- Board of Regents meets Sept. 7-8.
- Awards and Recognition: Masonic Cancer Center retains National Cancer Institute designation as an outstanding comprehensive cancer center; and more.
Board of Regents meets Sept. 7-8
During its September meeting, the Board of Regents will review plans to request state investment for urgently needed renovations and updates to U of M facilities throughout the state. The Board is expected to act on the proposed 2024 state capital request and recommended six-year capital investment plan in October. Regents will also receive the annual report on academic program changes, discuss the potential effects of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on college admissions, discuss public safety planning for the 2023-24 academic year, and more. See the news release for details.
Awards and Recognition
Masonic Cancer Center retains National Cancer Institute designation as an outstanding comprehensive cancer center; Nicole LaVoi will be honored at the US Open as a ‘Champion of Equality’; OVPR has announced the winners of the Research Technical Staff Award; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
New Wellbeing Program year
The 2023-24 Wellbeing Program year comes with several exciting changes. Like last year, employees on the University's medical plan can earn a discount of $500 to $750. This year, all part- and full-time employees, regardless of whether you have a medical plan, can access resources.
U of M, UCare announce steps to improve health equity and access in underserved communities
The University of Minnesota and UCare—a leading independent, nonprofit health plan—have announced a new collaboration that strengthens their shared commitment and service to underserved Minnesotans. The move includes a funding commitment from UCare that will significantly advance a number of U of M Medical School community and health wellness initiatives over the next three years.
U of M and Allina Health announce nursing collaboratory
Allina Health and the University of Minnesota School of Nursing announced the signing of a formal academic-practice partnership, or collaboratory, to generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge for the improvement of nursing practice, education, and patient outcomes.
Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition
The U of M Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition gives opportunities to teams of grad and undergrad students to develop a comprehensive care plan for an older adult. The activities are virtual and available to all campuses, schools, and academic programs. Faculty are invited as mentor coaches and judges. Learn more and register for the competition.
Fourteen invasive species research projects reach the finish line
Fourteen invasive species research projects have come to a close for the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center in 2023. Many of these projects have been operating for several years, some starting as far back as 2016. Through this research, scientists have accomplished vital discoveries towards detecting, preventing, and mitigating damage done by land-based invasive species in agriculture and natural settings in Minnesota. Learn more about the projects.
Motorization trends to impact roadway funding, planning
A report from U of M researchers analyzes motorization trends in Minnesota between 1980 and 2021. The variables used were the number of registered vehicles, vehicle-miles traveled, fuel consumption, and vehicle crashes. The trends have implications for transportation revenues, particularly for roadway investment.
Research Brief: Predators play irreplaceable role in ecosystems
New U of M research shows that predators play a unique and important role in ecosystems by creating ‘ecological hotspots’—localized areas important for plants and animals. Traditionally, predators have largely been thought to impact ecosystems only through predation. See additional recent Research Briefs.
Sept. 26 - Institute for Engineering in Medicine annual conference
The Institute For Engineering In Medicine (IEM) annual conference includes keynote talks by recognized industry leaders, time for networking and team-building, and a poster session highlighting research by IEM faculty and affiliated groups. Learn more and register to attend.
U of M Crookston named 2023 NAAE Post Secondary Agriculture Program Award winner
The National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) recently named U of M Crookston one of the 2023 Post Secondary Agriculture Program Award winners. Recipients will be recognized in November at the 2023 NAAE Convention in Phoenix.
Research for better roads
Stronger road materials and more resilient repairs are two key features of civil engineering associate professor Manik Barman's research. The benefits of his work reach all corners of Minnesota in the form of smoother, safer roads. One area of Barman’s research focuses on finding a better asphalt mixture that would result in fewer cracks and potholes. That’s good for Minnesota, which has one of the coldest climates in the U.S.
Sept. 12 - Visual Culture Lecture Series: Lessons Learned
Four alumni will return to UMD to present varied perspectives in "Lessons Learned,” part of the Visual Culture Lecture Series. Participants include Topher McCulloch ’07, once called Chicago’s “champion of the internet;” Amber Mahlberg ’09, who brings lessons from her Minneapolis design agency, IdeasthatKick; Sarah Hample ’11, who now lives in Shakopee and teaches at St. Anthony Village High School; and Susanna Gaunt ’17, an award-winning mixed-media installation artist and instructor living in Duluth. 6 p.m., Marshall Performing Arts Center.
Through Sept. 26 - ‘Nordic Art & Design’ exhibit
An art show of work created by 16 UMD students is on display in the Tweed Museum of Art. The students ventured into Denmark and Sweden in May 2023 and each of them created art in their journals nearly every day. Led by Professor Alison Aune, the program covered sights in Odese, Aros, Kolding, Humlebaek, and Copenhagen in Denmark, as well as in Lund, Växjö, Kalmar, and Stockholm in Sweden. The student work includes pen and ink, watercolor, markers, gouache, collage, and other media.
‘Native Enough’ gallery debut
The exhibit “Native Enough” by Nina O’Leary ’15 has opened in the Edward J. and Helen Jane Morrison Gallery at the University of Minnesota Morris. The work in the gallery is both her MFA show and the imagery for her book, which has never been seen in a gallery before.
Bike share program launched
In summer 2023, the University of Minnesota Morris launched a new bike program with partners, including the systemwide Office of Sustainability and U of M Twin Cities Parking and Transportation Services.
Sept. 8–10 - Homecoming
The Cougar Homecoming celebration will include the Distinguished Alumni Award Banquet, Cougar Hall of Fame brunch, alumni gatherings, the 50th annual residence hall tug-of-war, and the William B. and Ida B. Stewart Hall Dedication, in addition to a full slate of Cougar athletics. See the full schedule of events.
First-year students volunteer at Channel One Food Bank
First-year students in UMR's Living Learning Communities began their semester building community and further developing themselves as future health care professionals during Bridge Week. Programming included community engagement at Channel One Food Bank and other local organizations.
U of M Rochester introduces new occupational therapy early assurance program
UMR is now offering an Early Assurance Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, designed to provide a pathway for undergraduate students to gain early admission to the U of M occupational therapy program. Students complete their undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree at UMR, ensuring completion of all prerequisites, and in their fourth year, apply to be formally admitted into the Rochester-located OTD program.
What does it take to become a performing artist?
Within the College of Liberal Arts, performing arts students enjoy not only top-notch instruction in their art, but also a broad intellectual and social context that molds them into well-rounded, solidly grounded citizen-artists. This series features five artists who give a peek behind the curtain.
Flanagan uses her CLA degree ‘every single day’
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan (BA ’02, child psychology with a minor in American Indian studies) is currently the country’s highest-ranking Native woman elected to an executive office. Here, she shares how the College of Liberal Arts helped her get to where she is today.
Featured events
Sept. 9 - Online Mindfulness Retreat led by Susan Miles
Sept. 12-Oct. 7 - Regis Center for Art 20th Anniversary Exhibitions: Works by Faculty Emeriti
Sept. 12 - Top 10 things students (still) want you to know about Canvas
Sept. 13 - U of M Farmers Market
Sept. 13 - Around the world in 90(ish) days
Sept. 21 - 2023 James Ford Bell Lecture