DATE:  September 24, 2001

TO: Board of Regents

FROM: Montana State University Great Falls College of Technology,  Mary Sheehy Moe, Interim Dean

RE: Campus Report for the September 2001 Board of Regents Meeting

Career Days

On September 27 approximately 1500 high school students from area schools will converge upon the Montana State University Great Falls Campus. They will attend their choice of two 45-minute seminars led by professionals in eleven different career areas. Great Falls middle school personnel are currently working with College faculty to plan a similar Career Day on campus for middle school students on November 2.

American Indian Heritage Day

Native American Indian speakers will share their career experiences with students in a number of related classes on September 28. A slide show, Family Life of the Blackfeet, will be presented by the CM Russell Museum on the MSU - Great Falls Campus.

Faculty Entrepreneurs

Acting on a strategic planning initiative, the College of Technology has implemented entrepreneurships that encourage faculty to explore innovations to improve teaching and learning on campus. Computer Technology instructor Bruce Gottwig is developing a series of instructional technology training modules for faculty. English faculty Esther Stinnett will coordinate the efforts of the Learning Center to ensure that general education faculty play a primary role in the College's retention efforts.

Statewide Business Information & Technology Conference

The College of Technology has partnered with the Montana Department of Commerce, the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, High Plains Development and Port Authority, Small Business Development Center, the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Great Falls to host a statewide Business Information and Technology Conference on October 3 and 4. The featured speaker is nationally recognized commercialization consultant Marcia Rourke of Maryland. Rourke will discuss turning an idea into a successful, marketable product or service.

The goal of the conference is to give Montana entrepreneurs and business owners the tools and insights to start a new business, plan for expansion, and implement creative marketing strategies.

Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Hosts Seminar Series

Area high school and college students are invited by the College of Technology Phi Theta Kappa honorary to attend a series of five live interactive nationwide satellite seminars on Customs, Traditions and Celebrations: The Human Drive for Community. Each event will include on-site discussion and organized activities following the satellite transmission.

Storefront University

The public is invited to attend the third annual Storefront University on October 4, featuring business owners sharing their expertise in over 60 workshops in downtown Great Falls. The workshops run in three 45-minute sessions from 5:15 - 8:00 p.m.

Storefront University stimulates business in downtown Great Falls through the combined efforts of MSU-Great Falls College of Technology and the Downtown Great Falls Association. Other sponsors include the Business Improvement District, US Bank, D.A. Davidson & Co., Energy West, and the Great Falls Historic Trolley.