Joe Storlien received the University Award for Excellence in Leadership on April 20, 2008. This award identifies and honors students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership while at St. Cloud State University. Joe also received the Dennis M. Thayer Leadership Award. The Thayer award is given in recognition of the student receiving the highest score in the Excellence in Leadership Award process. The award is in memory of a man who, in his brief lifetime, demonstrated the highest level of regard for leadership by all and for all.

Joe completed his Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies at St. Cloud State University in 2006, and he plans to finish his Masters of Science in Environmental and Technological Studies in May 2008. Some of Joe’s leadership activities at St. Cloud State University include being group leader and later mentor of the Environmental Studies Student Research Group, being elected to the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Sauk River and receiving the Raymond Larson Leadership Award. After graduation, Joe plans to pursue a Ph.D. at Texas A&M University where he has already been awarded a graduate assistantship position. The ETS Department congratulates Joe on his award and wishes him well on his future endeavors. (Posted April 21, 2008)

Mr. and Mrs. Thayer, Joe Storlien and his mother, Mrs. Jill Storlien

Kurt Helgeson has been named Interim Associate Dean for the College of Science and Engineering. The position is expected to last through the spring 2009 semester. Mitch Bender has been named Interim Department Chairperson of the ETS Department during Kurt’s service in the Dean’s office. The ETS Department congratulates Kurt on his new position. (Posted April 2, 2008)

Robb Berscheid started his own business, Everything Signs, just three months after graduating from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Technology Assessment and Management. His Holdingford, MN business creates signs, decals and banners for nearly any application.

Very notably, his business recently designed a wrap for a vegetable oil-powered RV owned by Matt and Sara Janssen (Picture of RV wrap). The Jenssen’s are traveling the country educating people on simple living and alternative energy in their “Living Lightly Tour” and Robb’s hard work is along for the ride. More information. (Posted March 1, 2008)

After 30 years at St. Cloud State University, Matt Mattick has decided to retire. The retirement party for Matt was held December 14th at Michael's Restaurant. Current and former colleagues, as well as other people that have had the pleasure of knowing Matt over the years, gathered to wish him well in his retirement. All in the ETS Department wish him well! Special thanks to Marlene Stangl for organizing the event.

(Posted December 14, 2007)

Environmental studies students, Kala Fisher and Mike Hayman, were featured in this fall’s The Nature Conservancy’s Minnesota Update publication. Through a grant provided by The Nature Conservancy, Kala and Mike developed a conservation action plan for the Avon Hills area. This unique area in central Minnesota is home to tamarack bogs, wild lakes and oak-basswood forests and is threatened by expanding development. (Posted December 4, 2007)

Mark Schroll, St. Cloud State University and ETS alumnus, has been named Program Coordinator for engineering and innovation programs at the Kern Family Foundation.

Mr. Schroll received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology Education from St. Cloud State University and a Master of Arts degree in Education and Human Development with a specialization in Educational Technology Leadership from the George Washington University (Washington, D.C.).  Mr. Schroll has worked extensively with Project Lead the Way and has published engineering and systems curriculum guides.

Kern Family Foundation is a prominent, strategic foundation that invests in the future through values, education and innovation. The Foundation supports Project Lead the Way at 217 middle and high schools in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Click for more details (Posted October 30, 2007)

Mitch Bender (with co-author Wes Wood of Auburn University) has had a scientific manuscript titled “Above- and below-ground measurements of greenhouse gases from swine effluent amended soil” published in Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. Illustrations in the manuscript were drawn by Daniel Dinsmore, a Technology Education major.

Mitch (with co-author Jake Galzki) also has had a technical report titled "Water monitoring report: Sauk River at St. Cloud, 2005-2006" published by the Sauk River Watershed District. The technical report summarizes Mr. Galzki's undergraduate research at St. Cloud State University. (Posted October 30, 2007)

Kirby Anderson’s Residential Construction (ETS 336) class is working with Habitat for Humanity building a house. Students spent one day a week in the classroom and two days a week on the job site. There are 24 students in the class who bring a variety of construction experiences to the site, but all have a tremendous willingness to help. This is the third year that the Residential Construction class has partnered with Habitat for Humanity.