The University of Minnesota Crookston announced on April 15 that it is entering the final weeks of the semester, with a series of campus events and activities leading up to commencement. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at Lysaker Gymnasium, where approximately 200 students are expected to participate out of the 470 eligible graduates—an increase of seventy from last year.
Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause said this time marks an important transition for students as they move from their studies into new phases of their lives. She highlighted the importance of community connections and noted several upcoming celebrations on campus. On April 20, alumnus Les Nielsen will be honored during a dedication event as the campus wellness center is named the Nielsen Family Wellness Center following what Holz-Clause described as “the largest donation in our campus history.” Les Nielsen and his late wife June have supported scholarships since the 1990s and previously donated $1 million to support wellness facilities.
Holz-Clause also addressed infrastructure needs on campus, stating that this year’s Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement request would fund maintenance projects across Minnesota campuses, including roof replacements and structural work at Crookston. The chancellor recognized UMN Crookston’s receipt of the SEED Coalition’s Community Partner Award for its collaboration with local organizations during National Night Out.
Campus life remains active with recent additions to athletics programs. Since 2019, men’s and women’s cross country, trap shooting, hockey, indoor track and field have been added. This season saw both Golden Eagle teams achieve their best results at Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference meets. Other sports updates include baseball tying for second place in conference standings after splitting games against Sioux Falls on April 13; softball ranking eleventh; tennis preparing for its third straight tournament appearance; golf concluding regular play; and trap team opening spring competition.
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Department plays a significant role within UMN Crookston by promoting social well-being through hands-on experiences that allow students to positively influence agriculture and natural resources according to the official website. The department operates mainly from the University Teaching and Outreach Center according to university information as part of UMN Crookston according to university sources. Its focus includes safeguarding food supplies while promoting environmental health through sustainable practices integrated with new technologies as outlined by university officials. The department also supports an Equine Science initiative via a Horse Donation Program according to official sources, reaching high school students through events such as Agriculture and Natural Resources Activities Day as reported by university information.
Looking ahead, Holz-Clause emphasized continued commitment “to supporting student success, engaging with local partners and fostering a welcoming… environment.” She referenced Elevate Extraordinary 2030 as “the strategic roadmap” focused on collaboration, innovation, learning preparation, community service through knowledge exchange in various fields—including arts and healthcare—and investment in workforce development.
