Welcome to Campus

Dear Campus Community...

Welcome to a new academic year!  You know, the traditional academic calendar has been the subject of much debate as of late, with many critics suggesting its design was tailored to an antiquated social structure centered on the agrarian calendar.  Certainly life in previous ages had families focused on cycles of hunting and gathering, and no one will argue how times have clearly changed.  But we often don't consider the other benefits of the traditional academic calendar, with semester, holiday, and summer breaks.  These are times for recharging, refocusing, and yes, even some relaxation.  These respites have a profound impact on our environment and our work.  Don't think so?  Just look around here as we start the fall semester and you can literally feel the new energy in the air.  Yes, some of it is nervous energy, but it is all a result of the excitement leading to a new beginning. 

Although the energy on campus will abate some as the semester and year progress, I would urge you to cling to it and feed it as long as you are able.  Why?  Well, because this year is a new beginning for many of our students and for all of us here at MSU-Great Falls.  We choose to start this year with a positive outlook on our work. Through that work, we are helping others change their lives, and in some small way, we are changing our own.  This all results in positive change for our community and society. 

So welcome back to campus and the start of the 2011/2012 academic year.  We have great things in store for our campus community and for our students.  I look forward to witnessing these as they arise, and as always, I look forward to hearing from each of you on the work you are doing to help transform our students and community through student success.  Thank you for all you do for students, the College, the Montana University System, and the great state of Montana.   Good luck on the new year!

Warmest regards,

Joe Schaffer

Dean/CEO

(August 24th, 2011) Dean Schaffer talks to reporters before addressing the school and community for the Campus Convocation: Common Ground: State of the College and the Future of Student Success at MSU-Great Falls.

Changes Around Campus

New Additions Enhancing MSU - Great Falls Experience

Many new and exciting changes have been underway on campus just in time for the arrival of students for their fall semester classes. Many of these changes can been seen with a simple tour of the school, starting when you first walk in the door of the Atrium.

A brand new staircase leading down to the Health Science Division's new Simulated Hospital can be seen in the Atrium. Construction is wrapping up and soon students can expect a more interactive learning experience. A grand opening is being planned to welcome this exciting addition to campus.

Just up the hall is the newly renovated COTtage Bookstore and Cafe! Over the summer, the COTtage staff has been working hard to create a more inviting and usable space to house the new Cafe. More food options and weekly specials are available. Check out their first week of school specials listed below!

Students will soon hear about the new Advising and Career Center located upstairs across from the Learning Center. Five academic advisors will be available to help students register for classes, create their academic maps, and help with career advice. In the future, each of our new students will be assigned an individual advisor in the Center.

The Developmental Education and Transfer Division (formerly the Arts & Sciences Division) has not only been renamed, but has a new Director, Leanne Frost.  

Dental Hygiene Program Receives Accreditation

Dental Program Continues with Clean Report 

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) has deamed MSU - Great Falls' program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements."

Dental Hygiene Program Director Kim Woloszyn says "receiving this clean accreditation is very important because all dental students have to graduate from an accreditated program in order to sit for their board exams." The accreditation process included a self study conducted by the program, a site visit and a detailed report of their findings was then sent to CODA.

The Commission is a specialized body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The mission of the CODA is aimed at serving the public by establishing, maintaining and applying standards that ensure the quality of continuous improvement of dental and dental-related education and reflect the evolving practice of dentistry. The next site visit for the program is schedule for 2018.

(August 2011) Health Science students attend Orientation at MSU-Great Falls in preparation for Fall Semester classes.

Future Paramedics Preparing Now

All MSUGF Paramedic Students Successfully Pass Practical Exam

Students going through the Paramedic Program at MSU-Great Falls are ready to take the next step in getting their Paramedic License in Montana. Students need to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician's written and practical examinations in order to receive their license. Program Director Joel Henderson says "I am please to say that all of MSUGF's Paramedic students passed all of the practical stations and took a huge step forward in obtaining their Paramedic license." The Practical Exam consists of 10 stations that include two cardiac stations, a trauma station, three airways stations including pediatrics, and IV and medication administration as well as an Itraossuous station, a spinal immobilization station and finally two oral practical's which test scene management skills, assessment and management capabilities.  

Now the students must pass their written exam, which they can take here on campus at the Pearson Vue Testing Center. Henderson says he is confident the students will do well on their exam due to the practice exam they have all taken. As soon as they pass the written exam, they will receive a certification from the National Registry of Emergency Median Technician (NREMT) as an EMT Paramedic, and can apply for a state license.

Guiness World Record Set at MSU - Great Falls

MSUGF Students Jeff Nation and Casey Coffman, along with friends Jeremiah Locke and George Vogl endured a grueling weekend of video-gaming.

The group broke the Guiness world record of 45 hours originally set by a group of Canadians. In the end, they had continuously played 51 hours and 21 minutes, racking up a total of 200 games of "Battlefield Bad Company 2" played.

COTtage Cafe Remodel

More options and deals for hungry students

Stop by the newly remodeled COTtage Bookstore and Cafe for these specials available only for the first week of school!

All You Can Eat Salad Bar for $6.99

50% Off Fountain Drinks

Lunch specials for August 29th - September 2nd:

Monday - Spaghetti and meat balls, 2 garlic toast, side salad or veggy, & fountain drink $5.99

Tuesday - Chicken breast, mashed potato & gravy, side salad or veggy, and fountain drink $5.99

Wednesday - Pork roast on a bed of rice with gravy, side salad or veggy, & fountain drink $5.99

Thursday - Salisbury steak in gravy, mashed potato, side salad or veggy, & fountain drink $5.99

Friday - 2 hard shell taco, side salad or veggy, & fountain drink $4.99

Check out OUTREACH classes this Fall!

Looking for a fun, creative class that could help you in your everyday life, help you de-stress or reinforce your job skills??

Choose from credit and non-credit classes for computer basics, music, dance and many more. Visit our website: outreach.msugf.edu

If you are a full-time student (taking 12 or more credits) there is no additional cost to sign up for any CREDIT bearing Outreach class.

If you are a staff or faculty member of MSUGF, you can receive a 50% discount on all NON CREDIT Outreach classes. Please refer your students to the Outreach Schedule or our office in G100 in order to help them succeed in your classes!

Contact: Cortney See for more information!

Want to get the word out about upcoming events?

Please click on the contact names below to get your information seen on:

Campus Calendar: Julie Freshly

Campus TV Monitors: Jonathan Rimmel

KRTV Events Calendar: Cortney See

About the College