UMD News Releases

May 2013

• May 20 - University of Minnesota Graduates Duluth Pharmacy and Medical School Students
• Future doctors and pharmacists graduate from the Duluth campus this month, continuing strong tradition of rural and tribal community focus.


• May 20 - UMD Professor and Colleagues Honored
• Professor Aydin Durgunoglu, Department of Psychology, and her colleagues were honored by the EMpower Foundation for literacy programs in Turkey.


• May 15 - LLO Buoy Data Pours In
• UMD's meteorological buoys provide real time data for scientists, meteorologists and the public.


• May 13 - Management Club Team Places Second
• Three students from UMD's Management Club placed second in the Junior Achievement Corporate Titan Challenge. They were the only student team that participated in the competition that included teams from local businesses.


• May 13 - Unprecedented: UMD to Commence First Tribal Administration Class
• MTAG description: Meeting the need: UMD's very first Master of Tribal Administration class graduates this week.


• May 13 - UMD Offers Majors Combining Marketing and Graphic Design
• UMD launches two majors that answer a single critical need—preparing students to create effective marketing campaigns.


• May 10 - Glensheen Appoints New Interim Director
• New Leader at Historic Estate: Glensheen announces new interim director.


• May 10 - Third Annual Champ Day of Service Supports the Community
• UMD students, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteer in annual day of service.


• May 9 - Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs to Speak at UMD's Graduate Program Ceremony
• The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs will present the commencement address at UMD's Graduate Ceremony on Thursday, May 16.


• May 8 - UMD 2013 Commencement Ceremonies Scheduled
• A first for UMD: Two bachelor's degree ceremonies. The details on the May 18 event and the May 16 graduate program ceremony.


• May 7 - 34 Years at 3300 London Road: Glensheen's Complimentary Community Day
• In 1979, Glensheen became a historic house museum. 34 years later, the estate is celebrating its longevity with a day dedicated to the Duluth community.


• May 5 - UMD Art Education Program Presents Faces of Earth: Art by Children and Youth
• A UMD community art partnership brings together UMD alumni who teach art, elementary and high school students, and the public for a lively exhibit and art workshop.


• May 3 - UMD to Host "Pet Away Stress"
• UMD to host "Pet Away Stress" on Wednesday, May 8; soothing students' with pre-exam jitters with dogs up for the task to 'chillax'.


• May 2 - Senior Taylor Kosey to Speak to UMD Commencement
• An article by UMD sophomore Hayley Westphal highlights the accomplishments of senior Taylor Kosey who graduates in May with a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders and minors in Psychology and Deaf Studies.


• May 2 - "Roots of Rescue"UMD Graduates' Documentary Premiers in Duluth
• UMD graduates premiere documentary about a transformational road trip to Alabama. Their mission was tell the story of a culture of dog abuse. Instead they were inspired by the spirit of those who rescue.


• May 2 - Aune Nominated for Community-Engaged Scholar Award
• Professor recognized for exemplary community-engaged scholarship.


• May 1 - Large Lakes Observatory Research Alters Knowledge of Human Population Growth
• UMD researchers determined the ancient Toba volcanic eruption did not cause drop in human population.

April 2013

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• April 26 - African Night Celebrates African Culture with Speakers, Music and Dance
• African Night brings alumni speakers, music and comedy to UMD on April 26.


• April 26 - UMD Listed in Princeton Review's "Guide to Green Colleges"
• After years of sustainable accomplishments, UMD receives recognition in Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges.


• April 25 - UMD's Swenson Civil Engineering Building Makes AIA's Top Ten Green List
• Swenson Civil Engineering Building selected for American Institute of Architects (AIA) honor.


• April 24 - UMD Graduation Rates Increase
• More UMD students are graduating in five years or less.


• April 24 - 21st Annual Labo Awards Recipients Announced
• The Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards recognize small business owners who have dared to dream, taken risks, and invested in the region.


• April 24 - UMD Professor Named College of Pharmacy Department Head
• Associate Professor Grant Anderson has been named department head for Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy's department on the Duluth campus.


• April 23 - Public Invited to Northland Community Wellness Day
• This free event will be held at UMD Romano Gym on Saturday, April 27, 11 am–3 pm. Keynote speaker, Minnesota author Paul Batz, will present at 1 pm in the Marshall Performing Arts Center.


• April 23 - Cancellation: Baeumler Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration Event
• The lecture "Mission Impossible: Varian Fry in Marseille" is cancelled and will be rescheduled for fall 2013.


• April 18 - UMD Highlights Open Studio and Student Exhibition
• See the creativity of UMD art students at an Open Studio and Student Exhibition on April 27.


• April 15 - UMD's Kjell R. Knudsen Assists Business School Accreditation Standards Committee
• Kjell R. Knudsen helped create new business school accreditation standards necessary for schools to stay current and create new opportunities.


• April 15 - UMD Planetarium Celebrates Astronomy Day with Free Events
• The public is invited to explore the solar system at planetarium events throughout the day during UMD's Astronomy Day, April 20.
  
  
• April 15 - Rescheduled Baeumler Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration Event
• Sheila Isenberg, award-winning journalist, author, and adjunct faculty member at Marist College, will present "Mission Impossible: Varian Fry in Marseille" on Tuesday, April 23.
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• April 10 - New Dean of the Labovitz School of Business and Economics Named
• Dr. Amy Hietapelto, from Northeastern Illinois University, has been chosen as the new dean of the Labovitz School of Business and Economics.
  
  
• April 5 - UMD Receives Civic Engagement Awards
• UMD's efforts to promote volunteering in the community have been recognized by two prominent organizations.


• April 4 - 14th Annual Jankofsky Lecture
• Professor Emeritus Hans Henrich Hock, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will present a lecture entitled "Appropriating the Past: Language, Archaeology, and Ideology in South Asia" on Thurs., April 11 at 4 pm, in the UMD Library Rotunda.


• April 3 - New Athletic Director Named
• Josh Berlo, from the University of Notre Dame, has been chosen as UMD's director of intercollegiate athletics.


• April 3 - Third Annual CHAMP Day of Service
• A rally will be held on Saturday, April 13 to kick off UMD's third CHAMP (Connecting Hopes with Action to Mobilize People) Day of Service. Last year's CHAMP Day of Service mobilized 328 volunteers who engaged in 1048 hours of service in a single day.

March 2012

• March 29 - New Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Professions Named
• Dr. Jill Pinkney Pastrana, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, has been chosen as the new dean of the College of Education and Human Services Professions.


• March 28 - UMD's 2012-13 Chancellor's Awards: Albert Tezla Teacher/Scholar Award and Outstanding Faculty Advisor Awards
• Chancellor's Award recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 7 at 2:30 pm in the Kirby Rafters.


• March 28 - Public Invited to "Writing Nature" Literary Nonfiction Symposium
• The College of Liberal Arts will host a two-day symposium on April 8 and 9 that explores creative nonfiction writing with an environmental focus.


• March 26 - UMD's Baeumler Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration: "Recognizing an Unsung Hero"
• Sheila Isenberg, award-winning journalist, author, and adjunct faculty member at Marist College, will present "Mission Impossible: Varian Fry in Marseille" on Monday, April 15. An Alworth Institute brown bag presentation on "Nazi Concentration Camps: Sadism and Strategies for Cultural Annihilation" will be presented on Thursday, April 18.


• March 20 - Public Invited to View Muslim Journeys Collection
• The UMD Library will hold a reception and film screening on Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 pm, in the Library Rotunda, to introduce the public to the Muslim Journeys bookshelf collection.


• March 15 - Large Lakes Observatory Premieres Science Fridays on April 26
• Tour UMD's research vessel, the Blue Heron, and hear science talks during LLO Science Fridays at the Great Lakes Aquarium dock.


• March 13 - Congressman James Oberstar Presents on UMD Bicycling Infrastructure and Alternative Transportation
• Hear James Oberstar speak on alternative transportation and see Duluth's first alternative vehicle charging station.


• March 13 - UMD Initiates Antarctica Drilling Project with New Design Contract
• John Goodge and other researchers plan to build a platform/drilling system in Antarctica which has never been attempted on ice sheets before.


• March 12 - UMD Student Featured on "Native Report"
• An interview with sophomore Brigette Lacquette, who is majoring in physical education and American Indian Studies and plays defenseman on the UMD women's hockey team, will be broadcast on "Native Report" on March 21. Lacquette is a member of the Cote First Nation.


• March 5 - UMD/MnDOT Study of Winter Storm Traffic and Road Recovery
• Civil Engineering Professor Eil Kwon teamed up with MnDot to study how snowfall affects traffic speed, flow, and road conditions.


• March 4 - UMD American Indian Studies Research Showcase
• The Department of American Indian Studies is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a faculty and student research showcase on Tues., Mar. 12 from 5-7 pm in the UMD Library Rotunda. The public is invited.


• March 4 - UMD's Receives Fifth LEED Certification for Ianni Hall
• Ianni Hall receives recognition for its energy efficient opening windows, substantial insulation, low water usage, high efficiency lighting and automatic shut-off devices.


• March 2 - UMD Presents 2013 James Oberstar Transportation Forum on March 13
• Five speakers, including former U.S. Congressman James Oberstar will present information on U.S transportation infrastructure and setting transportation policy.

February 2013

• February 28 - UMD German Grammar Guide App Launched on iTunes
• The free UMD German Grammar Guide app was developed by the students and faculty of UMD's Mobile Language Learning Group. The group is working on similar apps for Russian, Spanish, and French.
  
  
• February 25 - UMD Professor Receives Minnesota Excellence in Education Award
• Associate Professor Julia M. Williams, Department of Education, has received the 2013 Minnesota Excellence in Education Award. The award acknowledges her expertise in assessment and evaluation.
  
  
• February 21 - UMD Holds Second Campus Forum on Campus Climate
• A Campus Forum focused on creating an inclusive climate at UMD and within the community will be held on Feb 26.
  
  
• February 21 - Dean Kjell R. Knudsen of UMD's Labovitz School of Business and Economics Leaves Legacy of Success
• Kjell R. Knudsen's accomplishments are noted as he prepares to step down from his position as dean of LSBE.
  
  
• February 18 - UMD Professor Receives McKnight Land-Grant Professorship
• Hartz's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate blood-brain barrier function in Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
• February 14 - UMD Professors Receive Imagine Fund Awards
• Faculty from a wide range of disciplines are the recipients of the University of Minnesota's 2013 Imagine Fund Awards which support research in the arts, design, and the humanities.
  
  
• February 14 - Swenson Civil Engineering Building Honored by MCA
• The Minnesota Construction Association has bestowed the 2013 Award of Excellence in the green/sustainable construction category on UMD's James I. Swenson Civil Engineering Building.
  
  
• February 13 - New Scholarship Applicants Being Sought for UMD's 2013-2014 FinnFest USA '92 Scholarship Awards
• FinnFest Scholarships are awarded to junior, senior, or graduate level students. Candidates must be enrolled full time at UMD and must be able to demonstrate financial need.
  
  
• February 12 - UMD's Fifth Annual Darwin Day Lecture: Rowan Barrett, Banting Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University
• Rowan Barrett, Banting Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, will speak on Fri., Feb. 15. Barrett's topic is "Experimental Genomics of Adaptation to New Environments."
  
  
• February 12 - Sandra Steingraber: Biologist, Environmental Advocate, and Author
• Steingraber speaks Monday, March 4, on “The Impact of Chemical Exposure on Human Health”
  
  
• February 11 - UMD Athletic Director Search Underway
• Community members are encouraged to suggest names of potential candidates who might be appropriate for this key leadership position.
  
  
• February 7 - UMD Teams Participating in Duluth Polar Bear Plunge
• UMD students, faculty, and staff are participating in this year’s Duluth Polar Bear Plunge on Sat., Feb. 16 lakeside at Canal Park.
  
  
• February 6 - 2012-2013 UMD Chancellor's Awards Announced
  
• Three faculty, Lyle Shannon, instructor, Department of Biology; Steve Colman, director, Large Lakes Observatory; and Ladona Tornabene, associate professor, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, will give special lecture presentations.
  
  
• February 5 - Tuskegee Airmen and Civil Rights Marcher To Speak at UMD
• Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. (Ret.) Hiram Mann and COL (Ret.) Nathan Thomas, Jr., who participated in the 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights March, will talk about their experiences. Joining them is Major (Ret.) Joseph Gomer, a Tuskegee airman from the Duluth area.


• February 1 - UMD Gets High Marks at Theatre Festival
• UMD received four awards and two commendations at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region V Festival.

January 2013

• January 31 - Support the U Day on Feb. 7
• UMD students are encouraged to attend rally at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thurs., Feb. 7.


• January 24 - Feb. 5 Brown Bag Talk: Fresh Water for the Ethiopian Hamar Tribe and Snow Angel Fundraiser
• UMD students with Ethiopian heritage will give a presentation about Ethiopia's culture. A talk about snow angel fundraiser follows.


• January 23 - CED Director Elaine Hansen Receives NASBITE CGBP Certification
• NASBITE CGBP Certification confirms advanced skills and knowledge in international trade


• January 17 - UMD Informs Students of Influenza Precautions
• As UMD students return to campus for spring semester, UMD urges influenza precautions.


• January 10 - UMD Civil Engineering Career Fair
• Companies dealing with civil engineering design will meet UMD civil engineering students at a career fair at UMD on January 28 and 29.


• January 2 - Larissa Trygg Named UMD Development Director for Corporate and Foundation Relations
• Larissa Trygg, leader in account management, marketing, and community relations, takes UMD position dealing with corporate and foundation giving.

December 2012

• December 27 - FIRST Robotics Competition Kicks Off on January 5 at UMD
• UMD electrical engineering students serve as mentors to high school students in 2013 robotics contest.


• December 21 - Wiese Hired as New UMD Football Coach: Stromme Named Interim Athletic Director
• UMD Intercollegiate Athletics names a new football coach and an interim athletic director.


• December 7 - UMD's Derek Bromme on Tour with Lorie Line
• Derek Bromme, actor, singer, trombone player and adjunct faculty member in the UMD Department of Music, is touring with Lorie Line.


• December 7 - Holiday Reading by Local Author
• UMD English Professor Joseph Maiolo presents "Saint Matthew in Appalachia" on Wednesday, December 12 at 3:30 in the Weber Music Hall


• December 4 - Final Round! Vote for Bob Nielson 2012 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year
• Bob Nielson was named one of five finalists in Division II. Voting begins today!

November 2012

• November 28 - Director of External Affairs Announced
• Gina Katzmark will join the University of Minnesota Duluth as the director of External Affairs, effective December 17.


• November 28 - Duluth Debuts as Top College Destination
• The American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) has ranked Duluth, MN as the 14th top location in the "Small Metro" category.


• November 26 - UMD Statesman Receives Two Best of Show Awards
• The Statesman placed among the top ten in two Associated Collegiate Press award categories.


• November 6 - Former UMD Chancellor Martin to be awarded honorary fellowship by University of Worcester
• Kathryn A. Martin will receive a Fellowship of the University and membership in the University of Worcester College of Fellows from November 6 - 9, 2012.


• November 5 - Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page
• Attend this free event on Thursday, November 15 at 11 am in the Kirby Student Ballroom


• November 2 - UMD CLA Development Director Appointed
• Jennifer Meyer has been named the new University of Minnesota Duluth Development Director for the College of Liberal Arts


• November 1 - UMD Holds "Shaping Our Future" Event on Higher Ed and Society
• UMD campus and community members consider different perspectives on the public purposes of higher education at an event on Nov. 15.

October 2012

• October 31 - World Premiere of UMD Professor's Play at the Kennedy Center
• Tom Isbell's play, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, opens in Washington, D.C. on November 17.


• October 30 - Duluth Community's Children & Families Invited to UMD's Haunted Halls
• Wednesday, October 31 from 5pm-7pm with check-in at the UMD Lawrence A. Ianni Hall Lobby


• October 23 - 2012 UMD Zombie Fest
• Thursday, October 25 at 7 pm in UMD Bohannon Hall 90 to explore a variety of zombie-related topics


• October 22 - "Our Environmental Destiny" with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., vice chair and chief prosecuting attorney for Riverkeeper, will speak on "Our Environmental Destiny" on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 pm in MPAC at UMD.


• October 22 - Mayor Ness to Present Duluth Food Day Proclamation at UMD
• Wednesday, October 24 at 11:30 am in the UMD Plaza Food Court


• October 18 - UMD Social Work Receives Grant to Support Mental Health Services
• UMD received a $440,000 federal grant to recruiting graduate students and to provide education and clinical experiences to address the mental and behavioral health needs of under-served populations.


• October 18 - Dawn Peterson Receives Outstanding MSW Field Supervisor and Civic Engagement Award
• Dawn Peterson, MSW, LICSW, was recognized as a field supervisor who has shown exceptional personal and professional civic engagement and has encouraged students involvement in their communities.


• October 17 - UMD Presents 2012 Summit on Equity, Diversity, and Multiculturalism
• The Summit entitled "Diversity: Why? ... and what's in it for me?" will be held on Thurs., Oct. 25 from 8 am-5 pm in the Kirby Student Center.


• October 16 - UMD Program Strengthened with $50,000 maurices Gift
• The Retail Marketing Analytics Program at the Labovitz School of Business and Economics will benefit from a $50,000 gift from maurices


• October 12 - Vote Bob Nielson for the 2012 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year
• Tweet today for Bob Nielson in the 2012 competition


• October 12 - New! UMD Maroon and Gold Street Signs
• Unveiling scheduled for Tuesday, October 16 at 6 pm with Mayor Don Ness in attendance


• October 12 - 2012 UMD Homecoming Events
• Join in on the fun that begins on Saturday, October 13 at 5:30 pm


• October 10 - UMD Researcher Receives Water Sustainability Grant
• Karen Gran, assistant professor of geological sciences, is one of the researchers on a five-year grant to study of interactions between water and land-use systems.


• October 10 - UMD Alumnus Brian K. Kobilka Receives Nobel Prize for Chemistry Research
• On October 10, 2012, UMD graduate Brian Kobilka (1977 Biology, Chemistry) won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.


• October 5 - Mathematical Excellence
• On November 1, 2012, Dr. Joseph Gallian will be announced as an AMS Fellow


• October 5 - Commemorating a Legend
• UMD Associate Professor Jean Stevenson presented at annual award ceremony


• October 5 - Fostering a Climate of Inclusion, Safety and Respect: New Reporting Webpage and the Development of a Campus Climate Response Team
• UMD Student Forum on Monday, October 8 at 5 pm in Griggs Center


• October 3 - UMD Presents "An American Indian Perspective on Land-Grant Universities"
• UMD commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the American Indian Studies Program at 7p.m. on Oct. 16 in the Kirby Ballroom.

September 2012

• September 28 - Scholarship Named for Mike Munnell, First Graduate of UMD's American Indian Studies Program
• Member of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa honored with naming of scholarship


• September 27 - 2012 Heart Walk at UMD
• On Saturday, September 29, join the UMD and Duluth community at the 15th annual Heart Walk


• September 21 - 25th Anniversary of the UMD Alworth Institute
• Commemoration on Wednesday, September 26 from 7 pm - 9 pm in Bohannon Hall 90 at UMD


• September 14 - Students Finding Their Future
• Annual UMD E-Fest on Wednesday, September 19 from 10 am - 2 pm in the Kirby Ballroom


• September 14 - Youth Outdoor Education
• David Sobel presenting on Tuesday, September 18 at 4:30 pm in the UMD Weber Music Hall


• September 12 - UMD to Hold First of Three Land-Grant Commemorations on September 27: UMD & Mineral Resources: Challenges, Opportunities, and a Land-Grant Perspective
• Five speakers examine the connection between UMD and the area's mineral resources at this event commemorating UMD's Land-Grant Heritage.


• September 12 - UMD Ranks High in U.S. News & World Report's Annual "America's Best Colleges" Edition
• UMD again receives high ranking from U.S. News & World Report for academics and accessibility.


• September 7 - UMD Swenson College of Science and Engineering Development Director has been Appointed
• Carrie Sutherland named the new SCSE development director


• September 7 - Minnesota Twins VS Kansas City Royals
• Join the UMD Alumni Association on Wednesday, September 12 at Target Field with Champ throwing the first pitch


• September 6 - UMD's Multicultural Learning Community
• Students opt to live in residential housing and attend events as a multi-ethnic group

August 2012

• August 31 - 2012 UMD Student Move-In Day and the Chancellor's Convocation
• Thursday, August 30 from 9am-3:30pm is UMD Student Move-In Day. Friday, August 31 at 1 pm, Yvonne Prettner Solon is attending the Chancellor's Convocation