Fall semester classes begin Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at the University of Minnesota Crookston but the campus is already buzzing with the return of student-athletes for the beginning of their fall practice schedule. Activities are underway in preparation for welcome back-week for faculty and staff which began on Monday, August 13.

Along with approximately 15 new faculty and staff, the campus welcomes the new Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs John Hoffman. He comes to the U of M Crookston from California State University, Fullerton and replaces Vice Chancellor Barbara Keinath who is retiring after serving in the role since 2013. A farewell for Keinath is planned for mid-September.

Two majors and a minor have been added to the portfolio of academic offerings at the University of Minnesota Crookston including a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agricultural Communication along with an online B.S. in English, and an English minor online. The agricultural communication program blends agriculture, communication, and liberal education courses that prepare students for a wide variety of career choices. The major in English offered on campus since early 2015 will be available online giving students greater flexibility.

A new laboratory referred to as the University of Minnesota Crookston Center for Collaborative Research (UMC-CCR) opens officially on August 14 during welcome-back week and will offer faculty and students greater opportunities for research and access to equipment previously unavailable on the Crookston campus. Research projects like the study of freshwater sponges in Minnesota streams and lakes, along with many others, will be advanced by the access the new lab provides.

Dual admissions programs are in place following the signing of agreements with Northland Community and Technical College and a recently signed agreement with Red Lake Nation College to benefit students and allow for collaboration between faculty at both institutions and opportunities for program development

Looking further ahead, Homecoming 2018 will take place September 28 and 29. The theme for this year’s activities is “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.” Plan to attend the Alumni Awards Celebration on Friday, September 28 honoring Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Chancellor Emeritus Charles H. Casey; Ken Bond 1996; and Derrick Sanders 1996. Outstanding Alumni honorees include Nancy Capistran 1971, 1992, and 2001; Peggy Lee Hilton 1968; and Wayne Freimund 1981. For reservations, contact Rose Ulseth at 218-281-8439. To view homecoming activities, visit www.crk.umn.edu/homecoming.

The University of Minnesota Crookston now delivers 35 bachelor's degree programs, 25 minors, and 40 areas of emphasis on campus as well as 16 degree programs entirely online.  These degrees are offered in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from more than 20 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photo at left, left to right, are Navjot Singh, Austin Sommerfeld, Vice Chancellor John Hoffman, and Manpreet Singh. 

Photo, right: Community Advisors have been on campus preparing for the arrival of students for fall semester.