Fargo, N.D. — Several NDSU College of Human Development and Education faculty members and students gave presentations and had research published. John Schuna, a doctoral student in wellness, was awarded a Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship for the 2011-12 academic year.  Michael Siggerud published an article, " Superintendent Search Tips from the Pros," in the March-April volume of the Minnesota School Board Journal. The article was based on his dissertation work in the Education Doctorate Program. Professor emeritus Ronald Stammen was his adviser.

David Silkenat, assistant professor in the NDSU School of Education, had an article, "'In Good Hands, in a Safe Place: Female Academies in Confederate North Carolina," published in the January issue of the North Carolina Historical Review.

Brad Strand, professor of health, nutrition and exercise sciences at NDSU, received the Gold Medal of Honor from the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance in recognition for his contributions, merit, visionary leadership and for promotion of the quality and values of health, physical education, recreation, sport and dance education, science and programs. Strand received the award at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance annual conference in San Diego March 29-April 1.

Desiree Tande and Brandi Niemeier, NDSU doctoral graduates; Joyce Hwang, assistant professor at the University of Hawaii; Sherri Stastny, NDSU assistant professor of health, nutrition and exercise sciences; and Joel Hektner, NDSU associate professor of human development and family sciences, had an abstract peer reviewed for the 2011 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. It was selected for a poster session in San Diego for the American Dietetic Association in September. The presentation title is "BMI Percentile Is Related to Learning Outcomes Among Preschool Children Following Exposure to Additional Fruits and Vegetables at Meals and Snacks in Pilot Study."

Anita Welch, assistant professor in the NDSU School of Education, has had papers accepted in three conferences. The papers are all collaborative efforts with professors from NDSU and around the world. "High School Robotics Competition: Building More than Robots" was presented at The American Evaluation Association Conference in Anaheim, Calif. "A Cross-Cultural Validation of the Technology-Rich Outcomes-Focuses Learning Environment Inventory" was presented at the International Conference on Education and Educational Psychology in Istanbul, Turkey. "Technology as a Three-legged Stool for International Collaboration and Research" was presented by Claudette Peterson at EDULEARN11 International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies in Barcelona, Spain.

Several awards were presented at the North Dakota Dietetics state meeting. Vel Rae Burkholder, NDSU professor emeritus of dietetics, received the 50-year American Dietetic Association membership award.  Sherri Nordstrom Stastny, NDSU assistant professor of health, nutrition and exercise sciences, received the outstanding dietetic educator award. Joan Nagel, a senior in the Coordinated Program at NDSU, was named the outstanding dietetic student.  Kristen Liebl was named the outstanding young dietitian of the year. She is a graduate of the NDSU dietetics program and works as a community dietitian at Sanford Health in Fargo. Char Herr was named the outstanding dietitian of the year. Herr graduated from NDSU's dietetics program and is program manager for the Midwest Dairy Association. Stephanie Bechtel, junior in the Coordinated Dietetics Program at NDSU, was the scholarship recipient.

Eating for Your Eyes II: Diabetic Retinopathy, a project developed in collaboration with the North Dakota Optometric Association and NDSU has been awarded $10,000 by Healthy Vision Community Awards. Project directors are Nancy Kopp, executive director of the North Dakota Optometric Association and Sherri Stastny, assistant professor of health, nutrition and exercise science at NDSU, in collaboration with Julie Garden-Robinson from NDSU Extension. Healthy Vision Community Awards are sponsored by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, to make a difference in communities across the nation by supporting grassroots eye health education.