The welding area now has a separate exit as well as ventilation hoods that suck out toxic fumes. An air exchange in Spafford Studios brings in fresh air from the outside. NORTHERN TODAY 7 FALL 2015 NORTHERN NEWS NSU, HCC PARTNERSHIP continued from page 6 Transfer experience After graduating high school in Huron, Jeffery Bartel earned his associate degree at HCC and transferred to Northern, where he is in his third semester. Bartel said HCC prepared him well for continuing his college career at NSU. In Huron, there were no extracurricular activities – students were there strictly for classes. It made his transition smooth and his course load at NSU manageable. Many people think college is only about acquiring new knowledge, but Bartel stressed it’s also about improving life skills. “You’ve got to learn how to plan, you’ve got to learn how to organize and you’ve got to learn how to strategize,” he said. “Huron Community College teaches those pretty well.” Bartel, a double major in biology and history with a certification in biotechnology, pointed out that HCC has professors who drive from other universities around the state. “What you’re getting at Huron is the same quality of education of any other college,” he said. Supportive atmosphere Tschetter, a member of the Student Advisory Board, strives to promote HCC. “Because I love school, and I encourage a lot of my friends to take classes at Huron Community Campus,” she said. “There are professors there that will not let you fail, and I like that. I’m just a big advocate for it.” Tschetter said she’s received support not only from the professors, but also from staff members. “Every single one of them have talked to me on a personal level,” she said. “I don’t feel like I’m just a number to them.” Moran has also recommended HCC to others. “I feel it is a great opportunity that has been given to the Huron area,” she said. “You can earn a degree or you can just take a class or two for the joy of learning. The cost and location make that a possibility for anyone.” “IT’S THE BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FACILITY in the state,” said Dr. Greg Blair, associate professor of art at NSU. But along with those changes have also come new safety features. And while they might not be as exciting for students, they’re very beneficial in the long-term, Blair said. An air exchange in Spafford Studios brings in fresh air from the outside. The sculpture studio now has a proper dust collection system. The welding area now has a separate exit as well as ventilation hoods that suck out fumes. That area is also walled off from the rest of the sculpture studio, which will prevent sawdust from drifting into the welding area. The printmaking room, too, got a new wall, new equipment, and a similar collection system to vent out toxic fumes. This area will allow safer storage and handling for the hazardous materials printmaking requires. Project began in 2013 The facilities improvement project, estimated at $1.4 million, began in 2013 and involves both Spafford and Dacotah halls. Earlier work resulted in an expanded dark room, new computer lab, new photo studio, and reconfigured classrooms for graphic design and photography. The photography classroom features new countertops and tables as well as magnetized whiteboards where students can display their work. Along with new computers, the computer lab also has Wacom tablets, which allow for digital painting. Students have been impressed by the changes. “The students who were part of the old space were blown away,” said Sara Christensen Blair, NSU associate professor of art. The project will continue with more work in the ceramics area – including improved air exchange. The project is key to maintaining accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). NSU was awarded full NASAD membership in October 2013. Support led to Success “This upgrade project demonstrates how good things happen when good people commit to improving the student experience at NSU,” said Peter Kilian, professor of art and chairman of the NSU Department of Art and Theater. Kilian said he started working on accreditation in 2007-08. “Our success would not have happened without the support of NSU senior administration, the Aberdeen community, the NSU Foundation, art faculty, and our students,” he said. Student support has been critical. “Many of our art students graduated before they ever saw the benefits of the improved facilities – yet they still pitched in and helped,” Kilian said. Art department upgrades put safety first Thanks to an ongoing facilities improvement project, the Northern State University art department now boasts attractive new spaces and cutting-edge equipment. U P G RAD E S
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