# Minot State University

Minot State University (MSU or MiSU) is a public university in Minot, North Dakota. Founded in 1913 as a normal school, MSU evolved into a university in 1987 and is currently the state's third-largest, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Four schools comprise the university's academic offering. Nine master's degrees and one education specialist degree are offered in areas such as communication disorders, management, and mathematics. A mix of liberal arts and professional programs offers more than 60 majors at the undergraduate level. MSU is a North Dakota University System member.
Minot State's mascot is the beaver, the school colors are red and green (though Maroon has been used at times in the past), and the campus newspaper is the Red and Green. The MSU campus is at the base of Minot's North Hill, just west of Broadway (U.S. Route 83).

## History

MSU was established as a two-year normal school devoted to preparing teachers for service in northwestern North Dakota. In 1924, the Normal School at Minot began issuing baccalaureate degrees, necessitating a name change to Minot State Teacher's College. Over time, the range of academic offerings expanded; as a result, the school's name was changed to Minot State College in 1964. The school officially attained university status in 1987 and was rebranded to its current name.

## Academics

The university awards undergraduate degrees in more than 60 courses of study and graduate degrees in 10 fields of study.
MSU is composed of four main academic divisions:
* School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
** 3 academic departments
* School of Business, Math, and Technology
** 2 academic departments
* School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
** 2 academic departments
* School of Science and Health
** 3 academic departments
* Teacher Licensure Program
* Graduate School

### University rankings

The school was ranked 976th on the 2013–2014 PayScale College Salary Report and 1,346th on the 2013 PayScale College Education Value Rankings.

## Accreditation

MSU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Business Programs at MSU and the College of Business Graduate School are fully accredited by the IACBE. The Bachelor's and master's degrees in Business Education are accredited by NCATE.
Other accreditation:
* National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
* National Association of Schools of Music
* Council on Education of the Deaf
* Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
* Council on Social Work Education–Baccalaureate level
* International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
* National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
* National Association of School Psychologists
* North Dakota Board of Nursing

## Gordon B. Olson Library

Completed in the spring of 1992, the Gordon B. Olson Library presently serves an enrollment of more than 3,000 students. The three-story facility features seating for 800 students, room for more than 500,000 volumes, as well as computer labs, and a microforms area.
Dr. Gordon B. Olson came to Minot State University during the summer of 1967 and led the university through growth and change. In 1967, enrollment was slightly more than 2,000. During Dr. Olson's tenure, MSU added many undergraduate and graduate programs. New undergraduate degrees included nursing, social work, and criminal justice. Graduate programs expanded from only one in 1967 to 13. Each of these programs addresses societal needs and the needs of students who pursue careers in these fields.

## Athletics

Minot State University athletics compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) which is a part of NCAA Division II
MSU's sports program offers football, both men's and women's club hockey, basketball, cross country, indoor/outdoor track and field, golf, baseball, wrestling, women's soccer, volleyball, and fastpitch softball.
Minot State's ice hockey team won the ACHA Men's Division I national championship in 2013, 2019, and 2023, with a runner-up finish in 2021.

## Wellness Center

The Minot State Wellness Center’s tagline is “Be well” and promotes a comprehensive approach to wellness and healthy living on campus for students, faculty, and staff. Their 8 Dimensions in Wellness approach supports wellness in all areas: emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and cultural. The Wellness Center features rock climbing, exercise equipment, weight rooms, intramural gym space, group exercise classes, and wellness events with unlimited student access.

## Facilities

Campus facilities include a theater, indoor theatre, recital hall, the Gordon B. Olson library, a football field, the MSU Wellness Center, and the MSU Dome arena. The Student Union includes a bookstore, convenience store, dining center, and lounge areas. MSU has four student residence halls and three apartment complexes.

## Transportation

MSU is located north of downtown Minot, approximately halfway between the Amtrak station and the airport. This allows students and faculty easy access to intercity travel. Within Minot, Minot City Transit provides bus service to campus on weekdays via the North, North Central, and West routes.

## Notable alumni

* Dale Brown – former LSU basketball head coach (1972–97)
* Gary Cederstrom – former MLB umpire
* Scott Deibert – former Canadian football player
* Josh Duhamel – Emmy Award-winning actor and model
* Ray Giacoletti – retired college basketball coach
* Rocky Hager – retired college football coach
* Brynhild Haugland – longest-serving state legislator in history of United States
* Joan Heckaman – former member of North Dakota Senate, 23rd District (2006–2022)
* Randy Hedberg – former NFL quarterback, later MSU football head coach (1982–89)
* Mikey Hoeven – former first lady of North Dakota, wife of Senator John Hoeven
* David C. Jones, General, United States Air Force – former USAF Chief of Staff (1974-1978) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1978–82)
* Douglas Kary – current member of Montana Senate, 22nd District (2015–Present); member of Montana House of Representatives, 48th District (2010–2015)
* Doug Larsen – former member of North Dakota Senate, 34th District (2020–2023)
* Stanley W. Lyson – member of North Dakota Senate, 1st District (1999–2014)
* Mary Manross – former mayor of Scottsdale, Arizona (2000–08)
* Mary Sherman Morgan – rocket fuel scientist credited with invention of liquid fuel Hydyne in 1957, which powered Jupiter-C rocket that boosted first U.S. satellite
* David O'Connell – former North Dakota state senator (1988-2016) and representative (1983-88)
* Sean Ortiz – Canadian Football League defensive lineman, BC Lions (2008–12)
* Charles Payne – Fox Business Channel contributor (Cavuto on Business, Cashin' In, Bulls and Bears)
* A. R. Shaw – former educator and mayor of Mandan, North Dakota (1968–72)
* John Warner – former North Dakota state senator (2005-16) and representative (1997-2004)
* Lisa Wolf – former member of North Dakota House of Representatives (2007–2010)

## Notable administrators and faculty

* Arthur G. Crane – the first president of Minot Normal School, and later Governor of Wyoming (1949–51)
* Ernst Ising – professor (1947–48); physicist credited with developing Ising model
* Wade Regier – former Minot State Beavers men's ice hockey coach (2010–2021), ACHA D-I National Championship (2013)