachel Munson,
BreAnnene Willson and Christopher Shepard
www.BemidjiState.edu | 15ATES
TO LEAD
Trainer Guides BSU's
COVID-19 Contact-
Tracing Team
From his perspective, the worst thing that could happen
was for him to be left out of decisions that affected his
teams.
Due to his assertiveness and affinity for medicine, Sand
has become a go-to resource for interpretation of the ever-
changing COVID-19 safety guidelines. His influence has not
By Brad Folkestad only been felt on campus, he has also been a resource for
the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and Western
Collegiate Hockey Association as well as a consultant with
D uring a worldwide pandemic, BSU Head Athletic Trainer
local and state health organizations.
Eric Sand and his staff saw their focus shift from treating Looking back, his move to get involved not only paid off for
and preventing injuries on the playing field to ensuring BSU and Beaver Athletics, it helped him to grow as well.
student-athletes can get to the playing field. “I think administratively this year has been great for me,”
Since March 2020, the BSU Athletic Training staff has been Sand said. “I have learned a lot about the inner workings of
saddled with the challenges of planning safe practice and the conference and the Department of Health. I have also
weight room strategies, interpreting Center for Disease been in meetings and built relationships with people across
Control, MDH and NCAA guidelines for safety, as well as BSU. Because of that, I have a better understanding of how
developing testing, quarantine and isolation protocols — not campus functions.”
to mention administering COVID-19 testing. The change in Sand's workload led to his day-to-day
When Sand set his career course, athletic training was responsibilities for student care shifting to his staff — Bekah
the perfect intersection of an interest in medicine and the Hessinger, Tarrah Bisch, Heidi Krueger and Jaclyn Rudoni. In
enjoyment of competition with and being part of a team. addition to athletic training duties, Sand's staff supported
This year, the pandemic stripped Sand of competition, testing, contact tracing, and quarantine, isolation and
socially distanced and, in some cases, isolated his teams return-to-play duties for the teams they oversee.
and intensified his focus on medicine. “There are a lot guidelines and protocols to sort through to
“From the time the NCAA, our conferences and BSU shut make sure it is safe to for the student-athletes to compete
down athletics until the spring semester I hardly put a hand and then to return to action after a positive COVID-19
on a patient,” Sand said. “I have spent most of my time in case," Sand said. "I am really proud of the way my staff
meetings, learning and re-learning the newest guidance stepped up and took care of their teams.”
from the Minnesota Department of Health and helping After more than a year defined by social distancing,
coaches to make plans to safely bring teams back together.” meetings, testing and careful planning, Sand sees the
Athletic trainers typically evaluate injuries, implement light at the end of the tunnel. With more and more people
rehabilitation programs for injured players and, in general, getting vaccinated each day and recent changes in guidance
keep student-athletes safe and healthy. Because of this, set by Minnesota Department of Health, team quarantines,
Sand felt a sense of responsibility to do that same in this missed practices and competitions may soon be a thing of
situation. the past.
“There was really no way to know what was ahead. “We want to give these student-athletes every opportunity
Everybody was learning ...together," Sand said. "Right away, to compete. That is why we have worked so hard," Sand
I tried to get involved with as many committees as I could said. "They each came to BSU to be part of a team and to
and attended as many meetings as I possible so that I could compete. We will do everything we can to make sure they
help give BSU athletics direction.” can do that.”
16 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITYFOLLOW BSU SPORTS @ bsubeavers.com
b
Men’s Hockey makes fifth
BSU SPORTS
appearance in NCAA Tournament
The BSU men’s ice hockey program earned a spot in the 2021 NCAA Ice Hockey Championships,
marking its fifth appearance in the tournament since the team moved to the NCAA Division I level
in 1999-2000 and its first since 2010. At 16-10-3 overall, the Beavers drew No. 4 University of
Wisconsin (20-9-1) in the tournament’s East Regional, played in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Behind
two goals from captain Ethan Somoza and a goal and an assist from Brendan Harris, the Beavers
defeated Wisconsin, 6-3, to advance to the regional semifinal. There, they fell to eventual national
champion University of Massachusetts, 3-0. The Beavers finished the season winning seven of
their last 10 games and capped an 11-week run in the national polls earning a No. 10 billing.
Forty-two Beavers make NSIC academic list Bemidji State sweeps
Bemidji State landed 42 student-athletes on the 2020 Fall Academic WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year awards
All-NSIC Team. Members of the all-academic team must have The Bemidji State hockey programs each landed the Western Collegiate
maintained a 3.20 GPA, are members of a varsity traveling team and Hockey Association’s top academic award. Seniors Mak Langei
have reached sophomore athletic and academic status. The Beavers’ of the women’s team and Zach Driscoll of the men’s team were
soccer team led the way with 20-of-23 eligible players making the selected Student-Athlete of the Year by the their respective league’s
list. In addition, 22 student-athletes were also recognized with NSIC faculty athletic representatives and head coaches based on academic
All-Academic Team of Excellence distinction for carrying a GPA of excellence, contribution to the team’s success on the ice and community
3.60 or higher. involvement.
Bellew steps away from the diamond Historic women’s basketball season
Tim Bellew, who has spent the last 16 years ends in NSIC Tournament
as head coach of the BSU baseball team while BSU women's basketball, guided by NSIC Coach of the Year Chelsea
juggling various duties within the department, DeVille, saw a COVID-shortened 2020-21 season turn into one of the
will move into an administrative role with BSU program's best in decades. The team's 10-6 record marked BSU's first
Athletics. Bellew completes his reign as the winning season since 1994-95, and a first-round NSIC Tournament
Beavers’ bench boss second in wins (228), victory saw the Beavers reach the conference semifinals for the first
games coached (719) and seasons coached time since 2004. Following the season, sophomore Rachael Heittola
(15), while he is just the second coach in BSU earned First-Team All-NSIC North Division honors, while senior guard
history to earn the NSIC Coach of the Year honor Brooklyn Bachmann was a second-team selection.
(2013). Bellew will be replaced by former Beaver
letterwinner Matt Ellinghuysen (2010-13), who Bellew Carrasco ends track & field
has served as an assistant career with second
for six seasons. All-America honor
Senior thrower Zoe Carrasco finished her
HALL OF FAME BSU career at the 2021 NCAA Division II
Outdoor Track & Field Championships in
Bemidji State announces 2021 Grand Valley, Michigan. Her 11th-place
Athletic Hall of Fame inductees finish in the hammer throw earned her
Second-Team All-America honors, her
Bemidji State will induct eight individuals and
second All-America award of the year and
one outstanding team into its Athletic Hall of
third of her career. In March, she earned
Fame on October 30, 2021. The Bemidji State Athletic Hall of Fame
first-team indoor All-America honors
recognizes alumni, former coaches, administrators and others who
after a fourth-place finish in the shot put.
have excelled and brought acclaim to the university through their
Carrasco finished her career with BSU
accomplishments. More information about the inductees is available
records in the hammer throw and shot put.
at bsualumni.org/AHOF.
2021 BSU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees BSU Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee
• Mike Alexander – 1982-86 (Men’s Hockey) • Craig Hougan (Track & Field
• Amber Fryklund – 2000-03 (Women’s Hockey) 1978-79, 1990-2015)
• Joel Olander – 1977-81 (Swimming and diving) BSU Athletic Team Inductee
• Cristy Risberg – 1993-96 (Track & Field) • 2000 Men’s Indoor Track & Field Team
• Matt Wellumson – 1981, 1983, 1985-86 (Football) Zoe
John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner Carrasco
Alumni Coaching Achievement Award • Frederick Baker ‘61
• Jerry Lano ‘74
www.BemidjiState.edu | 17FILE
PRO
y ET
S wee t l KISM
Northern Minnesota’s
Largest Candy Store
Has Sweet BSU Ties
By Eric Sorenson
F or Ashley Parrott ’17, her husband, John, and their
three children, opening the Sweetly Kismet Candy Store
— the largest candy store in northern Minnesota —
was a leap of faith. It was also a decision that did not
come easily.
“We were looking for something that had the ability to
be seasonal and allow us to have flexible time with our
children. Family time is very important to us, so having
our own business that we could we have our kids at the
store with us was a must,” Ashley said.
18 | BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITYTheir children — age 7, 12 and 14 — played a big part in the The Parrotts officially opened their 4,500-square-foot
decision to start the business or not. showroom to the public the weekend of June 26-28, 2020.
“It was a family decision,” she said. They estimate around 3,000 people visited the store that
first weekend.
The Parrotts are no strangers to the small business lifestyle
— Jon has owned several successful businesses in the past. Sweetly Kismet is a sweet tooth’s dream come true, including
Like many small-business owners across the country, the both nostalgic and modern candy, cotton candy, chocolate
COVID-19 pandemic threw the family unexpected and over 100 different specialty sodas. The couple has been
challenges during some of the most crucial stages of their working to grow the store’s selection of sugar-free products
sweet new venture. and beef jerky as well. All told, that’s over 3,500 unique
products in stock at any one time.
“We began clearing the land [for the
" We strongly
building] in Oct. 2019. Little did we “We pride ourselves on the
know at the time, in only a short few freshness of the candy,” Parrott says.
months, everything would change “All our candy comes straight from
believe there is
with the pandemic. From loans being the manufacturer. It can’t get fresher
delayed, construction not going as than that.”
expected, all of it,” Ashley said. “The The store is open much of the year
a reason for
biggest challenge has been getting — typically early April though the first
our shipments of product. We are still part of January — and the Parrots have
feeling the effects of shipping delays.” big plans to grow their 14-acre
location into not just a place to find
WHAT’S IN THE NAME
“SWEETLY KISMET”?
everything, Did both new and old confectionary
favorites, but a travel destination that
welcomes families to “enjoy the
it all work out in
The couple felt from the start that if northern Minnesota fresh air, stretch
the business was meant to thrive, it their legs and leave feeling revived.”
would, and that’s where “kismet” — a
They are keeping specific expansion
Turkish term meaning “fate” or
the end? Yes!”
plans under wraps at this point, but
“destiny” — comes from. Combine
the Parrots encourage everyone to
that with the thousands of sweet
follow their Facebook page to stay
treats for sale at the store and you get
up-to-date on the latest updates,
“Sweetly Kismet.”
exciting new products and other news.
Even with all their pandemic-related challenges, and with
When asked what the best part of being in the candy business
Ashley working as a labor and delivery nurse and Jon as a
is, apart from being able to have the entire family deeply
commercial pilot, they kept the faith their fledgling business
involved in the business, Ashley said it is those who take the
would get off the ground and the meaning behind their
time to drop by their humble store right off of Interstate 35
business name would ring true.
near Carlton, about 20 miles southwest of Duluth.
“We strongly believe there is a reason for everything,” she
“We love our customers," she said. "They truly bring joy into
said, referring to the pandemic-related struggles they faced
our lives.”
early on. “Did it all work out in the end? Yes!”
www.BemidjiState.edu | 19You can also read
