Gregg Raisanen, vice president of academic and student affairs at Alexandria Technical & Community College recognizes individual students for academic excellence during fall 2020. The following students were named to the dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher Fall Semester 2020:
Students from your region have been named to the University of Jamestown Fall 2020 Dean’s List for maintaining a semester GPA of 3.50 or better. They are as follows:
Hamline University student Sophie Rausch of Fergus Falls, was named to the College of Liberal Arts Dean’s List for the Fall 2020 semester. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and maintain a full course load.
Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, has announced its 2020 fall semester honors lists.
This is one in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2017 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.
Brink Lawyers P.A. is proud to announce that University of St. Thomas School of Law Student, Lexi Wentworth,of Fergus Falls, is the recipient of Brink Lawyers Northern Valley Scholarship for Minnesota law school students.

On Monday, the ISD 544 School Board met in their first meeting of the year, holding first their reorganization meeting followed by their regularly scheduled meeting. After establishing a quorum, the meetings were called to order.
Students at Kennedy Secondary School (KSS) have, for the last seven years, had the opportunity to learn more about the stock market through an investing simulation that allows them to interact with the live stock market using virtual dollars. This year, two students from KSS received recogni…
Minnesota State University, Mankato will award 1,796 degrees to 1,753 students at the end of the fall 2020 semester, with this fall's graduates celebrated through a special website with commencement videos that will be available at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, the day on which the university's …
Greetings!
Fergus Falls Public Schools announced changes to their learning models starting in January, affecting students in grades 7-12 as long as COVID trends continue to improve.
The following area students are among the 264 2020 Fall Semester graduates of Minnesota State Community and Technical College, with campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena:
Gwyneth “Winnie” Gray of Pelican Rapids, was recently named one of Minnesota Connections Academy’s (MNCA) Students of the Month in recognition of her achievements and leadership in the virtual classroom.
Amber J. Bosse, daughter of Jeff Boll of Fergus Falls and Carmen and Darryl Trusty of Ottertail, has earned a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Kentucky. She specializes in cartographic efficacy and community activism.
Berit Skogen, a sophomore on the Luther College cross-country team, has been named to the 2020 American Rivers Conference Fall Sports All-Academic Team.
“Building Bridges, Cultivating Connections,” the sixth annual Women in Ag Network Conference will be held virtually on Feb. 3, 2021. Even though the conference will be virtual, the event will be a day of learning and networking for women involved in agriculture. The conference will be from 9…
The University of Sioux Falls congratulates more than 600 students who made the Fall 2020 dean’s list. The following local students made the list:
December often seems like the busiest time of year with holiday concerts, Christmas programs, decorating, shopping, baking and holiday correspondence to send. This year, while there is a brief reprieve in events and fewer and smaller get-togethers, the season seems no less busy. Carving …
This year, Fergus Area College Foundation awarded the highest amount of scholarships it has done since its inception almost 60 years ago. The total amount awarded for scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year was $216,800. Plus, they have opened a spring scholarship application for those wh…
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota State Community and Technical College will celebrate the graduation of 244 students with a virtual commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
On Nov. 30, Fergus Falls students grades 9-12 transitioned to a full distance-learning model, leaving grades 6-8 in a hybrid model while grades K-5 remained fully on campus. This decision was made in response to a rise in area COVID-19 cases, recommendations from both the regional response t…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
The ‘60s or the ‘80s conjure up clear images of the historical significance of those two decades. The 1970s, however, typically get no respect.
On Mon. Nov. 30, Kaddatz Galleries and the Fergus Falls Public Library hosted a grant-funded, Charles Beck influenced landscape painting class. The class was hosted online and participants were socially distanced throughout the library or from the safety of their own homes. Participants inte…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
In the near future, students at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) will be able to earn a two-year business or transfer degree without ever needing to buy a textbook.
For many of us, our Thanksgiving traditions will be on a temporary hiatus this year. We normally travel to Buffalo for a traditional meal with my wife’s side of the family. That won’t take place this year. We will definitely be missing their company as well as MaryLynn’s stuffing. I will eve…
St. Cloud State University student Sadie Marty of Fergus Falls was awarded the May Bowle Music, Art, Theatre and Film Endowed Scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year.
Some area school districts are looking to make the switch to distance learning, although for different reasons. Fergus Falls Public Schools will be switching to distance learning for students in grades 9-12 on Nov. 30, West Central Area School District will be changing their learning models …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Fergus Falls School Board met for a special meeting on Friday, Nov. 13 and again on Monday, Nov. 16 for a regular meeting. The board canvassed votes from the Nov. 3 election, reviewed the results of the district’s audit, discussed the potential future shift to a different learning model …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Students and teachers are adapting to a changing environment this year as the field of education tries to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Distance and hybrid learning means a lot of subjects that depend on hands-on work aren’t getting that valuable in-person learning time. Luckily for Kennedy …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Are you an Otter Tail County resident who has been impacted by COVID-19 and lack access to a working computer and/or the internet? Consider applying for a Tech Pack during the open enrollment period Nov.18-20.
Underwood High School grades 7-12 will be moving from hybrid learning to distance learning effective immediately according to a notice sent to families from Underwood School District superintendent Dave Kuehn. Fall activities have also been suspended until Nov. 25, including weight room, foo…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Going no-till online garden presentation offered as part of the Come Grow with Us horticulture education series through the U of MN WCROC. Wed. Nov. 18 from 12- 1 p.m. Presented by Dr. Joe Storlien of St. John's University. Access the online class at wcroc.cfans.umn.edu.
While they were unable to hold their annual scholarship awards banquet this year, Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars still awarded $65,000 in scholarships to 58 local students seeking higher education.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Fergus Falls School District announced Sunday that a member of Adams Elementary School has a confirmed case of COVID-19 with a possible exposure date of Friday, Nov. 6.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, Otter Tail County reached a 14-day case rate per 10,000 people of 50.7. While the Minnesota Department of Health says schools should take into account the number of confirmed positive cases, the number of people needing to quarantine and the level of flu or COVID-like il…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
As the presidential election continues to count votes and several state races have been decided, we take a look at several area races for city council, school board and other positions in government and school board.
Zach Stich
Editor
Wednesday’s email from District 544 superintendent Jeff Drake to the students, families and staff of Cleveland School was followed Thursday by an alarming report from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Good news for Spartan athletics!
Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s (M State) Fergus Falls campus celebrated their homecoming and the 60th anniversary of the opening of their campus this past week in an unconventional way.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Fergus Falls School District was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health of a lab confirmed case of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in a member of the Cleveland School community with an exposure date of Oct. 21.
The final exhibit for 2020 at the Evansville Art Center will feature two student artists from this area.
The threat of returning to a distance learning model for all District 544 students could not curb the enthusiasm of food services director Lance Wells Monday in the Kennedy Secondary School media center.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Schools have been back in session in one form or another for almost two months now and the United States is set on a third wave of cases, with Otter Tail County seeing an uptick in cases this month.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Junior Leader Workshop (JLW) -“4-H: The Next Level” was held Oct. 15 at Faith Haven Camp near Battle Lake. This camp is designed to inspire and enable each participant to uncover unique abilities, develop greater confidence and master strategies for success as a leader in their 4-H program.…
The Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) Workforce Development Solutions (WDS) is currently offering an incumbent worker training program at little to no cost to the applying business through Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) Inc. This grant provide…
Caution has been the watchword in District 544 over the past two weeks as COVID-19 cases in Otter Tail County have crept upward.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Greetings!
On Monday Underwood Public Schools transitioned from Safe Learning Model 1 to Model 2, a hybrid learning model.
The Fergus Falls school board passed a resolution Monday acknowledging the generosity of the 544 Education Foundation for awarding nearly $34,000 in grants to the school district.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Riley Erlandson of Fergus Falls has been named to the 2020 homecoming royal court at Concordia College, Moorhead. Coronation was Tuesday, Sept. 29. The 2020 Homecoming celebration “Hoco Fall Fest” will be for the on-campus community of students and several virtual events.
M State is making it possible for students to get a jump on their college careers with five courses scheduled to begin on Oct. 19.
The Fergus Falls School Board handled several items of new business Monday at the Otter Community Room.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
On Sept. 24, NPR shared preliminary community college enrollment data for the fall of 2020 school term. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, enrollment is down 8% nationally despite the elevated unemployment numbers in the country.
Thirty-one students at Minnesota State Community and Technical College have been awarded the Minnesota Workforce Development Scholarships in the final round of awards for the 2020-21 academic year.
Blaine Novak, president of the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors, has called for a special meeting of the League’s board for Monday, Sept. 21, 2020 at 9 a.m.
The challenges of creating one college seemed insurmountable back in 2003 when Fergus Falls Community College merged with three campuses of Northwest Technical College.
Fergus Falls Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Drake released enrollment figures from all six educational arms of District 544 Monday which reflect an increase of 211 students over the 2019-20 school year.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
With the first week of school in the books, students, parents and staff have adapted to the new model of education for the 2020-21 school year. The Daily Journal reached out to a few teachers to find out what their experiences were like during the first week back in the building.
Zach Stich
Editor
Students at Pelican Rapids High School were welcomed back to class with a chalk art mural in front of the school, designed and colored by a group of students and teachers who gathered on Labor Day to create it. The idea came from high school special education teacher Karla Breen, who wanted …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
It has always struck me that public education is a vocation marked by saying “hi” and “goodbye” that is unlike other professions. Children are loved, nurtured and challenged. We have the privilege of witnessing the transformation take place as they grow and mature into young adults. Watc…
Fergus Falls Public School bands are looking to create the safest possible environment for their students and are seeking help from the community. Although the hybrid learning system the school district has implemented means only half the band is in attendance on any given day, allowing for …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter