This month: Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences fundraising launch | NDSU Homecoming is Sept. 25-30, 2023 | Bison Bidders Bowl is Sept. 30, 2023 | NDSU Foundation staffing update: welcome our new Vice president of development | and more!
Banner: NDSU Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences

Igniting innovation, empowering engineers
Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences fundraising launch

The North Dakota State University Foundation is pleased to announce an ambitious fundraising initiative to raise philanthropic gifts in support of a new, $84 million Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences at NDSU. This state-of-the-art facility will advance hands-on, interdisciplinary engineering and computational sciences curriculum, research, and learning to develop technical talent for tomorrow's workforce needs.

"Preparing highly skilled, practical engineers and computational scientists is central to our 1862 land-grant mission for North Dakota," NDSU President Dave Cook said. "We're ready to launch a new, expanded era to address the grand challenges we face in the 21st century and believe that Bison-educated engineers and scientists can make a real difference."

NDSU and the NDSU Foundation are seeking $25 million to $30 million in philanthropic support by Jan. 1, 2025, which will be matched by $59 million in funding from the North Dakota Legislature. Learn more and get involved by visiting the NDSU Foundation News webpage.

Banner: NDSU Homecoming | September 25-30, 2023

NDSU Homecoming
Sept. 25-30, 2023

Make plans to attend Homecoming 2023! The NDSU Homecoming Parade and Bison Bash are on Friday, Sept. 29 — on campus for the first time since 2012. During and following the parade, there will be tours and open houses across campus, plus food trucks and activities for the whole family. Watch your inbox, the NDSU Homecoming webpage, and the NDSU Foundation's Facebook page for updates.

Banner: Save the Date

Save the Date
Bison Bidders Bowl | Sept. 30, 2023

Save the date for Bison Bidders Bowl, presented by First Western Bank & Trust! Proceeds from Bison Bidders Bowl — including registration, games, and silent and live auctions — fund scholarships to help students realize their dreams through an outstanding education at NDSU.

Watch your inbox for details and registration information. Visit the NDSU Foundation's upcoming events webpage for more opportunities to connect.

Banner: Meet Justin Swanson

NDSU Foundation staffing update
Vice president of development

Justin Swanson '06, '07 has been appointed as the vice president of development for the NDSU Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation in April 2018, Justin spent more than a decade leading teams in various athletics administration roles at three Division I, land-grant universities. He has served the Foundation in various roles, including as a director of development for the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources and as the director of gift planning. He was promoted to a managing director of development in June 2022 and was named an interim vice president of development earlier this year.

Justin grew up in a rural farming community in Benson County and later attended NDSU, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history with a minor in mass communications and his MA in sports management. Justin says he has been shaped personally and professionally by the characteristics that define the Bison community — teamwork, sacrifice, hard work, and a standard of excellence.

"The land-grant mission of NDSU has impacted my life at every turn and has been a deciding factor in employment decisions throughout my career. Working with a goal-oriented, collaborative team who serves our constituency is a point of pride, and I look forward to continuing this in the vice president role."

Justin's experience in development and leadership roles, which includes contributions to the success of the more than $586 million In Our Hands campaign, and his deep NDSU pride will empower Justin to make innovative and significant contributions in support of the Foundation's mission.

NDSU vs. EWU at U.S. Bank Stadium
Get your tickets today!

NDSU will host Eastern Washington University for the 2023 season opener on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. This highly anticipated matchup will be the first collegiate football game to be played at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings.

Join Bison Nation at the U.S. Bank Stadium plaza starting at 9:30 a.m.! Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Get ready to cheer on the Bison and purchase your tickets today on the U.S. Bank Stadium webpage.

Banner: Philanthropy in Action

Philanthropy in action
ND State Seed Commission commits $1 million to new Agricultural Field Lab

The ND State Seed Commission has committed a $1 million leadership gift to support the construction of a new Agricultural Field Lab, which will replace many of NDSU's current field lab facilities constructed decades ago.

"A new Agricultural Field Lab will enable our researchers to continue to provide cutting-edge, research-driven solutions for the benefit of North Dakota farmers and the industry," Greg Lardy, NDSU's vice president for agricultural affairs, said. "We are grateful to the ND State Seed Commission for their foresight to act quickly and convincingly to make a strong statement about the value of agriculture research."

The Agricultural Field Lab will provide NDSU scientists with the space, equipment, and technology needed to drive innovation in key areas related to the state's agriculture industry, including plant breeding, agronomy, weed science, plant pathology, and natural resource sciences. Learn more on the NDSU Foundation News webpage.

Campus news
NDSU part of $4 million tribal energy grant

Researchers in NDSU's College of Engineering, in collaboration with the University of North Dakota, Kansas State University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Turtle Mountain Community College, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, and the Tribal Research Network Group, have been awarded a new $4 million federal grant to provide sustainable, reliable, and efficient engineering infrastructures and solutions for tribal energy sovereignty.

"This project will … build on our current expertise in energy stewardship at NDSU, while helping tribal communities develop reliable and sustainable energy technologies that are economically feasible," Alan Kallmeyer, interim dean of the College of Engineering, said.

The grant will also fund educational activities and expand the understanding of how to best support Native American students in STEM at traditional research universities with the creation of an INgineering program.

NDSU research will be led by Adam Gladen, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and educational activities will be led by Jaclynn Davis Wallete, NDSU's director of multicultural programs. Learn more on the NDSU News webpage.

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