October 25, 2018
October 25, 2018 Northland Community & Technical College (NCTC) President Dennis Bona delivered his annual State of the College address Thursday (Oct. 18) afternoon before more than 150 community members, college stakeholders and staff at the NCTC East Grand Forks campus commons. Reviewing a year celebrating enrollment growth, faculty awards, and national recognition, Bona illustrated the colleges substantial economic impact within the communities of East Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, and the surrounding region.
An institution for success
Bona highlighted NCTCs economic contribution of over $1.33 million annually as reported by a recent state study, making the college an essential contributor to the regions economic development. NCTC also supports 1,137 jobs in the state and region while NCTC employees and students contribute over $238,000 to local charities per year.In August, NCTC was ranked #5 in WalletHubs national list of Best Community Colleges on the basis of cost, financing, educational and career outcomes. The Minnesota State Legislature presented NCTC with a House Resolution recognizing the honor.
This past spring NCTC was approached by US Bank Stadium to conduct an exterior survey of their building. We were called upon by US Bank Stadium because they knew we had the expertise and knowledge to assist them in a comprehensive analysis of their stadium, stated Bona. To move forward, NCTC partnered with St. Cloud State University, the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education DRONETECH Project, and Minneapolis based Sentera to produce new software that enables drones to adequately and efficiently inspect buildings to identify maintenance issues.
This past year several NCTC faculty have been recognized for teaching distinction with biology instructor Dr. Jeffery Bell receiving the Minnesota State Board of Trustees Award for teaching excellence which acknowledges and rewards exceptional professional accomplishments. Dr. Bell has been a faculty member at NCTC since 2008 and has demonstrated dedication to his profession, college, and community. Dr. Bell is a recognized expert and has earned multiple academic degrees in Biological Sciences including an M.S. in Zoology and a Ph.D. in Biology. In addition, English faculty member Kerry Jaeger was inducted into the Grand Forks Public Schools Teacher Hall of Fame, and nursing faculty member Dorinda Sorvig and healthy faculty member Elizabeth McMahon received the Minnesota Online Quality Initiative Over All – All in Award for excellence in e-learning.
Finally, Bona reported that NCTCs enrollment spiked over 6% this fall with the nursing & allied health, building trades, liberal arts, computer & network technology, and welding programs the main benefactors of that increase.
NCTC thanks all of the State of the College event sponsors: Alerus, Altru Health System, Bremer Bank, Frandsen Bank & Trust, Galstad, Jensen & McCann, P.C., Gate City Bank, Grand Forks Region EDC, ICS, Lithia Auto Stores, Sanford Health, University of North Dakota, Valley Memorial Homes, Wells Fargo, Widseth, Smith & Nolting and Xcel Energy.
The event was co-sponsored by the Chamber of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
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