M State Fergus Falls Golf Management Program: A Driving Ambition for Students

M State Fergus Falls offers a wonderful selection of high-quality academic programs in the liberal arts and health services to students in pursuit of higher education in the beautiful natural environment of Otter Tail County. Students can pursue higher academics, professional opportunities, and competitive athletics. In fact, we have one of the top programs in NJCAA Division III Golf, and in addition to an excellent spirit of athletics, M State Fergus Falls also offers an outstanding certificate program in Golf Management.

Obtaining a diploma in Golf Management will help individuals pursue a variety of positions in the golf industry, and will help students equip themselves on how to manage golf course operations and oversee the maintenance of golf facilities and equipment. The program consists of 60 credits, including nine elective courses, and students earning the certificate can also pursue advanced studies working towards an associate, baccalaureate or advanced degree.

The program teaches a variety of technical and communicative skills while enforcing the values of golf as a life-time sport and as a way of life in respecting the environment and people around you. Through the program, students will develop managerial and interpersonal communication skills by managing facilities and staff, using effective communication, computing, accounting, and human relation skills, and by maintaining environmentally sound facilities management practices. Students will also explore the business and operation aspects of golf management by learning to coordinate and administer a budget, implementing a marketing plan, coordinating and managing equipment operations, and directing best management practices.

The Golf Management program at M State Fergus Falls prepares students for a successful career in golf management and cross-trains students for a well-rounded education in the fields of business, communication, marketing, and environmental sciences so they will be well-equipped to pursue a variety of positions in the golf industry.

Write Your Way to a Scholarship: What Your Application is Missing

If earning a college education is at the top of your to-do list currently, you've likely debated the possibility of applying for scholarships as well. With over $46 billion available annually to college hopefuls, there's a whole lot to be gained in buckling down and writing that dreaded essay. But why dread a potentially life changing opportunity? With our helpful insights and useful tips, you'll be on your way to composing a standout essay, with a competitive application to match. Eliminate the fear and ignite the possibilities ahead; you're about to write a one of a kind essay, misery not included. 

The golden rule of essay writing: the theme and tone of your essay should directly correlate to the purpose of the award or the giver's mission. This is not to imply that a generic topic is the end goal, quite the opposite. Allow the scholarship's founding mission to speak through your essay in the form of a deeply meaningful life event, goal, or aligned inspiration. Your story should be relevantly tied to the scholarship's theme in a unique and deeply personal way, allowing your readers to identify with an underlying shared purpose or stance while marveling at your unique angle on the shared topic. Dig for the underlying question, the universal truth, the reason behind the action. A truly inspired essay is the result of honest self examination and exploration - and there's a great deal of wiggle room here.

Thesis statement: your make or break central idea. The inspiration behind your compelling story needs to come full circle by the end of your essay. You should be able to condense the theme of your submission into one central sentence, so the views, statements, and thoughts you highlight during your essay all easily aline. Once you are able to clearly identify your thesis statement, take a minute to fine tune your essay outline. The outline for your paper should consist of your thesis statement and attention getter, followed by a few central ideas and evidence in support of each, and a conclusion to bring each point together. Establishing a framework for your essay will help take some pressure off of the process; simple and straightforward are always solid bets. Your essay represents the person behind the application, and should paint a concise picture for your reader of who you are and how you identify in relation to the chosen theme. Each scholarship opportunity is centered upon a distinct theme, and tailoring each of your submissions to the receiving audience is imperative.

When your masterpiece is complete, read, read again, and re-read. Find several trusted individuals to give you honest feedback, and be sure to send your essay through spell check. A great essay can quickly be brought down if fraught with grammatical errors or typos, and you've put in too much energy to be derailed by the inaccurate use of 'they're' versus 'their'. When all is thought and typed, congratulate yourself on showing up for this opportunity; you never know where that potential scholarship could take you. 

Great essays are often required in addition to strong academic and leadership performance when applying for scholarship funds. A combination of high academic performance, solid ACT/SAT scores and demonstrated leadership experience are ideal and when paired with well written responses to essay questions, can land you that desirable scholarship. 

Fergus Falls Area College Foundation offers scholarships ranging from $500 to full year tuition paid to first and second year students at M State in Fergus Falls, and scholarship applications will be accepted until April 1st. Applications beyond the April 1st deadline will be awarded on the basis of available funds. Offering scholarships that span many interests and academic pursuits, Fergus Falls M State campus is ready to assist you in achieving your degree, one scholarship at a time. Call our M State resource specialists today for assistance with scholarships and eligibility, we're happy to help! Call us toll free at 1-877-450-3322 for personal scholarship assistance today.

5 Tips for Springing into a New Semester

Winter is in full swing - between the cold weather and the post-holiday slumps, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of another semester of college. Whether you are in your first year of school, getting ready to finish your university transfer degree, or completing a program or certification, we are here to help get you back in the swing of a new semester. Get ready for #NewYearNewYou.

Take a moment to reflect on where you went wrong last semester. What organizational methods didn’t work? When in the semester did you start to lose focus and drive? By taking a mental note of these instances, you will be more likely to spot them if and when they happen again during Spring semester. If it’s organization where you went folly, try something different.

Get to know your instructors early in the semester. They are here to help - and guess what - they have (nearly) all of the answers. If you are having trouble understanding something the first time around, visit them during their office hours for clarity.

Step out of your comfort zone. Spring is the time for new beginnings, so make some time for trying new things. Whether you decide to join a new club or attend a campus event, get out there and communicate with your peers. Remember that change is good: not only can it develop new dimensions to your personality, but it can help you avoid getting stuck in a rut.

Visit the Spartan Center where you can get help with Academic support through tutoring services, career research and placement assistance, résumé writing services, and transfer resources. 

Make an attitude adjustment. Take a moment to remember why you are following the path of higher education. Remember that each course is a learning opportunity, rather than a hurdle to get over. You will get through this semester - and you will feel much more accomplished if you appreciate the value each course and instructor has to offer.

Good Luck!

Warm up with the Hot Sounds of Jazz at M State

The Minnesota State Community and Technical College Jazz Band invites you to warm up with the hot sounds of jazz at its annual fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in Waage Theatre on the Fergus Falls campus.

The Jazz Band, directed by Dan Carlson, will perform a variety of songs including a trumpet feature “Trumpets Out Front”, “The Follow” which features Josh Wheeler on flugle horn, “Too Much Coffee” featuring Jim Worner on Tenor Sax, “Minnie, the Moocher”, “Chops, Don’t Fail Me Now!”, “Just Before I Close My Eyes” featuring Jenn Kaminski Horak, and many other songs with a variety of soloists. The M State Combo will perform “Cantina Band” from Star Wars, among others. The concert will feature many soloists and musical styles including rock, swing, ballads, funk, and the blues. In addition to the Jazz Band, the M state Jazz Combo will perform.

Tickets are $9 in advance and $11 at the door for adults and $7 in advance and $8 at the door for students. Tickets are available in the M State Box Office (Room C325), by calling 218.736.1600 or online at mstatetickets.com. Please note that the Box Office is in a new location near Legacy Hall.

As a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, M State serves more than 9,000 students in credit courses each year in more than 70 career and liberal arts programs at its four campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena, and through eCampus. By partnering with communities, the college also provides custom training services and other responsive training programs.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and is an equal opportunity educator / employer. Upon request, this information is available in alternative formats.

M State Spartan Blue Out

Making it to the playoffs in any sport is seriously impressive. Hosting a home playoff game is an added bonus.

But, what if we said home playoff game is the first in over two decades?

This is the situation here at M State Fergus Falls this weekend - and the excitement is nothing short of contagious!

This Saturday, our own Spartan football team will be hosting Minnesota West in the MCAC playoffs, and the Fergus Falls Journal reports that the amount of enthusiasm has soared to heights not seen in quite some time. In fact, it’s inspired some action by M State students and faculty in the form of “Blue Out.”

“Blue Out” is simple; all M State students and fans are encouraged to show up on campus at noon for the ladies’ home volleyball game, in advance of the 1pm football kickoff, donning their favorite Spartan apparel - or anything in royal blue - to fill the landscape with school spirit. The first 250-300 attending fans could walk away with new Spartans gear, too.

Check out this fantastic article put together by the Fergus Falls Journal, including feedback on “Blue Out” from faculty and staff, and you’ll see why we’re so excited! 

Attendees are encouraged to live tweet events and activities @MState_Fergus using #BlueOut!

Good luck Spartans - we’ll be rooting for you!

M State Open House Showcases College Opportunities

MEDIA RELEASE
Oct. 15, 2014
For Release: Immediate
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Contact: Peter Wielinski – 218-631-7810 – peter.wielinski@minnesota.edu

M State open house showcases college opportunities

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – Minnesota State Community and Technical College invites prospective students, parents and community members to visit the Fergus Falls campus during an open house from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. 

At the open house, visitors will be able to:

• Learn about M State, watch program demonstrations, get questions answered by instructors and administrators, and hear from M State students
• Apply to M State and get a $50 gift certificate redeemable at an M State bookstore when you register for classes
• Check out the campuses by touring classrooms and facilities to see the learning environment, technology and equipment
• Receive information on financial aid, scholarships and veterans services
• Visit the eCampus Café, where coffee and treats are on the menu
• Enjoy refreshments and giveaways
• Enter a drawing for an iPad Mini or Minnesota Vikings tickets

M State also will have campus open houses from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in Moorhead; Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Detroit Lakes; and Thursday, Nov. 6, in Wadena. The open houses coincide with College
Knowledge Month, which is marked by colleges nationally during October.

For more information about the open house and M State registration, contact the college’s Solution Center at 877.450.3322.

As a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, M State serves more than 9,000 students in credit courses each year in more than 70 career and liberal arts programs at its four campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena, and through eCampus. By partnering with communities, the college also provides custom training services and other responsive training programs.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and is an equal opportunity educator / employer. Upon request, this information is available in alternative formats.

The Sketchbook Project

Campus events are a staple for Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s Fergus Falls campus. On September 11th, funded through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council via legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, The Sketchbook Project came to campus, drawing M State students as well as local K-12 students.

Described in the M State News article published prior to the event, the project's "mission is to allow everyone to participate in art and to create a collection of work that represents artists worldwide in a traveling art library.”

At the mobile library, students used their smart phones to login to The Sketchbook Project’s virtual library and make a search using keywords, or explore popular topics. After students found a sketchbook of interest, the librarian delivers the sketchbook requested, as well as a second random book to enjoy at the same time.

Visitors to the mobile library enjoyed reading through the sketchbooks. Some contained poems, paintings, doodles, and detailed drawings. Every book is unique - the library has over 31,000 contributors, and continues to grow every week.

Students from M State Fergus Falls have contributed to the number of sketchbooks in the Brooklyn Art Library and Sketchbook Project mobile tour. Pictured below, a students thumbs through a sketchbook centered on the author's travel experiences. 

This is just one of the many events the Fergus Falls campus of M State will present this year. Fergus Falls also displays the works of professional artists year round, including RECLAMATION by Su Legatt. 

"Art is Everywhere" at M State Fergus Falls. See for yourself.