Minot State University

History

MSU was established as a two-year normal school devoted to preparing teachers for service in northwestern North Dakota. In 1924, the Normal School at Minot began issuing baccalaureate degrees, necessitating a name change to Minot State Teachers College. Over time, the range of academic offerings expanded; as a result, the school's name was changed to Minot State College in 1964.

During the Second World War, Minot State trained nearly eight-hundred officer candidates as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program.

In 1984, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly passed a bill renaming the institution to Dakota Northwestern University. After the bill was signed by the state governor and secretary of state, it became the subject of multiple legal challenges. On June 12, 1984, the bill was struck down by a statewide referendum.

In 1987, the institution was granted university status. It was designated as State University of North Dakota - Minot from January 1, 1987 until April 27, 1987, when it received its current name.

In 1996, the North Dakota University System realigned the relationships between certain institutions within the state. North Dakota State University - Bottineau, located in Bottineau, North Dakota was renamed to Minot State University - Bottineau and became an independently-accredited affiliate campus of MSU.

Academics

The university awards undergraduate degrees in more than 60 courses of study and graduate degrees in 10 fields of study.

MSU is composed of four main academic divisions:

• School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • 3 academic departments
• School of Business, Math, and Technology
  • 2 academic departments
• School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
  • 2 academic departments
• School of Science and Health
  • 3 academic departments
• Teacher Licensure Program
• Graduate School

University rankings

The school was ranked 976th on the 2013–2014 PayScale College Salary Report and 1,346th on the 2013 PayScale College Education Value Rankings.

Accreditation

MSU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Business Programs at MSU and the College of Business Graduate School are fully accredited by the IACBE. The Bachelor's and master's degrees in Business Education are accredited by NCATE.

Other accreditation:

• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• National Association of Schools of Music
• Council on Education of the Deaf
• Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Council on Social Work Education–Baccalaureate level
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
• National Association of School Psychologists
• North Dakota Board of Nursing

Gordon B. Olson Library

Completed in the spring of 1992, the Gordon B. Olson Library presently serves an enrollment of more than 3,000 students. The three-story facility features seating for 800 students, as well as computer labs.

Dr. Gordon B. Olson came to Minot State University during the summer of 1967 and led the university through growth and change. In 1967, enrollment was slightly more than 2,000. During Dr. Olson's tenure, MSU added many undergraduate and graduate programs. New undergraduate degrees included nursing, social work, and criminal justice. Graduate programs expanded from only one in 1967 to 13. Each of these programs addresses societal needs and the needs of students who pursue careers in these fields.

Athletics

Main article: Minot State Beavers

Minot State University athletics compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) which is a part of NCAA Division II

MSU's sports program offers football, both men's and women's club hockey, basketball, cross country, indoor/outdoor track and field, golf, baseball, wrestling, women's soccer, volleyball, and fastpitch softball.

Minot State's ice hockey team won the ACHA Men's Division I national championship in 2013, 2019, and 2023, with a runner-up finish in 2021.

Wellness Center

The Wellness Center has rock climbing, exercise equipment, weight rooms, intramural gym space, group exercise classes, and wellness events.

Facilities

Campus facilities include a theater, indoor theatre, recital hall, the Gordon B. Olson library, a football field, the MSU Wellness Center, and the MSU Dome arena. The Student Union includes a bookstore, convenience store, dining center, and lounge areas. MSU has four student residence halls and three apartment complexes.

Transportation

MSU is located north of downtown Minot, approximately halfway between the Amtrak station and the airport. This allows students and faculty easy access to intercity travel. Within Minot, Minot City Transit provides bus service to campus on weekdays via the North, North Central, and West routes.

Notable alumni

• Dale Brown – former LSU basketball head coach (1972–1997)
• Gary Cederstrom – former Major League Baseball umpire
• Scott Deibert – former Canadian football player
• Josh Duhamel – Emmy Award-winning actor and model
• Ray Giacoletti – retired college basketball coach
• Rocky Hager – retired college football coach
• Brynhild Haugland – longest-serving state legislator in history of United States
• Joan Heckaman – former member of North Dakota Senate, 23rd District (2006–2022)
• Randy Hedberg – former NFL quarterback, later MSU football head coach (1982–89){{cite news
• Mikey Hoeven – former first lady of North Dakota, wife of Senator John Hoeven
• David C. Jones, General, United States Air Force – former USAF Chief of Staff (1974–1978) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1978–1982)
• Douglas Kary – member of Montana Senate, 22nd District (2015–Present); member of Montana House of Representatives, 48th District (2010–2015)
• Doug Larsen – former member of North Dakota Senate, 34th District (2020–2023)
• Stanley W. Lyson – member of North Dakota Senate, 1st District (1999–2014)
• Mary Manross – former mayor of Scottsdale, Arizona (2000–2008)
• Mary Sherman Morgan – rocket fuel scientist credited with invention of liquid fuel Hydyne in 1957, which powered Jupiter-C rocket that boosted first U.S. satellite
• David O'Connell – former North Dakota state senator (1988–2016) and representative (1983–1988)
• Sean Ortiz – Canadian Football League defensive lineman, BC Lions (2008–2012)
• Charles Payne – Fox Business Channel contributor (Cavuto on Business, Cashin' In, Bulls and Bears)
• A. R. Shaw – former educator and mayor of Mandan, North Dakota (1968–72)
• John Warner – former North Dakota state senator (2005–2016) and representative (1997–2004)
• Lisa Wolf – former member of North Dakota House of Representatives (2007–2010)

Notable administrators and faculty

• Arthur G. Crane – the first president of Minot Normal School, and later Governor of Wyoming (1949–1951)
• Ernst Ising – professor (1947–48); physicist credited with developing Ising model
• Wade Regier – former Minot State Beavers men's ice hockey coach (2010–2021), ACHA D-I National Championship (2013)

Notes

References

References

1. (2003). "Name Changes of Institutions of Higher Education in North Dakota". Office of the North Dakota Secretary of State.
2. Dr. Steve Hoffbeck. "Navy V-12 Training Program". Prairie Public Broadcasting.
3. . ["Measures Before The Voters"](https://ndlegis.gov/sites/default/files/resource/library/measuresbeforethevoters.pdf). *North Dakota Legislative Council*.
4. "State Forester". State Historical Society of North Dakota.
5. "College Scorecard: Minot State University". [[United States Department of Education]].
6. [https://www.minotstateu.edu/academic/_documents/academic-restructure/restructure/current-to-new-structure.pdf Structure]
7. "2013–2014 PayScale College Salary Report". [[PayScale]].
8. "2013 College Education ROI Rankings: Does a Degree Always Pay Off?". [[PayScale]].
9. "MSU – Gordon B. Olson Library".
10. (2011-01-20). "Dickinson, North Dakota". The Dickinson Press.
11. "National Champions".
12. "Minot City Transit".
13. "Minot State Men's Basketball History and Records". Minot State University Director of Communications.
14. (April 25, 2016). "MLB umpire Gary Cederstrom to lead North Dakota State Parade". [[The Washington Times]].
15. "Scott Deibert". Minot State University Athletics.
16. Skurzewski, Joe. (June 26, 2023). "Minot native Josh Duhamel pays visit to MSU Summer Theatre". [[KMOT]].
17. "Ray Giacoletti".
18. "Bison Athletic Hall of Fame: R.E. "Rocky" Hager".
19. Eriksmoen, Curt. (March 2013). "Brynhild Haugland and a Half Century of Service".
20. "Joan Heckaman Biography".
21. (January 14, 2011). "Mikey Hoeven Taking One Day at a Time". Inspired Woman Magazine.
22. Goldstein, Richard. (August 14, 2013). "Gen. David C. Jones, Former Chairman of Joint Chiefs, Dies at 92". [[The New York Times]].
23. "Douglas Kary's Biography".
24. "Douglas Larsen". Eastgate & Parkway Funeral & Cremation Services.
25. "Scottsdale, AZ – Mayor and City Council Introduction".
26. Glorfeld, Jeff. (June 20, 2021). "Mary Sherman Morgan – Rocket Girl".
27. Wetzel, Dave. (November 15, 2010). "N.D. Senate Democratic leader David O'Connell not seeking re-election to job". [[Bismarck Tribune]].
28. Mehrer, Kevin. (September 18, 2010). "Former Beaver playing in the pros". [[Minot Daily News]].
29. Ogden, Eloise. (June 9, 2017). "From Minot AFB airman to renown financial expert". [[Minot Daily News]].
30. "John M. Warner Biography".
31. "Lisa Wolf Biography".
32. "Gov. Arthur Griswold Crane".
33. "Ernst Ising".