Greetings from the University of Minnesota Crookston.
We are halfway through the semester and we certainly hope the majority of winter. Since it is a little chilly up here still, a number of our athletic teams have headed to warmer climates to compete. The men’s golf team is headed to North Carolina and the women’s is in Arizona. The equestrian team is in Tennessee. The baseball team is in Florida and the tennis and softball teams will be on their way to Florida soon. Mark your calendar as home games resume in April.
Hats off to the UMC Women's Equestrian Jumping Seat Equestrian Team on earning their fourth-straight Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Regional Championship. The team now advances on to the IHSA Zone Championships April 9 and 10 in Lubbock, Texas, as do six individuals who qualified.
UMC Teambackers, the athletic fundraising arm of campus, has two upcoming Golf Tournaments, June 9 and 17. Let Michelle Christopherson (mchristo@umn.edu) know if you want to register a team, contribute financially to Golden Eagle Athletics, or donate door prizes for these events.
The campus relies on the beneficence of our community in serving students with scholarships, updated equipment, facility enhancements etc.. We thank you for the monetary support and your generosity of time and in-kind support. Special thanks to the more than thirty businesses in the community who have provided sponsorships, hosting pregame socials and many game sponsorships at basketball, volleyball and hockey games, among other gifts. Our local corporate partners have contributed more than forty-five thousand dollars in services, in kind and financial contributions in the last six months. Thank you!
The Crookston Baseball Association, a longtime community and University partner, has given Golden Eagle Athletics an impactful five-year commitment to support scholarships for our Golden Eagle Softball team. Coach Weinmeister and the team are off to their best start of their season in history.
Engaging within the community and region has looked different this year, but that hasn’t stopped local and alumni support. Recently, one of our many agricultural partners has given a gift to hire a full time person to focus on regional student pathway programs creating awareness and exciting high school students about pursuing careers in science and agriculture.
Another alum gave a gift to build a much needed lean-to for our Equine program. We are looking to expand on this gift in building a lean-to for each paddock. Each lean-to will expand our horse capabilities by 3-4 horses by hosting more broodmares to foal out for the MN Bred program and/or take in an additional three to four Off the Track Thoroughbreds for re-training. By hosting five to 10 mares to foal out, our Equine faculty have said the campus will have the capability of increasing the number of foals each spring to at least 10.
There are lots of great activities and events occurring on campus, we recently hosted an International Dinner, featuring Pakistani foods and cultural music. Thanks to all of you who purchased a ticket and came out the other evening. Our students remain at the center of that event. It was festive and I am eager for next year's series.
Check out our events calendar and plan on attending the upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration, to be held on April 22, in Bede Ballroom, Sergeant Student Center. The students will be in the final week of classes on Cinco de Mayo so we are holding it earlier so they can participate. Cinco de Mayo is free to all who attend and is sure to entertain with Mexican food and activities planned for all ages.
Stop out as the snow melts and visit campus, we’d love to see you. Our Facilities and Grounds team are excited to start to plant the flowers, which are sprouting in the greenhouses right now.
Be well.
Chancellor Mary
