As the new year begins, Dickinson State University is nearing completion of renovations to the Agriculture and Technical Studies Building and preparing for the opening of the remodeled and expanded Indoor Arena facility.
Faculty and staff returned to the Agriculture and Technical Studies Building during the fall semester while exterior work continued. With the replacement of old windows over winter break, renovations are expected to be complete in time for the spring semester. Students will then have full access to newly remodeled classrooms, an expanded computer lab, a former auditorium converted into a lecture hall and a new student lounge adjacent to the meats lab.
“Having updated classrooms and access to the Indoor Arena makes a big difference in how we learn,” said Kailey Brimmer, a senior from Miles City, Mont., in agriculture studies at Dickinson State University. “It shows that DSU is investing in students and in the future of agriculture.”
The Indoor Arena is scheduled to open in January and is expected to significantly benefit DSU’s rodeo and equine academic programs.
DSU’s equine program, established in 2000, includes a fully online, two-year associate degree in equine management or equine training, led by Professor Gene Miller. The program also includes an on-campus Bachelor of Science in agricultural sciences with an emphasis in equine studies.
Limited indoor space has previously restricted on-campus equine courses, particularly hands-on classes such as equitation and colt starting, many of which are taught by adjunct instructors in the afternoon and evening. With the reopening of the Indoor Arena, equine classes will be able to take place simultaneously in the north warm-up arena while the rodeo team practices in the main arena. The addition of 12 new indoor stalls will further support equine classes and on-campus programming.
The new facility is also expected to elevate DSU Rodeo. Joe Schmidt, a DSU and DSU Rodeo alumnus who attended from 2003 to 2006, became head rodeo coach last August.
To help manage public use of the Indoor Arena Complex, Heidi Uecker-Schmidt, also a DSU and DSU Rodeo alumna from 2003 to 2006, was hired as arena coordinator and assistant rodeo coach. She will serve as the primary point of contact as community members utilize the facility.
“With the upgrades to the Ag Building and upgrades and expansion of the multipurpose arena, DSU is poised to continue its dedicated service to agriculture, technical studies, equine programming and rodeo in western North Dakota,” said Chip Poland, assistant dean, director of the agriculture and technical studies program and professor of agriculture.
Combined with the Biesiot Activities Center and the Sanford Sports Complex, the new and renovated facilities highlight continued growth and development on the west side of DSU’s campus.