August 7, 2024

Inside This Issue

Brief summer schedule: Aug. 21. Weekly publication resumes Sept. 4.

U of M exhibits and events at the Minnesota State Fair.
Scientists propose plan to store bio samples on the moon.
Awards and Recognition: St. Louis County, in collaboration with the U of M Climate Adaptation Partnership and others, will receive over $1.8 million for climate resilience work; and more.

U of M exhibits and events at the Minnesota State Fair

Marching band performing with ferris wheel in background at state fair

The University of Minnesota has showcased its contributions to Minnesotans at the State Fair since 1859. Today, 165 years later, the University is gearing up for the 2024 Great Minnesota Get-Together with 12 days of events and exhibits that highlight the statewide impact of research, education, and outreach from its five campuses. See the news release for more highlights and view the entire schedule at state-fair.umn.edu.

Scientists propose plan to store bio samples on the moon

Researchers at the University of Minnesota are partnering with scientists across the country to propose a plan that could safeguard Earth’s endangered biodiversity through storage on the moon at extremely low temperatures without electricity or liquid nitrogen.

Awards and Recognition

St. Louis County, in collaboration with the U of M Climate Adaptation Partnership and others, will receive over $1.8 million for climate resilience work in the Lake Superior coastal region; Erin Durban's book, The Sexual Politics of Empire: Postcolonial Homophobia in Haiti, has won the 2024 LGBTQ+ Studies Lammy Award; Jerry Shurson has received the American Society of Animal Science Research Fellow Award; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.

Awards and Recognition

U-Wide News

Register for Course Works program webinars

The new systemwide course materials program, Course Works, will launch in fall 2024. The Course Works team will be hosting open Zoom Q&A webinars to field questions from instructors and staff about the new program on Aug. 13, 15, 20, and 22. See webinar times and Zoom links.

Get Canvas help for fall semester

Academic Technology Support Services provides hands-on support to instructors and TAs for fall semester. Register for a 30-minute Zoom consultation at a Canvas Clinic. Bring questions about making accessible course materials, creating learning activities, and integrating media or other tools. If you’re new to Canvas, register for the Canvas Essentials course from Aug. 14 to Sept. 4, where academic technologists will guide you through setting up your course site.

Integrating GenAI into your assignments

Graphic reading Generative AI tools with various icons

Instructors curious about using generative AI in courses are invited to register by Aug. 23 for a short course hosted by Teaching Support that includes asynchronous activities on Canvas and a facilitated, synchronous workshop via Zoom. Asynchronous pre-work includes an introduction to GenAI and reimagining an assignment for your fall 2024 course. Pre-work provides the foundation for small peer group discussion during the workshop on Aug. 28, 9:30-11 a.m.

Apply now for Sustainable GeoCommunities Seed Grants

The Sustainable GeoCommunities Seed Grants, administered by the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), support research projects aligned with the University of Minnesota's Sustainable GeoCommunities initiative. Projects must include a lead PI/faculty member from the U of M and a co-PI from a local community-of-interest. RIO expects to fund up to four awards with budgets of up to $100K/year for performance periods of up to three years. LOI due Aug. 30; application opens Sept. 3; applications due Sept. 26.

Apply now for NC A&T Research Partnership seed grants

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) is offering an interdisciplinary seed grant program aimed at developing a strategic collaboration and research partnership between the U of M and the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), a leading research institution among America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In the first year, RIO intends to make five awards of up to $10K per proposal for initiating interactions with NC A&T peers. Each proposal will be for one year. LOI due Sept. 6; proposal due Sept. 30.

New Applied Data Analysis certificate

A new Applied Data Analysis certificate offered through the College of Continuing & Professional Studies consists of three, six-session courses that will equip professionals in a variety of specialties with the foundational skills to extract insights from data and use those insights to inform and influence organizational decisions. The program may be beneficial for faculty/staff and other individuals in business and financial roles, office and administrative support, sales, and more—people who regularly encounter data yet may not have a formal background in data analysis.

Wellbeing Program year-end notice

The 2023-24 Wellbeing Program year ends on Aug. 31. Participants who earn 5,000 points (or 7,500 points for employee and spouse) by that date receive discounted 2025 medical insurance rates. Learn more about the Wellbeing Program on the Office of Human Resources website.

Crookston

July Chancellor Community Letter

Mary Holz-Clause and golden eagle mascot

Happy summer from the University of Minnesota Crookston! Campus is in full bloom and many of the 6,500 flowers and plants that were planted this season are showing their bright colors. We hope you can come by for a visit. There's a variety of events in August we’d love for you to attend.

Alum spotlight: Theresa Helgeson

Alumna Theresa Helgeson ’96 recalls almost all of her childhood memories involving plants. While in high school, she came to the Crookston campus to compete in Agriculture and Natural Resources Activities Day and knew then where she wanted to go to college. Helgeson completed her degree with a major in plant industries management and emphasis in horticulture. After working for a perennial wholesaler in Nebraska, she was called home to U of M Crookston where she’s stayed for 20 years.

Duluth

Celebrate summer with Concerts on the Pier at Glensheen

Graphic reading Free admission "Concerts on the Pier"

Enjoy great local music and lake vibes at Concerts on the Pier at Glensheen through the end of August. With four shows and eight bands remaining, it's the perfect way to experience the historic mansion's beautiful grounds and savor the last days of summer. Each event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

UMD alumna finds the right fit in sustainable fashion

Kate Lindello working with clothing in her shop

You might be surprised to learn that there's an online clothing resale marketplace based in Duluth that competes with sites like eBay and Poshmark. Kate Lindello ’05 pivoted from a career in environmental law to pursue her passion for fashion. Discovering that secondhand clothing aligned with her values of sustainability and ethical consumption, she launched Noihsaf Bazaar—a unique online resale marketplace dedicated to eco-friendly fashion.

Morris

Colleges of Distinction recognition

U of M Morris has been recognized as a 2024-25 College of Distinction. Morris received specialized recognition for its business and education programs as well as its equity and inclusion efforts.

Building a health professions career pipeline with U of M Morris Challenge

Saliha Chaudhry and Kevan O’Hanlon have been working with the Morris Challenge and community partners to address health care workforce shortages in rural Minnesota. The Morris Challenge prepares high school students in rural areas to implement sustainable solutions to address challenges in the community.

Fate and a commitment to students brings Cofer to U of M Morris

For Jordan Cofer, it seems as though the fates conspired to bring him to the U of M Morris. Well, fate and a deep commitment to improving students’ lives. Cofer stepped into the role of vice chancellor of academic affairs and dean on July 1. He says he first heard of Morris while serving on the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, an alliance of public liberal arts colleges and universities.

Rochester

President Cunningham visits UMR

Rebecca Cunningham and student Kendra Jude

On Aug. 1, UMR welcomed President Cunningham to “America’s City for Health” to provide a brief introduction to the health-focused Rochester campus. The president’s campus tour provided opportunities for Cunningham to learn more about how UMR is empowering students to solve the grand challenges of the 21st century, while educating students to meet Minnesota’s health care workforce needs. President Cunningham will enjoy a full visit to the Rochester campus, including an opportunity to connect with students, staff, faculty, and the community, on Sept. 24.

Celebrating new alumni

Rachel Okeleye with a bouquet of flowers and a graduation gown and cap

UMR prepares health sciences graduates for the University’s many advanced study pathways in health, including public health, pharmacy, dentistry, medical school, veterinary school, and advanced practice nursing. Rachel Okeleye, a 2024 Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences graduate, is pursuing a degree in the Biomedical Sciences Gateways to Medicine and Research program at the U of M Medical School, Duluth campus. Okeleye’s favorite part of UMR was meeting diverse groups of individuals and connecting with faculty.

Twin Cities

Celebrating 150 years of international students

The first international students came to the University of Minnesota—from Canada and Denmark—in 1874. In fall 2024, the Twin Cities campus will celebrate the 150th anniversary of international students with a semester-long celebration. Colleges, departments, units, and others are encouraged to plan events or other ways to highlight the impact of international students. Visit the 150th anniversary website for history, statistics, and ways to get involved.

Q&A with the new CCAPS dean Radhika Seshan

Radhika Seshan standing in front of pillars

Radhika Seshan began her new role as dean of the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) on July 29. Seshan is excited to join CCAPS because of its role in expanding equitable access to higher education and its impact on Minnesota's workforce. Seshan brings a wealth of experience in higher education and technology, and she is passionate about the potential of continuing education to transform lives. Learn more about Seshan in this Q&A.

Telling nature's stories

Kathryn Nuernberger and Marlene Zuk examine a dead log in a forest

What happens when a scientist and a writer get together to examine the world around us? Beautiful things. Just ask College of Biological Sciences evolutionary biologist Marlene Zuk and assistant professor of creative writing Kathryn Nuernberger. Their chance encounter over lava crickets was the start not only of a good friendship but a rewarding professional collaboration.

The cheese craftsman

Ray behind a dozen yellow cheese wheels in a lab

Reynault "Ray" Miller has shaped Minnesota’s artisanal cheese industry during a 40-year career as coordinator for the Joseph J. Warthesen Processing Center at the University of Minnesota, known as the "pilot plant." He retires having worked with or trained nearly every artisanal cheesemaker currently practicing their craft in the state of Minnesota.

Carlson School partnership helps bring jobs to north Minneapolis

governor tim walz, bill english, and devean george pose for a photo

Former NBA player and current business developer Devean George recently broke ground on a modular housing facility that will bring 166 full-time jobs to north Minneapolis. That number was determined, in part, by research from students in the Carlson Ventures Enterprise (CVE) program. CVE students study potential business ventures and provide recommendations for six or seven clients a semester. The students’ analysis for George Modular Solutions predicts strong success.

Tales of a life

Lewis Hyde sits on concrete steps outside

Over his long career, writer Lewis Hyde (BA ’67) has taught English at Harvard, served as a fellow at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, won an Academy of American Poetry Prize, and received a MacArthur “genius grant” in 1991. At the beginning, he started his writing career at the U of M on the Minnesota Daily and literary publication the Ivory Tower. Since then he’s been lauded by literary heavyweights from Margaret Atwood to David Foster Wallace.

Learning through play: Using drone technology to expose the next generation to public health

A young boy wearing VR goggles on his head and laughing

School of Public Health professor Ruby Nguyen spearheaded a summer camp that paired hands-on drone training with lessons about how drones are being put to a wide variety of uses to advance public health goals. While the camp was an opportunity for students to have fun, there was also a more serious mission—sparking an interest in public health as a career option by showing how drone technology is used as a public health tool.