Concordia College hosted a virtual commencement celebration on Sunday, May 3.
Students named to the spring semester 2020 dean’s list were recently announced by the office of the registrar at the University of Minnesota Crookston. The UMN Crookston is one of the most respected career-oriented, technology-based universities in the nation.
Rohde Insurance Services of Fergus Falls, along with Grinnell Mutual of Grinnell, Iowa, has named McCormick Meyer of Perham as one of the 80 recipients out of 19 states of a 2020 Road to Success Scholarship. He was among those selected from thousands of Grinnell Mutual policyholders. McCor…
In response to the unprecedented economic hardships millions of American families are now facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fully online, nonprofit university Western Governors University (WGU) is offering up to $3 million in scholarships to impacted individuals looking to strengthen thei…
The 544 Education Foundation has awarded the following scholarships to the Class of 2020:
The following local residents have earned a degree from Western Governors University (WGU). The online, nonprofit university has graduated over 178,000 students from across the country since its inception in 1997.
Gregg Raisanen, vice president of academic and student affairs at Alexandria Technical & Community College, recognizes individual students for academic excellence during spring 2020. The following students were named to the dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher spring semester 2020:
Delaney June Bachman of Pelican Rapids was among 3,417 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during a virtual graduation celebration May 9.
Tara (Steuber) Wilson, a 2006 graduate and native of Perham, and Cmdr. Brian C. Kesselring, a 2000 Concordia graduate and Fargo native,, have been named Sent Forth recipients by Alumni Relations.
Ceri Meech, daughter of Brian and Dawn Meech, Fergus Falls, received the North Dakota State University Provost Award in the amount of $6,000 and the Henry Bonde Sr. and Helen Bonde Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The scholarships recognize students who scored a 25 to 28 on the ACT and h…
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Despite working as a fifth-grade teacher at Fergus Falls Public Schools and raising three small children, Amelia Lemar has found time to finish writing her book, “It’s Okay: The 8 Things All Children Need to Hear,” and self-publish it. It’s now sitting at No. 39 in Amazon’s new releases in e…
While COVID-19 disrupted the traditional pomp and circumstance of graduation, it won’t deter M State from celebrating the 724 graduates in its Class of 2020.
The Minnesota Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association’s convention is a culminating event for thousands of FFA members, agricultural education teachers, and supporters each spring. The virtual convention was filled with moments of celebrating student and chapter successes, gaining educat…
The Fergus Falls High School Class of 1970 has postponed its 50-year class reunion to Aug. 13-14, 2021. Class members will wait an extra year to gather in Fergus Falls to celebrate and reminisce.
With attention on graduations, parades and fireworks, the District 544 School Board held their final meeting of the 2019-20 school year Tuesday morning at the Kennedy Secondary media center.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The COVID-19 pandemic required Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra to make the difficult decision to cancel in-person spring commencement ceremonies across the Minnesota State system. As the capstone celebration of the college experience, commencement is one of the institution’s fav…
With so many things changed by the coronavirus pandemic, many community members are wondering when things will get back to normal. Many have expressed how much they miss doing the things that they were able to do before any stay-at-home order or closure. Some miss those that they interacted …
Zach Stich
Editor
The June Lynne Lacey Foundation presented scholarships to Courtney Koefod, Samantha Schlotfeld, Madeline Bailey, Taleeyah Johnson, Kalista Aamot and Amelia Barry in a virtual awards ceremony. The entire ceremony can be viewed at the Ashby High School website.
The Henning school board will hire Barry Olson as interim superintendent for the upcoming school year 2020-2021 through a contract with School Administrative Specialty Services representative Ray Farwell.
The Blondeau Arts Festival, which began at Kennedy Secondary School in 1998, was on the verge of missing its 22nd year this year due to COVID-19. “During the two week planning period that Gov. Tim Walz granted educators before distance learning began with students, the art department was rea…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded nine workforce development grants totaling nearly $1.3 million under the Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) to assist businesses and educational institutions in training workers to keep high-quality jobs in …
Rothsay School District will be hosting its live graduation for the Class of 2020 Friday, May 22 beginning at 8 p.m.
Five Mike Rohde Spirit Scholarship winners have been presented with a plaque and a $1,500 scholarship to help with their further educations in their chosen fields. Because of the corona pandemic, a group gathering and a group picture was not able to be taken. Also because of schools not be…
The Henning school board’s search for a new superintendent will be prolonged after their choice for the position — Ryan Baron, superintendent for the Tri-County School District in Karlstad — was unable to get out of the remaining year of his contract.
Minnesota State University, Mankato awarded 2,367 degrees to 2,294 students at the end of the spring 2020 semester, with this spring's graduates celebrated through a special website that launched Saturday, May 9, the day on which the university's three traditional graduation ceremonies were …
Using Zoom, the hunt is underway to find Pelican Rapids a new school superintendent.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
While high school commencements have been moved virtually around the country and normal senior traditions, such as trips and parties, have been canceled, schools are getting creative to try and find new ways to celebrate their seniors. Kennedy Secondary School (KSS) recently put up banners a…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Graduation for the Class of 2020 will not be like it has been for numerous classes before. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes would meet in gymnasiums with family and friends in the stands, hear speeches about their future and have one last opportunity to be with their entire class thro…
Zach Stich
Editor
The Fergus Falls branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Education Scholarships. Members of the branch of AAUW hold a “Tour of Homes” every other year to fund the scholarships. This year, AAUW has chosen three young women t…
The Fergus Falls school board accepted the certified staff resignation of David Rund at their Monday meeting in the Kennedy Secondary School media center.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The end of the academic year is a time of celebration, yet 2020 has become a time of uncertainty and disappointment for many college and high school graduates. The announcements of things that cannot happen – prom, year-end banquets, performances, sports seasons and in-person celebrations – …
State officials are allowing graduation ceremonies to happen, as long as they’re remote or virtual.
The Pelican Rapids school board has narrowed the field for a new superintendent down to six from a pool of 23 prospective candidates with a goal of filling the position by May 14 before the start of the fiscal year July 1.
Students are almost halfway through their second month of distance learning and while it’s been a trial by fire for all teachers, some subjects simply can’t be adapted to the internet -- one of those subjects is group music lessons. “There was this illusion that some people had that we could…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Fergus Falls 544 Education Foundation was looking for a way to not only support the Class of 2020 but locally owned restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both groups have seen their traditional way of things turned sideways as graduation ceremonies have been altered, as well as the w…
Zach Stich
Editor
When you think of schools, it is a place where children go to shape and strengthen their brain through learning. Lessons, projects and tests are the equipment used to make the mind strong. But while the primary focus of schools is education, it can also be a place that lays the foundation, c…
Zach Stich
Editor
Underwood senior Kindra Peterson is one of only four state recipients of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Triple “A” Award this year for her outstanding performance in academics, athletics and arts. Despite being a very prestigious award and the highest award that MHSL gives ou…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Hello Otter Tail County, this is your local GreenCorps member, Brittney Kakac. I am halfway through my service year with the Otter Tail County Solid Waste Department and in Week 4 of the stay-at-home order. During this time, I’ve been thinking a lot about disposability and how we can reduce …
Minnesota State University Moorhead has raised more than $26,000 for its student emergency fund, which supports students who need one-time grants to cover unexpected expenses.
Although the district had been expecting Gov. Tim Walz to extend distance learning through the remainder of the school year, the finality of the decision came as both a disappointment and a relief. We certainly understood the need for the governor to make this decision. It was the decision…
This week is M State’s finals week, though the campus is empty of students. Since mid-March, students around the state, nation and world have been attending classes from home as governments have recommended campus closures as a way to protect students and staff from coronavirus. Many teacher…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Fergus Falls School Board accepted a bid of $7,614,400 by Comstock Construction Monday for upcoming remodeling work in Lincoln School on College Way.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Looking to create more peace in your life? Attend a free on-line Peace Building 101 class on Thursday, April 30 or Wednesday, May 6. In Peace Building 101, learn to identify basic internal needs, understand your personal power to create peace, and begin to speak with clarity, confidence, and…
Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday will announce that Minnesota K-12 school buildings will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, according to two sources with knowledge of the plan.
Retired Fergus Falls Superintendent Jerry Ness was approved as interim superintendent of the Pelican Rapids School District Monday.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Monday, April 20 the Henning School Board formerly entered into negotiations with Tri-County Superintendent Ryan Baron to become Henning’s next superintendent during their regularly scheduled meeting held through an online conferencing service.
In partnership with the Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council (FFDRC), Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is launching Project 2 Fold, an initiative to support local businesses and families in need. This initiative will provide revenue for some of our businesses affected by the executive order. A…
Like other superintendents around the state of Minnesota, District 544’s Jeff Drake is playing the waiting game as the 2019-20 school year winds down.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Battle Lake 542 Education Foundation is accepting nominations for the Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Anyone may submit a nomination by May 31 and nominees may be living or deceased.
The Henning School Board took one step closer to choosing a superintendent Tuesday, April 7 narrowing the potential field down to seven people during a special meeting: Thomas Williams (Henning K-12 principal), Kathy Johnson, (Staples-Motely Elementary principal), Jason Kjos (Red Wing High S…
Matthew Holding Eagle
Sports Reporter/Photographer
Each year, thousands of volunteers in Minnesota donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live. These volunteers will be among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25.
Are you missing the garden education workshops that were canceled this spring due to the onset of COVID-19? If so, join University of Minnesota Extension educator, Robin Trott, for a series of six gardening webinars. These 30-40-minute weekly sessions, will use the online, social conferencin…
Join the Fergus Falls Public Library for the inaugural meeting of the Social Justice Book Club, online on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. As planned, we'll discuss "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life" by Karen Armstrong. You don't need to read the book to attend the meeting! We're includi…
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind at M State. In less than two weeks on our campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena, our faculty worked tirelessly to convert more than 600 on-campus courses to online formats, more than 95% of our employees moved their offices home…
“Good evening. This is the Lions Reading Program, a local newspaper reading service of the radio talking book network supported by Fergus Falls and other area Lions Clubs.”
On Wednesday, April 8, the Fergus Falls High School will be turning on the stadium lights at 9 p.m. for 20 minutes and 20 seconds to honor the graduating class of 2020.
One of the businesses affected by Executive Order 20-04 includes museums, which, as part of the order, are to remain shut until May 1. The order went into effect on March 17 at 5 p.m. and was extended on March 25, unfortunately coinciding with the grand opening of Fergus Falls new children’s…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
On March 30, 2020, a change in academic setting happened in the Fergus Falls School District as students of district 544 began distance learning. The coronavirus pandemic forced schools to shut their doors across the state and educators looked for ways to deliver coursework for the remainder…
Zach Stich
Editor
The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) has named Shannon Erickson, director of special education of the Fergus Falls Area Special Education Cooperative, the 2020 Special Education Administrator of the Year. Erickson has received this award for her dedication to students wi…
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China has awarded the prestigious Taiwan Fellowship to professor Patrick Mendis this year at the National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taipei.
Underwood High School advances to the Minnesota Council on Economic Education sponsored State Personal Finance Decathlon competition after a team of students excelled in a series of tests in personal finance topics including budgeting, investing, insurance, and more. The four students repres…